The New Testament describes two offices within the church: elder and deacon.
Elders (aka pastors/overseers/shepherds) are men who have been called by God to lead and teach in the church, all these terms designate one office. This office is open to only men. Such men are to teach and lead primarily by dedicating themselves to the Word of God and prayer. They must meet the explicit qualifications laid out in scripture in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 2, and 1 Peter 5.
Deacons also must meet the qualifications laid out in scripture for the office, primarily in 1 Timothy 3 and Acts 6. This office is open to both men and women (see this article for a brief explanation of our stance on female deacons). We believe the biblical role of deacons is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can be released to concentrate on their primary calling: devoting themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer. Like the proto-deacons in Acts 6, New City deacons are given a specific, narrow mandate in which to serve the unity of the church and assist the elders.
Elders lead ministry, deacons facilitate ministry, the congregation does ministry.
At this time, New City Baptist Church has two elders and one deacon.
Elders/Pastors
John Bell
John Bell is the founding and senior pastor of New City Baptist Church. He’s been married to his lovely wife, Jill, since 2012.
Originally from the Thousand Islands, John graduated from Toronto Baptist Seminary and Bible College.
An avid reader, John is also a film buff. When not indulging in procrastination, he’s trying to write a screenplay. We may yet see his name in lights!
Pastor John can be reached by email: john@newcitybaptist.ca
Alex Bloomfield
Alex Bloomfield first came to New City in September 2011. He became a member soon after, and was ordained as an elder in July 2018. He joined staff part-time as an associate pastor in January 2020. He took part in the pastoral internship program at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C in the spring of 2022.
Alex hails from Ilderton, Ontario, a small town just outside of London. He was raised at Central/Stoney Creek Baptist Church where he came to know Christ and was baptized.
He moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University, where he studied at the RTA School of Media. He now works in radio and sports broadcasting.
Alex met his wife, Jessie, while both were living on the campus of Toronto Baptist Seminary. They were married in 2016 and have two daughters.
Pastor Alex can be reached by email: alexbloomfield27@gmail.com
Deacons
Phoebe Clement-Schlimm
Phoebe Clement-Schlimm was installed as Deacon of Benevolence at New City Baptist Church in October 2022. The aim of this diaconal portfolio is to serve the church by managing the benevolence fund and certain programmatic acts of service, such as meal trains.
Phoebe was born to Christian missionary parents in Singapore and moved to Canada in her early teen years. In 2013 she came to New City and came to faith in Christ and was baptized.
Phoebe holds a Master of Theology and a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Care & Counselling from Heritage College and Seminary. She is currently completing an MA in Counselling Psychology and is registered in Ontario as a psychotherapist (qualifying).
Phoebe married her husband, Quinn, in 2020 and is working towards becoming a biblical counsellor in Canada.