A Youth Pastor’s Reflection

I had lost this post a few months ago after a youth leaders meeting, after which I was pumped for life. I was disappointed I could not find it. But bam. Now it’s back, so I wanted to publish it. Though it is a couple months old the idea and thought is still current for me.

Mid June 2013
Tonight the faithful youth leaders gathered to envision what The Lord has done this past year and where we are heading for the upcoming year. Reflection and refocusing. These are some of my favourite times of the year. This is especially true of this year as a purpose and a plan has been formed in years gone by and watching it evolve and develop into effective discipleship is joyful.

Here’s where we landed: action with teaching. Youth need to experience to learn and grow. The classroom is only good for so long. How can we do as Jesus did and walk and teach. Feed the masses and teach a lesson or heal the lame on the sabbath and teach about The Lord of the sabbath. How can we experience the gospel and embody biblical truths as a youth group? That is our upcoming struggle and I am excited for it. Here we come 2013-14! Lord, your kingdom come!”

 

Fitting Into a Church

Fit. Do I fit here or there? Since coming into ministry part time and full time the past 6 years, I see something that’s either concerning or encouraging. You be the judge. People often come to a church or leave a church based on what is available for themselves and their family. Maybe rightly so. We all need to find a fit, but soon our attitude changes. “If I am a senior and there is nothing for a senior to do then I’m out.” Or “if I have a child and there is nothing for families , I’m out.” The list can go on. Here is a concern I see in our view of church:

Let’s just get together, aka, “The social club affect.” We do need to be a community. This means there can be events that we go to and are organized as simply social. They can be social for specific ages, genders or stages in life. The Issue: Most churches in Canada are small. There are often 200 or less people, busy people. People who only have so much time. Let’s say we plan a family event, a senior event, a children event, singles event, and a young adult event. All social in nature. Where is there time to teach people scripture? Where is the time to disciple leaders? Where is the time to pray for one another? I wouldn’t mind the social events if we were such great disciples that the events turned into a prayer meeting for our towns, or if we encouraged one another in prayer or scripture. But let’s face it, 2-10% of people are mature enough to do this. In result, church becomes just another social organization. Is this bad?

We have to look at the mandate of Scripture. What does God tell us the church is? Acts is clear that it is a gathering of believers. They shared everything together, including meals and money. But let’s look at what they were doing. Even their Trustees (who wiped tables and served) were preaching the Gospel to those who have never heard. They were men filled with the Holy Spirit and desired to see Christ fill the world. Is this our passion? Jesus told us to “make disciples” (Matt 28:19). The church cannot put on events or programs for every single group of people or we’ll die.

When we evaluate a church to say we don’t fit, I ask why? Why do you not fit? The answer is usually this: “There is not enough for me and I don’t see the church having anything for my family.” My question is this: Have you asked about the vision of the church and at what stage the church is at? Are they in development of leaders or programs? Are we concerned with social events more than growth of disciples? The church is more than its face value.

COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS: When the church says its a community, it means we’re family. It means we are a family who are striving for the kingdom of Jesus! The question need not be “what is there for me,” but how can we grow spiritually and work for the kingdom together?

Churches: We need to be asking this question and evaluating consistently.

Believers: Be patient. Especially if the church is attempting to move forward. Be a part of the solution not the transient crisis we are a part of.

North Americans(we) are consumers: We shop shop shop. If we don’t find what we like at Walmart, we go to Costco. If Costco is mistreating us, we go to Superstore. If one church is isn’t serving exactly our tastes, it’s time to move on. This mentality kills the church.

To be the church we must invest ourselves in a community for the purpose of growing each other in CHRIST through tough and joyous times alike. Jesus put up with us. He died for us. Let’s work together for the Kingdom of God. Let’s keep watch of our priorities and “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things(needs) will be added to you.” We must listen to Jesus’ words and the rest of scripture in how to be the church. Then we can be as creative as we like in being the church, but we must keep our Identity.

 

To Winnipeg and Back Again

Who knew we could serve God’s Kingdom right here in Canada? (The secret is I did). Last year we took a team to Winnipeg to serve the downtown with OM and City Church. Both of these are doing great work For God’s Kingdom. Feel free to click on their links. This year we took some youth again and again God woke us up to the world and His work in it. God gave us confidence in His Kingdom as he showed us how he works. We learned from different religions first hand and in their temples or places of worship. We were taught about sharing Jesus with the world in both the why and the how. We were given a chance to serve the community in events and prayer walks. We learned about cultures we never knew existed!

Now what? Did it really change us? Time will tell. Will be grab onto what we experienced and learned or will it be just a good memory. Does God’s Kingdom really matter to us?

One thing I learned: We have to be careful how internally focused we are as a church body. We need to be healthy Spiritual, but part of that comes when we stop looking internally and look to the world and the community around us. It’s ironic that to be selfless we normally look more to the self. The antidote to selfishness is to look outwards to others. Internal and external need to be help is sweet tension.

After this we realize that we do care for God’s Kingdom, we are just too internally focused to see His Kingdom at work. Here’s the Challenge: To not forget this. To take it up and to serve Vegreville. To share the amazing grace God gives. So this post is a reminder for me. It is a reminder to remember to serve and to help others serve God in whatever way. To share the good news Jesus has with whoever is in my life. Let’s do it. Let’s make disciples who reach out and are not intimidated by this luxurious world but saturated with God’s love for his creation!

 

Dying Denominations to a Thriving Community

I recently attended a class at Ambrose in Calgary and during the class on the History of the Christian and Missionary Alliance a comment was mentioned that I feel I need to expound upon. The comment was something to this extent: Denominations are changing. Loyalty to denominations are changing and so their identity must change as well.

These comments were made to sound like the idea of denominations are dying. Of course denominations are not a biblical idea, but I can see how they can model the idea of community. I have never been a denomination guy and have desired for the church to be one as God is one, but since being at Briercrest and joining the Christian and Missionary Alliance, my mind has changed.

At Briercrest I found the value of rich Christian community. Before, I was scared of the idea of a hanging around a bunch of guys all the time. I was always intimidated. Being in Eliason Manor (My dorm) showed me that guys can live in a rich community environment surrounded around Christ.

Denominations may be failing with their current model. Many denominations are shrinking. But, what if denominations reshaped their thinking and models to be more of a Christian community. This could look more like a fraternal union. But now I am starting to sound like AB Simpson. Of course it will look different than the beginnings of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, but have similar values.

Denominations look more like they surround around a central model or business smothered with doctrinal beliefs and practices. The denominational head determines laws, doctrine, programs, etc. Denominations being a community of believers looks different. It is a means of support in Christ. It looks like a place to go for prayer and healing rather than looked at as a boundary and chains within which we are slaves to. It can be modeled as an encouragement and discernment centre for local churches and to ignite passions that start ministries. Getting into the denomination will look less like something to “achieve” and more like something to desire to be apart of. A denomination as a community becomes a movement for Christ rather than business to produce Christians. A denomination as a community ignites passions to spread the Kingdom of God so that people can do nothing but want to be a part of Christ.

Of course community can be developed in many ways and should be locally within each local church and its respective community, but there is something to say about being intimately connected to a larger body. It is impossible to be a part of every body of believers in this world, so denominations can become a community in which you thrive in Christ and other denominations are other Christ communities working for the Kingdom.

If denominations in their current model or paradigm are dying then it may be time for a paradigm shift. Denomination as community for Christ sounds great to me. Thoughts?

 

Lessons Learned from the Poor

Lessons Learned from the Poor. By David Guertzki

The link above is a post from a professor and mentor of mine. At first I thought it was simply another account of a missions trip. But not with David. Thanks David for this post.

Context: David is observing a class in Ecuador. Its a partnership class with Briercrest and Compassion International to combine in-class theology with the outworking of theology. Love the idea of this class and hope to join one day.

 

What Christians Should Know about Halloween

What Christians Should Know about Halloween | The Resurgence.

Here’s an interesting article on Halloween (Click the link above!). The part I disagree with the most is the very end where he talks about mocking the devil. I would be weary about mocking him. Jude warns us well,

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. (Jude 1:8-10).

Though we have authority in Christ, we must remember that the authority stays in Christ. Though he is intricately woven into our lives, he still holds the authority.

Besides that point, this read is very interesting. Check it out.

 

Sexual Exploitation and The Church’s Response

I read an article today that stunned me. Here it is: “Children sexually exploited by gangs” Or simply google Sexual Exploitation in the UK and you’ll see what this blog post is all about.

This article was written concerning the UK. This is a highly organized country right? I do not wish to slander England, but I do desire for change as is the call of the church. I am stunned by these numbers:

“Current Estimates say up to 10,000 children could be affected.”

“Involves children as young as 11”

This next one is shocking: “Three-quarters of England’s local safeguard and child protection boards were not recording information on child sexual exploitation, the report said.” The report was done by The University of Bedfordshire.

The question we encounter is this: What is the church to do?

The government is taking action on this, since this article was in part from the deputy children’s commissioner. So does this let us sit back and ride the government’s back? Of course not.

We are called to care for the least of these. James says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (Js 1:27). Between this and Jesus’ comments about little ones, I think we have a strong mandate not only to talk about protecting children buy to act on it.

This begins at home. Tomorrow I am helping teach a seminar on Plan to Protect. This Plan is to protect our children from such things. Church’s should first have a plan of how they are protecting their own children. Next we look to the children in our community. How are they being protected. I am glad to say that our country reports and keeps very good records of abuse to children. As the body of Christ we have a call to act justly and we must act (Micah 6:8). I am not sure how you wish to care for our children, but we must care for them in Christ’s name. Physically and spiritually. We must not separate the two as we care for them. Our goal needs to be as protective brothers and sisters.

I have been really mean to people who picked on my little sister. She is mentally handicapped and vulnerable. Not only have individuals picked on her so have systems. I do not take well to that. I have battled school systems, principals, teachers etc., to make sure my sister was protected and enjoying life.

This attitude should not change when it comes to the children all around us. When we encounter injustice, I firmly believe our gospel calls us to act. I realize we cannot do it all, but we can at least be participating in the capacity we can handle. I think of organizations like Invisible Children. This organization is helping children in central Africa. White Monkey’s and Free Burma Rangers. Women are being rapped and children stolen to be in the army. The rant will stop for now. Let’s just act. This should be a no brainer.

 

What’s Wrong in Babylon? Racism and Diversity

Genesis 11 angers me. As I finished reading this passage in preparation for my message this Sunday my blood boiled. Not at men, but at God. How could he divide the unity that was beautiful. Man was successful. They created brick and was on their way to creating the largest building of their time, one that would reach the heavens. God himself said that anything would be possible for them. Then, like a Greek God, He confused man and separated them from their success. Why would he do this?

As I was preparing today I realized I was reading it with my North American eyes. Success? Is that really such a great thing to be unified around, especially when built on the selfish ambition that the people of Babel were soaking in. “Let’s build for ourselves a great city so our name will be great!!!!” God is not even on their radar.

But then, as I think about this story as an explanation of why we have so many cultures, I can’t help but be angry yet again. God caused division in culture which has lead to wars, racism, and genocide. At least man was unified. But then again, who I am to say man would not soon have a civil war. God choose the lesser evil in this. Instead of being unified around evil and selfish ambition, he separated man like two unruly friends in a classroom.

So here we are, surrounded by racism, war and genocide because of the differences in cultures. The question is, what do we do with it as the church? Now that we know we all come from the same family and that we are all made in the image of God, what are we going to do? We have a call, as a church, to have unity in diversity. To not think that every Arab is strapped to a bomb. To not think that every Mexican is dirty. To not think that every white person is rich. To not think that every black person is African or poor. The list goes on. Our call is to realize and live in the unity we have in Christ. Our call is to act out against the racism we see and bring appreciation to the diversity that our God has created.