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HOW is ‘the church’ defined in Kelowna
– and how is the concept best promoted in the general community?
The Kelowna Evangelical Ministerial Association (KEMA)
is a body of lay leadership and staff at evangelical churches in Kelowna,
which is exploring such questions.
KEMA has broad support from more than 30 churches in
Kelowna. Its first function, explains KEMA president Kim Unrau, is to
strengthen relationships between individual churches.
“We look at how to trust one another – and
ask, how do we serve one another.”
KEMA hosts two monthly gatherings. The first is a
luncheon, at which a member church is highlighted; the second is a
‘prayer ‘concert’ – an extended prayer
session bringing the church of Kelowna before God. The latter meeting
also lifts the social and spiritual needs of Kelowna in prayer.
In seeking to define ‘church,’ the
early historical church is held up as a model.
“What does it look like to form a city
church?” Unrau asks, pointing to New Testament churches which
represented a city or region – for example, the church in
Ephesus.
“Was that descriptive – or
prescriptive?” Unrau wonders. Was the early church structure just the
form the infant congregation happened to take, or is it the model for
today?
Searching for the answers to those questions has led to
a perspective on Kelowna and its civil societal structures.
This perspective encompasses seven sectors, or
‘gates’ – where the church in Kelowna can support and
bless the community through prayer and service. The sectors range
from education and medicine to social justice.
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“We look to give a gift, a blessing,” said
Unrau. “We believe the best society is one that looks and acts like
Jesus. It is a different way of operating; it is relationally
based.”
The idea of connecting in key areas has been a goal of
KEMA for the past four years.
“We look to see families transformed,” says
Unrau. “We’ve become intentional about meeting the needs of
families. We remember that – even as we pray for city council, the
business community and the city.”
Much of the relationship building KEMA accomplishes, he
adds, is a result of “looking at the opportunities in front of
us.” New leaders in local churches bring new perspectives on
these opportunities – creating , he says, an “exciting
mix.”
Unrau views the prayer gatherings as the key
underpinning of all KEMA’s purpose and activities.
“Intercession is not new. As the church grows, it is God doing
it.”
Contact: kelownachurches.com.
– Bobbi-Sue Menard
July 2008
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