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 and the official members and committed congregants.
LOOKING BACK
We look back in several ways. First, officially we look back via the reports submitted by the staff and board. You can start with the Executive Pastor’s report here or you can go to the AGM 2022 Reports page and scroll through to check out the reports you are most interested in. Take your time to read through the reports prayerfully, there is much to be thankful for even though we’ve all had another difficult year.
LOOKING FORWARD
There are various ways that we try to look forward at the AGM. Last year we introduced a new way of speaking of our Mission. If you check it out here, you’ll notice this isn’t really new to us. We look forward to what the Lord has for us as we all re-align around the mission. This year we are unveiling our Strategic Plan. Or more properly, Strategic Planning. Strategic Planning is a way for the leaders to come together before the Lord and seek and record what the Lord has for us to do next. Check out the Executive Pastor report for more details.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The Financial Report actually accomplishes all three of the elements 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 2022 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 2022 you are indicating that you are ready to do your part to support God’s good work at Hillcrest. There’s 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.
Accountability
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 can 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 2022 Web Page at anytime before the AGM.
GOSPEl
Last year we reminded ourselves, that we’re
making disciples of Jesus Christ and giving everyone in our area opportunity to have a personal relationship with Him.
In saying this, we are naming what we have been doing, what we are doing, and what we will be doing.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 10:24–25, ESV).
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