Better Together Letter January 18, 2025

Ten people who have served in leadership of MBC or FBC make up the TTF. The tasks we have been challenged with included gathering ideas and votes for a new name (June through October 2024). Then we have been writing and editing new bylaws for Malden Community Church (the new name). New bylaws are a part of having legal status as a non-profit organization recognized by the state of Massachusetts. Bylaws protect us in the event of a legal issue or dispute coming from outside or inside our church fellowship. The bylaws are not easily changed so we aim to keep them simple; yet cover all the necessary legal requirements.

The TTF is working on rewriting the Church Covenant—a statement that by God’s grace,
members will commit to live out together. The new covenant will maintain the intent of the
current covenants from both churches with updated language. Eventually we will also have a
document of standing policies about the church ministries and day-to-day functioning. The
standing policies document will be more easily changed as the church’s ministry needs change.

The process of our joining together involves many steps. We continue to seek God’s guidance
and timing. Joining together as one new church is also a process that involves some emotional
aspects. We have to let go of old bylaws as well as some of the previous governance
expectations. God’s guidance, courage, and sometimes comfort are needed along the way.

Gratefully, Pastor Gary has been able to support us and give needed leadership. His health,
occasional voice challenges, and cancer treatments have kept us flexible and leaning on God’s
provision, plan, and timing.

We are excited to present a draft of the new “Bylaws of Malden Community Church” that we
have been working on. The bylaws document will be the legal document.

Please take some time to prayerfully read the bylaws document attached. You’ll have an
opportunity to ask questions and participate in a discussion at an upcoming Town Hall Meeting
on Sunday, February 2, immediately following the Worship Service, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Lunch will be served.

Looking at a bigger picture of the connections between the FBC and MBC, we know that long
ago some of FBC’s (established in 1803) members started a Sunday School in the Maplewood
section of Malden. In 1871 they were established as MBC. In 2022, FBC invited MBC to join
them for the Easter Service. Pastor Gary preached. FBC had no pastor and MBC had no
building—it seemed like an attractive match. A TABCOM gathering with a “Fresh Expressions”
presentation about creative ways to be the church in the community encouraged both
congregations to consider meeting together for Sunday worship as an “experiment.” Later in
2022, it was decided to continue meeting together because we could see we were “better
together.”

We are grateful to God for providing both churches with a homecoming and a rebirth. The TTF
continues to seek God’s will in all of this, and we encourage you to do the same. We trust that
God will provide endless possibilities and provisions for people to gather as Malden Community
Church…for worship…for community…and for unconditional love and acceptance.

Please review the attached document and plan to attend our next Town Hall meeting. We
welcome your input, if you have any, before or at the meeting.