It seems that I am always apologizing for something. You would think that at my stage in life, there might be some things I can do right. However, personal misadventure is the staple of my days. I find consolation in the ever-growing understanding that life and faith is a journey, not a destination. Things will never be easy. For the One who journeys with me, I am grateful.
As for my vocation, there is nothing quite so wonderful as the church. There is also nothing quite so horrible. Sometimes in the same day. The church is, after all, the people belonging to Christ - and I stress people, with all their foibles, whether they say they are part of a gathered group or not. It seems that there is an increasing number who are ashamed of and decline to identify with the gathered people. Nevertheless, they do not cease to be part of the body (cf. 1 Cor 12:14ff), but instead contribute to any observer's sense of the fractured and fragmented church. To be honest, I alternate between shame and pride over the church. Yet the church goes on and will ever go on, despite her dubious history and present struggles, because she is Christ's beloved bride. Something always reminds me of this when I get cynical about my calling.
So I move forward - ambivalent, doubtful yet certain, conflicted yet worshipful. As I said, I do not expect things to get any easier. So I pray for an ever closer walk with the One who journeys with me.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Convention
I was sent by my church as a delegate to the FEBCC (Fellowship) National Convention last Monday to Thursday. This is likely the 7th or 8th I've been to in the past 20 years. But this one was different.
A national movement that convenes only once a year usually finds itself endlessly receiving reports and voting on housekeeping business. I thought I was going to doze through more of the same this year. Instead I found myself caught up in times of heartfelt worship, stirring messages from God's word, entertaining reports, and exciting business sessions that were not trivial or boring, but actually inspired hope. Hope!
10 years ago, the Fellowship membership plateaued at 500 churches from across Canada. There have been no net losses or gains for a decade. 70% of these churches are themselves plateaued or in decline. The convention business that brings hope in face of these statistics was the overwhelming endorsement of sweeping changes to the administration of the Fellowship. Boards of each of the ministry arms of the Fellowship have been eliminated. There are now directors of these ministries with each one directly accountable to the Fellowship president, who in turn is accountable to national council which is accountable to the convention. Ministry can happen much faster now with the streamlined bureaucracy. Although ministry fruit depends upon the Holy Spirit, the new structure reflects the new heartbeat of the Fellowship. We want to see change. We want renewal. We want to see churches encouraged and resourced to grow. We are hoping and praying that in 10 years, the Fellowship will see 70% of its churches healthy and growing with new believers. This year's national convention was a first step of faith in that direction.
A further very exciting development. As a Fellowship, it was felt that ministry must be a priority even during a national convention. So this year, one day was dedicated to blessing the convention host city. On Wednesday, all delegates had the opportunity to participate in an afternoon of apartment painting, garbage collection, winter coat give-away, hot chocolate give-away, or prayer in one of two high-risk neighbourhoods of the city. That evening was an open worship service at the downtown convention centre dedicated to blessing the city. National Convention will never be the same as the Fellowship commits itself to doing ministry in addition to conducting business each year.
The grace of God must be at work if a conservative, old institution like the FEBCC can embrace this kind of change. I sure am glad I made it to convention this year. Hope they send me next year!
A national movement that convenes only once a year usually finds itself endlessly receiving reports and voting on housekeeping business. I thought I was going to doze through more of the same this year. Instead I found myself caught up in times of heartfelt worship, stirring messages from God's word, entertaining reports, and exciting business sessions that were not trivial or boring, but actually inspired hope. Hope!
10 years ago, the Fellowship membership plateaued at 500 churches from across Canada. There have been no net losses or gains for a decade. 70% of these churches are themselves plateaued or in decline. The convention business that brings hope in face of these statistics was the overwhelming endorsement of sweeping changes to the administration of the Fellowship. Boards of each of the ministry arms of the Fellowship have been eliminated. There are now directors of these ministries with each one directly accountable to the Fellowship president, who in turn is accountable to national council which is accountable to the convention. Ministry can happen much faster now with the streamlined bureaucracy. Although ministry fruit depends upon the Holy Spirit, the new structure reflects the new heartbeat of the Fellowship. We want to see change. We want renewal. We want to see churches encouraged and resourced to grow. We are hoping and praying that in 10 years, the Fellowship will see 70% of its churches healthy and growing with new believers. This year's national convention was a first step of faith in that direction.
A further very exciting development. As a Fellowship, it was felt that ministry must be a priority even during a national convention. So this year, one day was dedicated to blessing the convention host city. On Wednesday, all delegates had the opportunity to participate in an afternoon of apartment painting, garbage collection, winter coat give-away, hot chocolate give-away, or prayer in one of two high-risk neighbourhoods of the city. That evening was an open worship service at the downtown convention centre dedicated to blessing the city. National Convention will never be the same as the Fellowship commits itself to doing ministry in addition to conducting business each year.
The grace of God must be at work if a conservative, old institution like the FEBCC can embrace this kind of change. I sure am glad I made it to convention this year. Hope they send me next year!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Territory
The fallout from Eden continues. None of us are unscathed. The world is imperfect. People also.
The head knows the reasons for the decisions made and the way things have happened, but the heart... well, can you hear the cries?
Although expected, can't say I'm going to welcome the fallout. It's become personal, and it's already started...
The head knows the reasons for the decisions made and the way things have happened, but the heart... well, can you hear the cries?
Although expected, can't say I'm going to welcome the fallout. It's become personal, and it's already started...
