We know you have questions. Let’s try to answer some of them for you…

When We Began

October 18, 2022 @ 5:53 pm

Creating an Atmosphere of Orthodoxy

Our greatest hope for our new denomination is that we will create an atmosphere of orthodoxy to scripture by creating systems which empower and direct us toward the freedoms of scripture. We will achieve this through:

1. the annual signing of the Covenant Statement by all leaders;
2. our intention of keeping a “flat” organization (as opposed to a hierarchical one);
3. maintaining a high level of mutual accountability (which goes together with “flat” organizations).
4. answering questions with Scripture rather than a Book of Church Order;
5. creating policies slowly and deliberately and cautiously.

Clergy Marriage Licencing

As it takes new denominations at least 5 years before the government will grant them the ability to issue clergy marriage licences to their own pastors, the RCN has partnered with the Christian Ministers Association of Canada (known as the CMA) to licence our ministers so they can solemnize marriages. This means that each of our pastors hold membership with both the RCN and the CMA, but their primary membership is with the RCN.

The CMA is a denomination formed in 1927 which has only ministers as their members and which upholds the value of the sovereign autonomy of each of their members’ ministries. As such, and in addition to the hundreds of pastors who belong exclusively to the CMA, they provide clergy marriage licencing to many of Canada’s new denominations who can’t do that in house and to pastors who may not yet meet the requirements of their own denominations.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to get your Clergy Marriage Licence:

Step 1: Apply for CMA Membership

1. Fill out their Online Application Form: https://canadacma.org/hidden-forms/membership-application
2. Pay their application fee online as they direct you in the application.
3. Ask your CMA Recommender to fill out the form that was emailed to them as a link.
4. Put the CMA fall conference into your calendar as you’ll need to attend it (you’ll only need to attend once in three years after the first year). Dates are here: https://canadacma.org/events
5. They will invoice you for your annual dues later.

Step 2: Apply for your Clergy Marriage Licence

It can take the government 2 -3 months to issue a new licence therefore plan ahead and only begin this process when you do not have a scheduled wedding within the next several months. If a wedding is going to occur within the next few months, work with your former denomination to ensure you can use the licence they issued you. Fill out your application at least 2 months prior to the wedding (sooner if you know the date already). If you have questions, contact the CMA directly about this process: https://canadacma.org/contact-us

The type of clergy licence and the fees are based on WHEN you need your new clergy licence. The same application form is used for all licence types so you will need to select and pay for the appropriate fees based on your needs. The licence application form is here: https://canadacma.org/hidden-forms/clergy-licence-application

Ordination

We are developing our criteria for ordination and student supervision. Once we have completed this we will update this section. Feel free to contact the RCN to discuss your interest in becoming an RCN pastor.

The CMA recognizes prior and existing ordination and defers all ordination matters to the RCN. Becoming a CMA Member at their conference is not an ordination service.

Annual Assessments

Annual Assessments shall be levied upon the RCN Churches at a rate of not less than 1.5% of the previous year’s congregational expenditures (not including missions disbursements outside of congregational use.)

Pensions and Benefits

Why re-invent the wheel?  The Canadian Centre for Christian Charities is a charity doing God’s work that allows us to focus on our mission. Churches moving from the RCA denomination’s Group Health plan to the the CCCC have noted that their premiums have decreased AND their benefits have expanded! In addition, their pastor’s pension funds transitioned to the CCCC seamlessly. When moving from another denomination you need to ensure the new CCCC coverage is in place before your removal from your former denomination.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

Join the CCCC as a Member Church

Go to https://www.cccc.org and join the CCCC as a member church:

1. Go to https://www.cccc.org/membership_options and select your desired membership level.
   • Web for $30/annum (church plants which have annual revenue of $30k/year or less)
   • Affiliate for $295+/annum (established churches with the fee based on annual revenue).

Group Health (expect 2 months to complete)

1. Go to https://www.cccc.org/group_health
2. Request a fee quote (then do a happy dance)
3. They will reach out to you to complete the application
4. You’ll need to submit a void cheque from your church (automated debiting)

Pensions (expect 3 months to complete)

Before you begin, email CCCC Pension Head Curtis Towns (curtis.towns@cccc.org) for steps on transferring an existing pension to the CCCC.

1. Go to: https://www.cccc.org/pension
2. Click the “Request Information” button
3. You’ll need to submit a void cheque from your church (automated debiting)

Discussing Contentious Topics

Why risk talking about debatable matters in the Body of Christ? Our ministry of reconciliation requires dramatic improvement at discussing differences than those outside the church. In addition, we need to model the ability to listen, love and understand those we seek to disciple to Christ.

But how do we go about this? 

1. Let each person share their position and reason why XYZ is important to them (so that others may understand their view);
2. The other person listens respectfully – taking notes;
3. The listener then offers feedback as to what they heard – with as much detail as possible, indicating any points of agreement.
4. Reverse roles and repeat;
5. Each person affirms the other person, what they learned in the exchange, and prays for the other (assuming each is a follower of Christ).

Charitable Status

The RCN is a new denomination and we expect our application for charitable status to be approved within the next year (yes it takes that long). We expect the churches who join us to retain their own charitable status as we do not intend to handle the money for your congregation. If your church is under a denomination’s charity number and need to transfer or setup your own charitable status we will connect you with those who helped us navigate these crucial changes. If you have questions about your church and how joining the RCN may impact your ability to receipt donations please contact us and have a conversation about it.