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
Friday, August 10, 2012
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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