VISION 2025: AN UPDATE
Dear Church,
It has been nearly six months since we met together on May 25, 2025 to present our renewed vision for New City. To be precise, it has been 180 days since we rolled out our three-year vision and strategic plan. We believe God has set us on a course focus on the following:
Clear Discipleship Pathway
Impactful Neighbourhood Engagement
Deep, Compelling Community
Fruitful Mission
Stable, Sacrificial Core
As we approach the half-year mark since our vision launch, it is a good time for us to review our strategic plan and objectives. So, how are we doing?
A few highlights:
In September, we conducted a spiritual health assessment of our church. A fantastic report by our own Andrew Penie will be published in the December issue of our newsletter.
Three nominated elder candidates are currently undergoing training for election as elders.
We have begun speaking with potential teachers for catechism classes, and we are planning on starting The New City Catechism in early 2026.
The New City Discipleship Pathway has been introduced, and we have begun implementation. Foundations 1 (The Lord’s Prayer) is currently being delivered in Intermission Groups. The Big Questions events (Oct 28, Nov 12, Nov 27) are a prelude to an Introductions 1 group for non-Christians (Christianity Explored) in early 2026.
A few highlights:
A team led by Jason Bouwman and John Schuurmann have begun conversations to help us understand our neighbourhood better.
We have begun assembling a team to reboot and expand our ESL ministry.
The New City Arts team has been working on ways to make our neighbourhood presence more visible and beautiful.
The Care Team has begun developing a gifts/passions survey for the church.
The Connections Ministry just organized and hosted our second annual Community Soup Fest, at which we welcomed well over sixty people from our community! Some of those interactions have resulted in ongoing relationships.
A few highlights:
More potlucks! The Connections Ministry is planning bi-monthly potlucks, as well as other opportunities to welcome one another into our homes.
We have begun helpful conversations about revitalizing our worship ministry and leadership.
We walked through eight passages that instruct us in how to live together as a community in the “One Anothering” sermon series (May 11-July 13).
Nametag Sundays! (Sep 7 & 14)
A few highlights:
We continue to pray for our unbelieving friends at our monthly prayer & praise gatherings.
On April 19, we held our first inaugural Joint Good Friday service at Redeemer University, alongside Grace Valley Church, Sojourn Community Church, and Grace Village Church. It was also an evangelistic service, with many unbelievers in attendance.
On June 22nd, we held an outdoor service at John-Rebecca Park, the first of its kind since our inception seventeen years ago. It was also one of the hottest days of the year! We followed up the service with a potluck lunch and ice-cream sandwiches.
On Sundays, Sep 21, 28, and Oct 5, we offered a three-part evangelism course called Simple Evangelism in a Skeptical World.
A few highlights:
The Session is currently reviewing our membership rolls.
The Session and Finance Team are examining alternative ways to give.
We just heard a sermon on Acts 4:32-5:11, about how the Spirit generates a generous, sacrificially giving community.
With the departure of our former tenants, we have listed some parts of the building for lease. We are praying and seeking tenants who are more aligned with our vision and values.
Joint Good Friday Evangelistic Service at Redeemer University | April 18, 2025
Church, there is still much left to be done, but we are grateful to our great King for continuing to bless the work of our hands over the last five months of our new vision. And thank you so much to each of you who have poured out so much of yourself in the service of our church and community. It is a joy to serve with you.
Moses, for the Session