Quarterly Pastoral Report
Jeremy Norton, Lead Pastor (Spring 2025)

The Past 3 Months (Winter 2025)

The first quarter of 2025 has been a focused season of teaching, leadership development, and regional ministry engagement. We launched into the new year with a 14-week sermon series titled That Thing Jesus Said: Understanding Jesus’ Tough Teachings. This series will carry us through to Holy Week. Each message has been centred on one of Jesus’ more challenging teachings, intended to help our church understand and apply them in everyday life. Engagement has been strong, and the content has sparked helpful conversations in our small groups and leadership circles.

As is my practice, January was focused on planning and vision work, evaluating ministry goals from 2024 and clarifying the direction for the year ahead. This also included setting key dates for conferences, special Sundays, and leadership development opportunities. In February, I took some vacation time with family, then came back to facilitate our 2025 leadership retreat. Our core focus was the future of the Mountainview Church facility. Reviewing the past decade of discussions, then committing to decision-making in the year ahead. The full consensus is that God is calling us forward. 

In March, I completed the training material for our new Child Protection and Abuse Prevention Policy. While we haven’t hosted a session yet, we have a plan to move forward this Spring. I also hosted a Sabbath Rhythm of Rest Conference as part of my final master’s thesis project. A digital version will be available, responding to several requests for online access, as well as for future training opportunities. As an FYI, after submitting all my work, I was thrilled to receive an A for my final project.

Throughout the quarter, I’ve continued to meet regularly with staff and ministry leaders for coaching and support. I’ve also led a couple of our Next Steps Discipleship Pathway workshops, which helped several individuals clarify where they’re at in their faith journey and where they’re headed next. Some have stepped into serving roles, a half-dozen scheduled for Easter baptisms and a dozen membership inductions for our AGM. We have seen so many tangible markers for spiritual growth this quarter; praise the Lord!!!

I should add that I took a couple of trips south this winter for regional board responsibilities, which included strategic discussions on church health and leadership support across the Fellowship Pacific region. There have been some church discipline discussions that were challenging, but valuable opportunities to help shape my pastoral leadership.

The Next 3 Months (Spring 2025)

The next three months will focus on finishing up the That Thing Jesus Said series; the last message ending with Good Friday. Our new series is titled Like No Other launching on Easter Sunday. This will be a 10-week series exploring how Jesus is like no other person who ever lived, within His life, teaching, sacrifice, and victory. It’s designed to communicate the Gospel while inviting people to follow Jesus in a personal way.

On April 5th, we’re partnering with Creation Ministries International to host a one-day Creation Conference. Holy Week will follow shortly after, with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday in-home gatherings, two Good Friday services, and three Easter Sunday services. We’re praying for many to attend and respond, and we’re encouraging the church to invite their friends and neighbours. After Easter, the pastoral team will be attending the IMPACT Conference for a time of connection and learning with other West Coast pastors and church leaders.

Moving into May, the most important gathering will be our Annual General Meeting on May 1st. This will be both a celebratory and pivotal moment for Mountainview Church. Celebratory in that we’re welcoming a significant number of new members, and pivotal because we’re inviting all current members into a covenant reaffirmation. This will be a moment of calling to each of us to decide whether we’re all in for the next 3-5 years of work. It’s a renewed commitment to our mission and vision, and a shared willingness to devote our time, talent and treasure, serving and giving wholeheartedly, to see Mountainview thrive into the future.

May and June will hold opportunities for invitation with special Sunday gatherings for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The other major focus during these two months will be launching our new Child Protection and Abuse Prevention training. The plan is to film the training for on-demand access, then also offer in-person group sessions, co-led by Pastor Herber or me. This training will become an essential component of onboarding all volunteers serving with children and youth.

I’ll continue regular meetings and coaching with staff and key volunteers, as well as leading membership conversations and pre-baptism meetings with those ready to take the next step in their faith. Regionally, I’m moving into my sixth and final year with Fellowship Pacific, to continue conversations around church health and leadership across the West.

Prayer Requests & Closing Remarks

As we move into spring, I’m encouraged by the momentum and unity among our leadership. Never before have I been a part of a team that was so unified under one vision and mission, yet so enjoy each other’s company as brothers and sisters in Christ. I truly believe Jesus is doing something remarkable and preparing us for something important. Please pray for continued spiritual growth in the months ahead.

• Pray for our upcoming baptisms and membership inductions, each a visible sign of God at work.
  
• Pray for the successful filming and rollout of our Child Protection and Abuse Prevention training.
  
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as we take the next steps in our facility planning to follow our AGM.
  
• Pray for continued unity and strength across our staff and volunteer leaders as they serve and lead.
  
• Pray for clarity as I move into my final year of regional board service with Fellowship Pacific.
  

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Let’s keep leaning into what Jesus is doing in and through Mountainview Church.“Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5–6 ESV)

Peace, 

Jeremy Norton, Lead Pastor
Mountainview Church, Whitehorse, YT