West Clearbrook Church closes

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

In 1989, the British Columbia MB Conference had a vision to plant a church in a new residential development in Abbotsford, B.C. which in was supposed to be called West Clearbrook but which came to be known as Townline Hill. The Conference called Bert Kamphuis as church planter, and a core group of 18 adults committed themselves to the project. West Clearbrook Community Church was founded in September, 1989. The previous summer had been spent on various activities aimed at getting the church under way, such as a barbecue at Grant Park.

Initial growth was not rapid, but steady. On March 9, 1990 the congregation applied for membership in the B.C. MB Conference, reporting 36 charter members. On April 3 of that year, the first baptism was held; three young men were baptized, and 14 people joined the congregation by transfer.

It was not long before the essential character of the church began to emerge. Bert Kamphuis became involved with prisoners. Then, Colin Campbell, who was already involved in prison ministries, joined the church. At one time, the church was involved with 18 prisoners from Matsqui, Ferndale and Mission institutions. When it was discovered that one of the prisoners had contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion in another country, many in the church became involved in ministering to him until his death.

Another defining characteristic of the church was a foreign mission interest. West Clearbrook sent out over 20 missionaries. As well, a significant number of people with missionary experience and several employees of missionary organizations, particularly Mennonite Central Committe, were part of the congregation. The missions committee was one of the most successful committees in the life of the church. Members of the church served through Kidz Club, the single mothers ministry Open Door and short-term youth missions.

The church's philosophy was a mixture of the traditional and the contemporary. Tradition was evident in the commitment to a covenantal form of church membership. Multiple ministry was practised in preaching, teaching and service; at one point, it was a policy that preaching would be shared 50/50 by pastor and laity. This provided the pastor freedom to pursue evangelism and and allowed church members to practise or test their gifts. The church was committed to evangelical Anabaptism, the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith and the authority of Scripture. The church was also committed to contemporary worship in order to reach the modern generation. An effort was made to reach out cross-culturally and to use the gifts of everyone. The church passed a policy to open all church positions to women.

By May, 1992, discussion had begun about the need for an additonal pastor, and Bill McGladdery, a member of the congregation, was called to be pastor of family ministries.

By February, 1993, the congregation had filled the Columbia Bible College chapel, where it was meeting, and began talking about alternatives. There was talk of multiple services, buying a building, partnering with the College to expand the chapel and planting a daughter church. None of these came to pass.

Kamphuis resigned in order to plant a church in Vernon, B.C. in spring, 1994, and Bill McGladdery became sole pastor. The church found it could not afford additonal staff, aside from a secretary, and dreams were put on hold. The church began to experience a slow decline in numbers. People continued to commit themselves to other ministries and to foreign missions and therefore to leave. Others moved to new locations, and still others simply left. Few new people came to fill the gaps.

In October, 1997, Bill McGladdery resigned, and the church was faced with serious decisions. Initially there was no intention to close the church, and Ron Braun was called as interim, half-time pastor until a permanent decision could be made. Eventually, however, the church decided that it was no longer viable and decided to close as of May 31, 1998.

The closing activities took place on Sunday, May 31, with many former members and adherents attending. Following a morning coffee time, a two-hour service was held which combined a historical review, a letter of reminiscence from Bert Kamphuis and short messages from Bill McGladdery and Ron Braun. McGladdery reminded the congregation to recall with joy the ministries which the Lord was able to do through the church. Braun called upon the congregation to avoid assigning blame for the church's closure. Following the service, a potluck lunch was enjoyed by most of those present, accompanied by an open mike session in which both past and current members participated. Finally, Ron Braun closed with prayer, and the community dissolved. Most members will find church homes locally. Others will be leaving for foreign mission assignments, consistent with one of the major emphases of West Clearbrook Community Church.

Gerald Janzen

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