An Overview of the History of Cranbrook Alliance Church

An Overview of the History of Cranbrook Alliance

Church This powerpoint presentation is intended to be a

supplement to the document “A Brief History of Cranbrook Alliance Church” posted on this website. Please read this document prior to making use of this powerpoint presentation.

This powerpoint provides additonal data and observations about God’s working in and through Cranbrook Alliance.

The purpose of this information

The first major step in preparing for the

Pastoral Search process. To present a big picture story of

Cranbrook Alliance Church. To explore how this information

affects us. To pray for God’s wisdom and

guidance. To consider how our future vision will

have continuity with the past.

Key Questions in the Transitional Process

Questions addressed by the history document and powerpoint:

Who were we? Who are we now? What is our context?

(internal/external)

Future questions to be answered prior to search:

What do we believe about engaging our community?

Who do we hope to become? (Vision) ● What is God saying to us about the future? ● What is the Lead Pastor’s role in shaping vision? What kind of leader(s) do we need?

Who were we? 1950 - 1979

Started as a mission – missionary/pastor leader.

A strong start – established with facility by 1953.

Focus – children, youth, evangelistic events.

A high pastoral turnover rate. 10 pastors came and went in the

first 27 years. One of those ten stayed for 8 years. 9 Pastors came and went in the

other 19 years.

Who were we? 1950 - 1979

A church that developed its facilities with a hands on Pastor-led process.

1950, 1955, 1969 building programs all led by the Pastors.

A “God will provide” perspective in facility development.

Who were we? 1950 - 1979

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

City of Cranbrook grew from 3,500 to 15,000

Cranbrook Alliance grew from - 25 to 200

1950 1960 1970 1979

Who were we? 1950 - 1979

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

$140,000

Income 1948 – 1979 - $398.00 to $140,000.00

Who were we? 1950 - 1979

The idea of continued growth was well established.

Consistent ministry focus – children, youth, missions, evangelistic events, preaching.

Solo Pastor led the charge in evangelism. A pattern of “grow – build – expand” well

established. The church facility served as an aid to

ministry. The identity of Cranbrook Alliance as a

growing evangelistic fellowship.

Who were we? 1980’s The “build it and they will come”

paradigm was a common practise within the Alliance denomination at this time.

Many Alliance churches embarked on significant building programs in the 1980”s.

Who were we? 1980’s

An ambitious newfacility proposal both challenged andresonated with thecongregation.

Who were we? 1980’s Serious internal and external

challenges to the building program arose – cost overruns, an economic downturn, high interest rates.

Who were we? 1980’s

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Attendance 1979 - 1990420

200

297

1980 1984 1990

In 1985 the church experienced its firstprolonged decline in attendance.

Who were we? 1980’s A multiple staff model was adopted Staffing – 2 Senior Pastors

3 Associate Pastors 3 Youth Pastors

Energy focused on survival, facility. Outside help was needed from both

lenders and denomination. Identity of the church was being shaped

by the facility. The church’s reputation in the community

suffered. Facility was not an aid to ministry as in

past.

Who were we? 1980’s The church discovered a sense of

hardiness. “we survived and prevailed, Praise

God!” Trust in strong, directive leadership

style was fundamentally altered through the 1980’s.

“Build it and they will come” did not succeed.

Congregational turnover became normalized.

A church of 300 with a $2.5 million debt load by the end of decade.

Who were we? 1980’s Is the dream to fill the building still

alive? To what extent? How prevalent?

Who were we 1990’s Survival mentality

slowly faded. Intentional plan to focus on ministry was developed. Focus on reaching into the community

Who were we 1990’s A collaborative leadership style

emerged. Strong staff team was developed. A 12 year pastoral tenure – Tom

Nevius. Decade of the 1990’s – a strong

decade of ministry in the history of the church.

Growth became normalized once again.

Who were we 1990’s Steady growth in attendance –

300 to 500

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500Attendance 1990 - 2000

1990 1995 2000

300

500

350

Who were we 1990’s

$0

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

$2,500,000

$3,000,000 Debt Reduction 1990 - 2005

The church pursued a steady debt reduction program.

$2.5 million

$970,00

$313,00

$0

Who were we 2000’s A challenging decade for the church. Pastoral team changes in early years

of 2000. An Interim Pastor served the church

from 2002 – 2004. A shift to internal focus – church as

safe haven.

Who were we 2000’s A gradual decline in attendance.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500500

342

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

400

Who were we 2000’s Shift away from a collaborative

leadership style. Shift in Sunday morning service

style. Some challenging events to address. A need to reduce staffing positions. Considerable pressure on the Board

of Elders. Ongoing ministry to children, youth,

worship, small groups and missions remained strong.

Missions Income 1980 - Present

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

$140,000

$160,000

$180,000

$40,000

$170,000

1980 1990 2000 2010

$65,000

$100,000

Who are we now? What you said about Cranbrook

Alliance Church

The results of the Basic Level of Church Health

survey conducted in the fall of 2011.

Who participated?

Members 66%

Non-Members 34%

Total number of responders - 70

Who participated?Length of time attending Cranbrook Alliance

Length of Time

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

1 > 1 year 2-4 years 5-10 years 10-20 years 20 years plus

2%

10%

23% 23% 24%

Age

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

1

Who participated – by Age

Age 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s

191814

3 97

Our Sunday Services are meaningful and relevant in the lives of the people in our congregation.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

We have an effective strategy to impact our community for Christ

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

We have a strong sense of connection with one another in our church family.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Spiritual growth of believers is intentional and effective.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

As a church community we are being trained and equipped for ministry and service.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Our church develops plans that enable positive movement towards clear goals and objectives.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Our church has an effective structure that is organized to help us accomplish our mission.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Our church provides many opportunities to be involved in ministry.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Our church has an effective prayer emphasis that positively impacts our ministry.

Strongly Disagree

MildlyDisagree

Agree

StronglyAgree

Our facilities are adequate to meet our current and future ministry needs.

Who are we now? Survey results about being ready for

change . . . .

45%40%

15%

72%

20% 8%

68%

27%5%

45%

35%

20%

50%

41%

9%

45%

35%

20%

55%

36%

9%

50%

27%23%

Who are we now? Strengths

An enduring fellowship. A congregation seeking Vision from

God. Active in a variety of ministries. A worshipping body of believers. An intentional transitional focus. A highly intergenerational

congregation.

Who are we now? Observations

A church that has not really embraced the large church idea to date. (has never exceeded 500 in average Sunday morning attendance)

The church experienced a steady recovery in the 1990’s.

Still recovering from the loss of a strong staff team in 2002.

Experiencing a measure of “conflict fatigue”

A church with a sense of its God-given hardiness.

A church with a solid long term core.

Who are we now? Statistics

Approximately 600 people call Cranbrook Alliance Church “home”

370 are married – 230 are single

7 baptisms in 2011

Congregation by Age

30s 10%40s 17%

50s 17%

60s 12%

70s plus 7%

Young Adult 10%

Youth, 13%

Children 14%

Who are we now?Conversions and Baptisms - 1980 - Present

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180 Conversions Baptisms

160

90

Who are we now? $125,000 + annual operating cost 2000 –

2010 (this figure includes the costs of keeping the facility operational -

utilities, custodial, insurance, maintenance, repairs, fire safety, security, telephone, snow removal)

The church facility is now 30 years old

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$120,000

$140,000

$160,000

$180,000

$200,000

$110,000

$160,000

2000 2005 2010

Who are we now? Vision Searching for a clearer sense of

vision, past statements include the following:

“Family, Friendly, Faithful to Jesus”

“To love Christ Jesus and make Him known” “To share God’s love by leading people into a life

changing relationship with Jesus Christ”

“Celebrating God’s Love, Building God’s Family”

“Making More and Better Disciples” “The worship of our Lord, the fellowship of His

people and our witness to the world”

Who are we now? Observations

A preference for a collaborative leadership style.

Variety of different visions/values. Somewhat restless for change. Seeking clarity of destiny and purpose. Unlikely to consider a building program for

a long time. Deeply committed to ministry to children,

youth, missions, evangelism, worship and preaching.

Still a strong, large congregation in this community.

What is our context?

02468

1012141618

%

0-5 6-11 12-14

15-17

18-29

30's 40's 50's 60's 70's 80+

Age Comparision Church to Community

% Church% Community

%

What is our context in Cranbrook?

Total population (2009 figures) City – 19,160 Surrounding area – 25,750 Trading/Service area (150k radius)

– 73,000Income and Family Stats Median income - $58,000 Total number of families – 5400 Married – 3760, Common – law 730 Single parent female – 765, male -

140

What is our context?Projected Population Growth to

2030 Since 1976 an average growth rate

of 1% Projections for the future Growth Rate Projected

Population 1.2 % 25,000

2.0 % 30,0002.5 % 35,000

Where are we now? Canadian context

% of Canadians who attend church weekly

1985 2005 age 15 to 24 23% 16%

age 25 to 44 25% 16% age 45 to 64 39% 22% age 65 over 42% 39%

* Provided by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada – Understanding Faith and Trends Seminar 2009

What is our context? Canadian context

% of population that is Evangelical By attendance 4% By membership 5% By affiliation 11%

* Provided by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada – Understanding Faith and Trends Seminar 2009

Where do we go from here?

We will use this information along with listening prayer and continued dialogue to seek answers to the questions:

Who do we hope to become? (vision)

What is God saying to us about the future?

What are we uniquely called to be and do?

Which leads to . . . What kind of leader do we need?

Clear answers to these questions will prepare us to engage in the Pastoral Search process.

Need more information?Contact Daren Wride – Transitional

PastorCranbrook Alliance Church