Series Descriptions

I. Historical records.
1955–2006.
52 cm of textual records.

• This series includes several historical sketches of the Nutana MB Church, Forest Grove Community church bulletins (1979-2006), and church constitutions (1970, 1976, 1985, 1991, 1996) as well as incomplete constitutions (1996 and 2000). There is also a yearbook of Gospel Tidings, the gospel broadcast sponsored by the Central Mennonite Brethren Church. Also included is the church’s newspaper, ”Focus”, (1983-1986) along with some working documents and photographs, as well as its successor newsletter the “Builder”, (1987-1988). This series also contains the correspondence of the Board of Mission (1985-1996), correspondence of congratulations regarding the completion of the new building in 1985, the correspondence of the Provincial Outreach Ministry (1985-1996), and the correspondence of the worship teams (1993-1994). There is also a poster advertising the 1995 Christmas program.
• Finding aid: Forest Grove Community Church Vol. 595 #1 – Vol. 1272 #30; Vol. 1775 #54 (photo directory).

II. Minutes and reports.
1963–2006.
145 cm of textual records.

• This series consists of minutes of Church Council, membership meetings, and various church boards and committees. The minutes are typed. Also in this series are annual reports and records of church nominations and elections for church positions such as moderator, secretary, and committee members (1965–1988, 2015).
• The minutes of several fellowship groups are present. The 120 Fellowship ministered to the needs of married couples (1987). The AFC (Adult Fellowship Classes) Leadership Teams were responsible for adult Sunday school classes (2000). The Koinonia Executive and its successor body, the Christian Singles Executive, were responsible for the church’s ministries among single adults (1985 to 1988); the Christian Singles Executive, (1989-1990). The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast was a monthly gathering (1989). The M.O.M.’s Executive (Morning Off for Moms) ran biweekly (later weekly) meetings which offered fellowship, teaching and child care (1984-1985,1991, 2004). The Forest Grove Youth Executive was in charge of ministries to high school age people (1985); also present are minutes of a meeting of the parents of members of the senior high youth group (1988).
• Some groups were struck to prepare for special events. These include the 25^th Anniversary Committee (1984). The Martin Steering Committee made preparations and arrangements for the visit of Walter Martin in October 1987, as well as follow-up activities (1986-1988). The Missions Conference Committee was responsible for organizing the church’s annual Missions Conference (1985). The Solo Flight Planning Committee was responsible for all necessary arrangements for the Solo Flight Conference for young adults in 1989.
• Some groups were responsible for overseeing a wide variety of ministries. The Board of Care coordinated Home Groups, Care Communities, and Special Ministries (1998-2002). The Board of Christian Education was responsible for Sunday School (for adults and children), Clubs, Children’s Church, the nursery, liaison with Redberry Bible Camp, and the church library (1985-1995). Most of its responsibilities were transferred to the Children’s Ministry Board. The Children’s Ministry Board handled Sunday School, Children’s Church, and Clubs (2000-2002). The Board of Evangelism was responsible for local, provincial and national outreach. It worked with other church boards and ministries, organized its own evangelistic events, and acted as a liaison with the provincial Board of Extension and the national Board of Evangelism as well as other parachurch organizations (1988-2001). The Board of Mission was involved with international missionary work, both by supporting and corresponding with missionaries and their sending agencies and promoting their work locally. Minutes (1986- 2006) are extant, along with correspondence (1985-1996). The Board of Missions and Evangelism was initially responsible for local evangelical work, as well as promoting national and foreign mission activity. The responsibility for foreign mission was later given to the Board of Mission (1986-1987). After 1987, the board was succeeded by the Board of Evangelism. The Board of Specialized Ministries managed ministries catering to specific population segments, such as the nursery, sports ministry, and M.O.M,’s group. Minutes from 1985 to 1986 are extant. The Coordinating Boards consisted of the chairpersons of several upper-level boards and committees who met with the church council and the pastors to report on church ministries and set large-scale goals for the congregation (1984-1985). The Deacon Board was responsible for serving communion, visitation and small groups, catechesis, and material aid to the poor. The title “deacon” was replaced by “lay pastor” in 1991, though the Deacon Board continued under the same name. Minutes from 1984 to 1992 are extant, along with minutes of meetings of deacons and Growth Group (small group) leaders from 1988 to 1989.
• Other bodies were responsible for specific activities. The Music Committee, which became the Board of Music in 1986, coordinated all music and musical equipment at the church. Minutes from 1984 to 1986 for the Music Committee, and from 1986 to 2000 for the Board of Music. The Board of Recruitment and Selection, known as the Nominating Committee prior to June 1994, was responsible for finding laypersons to serve as board and committee members, program coordinators, and delegates to conferences (Minutes 1994-2005). The Building Committee oversaw the construction of the church building that was first occupied in 1984, though final details were only completed in 1985 (1985) The Membership Committee was in charge of keeping up accurate and current membership lists, as well as promoting baptism and membership classes (Minutes 2002-2005). The Nursery Committee was responsible for infant care [198-?]. The Pioneer Clubs Committee was responsible for running the children’s mid week programs (Minutes 1985-1986). The Pre-School Committee, which became the Pre-School Board in 1987, was responsible for the church’s mid-week preschool (Minutes 1987-1989). The Stewardship Committee was responsible for the “This Is My Church Too” fundraising campaign of 1990 (Minutes 1989-1990). The Sunday School Executive was responsible for all the various Sunday education activities for children outside the worship service (Minutes 1987). The Visitation Program involved church members visiting newcomers in their homes. A general outline of the program from 1989 is extant.
• Two bodies were responsible for the church’s financial, capital, and human resources. The Board of Management handled the church’s finances and was responsible for the maintenance, development, and patterns of use of the church’s facilities (Minutes 1985-2006). The Personnel Committee was a support and accountability body for the pastors. A single agenda from 1988 is extant.
• Several bodies were struck to envision and plan for the future. The Land Use Committee was responsible for exploring possible uses of vacant land on the campus of the church. (Minutes [1985?]). Based on the work of his committee, the Forward Planning Committee for the Forest Grove Retirement Center [sic] was struck, which explored the possibility of building a seniors’ residence on the campus of the church. This project was never realized (Minutes 1986). The Pastoral Search Committee was responsible for finding persons to fill paid pastoral positions. As of 1987, this body was known simply as the Search Committee. Each pastoral search was conducted by a committee of unique composition (Minutes 1985, 1987-1995). The Task Force was struck to rethink the church’s organizational structures and staffing capacity, and made recommendations pertaining to staffing, a possible church plant, and a proposed building expansion (Minutes 1993-1994).
• Finding aid: Forest Grove Community Church Vol. 1272 #31 – Vol. 1273 #49, Vol. 1275 #52–53.

III. Financial records.
1964–2002.
3 cm of textual records.

• This series consists of annual statements from 1964 -1967, 1981-1983, 1988-1991, and 2000-2001, as well as church directories from 1981-2002.
• Finding aid: Forest Grove Community Church Vol. 1274 #50-51.