Faith-Based Organizations
Golden & Area A's 6,766 residents are served by 11 churches, tabernacles and temples and are used as places of worship and so much more.
The long-time need to provide for the poor has evolved into social services; offered by the local clergy and volunteers; some by Christians; others by Sikhs.
Clergy are responsible for more and more activities as congregations hope to have a greater impact in their surrounding community. From leading their congregation, to conducting special events like weddings and funerals, clergy are also expected to be connected to the greater community, filling perceived service gaps.
Simultaneously, many church congregations have decreased in size. Not coincidentally, many new non profit and charity organizations have popped up over the last 40 years, each with a specific mandate which may overlap with an established church (food bank, family counseling). Some of these non profits have been welcomed into church spaces.
While none of Golden's churches have closed, other communities have seen churches close and assets sold, often not benefiting the communities that worked so hard to build and maintain them.
How can a community ensure that there are sufficient prayer services available to residents and visitors?
Do Golden's religious organizations provide sufficient opportunities to receive and provide faith-based support?
What role can religious organizations play in a community team/board model, aid in decision-making and support effective resource allocation?
The long-time need to provide for the poor has evolved into social services; offered by the local clergy and volunteers; some by Christians; others by Sikhs.
Clergy are responsible for more and more activities as congregations hope to have a greater impact in their surrounding community. From leading their congregation, to conducting special events like weddings and funerals, clergy are also expected to be connected to the greater community, filling perceived service gaps.
Simultaneously, many church congregations have decreased in size. Not coincidentally, many new non profit and charity organizations have popped up over the last 40 years, each with a specific mandate which may overlap with an established church (food bank, family counseling). Some of these non profits have been welcomed into church spaces.
While none of Golden's churches have closed, other communities have seen churches close and assets sold, often not benefiting the communities that worked so hard to build and maintain them.
How can a community ensure that there are sufficient prayer services available to residents and visitors?
Do Golden's religious organizations provide sufficient opportunities to receive and provide faith-based support?
What role can religious organizations play in a community team/board model, aid in decision-making and support effective resource allocation?
Event: Meeting with Christian Clergy
Ryan Watmough was invited to attend a meeting of local clergy at the Golden Pentecostal Tabernacle on July 30, 2013. A discussion followed on the Community Coordination project and the role, capability and assets of local religious organizations.
| communitycoordinationpresentation-religious-july302013.pdf |
Possible Stakeholder Organizations
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Golden
Golden Baptist Church
Golden Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
Golden Pentecostal Tabernacle
Golden Sikh Cultural Society
Rocky Mountain Alliance Church
Sacred Heart Parish
St. Paul's Anglican Church
St. Andrew's United Church & Centre for Peace
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Trinity Lutheran Church of Golden, BC, Canada
Golden Baptist Church
Golden Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
Golden Pentecostal Tabernacle
Golden Sikh Cultural Society
Rocky Mountain Alliance Church
Sacred Heart Parish
St. Paul's Anglican Church
St. Andrew's United Church & Centre for Peace
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Trinity Lutheran Church of Golden, BC, Canada