May 12, 2023

Ministry Council Chair Report

May 12, 2023

Hillcrest Church Family -

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Chair of Ministry Council. The past year has been filled with exciting opportunities for Hillcrest to serve not only here in our church building, but within Medicine Hat as well. There will always be challenges, however, as we work together between Ministry Council and Staff, trusting God and his vision for Hillcrest I know that we can continue to show His love to our city and beyond.

It is a great privilege to be able to serve Hillcrest Church as a member and Chair of Ministry Council. Our amazing staff continues to work tirelessly to serve our church as well as the entire city. They have willingly stepped into any challenge and worked together to ensure Hillcrest is available for any need. God has blessed us with people who have large hearts to care for the sick and those in need and we hear stories of lives blessed as a result of this work. From baptisms to new bulbs in the Jesus wall, to stories of lives changed through people coming to know Jesus, the staff continues to be a light to all who come through our doors.

I look forward to serving another term on Council. As always, Council will see some changes, however, I know that by trusting God, we will continue to see lives changed and transformed through Him. Whether it is through in-person services, or through our continuing online services, God’s word is being heard and His love is being shown to many. We can celebrate what God has done here at Hillcrest in the past year, and look ahead in anticipation for what He has in store for us in the next one. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve on Ministry Council for the next year.

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Jolayne Domian

May 12, 2023

Introduction to AGM 2023

Jolayne Domian

May 12, 2023

Welcome to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Hillcrest Church.

This meeting has three main functions. First, it is a time to look back at the last year. Second, it is a time to anticipate what the Lord has for us in the future. Third, it a time for accountability among the Ministry Council, official members, and the rest of the church family.

Staff and Board Reports

Staff and Board reports give us a chance to look back at what was happening in the previous calendar year. And they also give a glimpse of the path that we are on. Read them prayerfully as we celebrate together what God has been doing and as we look for what the Lord has and will be doing in the next ministry season.

Financial reports

The Financial Report accomplishes all three of the functions listed above. It helps us to look back, it helps us to look forward, and it helps the Ministry Council to be accountable to the members and the rest of the congregation.

This brings us to polity. The Ministry Council had already approved the budget for 2023 in December of last year. The Ministry Council needs members to affirm their decision. Most years, this is not an issue, but if there ever is a time when the board is not being properly accountable to the Lord and the congregation, the members can withhold their affirmation.

Affirming the budget isn’t just about accountability, it is also about commitment. By affirming the budget for 2023 you are indicating that you are ready to do your part to support God’s good work at Hillcrest. There are all sorts of ways that we give here; thank you to all the volunteers who give so much of their time and talents. And your ongoing financial support of the ministry of Hillcrest is crucial to the Mission that we have been given by the Lord.

Polity

Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church is governed by a Ministry Council made up of several lay leaders and the lead pastors. The staff of the church is accountable to the Executive Pastor, Pastor Glenn—who, along with the Senior Pastor, Pastor Steve—is accountable to the Chair of the Ministry Council as directed by the Ministry Council as a whole.

The Ministry Council is directly accountable to the official membership. The official membership is generally accountable to the Lord, the rest of the congregation, and to the community. All of these groups—the staff, the lead pastors, the Ministry Council, and the official members are responsible to make sure Hillcrest stays true to our calling and to steward our legacy for the sake of the future that God has for us.

The AGM is one of the ways that the Ministry Council demonstrates accountability to the membership. Accountability is also practiced:

in the selection process
by following the bylaws
by operating according to the governance manual
by holding special meetings as needed

Our AGM will be Hybrid again. There will be scheduled times for attendees to ask questions or make comments throughout the meeting. If you are in the Worship Centre, please use the mic whenever you are speaking from the floor. You may also submit questions or comments in writing to the moderator.

If you are attending online, you can use the dialogue box and ask for your comments or questions to be read to the congregation. If you are unable to type your questions, you will be able to call a cell number that will be given online.

Also feel free to use the COMMENTS/QUESTIONS button at the bottom of each AGM 2023 Web Page at any time before the AGM.

Vision

The AGM is a time for us to catch a vision for where the Lord is taking us at Hillcrest. That vision emerges from the ongoing gospel work that was given to the founders and builders who officially incorporated as a church almost 75 years ago. We have such a rich heritage. We want to build on that legacy as we continue in