More Than Words...

For a number of years now I have been shining a spotlight on what Roland Allen called ‘The Way of Christ and His Apostles”.   In other words, the ministry model that emerges from a fresh study of the New Testament church.  By a fresh study, I mean doing your best to set aside the ministry models and traditions we’ve come from and limit your sight to the scriptures themselves and knowledge of the historical context in which the NT was written.  The ministry model that emerges from a fresh study of Acts and the Epistles differs on many points from the typical ministry models of today which are heavily influenced by Western institutionalism and culture.   The contrast is strong enough that sometimes people give me confused or concerned looks when I point them out! However, the model that emerges in the pages of Acts and reinforced by the New Testament letters contains timeless principles that are relevant in any era.   As I consider the challe...

The current pandemic crisis has left many people struggling with anxiety and uncertainty.   It would be easy to give in to all the worry and fear that fills our media broadcasts these days.  One way to cope is to recognize that we are in this together.  Even our Prime Minister emphasizes in his daily updates that Canadians are in this together.    While this is helpful, there is still loneliness many feel as we self-isolate and practice social distancing.  Today I was reminded that there is someone who sticks closer than a brother.  Faith in Jesus isn't just faith in someone who lived 2000 years ago.  It is faith in someone who is alive and present in the lives of his followers today by the power of his Spirit.   In fact, he promised to be with his disciples to the 'end of the age.' (Matthew 28:20)   We can know his presence no matter what we are facing.  "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympat...

I was reminded today of who I am in Christ. That his Spirit gives me a desire and power to turn away from sin because his righteousness lives in me.  While I am far from perfect, I am no longer a slave to sin.  He is changing me.  As I was thinking about this I continued to read the following... Romans 8:15 (ESV): For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”    Through faith in Jesus, draw close to your true Father today.  Live like you truly are his son/daughter, and let him care for you. Let him replace your fear with his love. 

Unfortunately, much of the teaching in modern Christianity is hit-and-miss.  It includes sermons, books, and Bible studies that are often not well-connected in a way that helps Christians become “firmly rooted” (Colossians 2:6) in the faith. Whatever happened to the common practice in the early church based on the idea of training every believer in a comprehensive understanding and practice of the “the elementary principles” of the faith (see Colossians 2:8 and Hebrews 5:11-14)?  These “elementary” or first principles represent the first things that should be learned by a new disciple—a foundation upon which everything else is built.  There is a great need for this 'foundation laying' work in the lives of believers in our churches today!  Could the lack of attention to this work be a major factor in the prevalence of false teaching and embarrassing expressions of 'Evangelicalism'?   Isn't this a clear sign of a weak and immature North American Chu...

A friend of mine sent me an excerpt from Francis Chan's book Forgotten God as a reminder of two key factors that blind us to God's presence and activity in our lives: Comfort (a life that is too safe) and Volume (a life that is too noisy). Being on Sabbatical I've been struck by the amount of noise (What Chan calls Volume) is now part of our culture and how hard it is to get away from messages, tweets, updates, constant demands, and distractions.  Developing a healthy rhythm of work/rest that includes being still before God and turning off our devices is something we need to be very intentional about!   And it often means being willing to accomplish a little less and forgo some comforts in order to live more simply. I agree with Chan that we need some discomfort.  In a culture where comfort and convenience are of ultimate value, we often avoid the medicine required to cure the disconnect we feel.    Ironically, it is a...

Having some time off has given me the chance to think about 'being'.  I've been part of an ongoing conversation about how our culture is obsessed with productivity and how our churches are focused more on doing many things but not on 'being'.    The Martha and Mary text is often used to show that the 'better way' is to be at the feet of Jesus.  It is a good reminder that we can be so consumed with the task that we're missing out on the great things Jesus is offering us, but withdrawing from doing doesn't result in 'being'.  Being and doing go hand in hand.  I realize that it is because of my doing that I truly have grown in being with Jesus.   It is the doing that has driven me to my knees in prayer.  It is the pressure of responsibilities that has forced me to lean on the strength and guidance of God's word and Spirit.    I've watched several people withdraw from responsibilities in the name of 'being' and simply drift f...

At the beginning of this week, I decided to tag along with my wife to the monthly Fairview Interagency meeting.   At the table were various social agencies and a couple of churches.  Issues such as affordable housing, refugees, and food security topped the list of lively discussion.   It turns out that our little church is the only group in our whole area that ever offers a cooked meal to the public (our annual Christmas dinner).    I was surprised to hear of how many refugee families are living in hotels in our area because there is no other housing available.  Turns out the Christmas dinner was the only sit down 'home cooked' meal that some families received after months of takeout.   Another issue is that all the soup kitchens and cooked meal programs available are downtown and transportation is difficult for new families to Canada, especially when it is very cold outside. The next morning sue and I met ...