Rev. Sharon Ballantyne on how it feels to accompany communities of faith in the inspiring work of growth and stewardship
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)
What might become possible if we begin where we are, celebrate what we have learned, and take one small step toward something new?
As a Growth and Stewardship Animator serving Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council, and sharing support for First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council with my colleague Rob Shearer, I have the privilege of accompanying communities of faith and regions here in Atlantic Canada. Every conversation reminds me of the remarkable diversity, creativity, resilience, and faithfulness present within The United Church of Canada.
From rural fishing communities in Newfoundland and Labrador to neighbourhoods in Halifax, from small congregations to larger urban ministries, every community has its own story, context, gifts, challenges, and possibilities.
I listen to stories of faithful ministry, cherished traditions, changing communities, courageous leadership, and generous people. I hear about fatigue and uncertainty, alongside excitement, imagination, and hope. Together, we celebrate what has been, honour the wisdom gained along the way, and explore what might come next.
Growth is all about relationships. It involves strengthening invitation, cultivating belonging, deepening connections, and discovering opportunities to share God's love beyond the walls of our buildings. Relationships with neighbours, community partnerships, acts of generosity, and lives touched by compassion reveal growth.
In UCC East, we were overjoyed to see 58 communities of faith participate in 100 Tables, a national project centred that ran through spring, summer, and fall in 2025 and 2026.
Picnic tables became invitations to experiment, to reach beyond familiar routines, and to discover who might gather. Each table became a simple place of hospitality, conversation, creativity, and connection. Each community adapted the opportunity to its own setting, resources, and imagination. The relationships that emerged opened new doors of curiosity, generosity, and invitation.
Focusing on growth and stewardship, people are exploring how to tell their faith story, being intentional to speak about their faith, and looking for opportunities to invite others. It might start with a coffee, or a special event. As we develop invite culture, we look to be more aware of who is missing, how we might become more intercultural, and embrace equity more intentionally. As we meet others where they are, a growth mindset invites us all to be open to change.
Stewardship is how we faithfully share our time, energy, relationships, buildings, gifts, and resources in service to God's unfolding possibilities. What does discipleship mean to us? Dr. Tom Reynolds at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto taught me to add an “h” after the “t” in witness; to always be prayerfully discerning and exploring our “with-ness.”
As we journey Toward 2035, we are invited to imagine a preferred future of inspired, resilient, diverse, and contextual communities of disciples, continuing the story of Jesus and embodying Christ's presence in the world.
Such a future grows through curiosity, courage, generosity, and a willingness to learn together.
Our past offers wisdom and strength for the journey ahead. We prayerfully explore what we might need to let go of, adapt, and change. We can celebrate faithful generations who brought us here while remaining open to the Spirit's invitation to try something new.
Sometimes the next step is a conversation, a partnership, a shared meal, a fresh invitation, and a desire to create living welcome, radical hospitality, and belonging for all. As we invite, we learn that “no” is an okay response to our invitation. We keep planting seeds of opportunity.
I am blessed to accompany communities as they listen, discern, experiment, and discover their next faithful step. Whether in a one-on-one meeting, a conversation with leadership or committee, a workshop with a cluster, or a regional gathering, we are working together, sharing stories, taking action in the next baby step forward.
Wherever we are, God is already at work among us.
What are we noticing? What might we try? Who might we invite?
Connect with your growth and stewardship animator to explore the new thing that is already beginning to spring forth in your context!
—Rev. Sharon Ballantyne is a Growth and Stewardship Animator with the United Church General Council office, serving Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council and sharing support for First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council. Sharon also appeared as a Disciple in the United Church's A Place at The Table centenary project.
The views contained within these blogs are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of The United Church of Canada.