Last Sunday was a big day at Westside Alliance as the membership voted on the multisite proposal to become one church in two locations with the Mission Creek congregation. The proposal passed with a 52% majority. Leadership feels this is not enough of a mandate to continue with the multisite direction and so we will be working on the completion of our partnership as churches.
As a result of the vote, the Westside church direction now comes under the oversight of the Alliance District office. Mission Creek will work together with the district over the next four weeks to ensure a manageable transition. The last day of Mission Creek involvement will be Sunday November 11.
Between now and then, MCA will help plan public services, prepare weekly bulletins and help Westside volunteers assume additional roles. Oversight of finances will transfer back to the Westside as soon as feasible.
The Westside elder’s board will be meeting with our district superintendent to chart out the next steps for Westside. Please be in prayer for them as they do this!
As I have said before, even though we will not be working together as we have in the past, I do believe that the last year together has been a win for the Kingdom. We have modeled Christian values of bearing one another’s burdens. We have worked together to spread the gospel to our respective neighborhoods. We have sublimated our egos and worked together as brothers and sisters in Christ. We have lifted our eyes higher and acted like the wider body of Christ. We have tried to do something together rather than sit back and do nothing!
I am especially thankful for the pastoral staff who have worked so hard in unfamiliar territory. They have carried big loads and are to be commended. I am also thankful for our combined elder’s boards who have decided not to be territorial but instead to explore a whole new philosophy and direction in ministry. We have had some great times together. I am also thankful to so many from each congregation who have extended grace as we have walked this journey together.
Let’s never forget that we are sister congregations who have the same mandate from the same Lord! Let’s continue to go into all our world and make disciples of all people. Jesus promises his personal presence to the churches that make this their priority!
Pastor Throness