Better than I’d hoped for. Harder than I thought.

Dwayne Cline

I’ve had the privilege of living in Hamilton for the 37 years I’ve been alive (yes, it’s hard to believe that I’m almost at my mid-life crisis point). I’ve been a pastor in the city for 14 years now, and I’ve always dreamed about the possibility of churches coming together for the good of the city. Over the years some groups attempting to bring churches together for various purposes have come and gone. TrueCity, however, has emerged as a movement of churches, from various denominations and backgrounds, that are learning to care for each other, learn from each other, bringing good to the city and accomplishing together what could never be accomplished alone. This is better than I’d hoped for. Being able to relate to a group of churches that are on the same trajectory is a blessing. Together we care for our city, eliminate competition between each other and truly understand that we are all God’s children. TrueCity is better than I’d ever imagined it could be. We can face the issues our city and churches battle with together with each other instead of in our isolated islands. TrueCity is better than I’d hoped for.

But our coordinated effort comes with a cost. This is harder than I thought. I imagined that we could get together a few times a year, love God, love each other and all be better for it, but if someone isn’t actualizing what we are thinking and dreaming about, it doesn’t happen. If someone isn’t pulling all our schedules together, we don’t meet. If someone isn’t regularly connecting with our various congregations, listening to what is happening in the small corners of our city, and working out how to keep us all pulling in the same direction without overwhelming us with things to do, it all falls apart. This is challenging. It’s harder than I thought.

And who pays for it all. How do we pay for all the expenses TrueCity incurs when we assist in providing backpacks filled with school supplies for 2300 Hamilton children or bring together 240 people to Ride for Refugees or gather all our young adults to bless them as they worship God? And how do we accomplish this when we are a movement and not an organization. Should we run everything through one church’s finances or should a few churches pay for a movement that is benefiting many? We have been blessed with a different, stronger option–International Teams has graciously offered us their support in loaning Dave and Alison Witt and Greg and Helen Reader to coordinate our efforts and they come with some support already raised. In addition to this International Teams has graciously granted TrueCity $30,000.00 in 2008 and an additional $30,000.00 in 2009. It is a great start, but we have further to go. It’s harder than I thought.

Together we now need to own something that is less tangible than an organization and yet has a greater affect on each of us than any organization could. Together we need to own a movement that strengthens each of our churches, in each of our communities, and coordinates a city wide effort which lifts the profile of our churches without calling attention to itself. Without TrueCity none of these realities would be realized. Each of our churches is better when we are together, each is stronger when we are learning from each other; God’s Kingdom grows more tangibly present when we are together. It’s hard to measure the impact TrueCity has had, because it may look simply like our church is healthier when in reality we are healthier largely because of the movement we are connected to. I can say HSBC is healthier because of TrueCity. Our impact on our neighbourhood and across the city is stronger because of TrueCity. Yet invaluable though the health and strength of our churches is, finding the funding to cover a movement that powerfully, yet silently blesses our churches and through them our city is harder than I imagined.

So I’m asking you to consider helping us reach a goal. We are looking to raise $90,000.00 by the end of 2008 and $100,000.00 in 2009. So far in 2008, God has blessed us with $30,000.00 from International Teams, $13,800.00 from TrueCity churches and $11,600.00 from individuals for a total of $55,400.00. Would you prayerfully consider a gift to TrueCity as 2008 comes to a close in order to help us raise the remaining $34,600.00?

About a month from now you will receive a letter from us telling some of the TrueCity story and asking you to consider a Christmas gift and pledge for 2009. We thank you for considering your support. If you are now prepared to give to TrueCity you can do so by clicking this link or by sending a cheque to
TrueCity
173 Gage Ave North,
Hamilton, ON L8L 7A3

Thanks for your partnership in allowing TrueCity to bring good to our city…together. TrueCity is being used of God to strengthen churches and bless Hamilton. It’s harder than I thought but far better than I hoped for.

Dwayne Cline
Senior Pastor
Hughson St. Baptist Church

PS If you have questions or want more input feel free to contact me at dwayne@hughson.ca