Update Tuesday 3/04/12

This is the week that we focus on that pivotal event in history, the one that changed everything, those few days where one man would offer himself as a substitute for the sins of the world, hang on a cross to die, be buried in a tomb, and then...in a most incredible manner, be raised from the grave.  We celebrate that event that announces boldly and dramatically that sin is defeated and death has no sting for those who believe.  This is why we do what we do, this is the event that we long to share with the world and this is the message of hope that we labour to share. 
This is also the first Easter weekend that we will be celebrating as a fellowship in Hamilton.  We will be meeting together first on Good Friday as we reflect on Jesus' suffering and sacrifice.  We decided that for our Easter celebration, however, it would be the perfect time to go as a group to visit our sending church in Milton.  Our whole Hamilton gang will be going to visit, and for many of us to meet for the first time, our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Sanctuary Milton.  I am excited for those who sent us off with such love and support to be able to see and meet the fruit of their labour and sacrifice.  I am also excited to introduce our new Fellowships members to those who have been praying, labouring and sacrificing to see our new group established.  
Often times I am asked to share about church planting, what it is like, what it takes, how can people or churches be involved etc.   Lately, I have been sharing the story of The Sanctuary Milton because to me it captures so much of what it means and what it takes to plant a church.  Milton is itself a church plant of The Sanctuary in Oakville, Ontario.  Milton is about seven years old.  In the circles that I am connected with I have come to see it as one of the more mature, established churches but in reality The Sanctuary Milton is fairly young.  Milton can range anywhere from 60-100 people in attendance on a Sunday morning, but if we are being honest it is more often closer to sixty, it is not a large church.  When I had the crazy idea that God might be calling us to Hamilton to start another work, this young, small church made the courageous decision that they not only wanted to bless us, they wanted to walk with us and support us in very tangible ways.  As I begin to lead this new group here in Hamilton, I recognize the courage that it took to let my family, who represented almost 10% of the congregation, go.  Not only did they let us go, but they joined us in praying for this new work.  Members of that church would venture into Hamilton and into the neighbourhood that we had prayerfully decided upon, and prayer walk each street even before we had moved in.  They continued this for months leading up to our move, sometimes walking and praying in the pouring rain.   People continue to join us for events or outreaches as we serve here in Hamilton.  Another way that our sending church in Hamilton has continued to support this new work in Hamilton is by partnering with us financially.  Let's be honest, growth in this part of Ontario tends to be slow, and so the challenge of financially sustaining work is one of the greatest we face.  When it came time for the first budget that the Sanctuary Milton was to put together after our leaving for Hamilton, the congregation decided give sacrificially in order to support us financially.  They continue to provide $1500.00 a month, equaling our largest financially partner.  This is sacrificial giving.  Although they would never say, I know that this support means making decisions about what they must go without.  There are decisions about what is really needed, and thus decisions to go without new equipment for different ministries.  There are decision about staffing and the need for the laity to do as much of the lifting (both literally and figuratively!) as possible.  I also know that there is the very real possibility of a decision by the senior pastor that he may have to go without a paycheque, a decision that he has made numerous times over the last six years of planting and leading that church plant.   There is no real guarantee as to where the money for their own work will come from each month and yet they continue to give sacrificially to ensure ministries like our new group in Hamilton can continue.  I also know that they don't want to stop with one group in Hamilton, and even now they have invited a small group from Brampton into the fold with the intention of walking with them toward the ultimate goal of beginning a new work in that city as well in the near future.  To me, this is an example of the selfless and sacrificial giving to which Christ calls us.  It is not the easy road, ask any of the Milton members who have missed paycheques, lifted equipment or given hours of volunteer time to give in such a manner.  It is, however, living out the example of Jesus and the cross.  This weekend we will celebrate the willingness of our Saviour to give selflessly ans sacrificially to the point of death-even death on a cross, so that we might live eternally.  My family at the Sanctuary Milton are a clear example to me of how we might continue in Jesus' example and live selflessly and sacrificially that others in other communities might have the chance to learn of Jesus and share in eternity with Him.