A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Rev. Brown is the pastor of First Church, Nelson, and Convenor of the Synod Committee on Church Growth. This article begins with an introduction by Cal Brown, followed by the Church Growth Committee Report as presented to the 1984 B.C. Synod, and concludes with appropriate quotes from the minutes of Synod.

“We must confess that the typical Christian of our time, however noble his character, is unable to speak one intelligent word on behalf of his faith,” wrote Dr. James D. Smart, a well known Canadian Presbyterian more than twenty years ago. It is likely for the most part that indictment is still valid even among people of our own denomination who glory in the centrality of the scriptures as “the rule of faith and life” and sit under Biblical preaching week after week.

There is a difference between attending worship services and Bible studies for edification and a more concentrated study of scriptures, to gain deeper understanding. These two aspects, of course, ought not to be torn unnaturally apart as is common in religious studies of the universities and in many local churches.

Canadian Presbyterians now have an opportunity to support an initiative of the Synod of British Columbia with the encouragement of the National Church Growth Committee and the General Assembly in creating a Presbyterian Lay Training School, to be located in British Columbia. This would be open to Presbyterians everywhere who desire to spend a year in an environment where both personal spiritual growth and growth in knowledge of Christ and His Church go hand in hand.

It is the vision and goal of this school to assist congregations in educating lay people who indeed will be well informed and articulate in the reformed understanding of the Christian faith. They will also have a renewed commitment to furthering the work of Christ through the Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Cal Brown

CHURCH GROWTH COMMITTEE REPORT

Your Committee has spent the major part of the year investigating the possibilities and viability of establishing a Lay Training Centre in the Synod, as a service to and for the whole church in Canada. In this work we have received the support and encouragement of the National Church Growth Committee and the 110th General Assembly.

The concept of the Lay Training Centre is as follows:

PURPOSE:

  1. To provide lay persons with an extended period of time to discover their gifts for ministries.
  2. To provide the opportunities for students to exercise their gifts, to gain self confidence and to be of service to the church as knowledgeable and informed members.
  3. To provide opportunity for students to develop and articulate their faith in a Reformed setting.

MOTIVATION

We have a desire to see lay people have an opportunity to grow into deeper faith and service through Biblical studies, training, and reflection in the Reformed perspective which would enrich the whole church’s sense of purpose and mission. The experience of some congregations is that where enthusiastic lay people (especially young people) seek additional Christian training above what most congregations offer, they are pointed to professional training (Ewart, Knox, P.C., VST) or told we have no other options. They seek out non-denominational or other denominational schools, and often end up serving with vigour in another denomination. The result is that there is a drain of some of our willing and zealous students. We would like to offer another option.

The following is a Progress Review for the Lay Training Centre:

REVIEW PROGRESS (Investigations and Support):

  1. Extensive investigation into various models led us to the conclusion that the Baptist Lay Training School model, using concentrated two-week courses, spread over 8 months, was most promising. The Calgary model has been in operation since 1949 and a new school is opening this year in Whitby, Ontario. This model is a source of vision and renewal for that denomination.
  2. We have completed a survey of the presbyteries in the Synod and of western Bible Colleges, and discovered that although a large number of Presbyterian students have not attended Bible Schools in the last several years, there were sufficient numbers to enable a school. Added to this large number in the East (e.g. the third largest denominational representation at Ontario Bible College are Presbyterians) then we have cause to be optimistic.

Canadian Presbyterians now have the opportunity to support an initiative… in creating a Presbyterian Lay Training School…

  1. Both the Presbyteries of Kamloops and Kootenay have passed resolutions endorsing the concept, and reports are favourable from the other two presbyteries, and congregations – some of which have offered bursary support.
  2. A survey concerning the curriculum desired in such a school two years ago had good response from Synod congregations which indicated interest in Basic Bible Knowledge, Youth Leadership Skills, Leadership for Church Education, Bible Study Leadership, People Care, Community Outreach, Eldership Training, Personal Evangelism, Recruitment of Workers, Organizational Skills, Music in Worship and Global Concerns. These would help form the curriculum.
  3. Location of such a centre after many inquiries in Western Canada (including Presbyterian Residence Saskatchewan and camps in Alberta) seems best within the Synod, with the first choice being in the greater Vancouver area, close to libraries and other resources. The precise site is yet to be determined, although dialogue with St. Andrew’s Hall and some congregations is promising of close cooperation for summer and regular semester housing.
  4. Financial Support: $7,500 in 1984 – up to $8,000 in 1985 from the General Assembly is encouraging. After several consultations with the national Task Force on Lay Training, the National Church Growth Committee, and the Rev. Dr. Jim Sauer, we are greatly encouraged to note their support. See the A. & P. (pages 282-283) noting especially recommendation 3 “that the Synod of B.C. be encouraged to pursue the development of a residential Lay Training Institute.” The consensus is that this would be a great contribution to the present needs of our Church to “equip all the saints” for their work of ministry.
  5. Projected Budget: To operate the school for one year, including twelve students, a projected budget would be about $84,000. The Board should name a ways and means committee to raise start up and operating costs. It is recommended that the Synod set a two dollar per member assessment to raise some of the costs.
  6. A proposed development plan is herewith submitted that would enable us to have the school operational by September 1985.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Synod should appoint a Board:
Phase I – October 1984-June 1985

  1. Board Membership will consist of one representative from the hosting institution, one from each Presbytery, two others to be appointed by the Board.
  2. Presbytery Submission – each Presbytery shall appoint a representative before December 15, 1984, to the Synod Clerk. (Lay representation to the Board should be a consideration.) The Clerk of Synod will call the first meeting. The Board will elect their own officers from their number. The initial term of office for the Board will be until Synod meets in 1985.
  3. Duties of the Board: The Board is to be accountable to the Synod and will report annually to the Synod. The Dean reports to the Board. The Board shall develop and draft a constitution, including a theological statement, for presentation to the Synod of 1985. The Board shall have oversight of curriculum, staff, budget and finance and other related matters.
  4. Dean – A Dean appointed by the Board for an interim two year period. He will report to the Synods of 1985 and 1986. A nomination to a term appointment will be made to the 1986 Synod.

The following phases are anticipated:

Phase II – July – August 1985
Two one-week extension seminars will be held in two different centres during the summer.

Phase III – September-December 1985
First semester (12 weeks) – Two-week period of instruction will be held and some field work initiated.

Phase IV – January-March 1986
Second semester (12 weeks) – the components as in first semester, but with different courses.

We have a desire to see lay people have an opportunity to grow into deeper faith and service through Biblical studies, training and reflection in the Reformed] perspective…

“Recommendation No. 1 – That in response to the encouragement of the 110th General Assembly the Synod of B.C. proceed with the establishment of a residential lay training institute,’ was moved by the Reverend Cal Brown, duly seconded.”

After considerable discussion, recommendation one was adopted.

“Recommendation 2. Recommendation two ‘that this residential lay training institute be named “The Iona Leadership Community of the Presbyterian Church in Canada”.’ The Reverend J.H. Kouwenberg moved in amendment, duly seconded, ‘that a distinctive name be given to the School by the proposed Board.’ The amendment carried. The motion as amended was adopted.”

“Recommendation 3. The Reverend Cal Brown, Convenor, moved, duly seconded, recommendation three ‘that Synod approve phase one of the proposed Development Plan and that the proposed phases two, three and four be referred to the initial Board.’ ”

After discussion recommendation three as printed was carried.

“Recommendation 4. Recommendation four ‘that Synod allow the Board to recruit students and to raise funds. Note: Some funds now held in trust by the Synod, having been received from the National Committee of Church Growth, would be turned over to the Board to assist in carrying out the task’ was put and carried.”

“Recommendation 5. Recommendation five ‘that in support of the lay leadership training institute an initial Synod assessment of two dollars per member be approved’ was presented. The Reverend Barry Forsyth moved an amendment, duly seconded, ‘that “voluntary allocation” replace “assessment”. ’ The amendment carried. The motion as amended carried.”

“Recommendation 6. Recommendation six ‘that the Church Growth Committee be made a unit of Synod consisting of a Synod Chairman, Vice Chairman and Presbytery Convenors (or appointee) was already passed in the Second Sederunt. The Reverend Barry Forsyth moved, duly seconded, a new sixth motion with the permission of the Court: ‘that the initial Board be instructed to consult with the Vancouver School of Theology as to the best ways in which they can be informed of one another’s activities and co-operate in lay education.’ Carried.”

“Recommendation 8. Recommendation eight ‘that in view of the fact the Church Growth Committee spent the majority of its time researching and developing the lay leadership centre concept, that the task as assigned by the 92nd Synod of studying the Superintendent Mission and Area Educational Consultant be referred to the Unit on Church Growth for a report to the next Synod’ was adopted as printed.”

“The Reverend J.H. Kouwenberg moved, duly seconded, ‘that a word of hearty thanks be extended to the Committee on Church Growth and especially its Convenor for the work done on the Lay Leadership Training Centre proposal’. Carried.”

“The whole Report, as amended, was adopted.”

“We must confess that the typical Christian of our time, however noble his character, is unable to speak one intelligent word on behalf of his faith.” – James D. Smart