Here is a poem I worked on a little while ago. I thought that there might be a song in it, but nothing that I have liked has developed...yet. It exists in its current form as just words, a poem, and it may or may not stay that way.
I wrote these words after reading Northern Light - The enduring mystery of Tom Thomson and the woman who loved him by Roy MacGregor. Tom Thomson is a Canadian painter whose early connection and influence on those who would become the famous Group of Seven, along with his mysterious death by drowning in Algonquin Park, have given him a legendary, if not mythical, status within the Canadian consciousness. The book explores the mystery of his death with particular attention to Winnie Trainor, a rather strange sad "spinster," who was a love interest of Tomson at the time of his death.
The Lady Left Behind
Who was the one who cleared the grave,
Of wildflowers mistakenly laid,
Or so she thought, there could not lay
No, not her one true love's remains.
The lady left behind,
The future there denied,
Two lives were lost the day,
The landscape forever changed.
Abandoned with child, some would say,
Or soon to be wed and then slip away,
A honeymoon on Bella Lake,
No one will know 'twas not her fate.
The lady left behind,
The future there denied,
Two lives were lost the day,
The landscape forever changed.
Two stories cast, one fateful shore,
One mythic tale of Canadian lore,
As a nation comes into its own,
One never told, barely known
The lady left behind,
The future there denied,
Two lives were lost the day,
The landscape forever changed.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A Word To My Calvinist Friends - Trevin Wax
I found myself sharing a thought with someone a few weeks ago that went something like this:
The Fruit of The Spirit (love, kindness and gentleness in particular) is not an excuse for poor doctrine,
But neither is sound doctrine an excuse for no Fruit of the Spirit.
It always concerns me when we preach at the world with no grace, love or kindness. It also concerns me when, within the larger body of Christ, our in house theological discussions show no evidence of grace or the Fruit of the Spirit either. It makes me wonder about the true inspiration behind our discussions and makes me wonder about its effect on our witness to the world.
Today, over at the Gospel Coalition blog, there is an interesting piece by Trevin Wax entitled
A Word To My Calvinist Friends
that touches on one aspect of this idea. I thought it was a great read, a great reminder and a worthwhile investment of time.
The Fruit of The Spirit (love, kindness and gentleness in particular) is not an excuse for poor doctrine,
But neither is sound doctrine an excuse for no Fruit of the Spirit.
It always concerns me when we preach at the world with no grace, love or kindness. It also concerns me when, within the larger body of Christ, our in house theological discussions show no evidence of grace or the Fruit of the Spirit either. It makes me wonder about the true inspiration behind our discussions and makes me wonder about its effect on our witness to the world.
Today, over at the Gospel Coalition blog, there is an interesting piece by Trevin Wax entitled
A Word To My Calvinist Friends
that touches on one aspect of this idea. I thought it was a great read, a great reminder and a worthwhile investment of time.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Update Tuesday
It has been a whirlwind, crazy busy summer for us with travel and conferences as well as hosting mission teams and leading our Fellowship to be involved here in the city. A lot of amazing work got done as well as a lot of things coming together in the background. With this in mind we are very much looking forward to what God is going to do this year!
This week marks the last week of summer vacation here in Ontario, with school starting up next Tuesday. In many ways this marks the beginning if the year as vacations come to an end, schedules and routines begin to set in and regular life with regular neighbours (as regular as life in the city can get) returns. Please continue to pray for The Hamilton Fellowships during this important and strategic time. In particular pray for opportunities within schools including Mohawk College and McMaster University both of which we have people involved with. Please also pray for a number of things going on in the background that could lead to possible new Fellowships in the future.
Lastly, if you have not had the opportunity to read last week's update then please do and join us in prayer that God might stir in the hearts of individuals that he has in mind to join our work in various ways.
Last Week's Update - How to Help
This week marks the last week of summer vacation here in Ontario, with school starting up next Tuesday. In many ways this marks the beginning if the year as vacations come to an end, schedules and routines begin to set in and regular life with regular neighbours (as regular as life in the city can get) returns. Please continue to pray for The Hamilton Fellowships during this important and strategic time. In particular pray for opportunities within schools including Mohawk College and McMaster University both of which we have people involved with. Please also pray for a number of things going on in the background that could lead to possible new Fellowships in the future.
Lastly, if you have not had the opportunity to read last week's update then please do and join us in prayer that God might stir in the hearts of individuals that he has in mind to join our work in various ways.
Last Week's Update - How to Help
Monday, August 27, 2012
Missional Monday
How many non-Christians do you know?
How many do you personally engage with?
How many would you say you have a relationship with?
These might be helpful questions to think through as we think about living Missionally.
How many do you personally engage with?
How many would you say you have a relationship with?
These might be helpful questions to think through as we think about living Missionally.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Friday Art-Pencil Lake 3 complete
Here is the finished version of my latest painting, the last is a series of works from Pencil Lake.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
A Sobering Thought
Often when one is involved in church planting, or even any other form of ministry, there is a temptation to get caught up in numbers. We are growing a plant or a ministry and thus numbers show whether we are having success or not...or do they? It is here that I had a sobering thought recently. What if truth actually means the exact opposite? And not just in planting, what if revitalizing a church actually has the opposite effect, at least to begin with?
If making disciples in a church plant or while revitalizing a church means introducing the real Jesus, understanding who He is, what He has done and leading people to what He asks of them, there will be little room for those who are looking for an easy ride and for comfort. To get back to the heart of what Jesus expects may actually drive more people away from the church to begin with, the many sitting in pews, chairs (benches, floors or whatever variation our church plant might use) who have been content to just do that, sit and be comfortable. But this was exactly Jesus' pattern was it not? Preach and heal, gather a crowd but before too long give some of the tough stuff and weed out that crowd. One clear example comes in chapter six when Jesus begins talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:51-60). Eventually, we are told that "many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him." (John 6:66) Jesus seemed less concerned with numbers and church growth than with truly devoted disciples.
If we are really concerned with true discipleship, church planting or church revitalization it is probably best to leave aside some of our notions of numbers and church growth, at least at the beginning. Big numbers don't mean big numbers of true disciples. Although numbers can be important, and at some point we all would like to see them going up, for the sake of souls in the kingdom, we may need some other indicators of vitality, revitalization and health. Church Growth and Revitalization don't always go hand in hand.
If making disciples in a church plant or while revitalizing a church means introducing the real Jesus, understanding who He is, what He has done and leading people to what He asks of them, there will be little room for those who are looking for an easy ride and for comfort. To get back to the heart of what Jesus expects may actually drive more people away from the church to begin with, the many sitting in pews, chairs (benches, floors or whatever variation our church plant might use) who have been content to just do that, sit and be comfortable. But this was exactly Jesus' pattern was it not? Preach and heal, gather a crowd but before too long give some of the tough stuff and weed out that crowd. One clear example comes in chapter six when Jesus begins talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:51-60). Eventually, we are told that "many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him." (John 6:66) Jesus seemed less concerned with numbers and church growth than with truly devoted disciples.
If we are really concerned with true discipleship, church planting or church revitalization it is probably best to leave aside some of our notions of numbers and church growth, at least at the beginning. Big numbers don't mean big numbers of true disciples. Although numbers can be important, and at some point we all would like to see them going up, for the sake of souls in the kingdom, we may need some other indicators of vitality, revitalization and health. Church Growth and Revitalization don't always go hand in hand.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Update Tuesday-How to Help
As God continues to develop and refine the vision that He has for us and the Hamilton Fellowships we recognize that we cannot do it on our own. The Hamilton Fellowships has always been intentionally plural as we see our task as catalyzing a network of interdependent fellowships. Lately we have begun to think in terms of a fellowship within walking distance of everyone in the city. Hamilton, however, is geographically diverse, encompassing more than just the downtown core and thus the outlying regions are on our heart as well. There are suburbs and even rural outlying regions.
I am also frequently asked by friends, neighbours, colleagues, churches and individuals across North America about how to be involved and how to help. What follows is an attempt at more fully answering that question, a list of ways that one might consider becoming involved. It differs in degree and commitment so please read through and prayerfully consider if God may have a place for you within the Hamilton Fellowships.
1) Apprentice Church Planter
In order to be able to have an impact of the outlying regions, we will need individuals who are committed to overseeing new works in those areas. Apprenticing with us allows one to both see, experience and learn what we are doing while at the same time exploring the particulars of a region of Hamilton in preparation for penetrating a new area.
2) Move In
Consider moving into a part of the city with the intention of hosting and or leading a future Fellowship. Plug into an existing Fellowship to experience and learn what we are doing in preparation for being a part of a new work.
3) Join a Fellowship
Are you already in the city? Consider joining an existing Fellowship and plug into the life of one of these spiritual communities.
4) Advocates
We will continue to be looking for partners to join us as we seek to provide for all the needs (spiritual, financial and physical) of continuing a movement of new works. As the work here grows it becomes more difficult to both be on the ground serving as well as out raising partners. There is a great need for individuals and churches to advocate amongst colleagues, friends, associations and conventions, sharing what they have seen God doing and inviting and encouraging others to consider being involved.
5) Partners
We are in need of more great partners, individuals, groups and churches willing to be involved in helping us provide the spiritual, financial and physical needs of a growing number of Fellowships. By developing partner relationships with a longer term commitment in mind (3, 5 or more years) we can begin to see the Hamilton Fellowships live out the vision of being a plurality that extends across our region and beyond.
If you are interested, have questions or even see yourself as being involved in one of these ways then please send me an e-mail to jason@jasonmcgibbonproject.com I would love to chat!!
I am also frequently asked by friends, neighbours, colleagues, churches and individuals across North America about how to be involved and how to help. What follows is an attempt at more fully answering that question, a list of ways that one might consider becoming involved. It differs in degree and commitment so please read through and prayerfully consider if God may have a place for you within the Hamilton Fellowships.
1) Apprentice Church Planter
In order to be able to have an impact of the outlying regions, we will need individuals who are committed to overseeing new works in those areas. Apprenticing with us allows one to both see, experience and learn what we are doing while at the same time exploring the particulars of a region of Hamilton in preparation for penetrating a new area.
2) Move In
Consider moving into a part of the city with the intention of hosting and or leading a future Fellowship. Plug into an existing Fellowship to experience and learn what we are doing in preparation for being a part of a new work.
3) Join a Fellowship
Are you already in the city? Consider joining an existing Fellowship and plug into the life of one of these spiritual communities.
4) Advocates
We will continue to be looking for partners to join us as we seek to provide for all the needs (spiritual, financial and physical) of continuing a movement of new works. As the work here grows it becomes more difficult to both be on the ground serving as well as out raising partners. There is a great need for individuals and churches to advocate amongst colleagues, friends, associations and conventions, sharing what they have seen God doing and inviting and encouraging others to consider being involved.
5) Partners
We are in need of more great partners, individuals, groups and churches willing to be involved in helping us provide the spiritual, financial and physical needs of a growing number of Fellowships. By developing partner relationships with a longer term commitment in mind (3, 5 or more years) we can begin to see the Hamilton Fellowships live out the vision of being a plurality that extends across our region and beyond.
If you are interested, have questions or even see yourself as being involved in one of these ways then please send me an e-mail to jason@jasonmcgibbonproject.com I would love to chat!!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Missional Monday-Actions Count
It was a little bit last minute, rather unplanned and spontaneous but one of the things from this past week I will most remember. We were hosting a mission team and serving in the community. Having some extra time I asked the team if we could walk down the street with some gardening tools and weed an overgrown lot around a vacant building. It has been vacant for some time, is unkept and, frankly, has become an eyesore. As we weeded we had numerous visits from neighbours and shop owners from the area who, while surprised, all expressed their thanks.
This one act of service provided numerous opportunities to share who we were and why we were there. We also had many requests from people asking to participate in any future things we do in the neighborhood. Our reputation, in an area with great distrust for the church, was very positively affected. And, of course, our neighbourhood now looks a little bit neater.
This one act of service provided numerous opportunities to share who we were and why we were there. We also had many requests from people asking to participate in any future things we do in the neighborhood. Our reputation, in an area with great distrust for the church, was very positively affected. And, of course, our neighbourhood now looks a little bit neater.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Kingdom Matrix
The Kingdom Matrix
(read about it or purchase it here)
It has certainly been a different experience these past few weeks as I have made my way through The Kingdom Matrix by Jeff Christopherson. Reading through a book in which you know many of the individuals mentioned, remember many of the stories that are recounted and, in fact, lived through a number of them, provides a unique reading experience for sure. It is a bit hard to distance an objective reading of the points being delivered from my nostalgic memories of being a part of much of it. I have also had the advanced drafts, so to speak, as many of the ideas from this book were being developed, introduced and lived out in the churches that where a part of the Sanctuary movement. Looking back, I remember the amazing things we have seen God do, I remember hard times when we didn't get it right or when God may have been pruning and refining, and in all I am overwhelmed by who God is, what He has done and all that I have learned these past eleven years.
I say this is simply to point out that anything I say about the book is not unbiased. Having said that, however, there is some thinking in this book that could be very important for the church. I have probably come to take for granted much of what I have learned over the years and the culture in which I have been blessed to be a part. If, however, concepts such as "giving yourself away," "community transformation," "church planting," "reproduction," or "radical self sacrifice" are not a common part of your church context then this book may be a significant part of challenging you and your church for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
(read about it or purchase it here)
It has certainly been a different experience these past few weeks as I have made my way through The Kingdom Matrix by Jeff Christopherson. Reading through a book in which you know many of the individuals mentioned, remember many of the stories that are recounted and, in fact, lived through a number of them, provides a unique reading experience for sure. It is a bit hard to distance an objective reading of the points being delivered from my nostalgic memories of being a part of much of it. I have also had the advanced drafts, so to speak, as many of the ideas from this book were being developed, introduced and lived out in the churches that where a part of the Sanctuary movement. Looking back, I remember the amazing things we have seen God do, I remember hard times when we didn't get it right or when God may have been pruning and refining, and in all I am overwhelmed by who God is, what He has done and all that I have learned these past eleven years.
I say this is simply to point out that anything I say about the book is not unbiased. Having said that, however, there is some thinking in this book that could be very important for the church. I have probably come to take for granted much of what I have learned over the years and the culture in which I have been blessed to be a part. If, however, concepts such as "giving yourself away," "community transformation," "church planting," "reproduction," or "radical self sacrifice" are not a common part of your church context then this book may be a significant part of challenging you and your church for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A Question About Spiritual Gifts
Ask anyone who knows me and, depending on their definition of Spiritual Gift, you are likely to hear something about music and worship or preaching and teaching. If I were to take a spiritual gift inventory it would likely say the same. The thing is, if I had ever done an inventory before I was a Christian and before being indwelt by the Spirit that inventory would likely have come out the same. Even before becoming a Christian I could do music well, was a good performer, was comfortable before large groups was a decent public speaker and was a teacher. So what does that say about my Spiritual Gifting? I wonder how often we confuse Spiritual Gifting with natural ability. But should not our Spiritual Gifting be different? Could it be that we should see God working in us to do something we would not naturally expect to find success with? When the Apostles spoke in tongues, speaking in a language they had never learned or spoken previously, that must have seemed rather drastic and immediate-no doubt about it, a gift of the Spirit.
Only time will tell I suppose, but I wonder if what I am doing right now is evidence of Spiritual gifting, as it is really out if my comfort zone, my natural defaults and at times seems crazy. We are trying to start fellowships with a very real sense of community, reaching out primarily through relationships. Although I can stand in front of a large group and perform, I am very introverted and shy. And yet, I am passionate about what we are doing, and we think we are starting to see some amazing fruit.
Not only are we starting our fellowship, but God has been stirring in us a vision to catalyze a whole network throughout the city and the region. This is going to require a lot that is out of my comfort zone again-networking, finding leaders, developing leaders, developing partnership and developing systems. This is a lot to think about for a drummer. And again it will require a lot of relational energy, not my natural default.
But as I look at this, as I look at the developing vision I wonder if perhaps what I am seeing is a vision to be what is described in scripture as an "apostle." If this be the case, then perhaps I am not just crazy and insane as we move toward this vision. Although on paper I might say that I am not the man for the job, maybe the reality is that God is equipping me through His Spirit for a task that He has laid on my heart. It may use my natural gifting, but needs His Spiritual Gifting even more.
Only time will tell I suppose, but I wonder if what I am doing right now is evidence of Spiritual gifting, as it is really out if my comfort zone, my natural defaults and at times seems crazy. We are trying to start fellowships with a very real sense of community, reaching out primarily through relationships. Although I can stand in front of a large group and perform, I am very introverted and shy. And yet, I am passionate about what we are doing, and we think we are starting to see some amazing fruit.
Not only are we starting our fellowship, but God has been stirring in us a vision to catalyze a whole network throughout the city and the region. This is going to require a lot that is out of my comfort zone again-networking, finding leaders, developing leaders, developing partnership and developing systems. This is a lot to think about for a drummer. And again it will require a lot of relational energy, not my natural default.
But as I look at this, as I look at the developing vision I wonder if perhaps what I am seeing is a vision to be what is described in scripture as an "apostle." If this be the case, then perhaps I am not just crazy and insane as we move toward this vision. Although on paper I might say that I am not the man for the job, maybe the reality is that God is equipping me through His Spirit for a task that He has laid on my heart. It may use my natural gifting, but needs His Spiritual Gifting even more.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Update Tuesday
We are having a great time with our friends from Mt. Yonah Baptist Church in Cleveland, Georgia serving our community. We had some time last night to prayer walk a school here in Hamilton. As I was walking the perimeter of the school yard I came across a patch of thistle whose dried white seeds had begun to be scattered by the wind. I was reminded about a similar image of a dandelion that our National Ministry Leader, Gerry Taillon has shared, and I began to think about how this thistle represents the vision that God has been growing for our work here in Hamilton.
The main purpose of the thistle is not to grow one big, beautiful, healthy plant. Rather, the thistle best lives out its purpose when that beautiful flower dries and dies and the pocket of white seeds is dispersed. It lives out its purpose by dying to self, and giving itself away so as many small seeds as possible are dispersed, seeping out and covering the area around that first thistle. This is how I see my church, existing to die unto ourself and give ourself away to see many more small works begin to pop up across our city and multiply to seep across our region.
My vision is starting to become clearer and a thought is beginning to form of a fellowship within walking distance of everyone in the city.
This vision could only be a work of God, and such works only come to fruition when they are given by God through prayer and enacted through prayer. We have been praying a lot this week with our visiting friends. It is amazing to see that during these two days of mostly prayer how often our phone has been ringing. There have been friends trying to connect other friends who live in Hamilton to our group (one friend from as far away as Tennessee!) and students planning their return to the city wanting to plug in with us.
We keep praying and dreaming. We appreciate all those of you who faithfully pray for the ministry here in Hamilton.
The main purpose of the thistle is not to grow one big, beautiful, healthy plant. Rather, the thistle best lives out its purpose when that beautiful flower dries and dies and the pocket of white seeds is dispersed. It lives out its purpose by dying to self, and giving itself away so as many small seeds as possible are dispersed, seeping out and covering the area around that first thistle. This is how I see my church, existing to die unto ourself and give ourself away to see many more small works begin to pop up across our city and multiply to seep across our region.
My vision is starting to become clearer and a thought is beginning to form of a fellowship within walking distance of everyone in the city.
This vision could only be a work of God, and such works only come to fruition when they are given by God through prayer and enacted through prayer. We have been praying a lot this week with our visiting friends. It is amazing to see that during these two days of mostly prayer how often our phone has been ringing. There have been friends trying to connect other friends who live in Hamilton to our group (one friend from as far away as Tennessee!) and students planning their return to the city wanting to plug in with us.
We keep praying and dreaming. We appreciate all those of you who faithfully pray for the ministry here in Hamilton.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Missional Monday-assuming
You've probably seen them before, a bracelet with coloured beads meant to be prompts to help us share the gospel story; black-sin, red-Jesus' blood, blue-baptism, yellow-streets of Gold representing heaven, and any number of other variations.
My youngest daughter recently made one of these bracelets and the first thing she wanted to do when she got home was share it with her friend on the street. Her friend does not know Jesus and my daughter has begun to share with her a little. My daughter did a great job sharing what she had learned using the bracelet, she wasn't however, expecting as many questions in response.
Her friend, having no exposure to biblical themes had questions as basic and fundamental as:
Who is God?
What is Sin?
What is Baptism?
Who is Jesus?
What is heaven and why are there streets of Gold?
As she struggled to understand these basic building blocks, many of the more abstract concepts such as separation from God remained...well, abstract.
I have been reminded again that as we seek to share with others around us, in an increasingly secular and multi-cultural context we cannot assume anything. Not only should we not assume any basic understanding of the biblical story, we must also be very conscious about the language that we use, recognizing that many of the themes, terms, concepts and words we take for granted really are foreign to the culture around us.
So we take a few steps back, begin at the beginning, recognize that sometimes it is a slower process but continue to faithfully share.
My youngest daughter recently made one of these bracelets and the first thing she wanted to do when she got home was share it with her friend on the street. Her friend does not know Jesus and my daughter has begun to share with her a little. My daughter did a great job sharing what she had learned using the bracelet, she wasn't however, expecting as many questions in response.
Her friend, having no exposure to biblical themes had questions as basic and fundamental as:
Who is God?
What is Sin?
What is Baptism?
Who is Jesus?
What is heaven and why are there streets of Gold?
As she struggled to understand these basic building blocks, many of the more abstract concepts such as separation from God remained...well, abstract.
I have been reminded again that as we seek to share with others around us, in an increasingly secular and multi-cultural context we cannot assume anything. Not only should we not assume any basic understanding of the biblical story, we must also be very conscious about the language that we use, recognizing that many of the themes, terms, concepts and words we take for granted really are foreign to the culture around us.
So we take a few steps back, begin at the beginning, recognize that sometimes it is a slower process but continue to faithfully share.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Friday Art
Tonight is another art crawl down at James Street North here in Hamilton. I am heading there tonight and look forward to seeing all the sights! If you are in the Hamilton area and plan on going here are some thoughts about things you might want to see:
CBC Hamilton - 5 things to see
CBC Hamilton - 5 things to see
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Ed Stetzer at Send North America
Some of the main sessions from the Send North America conference are becoming available. Here is one from Ed Stetzer that I appreciated:
Ed Stetzer
Ed Stetzer
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
An Open Invitation
Dear friends, family and acquaintances. If you, or someone you know, are at all interested in learning about Jesus (no gimmicks, pushing or hard sells-just an honest exploration where lots of questions are welcome), and you live within (reasonable) driving distance of the GTA contact me and I will do my best to make this happen.
If you are not within driving distance still contact me and we will figure something out.
If you are not within driving distance still contact me and we will figure something out.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Update Tuesday - Up and Downs of Serving on the Fringes
Serving in the city, and serving some of the cities underprivileged comes with up and downs. This week has seen a bit of both. I started this week by returning from a number of weeks of travel and going through my mail. There was one letter from a church in North Carolina that was particularly encouraging. Although we have never met anyone in this church in person, they have been faithful prayer partners ever since hearing about our church a little over a year ago. They joined our prayer initiative and adopted a street to pray for in our neighbourhood and have continued to follow what is happening here and continue to pray. A few months ago I received an e-mail letting me know that they had a VBS planned and that they usually took up an offering during the week that usually ended up being about $150, and that they would like it to go towards our work here in Hamilton. They also asked if there were any specifics that they could share about where the money might be used to help the attendees feel a bit more connected to the offering. In my e-mail response I suggested that they talk about our work with the underprivileged, I shared an estimate for what it costs to serve one meal and suggested they could talk about providing meals. When I opened the letter this week there was a cheque for over $380! It was encouraging to see a church who continues to pray for us, who has a heart for Hamilton although they have never even been here and who feel connected to our work with the less fortunate in our city.
This morning was also the first week after a number of weeks away that I was able to connect with they guys at the Beer Store again. I must admit that although I has a great time away, and that a lot of significant things happened, this was one thing that I missed being able to do. There is always a bit of confusion when there is a holiday Monday and the numbers where a bit lower than usual and some of the regular faces were not present. I was sad to hear, however, that one friend in particular was not there for different reasons. It seems that my friend is in the Barton Street Jail. From what I gather, he was found drinking in public which was a breach of probation that landed him back in jail. I suppose that this is not an altogether surprising set of events for a homeless alcoholic. I have managed to track him down however and will be heading over to visit him this evening. I am praying that this might be a bit of a wake up call and the impetus to seek some real change-to seek Christ.
This morning was also the first week after a number of weeks away that I was able to connect with they guys at the Beer Store again. I must admit that although I has a great time away, and that a lot of significant things happened, this was one thing that I missed being able to do. There is always a bit of confusion when there is a holiday Monday and the numbers where a bit lower than usual and some of the regular faces were not present. I was sad to hear, however, that one friend in particular was not there for different reasons. It seems that my friend is in the Barton Street Jail. From what I gather, he was found drinking in public which was a breach of probation that landed him back in jail. I suppose that this is not an altogether surprising set of events for a homeless alcoholic. I have managed to track him down however and will be heading over to visit him this evening. I am praying that this might be a bit of a wake up call and the impetus to seek some real change-to seek Christ.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Missional Monday - Evangelism in Context
I had an eye opening moment last week during a session I attended at the Send North America Conference. The session was on planting in urban contexts, led by Ellis Prince who has planted The Gallery Church in Baltimore.
Ellis was sharing about evangelism and how many of the "techniques" or "programs" used to share the gospel are designed to take someone to the bible, to share what the bible says regarding sin, Jesus, His death and resurrection, and salvation. For example, "The bible says in Romans 3:23 that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'" What do you do, Ellis asked, when those you are sharing with those who don't believe the bible? At this point I found myself in complete agreement with his observations when it hit me...there may be people for whom this would be a real foreign concept, in whose context this would not be the norm, and for whom this might be a real paradigm shift.
I have often shared with visiting mission teams that many Canadians are suspicious of the church, don't trust it and don't trust the bible. What I realize I may have been doing is underestimating what a significant difference this might have been and what a radical shift in thinking that this might require.
As I work here in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada my default position is that those around me do not know, have rejected what they do know, or both, with regards to the church and the bible. I assume that people do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, that it is trustworthy, true, and that what we have today is a reliable account of what is found in early and authentic ancient sources. In fact, there are many who believe it is a source of evil in the world today. This means that apologetics and especially basic information about the authenticity of scripture are necessary tools in ones evangelism tool kit.
I also believe that this is another key reason why relationships and trust are so central to sharing our faith these days. In contexts with so much doubt and skepticism a real sense of trust must be earned if anyone is going to give a second thought to what we may have to share.
Ellis was sharing about evangelism and how many of the "techniques" or "programs" used to share the gospel are designed to take someone to the bible, to share what the bible says regarding sin, Jesus, His death and resurrection, and salvation. For example, "The bible says in Romans 3:23 that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'" What do you do, Ellis asked, when those you are sharing with those who don't believe the bible? At this point I found myself in complete agreement with his observations when it hit me...there may be people for whom this would be a real foreign concept, in whose context this would not be the norm, and for whom this might be a real paradigm shift.
I have often shared with visiting mission teams that many Canadians are suspicious of the church, don't trust it and don't trust the bible. What I realize I may have been doing is underestimating what a significant difference this might have been and what a radical shift in thinking that this might require.
As I work here in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada my default position is that those around me do not know, have rejected what they do know, or both, with regards to the church and the bible. I assume that people do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, that it is trustworthy, true, and that what we have today is a reliable account of what is found in early and authentic ancient sources. In fact, there are many who believe it is a source of evil in the world today. This means that apologetics and especially basic information about the authenticity of scripture are necessary tools in ones evangelism tool kit.
I also believe that this is another key reason why relationships and trust are so central to sharing our faith these days. In contexts with so much doubt and skepticism a real sense of trust must be earned if anyone is going to give a second thought to what we may have to share.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Greatfulness
As I sit in the lobby of the hotel on our last day here in Georgia, I am reflecting on some of our experiences here from the NAMB Send North America conference. I have so much to be grateful for.
This morning we had the privilege of meeting and sharing a little with the 2013 Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer Missionaries. It gave me pause to consider what a ride it has been for us in 2012, what an encouragement and a blessing. I am so thankful for the team at NAMB that works so hard to see that this happens, many of whom are now friends, and although separated by geography, we consider them to be special relationships.
I also had chances to connect with others at NAMB like Micah Millican and his Church Planter Relations team who have been such an encouragement to us, and we are excited about the possibility of helping them with the work here in Ontario.
I have to thank Kevin Ezell, the president of NAMB who has been doing so much, giving such great leadership, and who mentions and speaks to our Canadian context every chance he gets.
I spent the rest of the morning in a meeting with the Toronto team and with some significant partners. I came away so grateful for the team, so thankful for the partners (without whom I would not be in Hamilton doing what I am doing) and very excited for what God has in store for the future.
Lastly, I am extremely thankful for the friends, family and colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of serving over these past 11 years. We have had so many Kingdom principles and sacrificial Kingdom living modeled for us over the years that have informed who we are. I have taken for granted so much of what has been passed down, taught and modeled. From the first three families that started the first Sanctuary in Oakville, Jeff and Laura Christopherson, Garry and Anita Kolb and Jim and Joy Danielson, there has been a culture of sacrificial living and serving-"whatever it takes". I often tend to think of myself as the new guy, still learning and with little to share. Being featured in the week of prayer this year meant that people would come up and talk to us at meals or in the hallway. Older pastors serving in churches of 15-20 people would ask about reaching out to their communities. Others would ask about a new concept they heard like "giving themselves away" and what we thought that would look like. We have 11 years of great examples, and a culture of seeing this being lived out around us. I realized that I have insight to share because of what I have experienced being lived out around me. So to all those who have sacrificed around me, and even for me, as you have sought to do "whatever it takes" for the Kingdom of God, thank you. I am truly grateful.
Sorry if this one was a bit long Micah.
This morning we had the privilege of meeting and sharing a little with the 2013 Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer Missionaries. It gave me pause to consider what a ride it has been for us in 2012, what an encouragement and a blessing. I am so thankful for the team at NAMB that works so hard to see that this happens, many of whom are now friends, and although separated by geography, we consider them to be special relationships.
I also had chances to connect with others at NAMB like Micah Millican and his Church Planter Relations team who have been such an encouragement to us, and we are excited about the possibility of helping them with the work here in Ontario.
I have to thank Kevin Ezell, the president of NAMB who has been doing so much, giving such great leadership, and who mentions and speaks to our Canadian context every chance he gets.
I spent the rest of the morning in a meeting with the Toronto team and with some significant partners. I came away so grateful for the team, so thankful for the partners (without whom I would not be in Hamilton doing what I am doing) and very excited for what God has in store for the future.
Lastly, I am extremely thankful for the friends, family and colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of serving over these past 11 years. We have had so many Kingdom principles and sacrificial Kingdom living modeled for us over the years that have informed who we are. I have taken for granted so much of what has been passed down, taught and modeled. From the first three families that started the first Sanctuary in Oakville, Jeff and Laura Christopherson, Garry and Anita Kolb and Jim and Joy Danielson, there has been a culture of sacrificial living and serving-"whatever it takes". I often tend to think of myself as the new guy, still learning and with little to share. Being featured in the week of prayer this year meant that people would come up and talk to us at meals or in the hallway. Older pastors serving in churches of 15-20 people would ask about reaching out to their communities. Others would ask about a new concept they heard like "giving themselves away" and what we thought that would look like. We have 11 years of great examples, and a culture of seeing this being lived out around us. I realized that I have insight to share because of what I have experienced being lived out around me. So to all those who have sacrificed around me, and even for me, as you have sought to do "whatever it takes" for the Kingdom of God, thank you. I am truly grateful.
Sorry if this one was a bit long Micah.
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