1955, 1962-2006. – 2 m of textual records.

Administrative history
The Forest Grove Community Church (formerly named Nutana Mennonite Brethren Church), located in Saskatoon, is a member of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Rosthern District. This church developed as an extension of the Central Mennonite Brethren Church (Saskatoon) in 1964. During the years 1962 and 1963, following a series of seminars on evangelism and church extension, a group of Central members decided to launch a new work in the university area of Saskatoon where an evangelical witness was rather weak. Ninety-nine members with their children, a total of about 140 persons, took the challenge which led to the dedication of the new church in January 1964.. During the early 1980s the congregation also used the facilities of a nearby public school for Sunday school and club activities.

In 1980 the congregation committed itself to building a new and larger facility to meet the ever increasing needs of its growing membership. This building which was completed in 1984 seated approximately 625 people and included teaching facilities and a gymnasium. On March 20, 1983 the congregation voted to change its name to the Forest Grove Community Church. A second service on Sunday mornings was added in 1992. As of ca. 1990 the congregation was composed of a large professional element such as teachers, nurses, doctors, and businessmen, but also a good number of working people and students.

Many boards and committees have been part of Forest Grove Community Church over the years. Some, such as the Martin Steering Committee and the Solo Flight Planning Committee, worked on specific one-time events. Others, such as the Building Committee, the Pastoral Search Committee, and its successor the Search Committee, also addressed singular events in the church. Many other committees and boards were responsible for ongoing ministries.

Lead pastors in the church have been: Henry Epp (1964–1971), Sylvester Dirks (1971–1975), Kenneth Dyck (1975–1983), Robert Radtke (1984-1996), Abe Klassen (1997-1998), Harry Strauss (1998-2004), Bruce Enns (2004-). In 2006, Bruce Enns, Abe Klassen, Harry Strauss, Marilyn Muller, Kevin Wiens, Susan Enns, and Don Froese were all pastors at Forest Grove.

The membership in 2004 was 583.

Scope and content
This fonds consists of the following series: Historical records, minutes and reports, and financial records.

Custodial history
Many of the records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference. Some of the textual records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed. Most textual records were acquired directly from the church in 2009.

Notes

• Location; Volumes 595–596, 1273-1275.
• Accession number: 2009-36.
• Finding aid consists of a series description and a file list: Records acquired prior to 2009 are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF507.
• Finding aid for microfilm: R7, pp. 1119–2111.
• No restrictions on access.

Series description

Historical records. – 1955–2006. – 52 cm of textual records.

This series includes several historical sketches of the Nutana MB Church, Forest Grove Community church bulletins (1979-2006), and church constitutions (1970, 1976, 1985, 1991, 1996) as well as incomplete constitutions (1996 and 2000). There is also a yearbook of Gospel Tidings, the gospel broadcast sponsored by the Central Mennonite Brethren Church. Also included is the church’s newspaper, ”Focus”, (1983-1986) along with some working documents and photographs, as well as its successor newsletter the “Builder”, (1987-1988). This series also contains the correspondence of the Board of Mission (1985-1996), correspondence of congratulations regarding the completion of the new building in 1985, the correspondence of the Provincial Outreach Ministry (1985-1996), and the correspondence of the worship teams (1993-1994). There is also a poster advertising the 1995 Christmas program.

• Finding aid: Forest Grove Community Church Vol. 595 #1 – Vol. 1272 #30.

Minutes and reports. – 1963–2006.- 145 cm of textual records.

This series consists of minutes of Church Council, membership meetings, and various church boards and committees. The minutes are typed. Also in this series are annual reports and records of church nominations and elections for church positions such as moderator, secretary, and committee members (1965–1988).

The minutes of several fellowship groups are present. The 120 Fellowship ministered to the needs of married couples (1987). The AFC (Adult Fellowship Classes) Leadership Teams were responsible for adult Sunday school classes (2000). The Koinonia Executive and its successor body, the Christian Singles Executive, were responsible for the church’s ministries among single adults (1985 to 1988); the Christian Singles Executive, (1989-1990). The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast was a monthly gathering (1989). The M.O.M.’s Executive (Morning Off for Moms) ran biweekly (later weekly) meetings which offered fellowship, teaching and child care (1984-1985,1991, 2004). The Forest Grove Youth Executive was in charge of ministries to high school age people (1985); also present are minutes of a meeting of the parents of members of the senior high youth group (1988). 

Some groups were struck to prepare for special events. These include the 25^th Anniversary Committee (1984). The Martin Steering Committee made preparations and arrangements for the visit of Walter Martin in October 1987, as well as follow-up activities (1986-1988). The Missions Conference Committee was responsible for organizing the church’s annual Missions Conference (1985). The Solo Flight Planning Committee was responsible for all necessary arrangements for the Solo Flight Conference for young adults in 1989.

Some groups were responsible for overseeing a wide variety of ministries. The Board of Care coordinated Home Groups, Care Communities, and Special Ministries (1998-2002). The Board of Christian Education was responsible for Sunday School (for adults and children), Clubs, Children’s Church, the nursery, liaison with Redberry Bible Camp, and the church library (1985-1995). Most of its responsibilities were transferred to the Children’s Ministry Board. The Children’s Ministry Board handled Sunday School, Children’s Church, and Clubs (2000-2002). The Board of Evangelism was responsible for local, provincial and national outreach. It worked with other church boards and ministries, organized its own evangelistic events, and acted as a liaison with the provincial Board of Extension and the national Board of Evangelism as well as other parachurch organizations (1988-2001). The Board of Mission was involved with international missionary work, both by supporting and corresponding with missionaries and their sending agencies and promoting their work locally. Minutes (1986- 2006) are extant, along with correspondence (1985-1996). The Board of Missions and Evangelism was initially responsible for local evangelical work, as well as promoting national and foreign mission activity. The responsibility for foreign mission was later given to the Board of Mission (1986-1987). After 1987, the board was succeeded by the Board of Evangelism. The Board of Specialized Ministries managed ministries catering to specific population segments, such as the nursery, sports ministry, and M.O.M,’s group. Minutes from 1985 to 1986 are extant. The Coordinating Boards consisted of the chairpersons of several upper-level boards and committees who met with the church council and the pastors to report on church ministries and set large-scale goals for the congregation (1984-1985). The Deacon Board was responsible for serving communion, visitation and small groups, catechesis, and material aid to the poor. The title “deacon” was replaced by “lay pastor” in 1991, though the Deacon Board continued under the same name. Minutes from 1984 to 1992 are extant, along with minutes of meetings of deacons and Growth Group (small group) leaders from 1988 to 1989.

Other bodies were responsible for specific activities. The Music Committee, which became the Board of Music in 1986, coordinated all music and musical equipment at the church. Minutes from 1984 to 1986 for the Music Committee, and from 1986 to 2000 for the Board of Music. The Board of Recruitment and Selection, known as the Nominating Committee prior to June 1994, was responsible for finding laypersons to serve as board and committee members, program coordinators, and delegates to conferences (Minutes 1994-2005). The Building Committee oversaw the construction of the church building that was first occupied in 1984, though final details were only completed in 1985 (1985) The Membership Committee was in charge of keeping up accurate and current membership lists, as well as promoting baptism and membership classes (Minutes 2002-2005). The Nursery Committee was responsible for infant care [198-?]. The Pioneer Clubs Committee was responsible for running the children’s mid week programs (Minutes 1985-1986). The Pre-School Committee, which became the Pre-School Board in 1987, was responsible for the church’s mid-week preschool (Minutes 1987-1989). The Stewardship Committee was responsible for the “This Is My Church Too” fundraising campaign of 1990 (Minutes 1989-1990). The Sunday School Executive was responsible for all the various Sunday education activities for children outside the worship service (Minutes 1987). The Visitation Program involved church members visiting newcomers in their homes. A general outline of the program from 1989 is extant.

Two bodies were responsible for the church’s financial, capital, and human resources. The Board of Management handled the church’s finances and was responsible for the maintenance, development, and patterns of use of the church’s facilities (Minutes 1985-2006). The Personnel Committee was a support and accountability body for the pastors. A single agenda from 1988 is extant.

Several bodies were struck to envision and plan for the future. The Land Use Committee was responsible for exploring possible uses of vacant land on the campus of the church. (Minutes [1985?]). Based on the work of his committee, the Forward Planning Committee for the Forest Grove Retirement Center [sic] was struck, which explored the possibility of building a seniors’ residence on the campus of the church. This project was never realized (Minutes 1986). The Pastoral Search Committee was responsible for finding persons to fill paid pastoral positions. As of 1987, this body was known simply as the Search Committee. Each pastoral search was conducted by a committee of unique composition (Minutes 1985, 1987-1995). The Task Force was struck to rethink the church’s organizational structures and staffing capacity, and made recommendations pertaining to staffing, a possible church plant, and a proposed building expansion (Minutes 1993-1994).

• Finding aid: Forest Grove Community Church Vol. 1272 #31 – Vol. 1273 #49.

Financial records. – 1964–2002.
3 cm of textual records.

This series consists of annual statements from 1964 -1967, 1981-1983, 1988-1991, and 2000-2001, as well as church directories from 1981-2002.

• Finding aid: Forest Grove Community Church Vol. 1274 #50-51.

File list

Series I: Historical records
Volume 595
1. Historical materials. – 1962–1980.
2. Church bulletins. – 1979.
3. Church bulletins. – 1980.
4. Church bulletins. – 1981.
5. Church bulletins. – 1982.
6. Church bulletins. – 1983.
7. Church bulletins. – 1984.
8. Church bulletins. – 1985.
9. Church bulletins. – 1986.
10. Church bulletins. – 1987.
11. Church bulletins. – 1988.
12. Church bulletins. – 1989.
13. Church bulletins. – 1990.
14. Church bulletins. – 1991.

Volume 596

1. Church bulletins. – 1992.
2. Church bulletins. – 1993.
3. Church bulletins. – 1994.
4. Church bulletins. – 1995.
5. Church bulletins. – 1996.
6. Church bulletins. – 1997.
7. Church bulletins. – 1998.
8. Church bulletins. – 1999.
9. Church bulletins. – 2000.
10. Church bulletins. – 2001.
11. Church bulletins. – 2002.

Volume 1273

1. Church bulletins. – 2003.
2. Church bulletins. – 2004.
3. Church bulletins. – 2005.
4. Church bulletins. – 2006.
5. 15th Anniversary booklet for Gospel Tidings. – 1955.
6. Booklet: “A History of the Nutana Mennonite Brethren Church 1964–1982” by C.R. Wall and G.J. Thiessen. – 1983.
7. Booklet: “Constitution of the Nutana Mennonite Brethren Church.” – 1970.
8. Booklet: “Constitution: Nutana Mennonite Brethren Church.” – 1976.
9. Booklet: “The Constitution, By-Laws and Guidelines of the Forest Grove Community Church.” – 1985.
10. Booklet: “Constitution of the Forest Grove Community Church.” – 1991.
11. Booklet: “Constitution” (draft). – 1996.
12. Booklet: “Constitution” (partial). – 2000.
13. Newsletter: “Focus.” – 1983.
14. Newsletter: “Focus.” – 1984.
15. Tabloid including working documents: “Focus.” –1985.
16. Tabloid including working documents: “Focus.” – 1986.
17. Newsletter: “The Builder.” – 1987.
18. Newsletter: “The Builder.” – 1988.
19. Correspondence of the Board of Mission. – 1985, 1987.
20. Correspondence of the Board of Mission. – 1988.
21. Correspondence of the Board of Mission. – 1989.
22. Correspondence of the Board of Mission. – 1990.
23. Correspondence of the Board of Mission. – 1991.
24. Correspondence of the Board of Mission. – 1992-1996.
25. Correspondence: Congratulations regarding building completion. – 1985.
26. Correspondence of the Provincial Outreach Ministry. – 1985-1986.
27. Poster: “Christmas Fantasia.” – 1995.
28. Correspondence: Worship teams. – 1993.
29. Correspondence: Worship teams. – 1994.
30. Photographs for “Focus” tabloid. – 1985.

Series II: Minutes and reports

31. Minutes of the Nutana Mennonite Brethren Church. – 1963–1972.
32. Minutes of Nutana M.B. Church. – 1978-1984.

Volume 1274

1. Membership meeting minutes. – 1984-1990.
2. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1984-1986.
3. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1987-1988.
4. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1989.
5. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1990.
6. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1991.
7. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1992.
8. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1993.
9. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1994.
10. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1995.
11. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1996.
12. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1997.
13. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1998.
14. Minutes of the Church Council. – 1999.
15. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2000.
16. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2001.
17. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2002.
18. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2003.
19. Minutes of congregational meetings. – 2003.
20. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2004.
21. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2005.
22. Minutes of the Church Council. – 2006.
23. Records of nominations and elections. – 1965–1988.
24. Annual reports. – 1978-1986.
25. Annual reports. – 1987-1993.
26. Annual reports. – 1994-2001, 2004.

Volume 1275

1. Minutes of the 120 Fellowship. – 1987.
2. Minutes of the 25^th Anniversary Committee. – 1984.
3. Minutes of the AFC Leadership Teams. – 2000.
4. Minutes of the Board of Care. – 1998-2002.
5. Minutes of the Board of Children’s Ministries. – 2000-2002.
6. Minutes of the Board of Christian Education. – 1985-1995.
7. Minutes of the Board of Evangelism. – 1988-2001.
8. Minutes of the Board of Management. – 1985-2000.
9. Minutes of the Board of Management. – 2001-2006.
10. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1986-1987.
11. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1988.
12. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1989.
13. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1990.
14. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1991.
15. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1992-1993.
16. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1994-1997.
17. Minutes of the Board of Missions. – 1998-2006.
18. Minutes of the Board of Missions and Evangelism. – 1986-1987.
19. Minutes of the Board of Music. – 1984-2000.
21. Minutes of the Board of Recruitment and Selection. – 1994-2005.
22. Minutes of the Board of Specialized Ministries. – 1985-1986.
23. Minutes of the Building Committee. – 1985.
24. Minutes of the Christian Singles Executive. – 1989-1990.
25. Minutes of the Coordinating Boards. – 1984-1985.
26. Minutes of the Deacon Board. – 1984-1992.
27. Minutes of the Deacons & Growth Group. – 1988-1989.
28. Minutes of the Forest Grove Youth Executive. – 1985.
29. Minutes of the Forward Planning Committee for the Forest Grove Retirement Center. – 1986.
30. Minutes of the Koinonia Executive. – 1985-1988.
31. Minutes of the Land Use Committee. – [1985?]
32. Minutes of the Martin Steering Committee. – 1986-1988.
33. Minutes of the Membership Committee. – 2002-2005.
34. Minutes of the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Executive. – [1989?]
35. Minutes of the Missions Conference Committee. – 1985.
36. Minutes of the M.O.M.’s Executive. – 1984-1985, 1991, 2004.
37. Minutes of the Music Committee. – 1984-1985.
38. Minutes of the Nursery Committee. – [198-?]
39. Minutes of the Pastoral Search Committee. – 1985.
40. Minutes of the Personnel Committee. – [1988]
41. Minutes of the Pioneer Clubs Committee. – 1985-1986.
42. Minutes of the Pre-School Committee/Board. – 1987-1989.
43. Minutes and correspondence of the Search Committee. – 1987-1995.
44. Minutes of the Senior High Parents. – 1988.
45. Minutes of the Solo Flight Planning Committee. – 1989.
46. Minutes of the Stewardship Committee. – 1989-1990.
47. Minutes of the Sunday School Executive. – 1987.
48. Minutes of the Task Force. – 1993-1994.
49. Outline of the Visitation Program. – 1989.

Series III: Financial records

50. Financial records. – 1964–1967, 1981-1983, 1988-1991, 1995, 2000-2001.
51. Directories. -- 1981-2002.

Forest Grove Community Church fonds microfilm file list:

Reel 7
Constitutions (Book VII). -- 1963-[19--]. -- p. 2087-2111.
Membership, baptism, and family register. -- 1963-1978. -- p. 1119-1212.
Congregational meeting minutes (Book III). -- Jan. 1963-May 1978. -- p. 1525-1734.
Congregational meeting annual reports. -- 1965-1977. -- p. 1735-1963.
Church council and advisory council minutes (Book II). -- Oct. 1963-May 1978. -- p. 1213-1524.
Building committee minutes and financial records (Book VI). -- Aug. 1962-Feb. 1964. -- p. 2035-2086.
Budgets and financial reports (Book V). -- 1964-1977. -- p. 1964-2034.