OTC Joining Hillside Exploration

Background

At different points over the years we have looked at opportunities to get our own building. Usually this was due to issues with renting our current place and/or opportunities to do ministry that required our own building. That search included: 1) lease or buy a space, 2) find an existing church building for sale, or 3) merge with an existing church. We've found #1 to be cost-prohibitive, #2 rare and far from our current centralized location. I have had discussions with other churches about #3 but did not find a fit.

Last October, we were unable to rent Civic Park so I contacted Hillside to see if they'd be up for doing a combo-service. They were, and it worked out great. Seeing some of the things they were doing and experiencing an open, welcoming, cooperative team got me curious about a merger. I talked to Dan (Hillside's sr. pastor) about the idea and he was open and interested. Nate Farris and I met with Dan and their board chairperson to discuss it. When we found out we weren't going to be able to rent civic park on Jan 1 we did another combo service with Hillside. After that I brought the idea to our ministry team. Feelings were mixed about the idea. To get a clearer picture of what a merger would actually look like, Nate (when available), Sarah, and I have met with Dan and a couple of their leaders as part of an Exploration Team to talk through the details. Our board members and team leads met with theirs last week. Here's the picture that has emerged so far:

What would this look like?

- OTC would become part of Hillside, meeting at Hillside, keeping the Hillside name.

- Outdoor services at the park would continue on the first Sundays of the month (April-Oct). An inside option would also be offered at Hillside for those who want it. [Update 4/23/23: the question about offering a service at Hillside also is being reviewed]

- Dan would be lead pastor, I would be #2 as Pastor of Discipleship and Missions.

- We would form a new combined ministry team with leaders from OTC and Hillside.

- 2 of our board members would join Hillside's 10-person board as advisors with the opportunity for a total of 4 to become voting board members in October. Dan and I would also be members.

- We would streamline the process so OTC voting members can easily become Hillside voting members.

Why do this?

Better Together: By joining together I believe we would be more effective at helping people know and follow Jesus. How so?

1) As is, many efforts have been hampered by our lack of a building. We have wanted to offer midweek small groups with childcare, marriage/parenting workshops with childcare, youth groups and events are subject to availability, and after-church events require extra rentals and childcare which is difficult to find. We are subject to the city's priorities and timing.

2) Kids: with a combined team and age-appropriate rooms, we would be able to provide a more secure ministry for kids, and teachers/helpers would have what they need onsite, any time.

3) Youth: with more kids, a combined team and facilities we would be able to offer our middle school and high school kids a stronger youth program. We would also have some leadership capacity to do outreach.

4) Adults: Together we would have more small group offerings, larger group offerings (MOPS, women's, men's), leader mentoring, women's and men's events and retreats, etc. More ways to connect and grow.

5) They have a robust outreach ministry that serves people locally, and beyond (CJM).

6) Our rent is going up 15% in June. The rooms we currently rent for kids classes will not be available during their remodel starting March 1. [Update 3/24/23: increase will not begin until after June 30]

7) We no longer have an office.

8) Our leadership team is great but the bench is thin which means the same people serve regularly and have to double up when there's an absence. That creates fatigue for people and hampers our ability to bring our best.

9) Our current situation (budget, mobile church, no youth facilities, etc.) makes it difficult to hire a qualified youth director.

If we stayed at Civic Park, we would keep our distinctiveness but continue to be limited. I believe Hillside is the next chapter that God is opening up to us for the following reasons:

1) Dan, the lead pastor, is unique. I know a lot of lead pastors, and he is relational, humble, open to ideas, Biblical, and welcoming. I liked him right away. He likes and appreciates what we bring (dynamic leaders, energy, service-mindset, a diverse group, outreach/evangelism mindset, "youthfulness").

2) We are theologically aligned. Hillside is Jesus/gospel-centered and upholds the authority of Scripture. Hillside is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) denomination. I worked for an ECC church in the past and Becky and I were originally assessed and trained as church planters in this denomination and know it's solid.

3) I'm confident that all of our leaders would have roles and opportunities to do the good works that God has prepared for us. Why? a) Because we have great leaders...forged in the fiery crucible of a small, mobile church. b) because we have great things to bring to a combined church, and c) because I would have a role at Hillside and would want everyone to be playing, active, on the field.

4) I'm confident that our strengths will combine with their strengths so that together we will have greater impact than if we stayed separate. We are young, diverse, and effective at connecting with and bringing new people in. They have a deeper and wider base to bring people into and help them grow.

5) Their leadership is enthusiastic about this idea.

6) We will be able to provide more for the next generation: kids and youth. They will have more peers in their Sunday classes and youth group to build friendships with. Combined we'll have a stronger team to lead and teach the kids. The kids will have more opportunities that we aren't able to offer: camps, missions trips, outreach to youth outside the church.

7) The energy (much behind the scenes) that we now put into set-up, tear-down, logistics and facilities would be focused more on direct ministry.

8) The location is 2 miles from Civic Park and still in Walnut Creek which is central to everyone currently part of OTC.

Our presence in downtown Walnut Creek.

The greatest loss if we went with Hillside would be our weekly visible presence in downtown. How could we continue to have some presence that helps the community see God's church?

1) Monthly outdoor services during the good weather months.

2) Sunday events: We can also do events there that are more outreach-oriented along with those we already offer (Summer Games, Easter Games, etc.).

3) Other events: With Hillside as home base, and with a bigger team, we could put on events, seminars, etc. that address real needs in our community. Hillside already offers some (respite night, parent support groups, recovery ministry, etc.)

4) New events: God would inspire us with new ideas to reach the world around us.

At each step of the way, so far, the Lord keeps saying "yes, continue to seek me and take the next step". Much of the success depends on us sticking together. If we did combine, the first few months would be a real adjustment period. It would take a while for the best of OTC and best of Hillside to begin to work together and become something new. So, please join us in praying about this. May His good and perfect will be done.

What's coming up:

- Tuesdays 7PM Everyone is welcome to join a weekly prayer time by Zoom that we started at the beginning of February. Some of us are fasting also. A link will be posted here opentablechurch.com/hillside.

- Wednesday March 29 Joint Ministry Team Gathering

- Combo Service Sunday April 16 @ Hillside

- Combo Service Sunday April 23 @ Civic Park (outdoors)

Lord Jesus, we look to you. You are the head of the Church and the head of this local body of believers, and you know what is best. We love you and we want your guidance. Help us see the next steps you are laying out for us. We want to be wherever you lead us and we want to follow you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Guide us and bless our conversations around this...lead us Lord!

-Wayne

Pastor Wayne Phillips, Open Table Church