Clergy Support Memorial Church

A Church Without Walls

Sun shining through the clouds

We believe God calls us to “go” and minister where people are, not just to wait for them to come to where we are at 11 on Sunday morning. That is the mandate of Christ’s “Great Commission” in the Bible.

Clergy Support Memorial Church is an independent Christian Church and part of the emerging church movement.

Our emphasis is not on buildings as in the traditional churches. An important part of our ministry is outreach to those members of the public who have no source of pastoral care. We do this through house churches, weddings, funerals, baptisms, visitation, social media, and a myriad of other pastoral methods.

Our headquarters church in Ottawa became incorporated by Letter Patent May 27, 1997. It was recognized as a registered charity May 27, 1998.

Beginning with one minister in 1994, the national Clergy Support Memorial Church now has over 600 Ordained and Appointed, Designated Ministers (DM) in various Provinces.

UPGRADED TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY (Revised 2019)

Each new minister shall finish the following units of ministerial study and training. Some of these units following are available on this page and also to be found in our Ministers Training Institute:

Theology – The History of Religions
Planning and Conduct of Services of Worship
Ordained or Appointed Ministry
Ethics and Morality – Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral Care – Bereavement Ministry
Marriage Ministry
Practice of Holy Communion
Baptism & Welcoming ceremonies
Considerations for Diverse Sexualities and Genders
Community Leadership

CONTINUING EDUCATION (LEARNING FOR LIFE). It is the minister’s responsibility to assess his or her own interests and talents, to continue professional development each year, and to assist the congregation to develop other leadership and initiatives where she or he does not, or cannot, become active. It is particularly important that the minister be clear on the limits and limitations of his or her counseling.

TIME MANAGEMENT. Each minister will determine with the local Board use of his or her time. The emphasis of an individual’s ministry will be his or her choice. It is the minister’s duty to be responsive to the needs of the people from the selection of sermon topics to the necessity and frequency of parish calling.

EXPECTATIONS. Congregation and minister must seriously examine their respective expectations concerning the minister’s participation in committee work and in meetings within and without the congregation. Attendance at meetings relevant to the society’s program is part of the minister’s work week. However, a minister should be expected to spend no more than three nights per week involved in parish-related activities.

___________________

 

 

CSMC News

My Path to Helping Refugees
Sept 20, 2023

Rev Adele Boy writes about her efforts to support refugees and welcome them to Canada. Read more.

_____

(Dog) Food for Thought: Raising Awareness with Fun
Aug. 24, 2023

Rev Nick Scime of Hamilton explains how his micro-grant project unfolded to support the Autism Service Dogs Association. Read more.

_____

Connection to Kenya
July 28, 2023

Rev Nancy Knapp has an ongoing connection with a school in Kenya that was created when she volunteered there several years ago. Read more.

_____

Randy Box
July 18, 2023

We are sad to announce that Rev Randy Box recently passed away at his home in Acton, ON. He was a clergy member with CSMC since 2017. Read More

_____

Clergy Talks Videos Online
July 5, 2023

You can now find the most recent Clergy Talks videos online in the Canadian Ministers Institute training portal. If you missed out on the sessions in person, you can now view 21st Century Huna: Embracing your three selves to empower your ministry from March 15; Music Therapy: the healing benefits for people with barriers from April 19; and Home Sweet Home: Engaging your community by practicing hospitality from May 17.

_____

Why it is Crucial for Clergy to Learn about Sex Trafficking 
June 30, 2023

Rev Sam Kutowy explains the important role that clergy can play in combatting sex trafficking. Read more.

_____

News Archive To read past stories, please click here.

Giving Back

We are committed to continuing to give back to the communities we serve.

Our clergy across Canada also give back to their individual communities both financially and with their time as volunteers.

View some of the organizations we support.

Please feel free to contact our chief Governing Official if you have questions or need clarification on any matter raised.

Casey McKibbon

Casey McKibbon
Chief Governing Official
Kenmore (Ottawa), Ontario

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which our church headquarters gathers is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People.