Hopeful signs of courage and creativity — Apostle Lach Mackay reflects on his Ontario visit

By Apostle Lachlan Mackay

Apostle Shannon McAdam and I spent the second week of June visiting members and friends from eight Community of Christ congregations in Ontario. 

Accompanied by Sam Smalldon, Bishop of Canada and member of the Mission Center Presidency Team, we began our journey at the Grand Valley congregation, followed by a detour to see the home of Joseph Smith III's wife, Ada Clark. From there, we shared tea with members of the Proton congregation before visiting the Proton building and cemetery. The day ended with an evening gathering at Owen Sound. On the second day, we spent time with the Wiarton and Port Elgin congregations. 

On the third day, Mission Center Presidency Team members John Hamer and Leandro Palacios joined us as we attended the weekly home gathering of the Guelph congregation and an online evening with the Willow congregation.

Everywhere we went, we were met with warm welcomes, delicious food, meaningful fellowship, and thoughtful questions. Throughout our visits in Ontario, we were impressed by the faithfulness, warmth, and resilience of the members and friends we met. Many congregations are sustained by long-serving disciples who continue to offer ministry with commitment and care.

Again and again, we experienced communities shaped by deep relationships and a clear desire to steward what has been entrusted to them for the sake of mission. Their relationships with one another are central to their identity. In some places, congregations are also recognizing the need to move beyond a building while continuing to serve faithfully and creatively.

These visits also revealed the many ways congregations are gathering and serving during this time of rapid change. Some communities remain deeply connected to their buildings as places of mission, memory, welcome, and ministry. Others pioneered what it means to continue as a congregation after selling a church building, while some have more recently transitioned to home gatherings. Still others are gathering in hybrid in-person and online ways.

Together, these settings showed us that congregational life in Ontario is not defined by one model. It is shaped by faithful people discerning how best to embody Christ's mission in their local context.

Several consistent themes emerged throughout the journey: the importance of strong relationships among field, mission centre, and congregational leaders; the need to name honestly the challenges we face; and the willingness to risk something new. In many places, there was a growing recognition that the future will require taking church to the people rather than waiting for people to come to the church.

Our Ontario visit offered hopeful signs of courage and creativity as congregations continue discovering faithful ways to live Christ's mission in changing times.