Classis Alberta North church "Clusters" and Church Visiting
This is a site for Classis Alberta North (CAN) that discusses and explains the roots and processes of "Re-Imagining Church Visiting," "Clusters," and "Cluster Church Visiting Circles."
This is a site for Classis Alberta North (CAN) that discusses and explains the roots and processes of "Re-Imagining Church Visiting," "Clusters," and "Cluster Church Visiting Circles."
Summary overview:
Summary overview:
Some restructuring & reforming changes are being attempted regarding Church Visiting in our classis. It all began with a table conversation at classis in the spring of 2017 (or fall 2016). Delegates were asked for input related to their experiences of Church Visiting. The outcome clearly indicated the traditional way was not working well.
Some restructuring & reforming changes are being attempted regarding Church Visiting in our classis. It all began with a table conversation at classis in the spring of 2017 (or fall 2016). Delegates were asked for input related to their experiences of Church Visiting. The outcome clearly indicated the traditional way was not working well.
This led to your Healthy Church Task Force (HCTF) seeking to re-imagine ways of accomplishing the goals of church visiting. They decided not to start from a clean slate, so the existing system was left in place as new approaches were introduced.
This led to your Healthy Church Task Force (HCTF) seeking to re-imagine ways of accomplishing the goals of church visiting. They decided not to start from a clean slate, so the existing system was left in place as new approaches were introduced.
Instead of appointed Church Visitors (CV) needing to travel all over to meet with churches, a system of 'clustering' of neighbouring or similar churches was set up. The expectation was that each church select a CV. The CVs from the churches in the cluster work together to make 'within-cluster' visits happen. The work of visiting is, after all, the work of the churches, not something classis does. Training and support can be arranged through the HCTF.
Instead of appointed Church Visitors (CV) needing to travel all over to meet with churches, a system of 'clustering' of neighbouring or similar churches was set up. The expectation was that each church select a CV. The CVs from the churches in the cluster work together to make 'within-cluster' visits happen. The work of visiting is, after all, the work of the churches, not something classis does. Training and support can be arranged through the HCTF.
A pilot project was also begun within one cluster by which Church Visiting would be done as a group with the executive councils meeting together in a 'circle' conversation. This has worked well and members of the HCTF are prepared to get other clusters going with this approach if requested.
A pilot project was also begun within one cluster by which Church Visiting would be done as a group with the executive councils meeting together in a 'circle' conversation. This has worked well and members of the HCTF are prepared to get other clusters going with this approach if requested.
The rest of this site is designed to give further background and details about all this.
The rest of this site is designed to give further background and details about all this.
About: The history and background that brings us to re-imagining Church Visiting (pending)
About: The history and background that brings us to re-imagining Church Visiting (pending)
About: Clusters
About: Clusters
About: Church Visiting
About: Church Visiting
About: Circle Conversation
About: Circle Conversation
Some suggested topics or guiding questions for a cluster visit based on Church Order Article 42b's guidelines.
Some suggested topics or guiding questions for a cluster visit based on Church Order Article 42b's guidelines.
{Planned but not yet here}: About: what the CCVC experience is like.
{Planned but not yet here}: About: what the CCVC experience is like.