Lower Pacific District EFCC

Good Friday morning friends,

 It is another rainy Friday morning, and I am about to leave for the Trinity Western Seminary/ACTS Joint Governance Council meeting – yes, it is just as exciting as it sounds! Actually, as ACTS is a consortium of five partner denominations, this is a meeting of leaders of the member denominations, as we collaborate and partner in Christ’s work in equipping Christian leaders. It is also a day together with John Auxier, who is a strong ally and servant-leader at TWS/ACTS. Please pray for John, and for TWS/ACTS in its ministry and future.

 Our LPD Board met yesterday for a day given towards honing and focusing our ministry to the Lord on your behalf. I am thankful for each member of the Board, and for their love for the Lord and dedication to his service. Please pray for us – we are committed to, “…encouraging and equipping our growing family of churches to reflect Jesus Christ.”

 This Sunday will be a full day for me. I look forward to being at White Rock Community Church, where I speak at their morning services, and then in the afternoon, I go to Vancouver to speak at Jesus Grace International Church – our African church plant.

 There are a number of events coming up in the month of May that I hope you can join us for. Please see the attached Five Minutes on Friday , and note the attached information on the May 28 Pastor and Staff Cruise,  the EFCC Theological Summit (May 14,15) and a link to info on the Church Planting Boot Camp (May 5-10).

 LPD Cruise, May 28, 2013 April 19, 2013 theologicalsummit

May God bless and keep you as you serve him this weekend.

 In Jesus,

 Rob

Good Friday morning friends,

 We trust that you are well and living in the hope and promise of Easter.

 Last weekend, we were able to visit our eldest son and his family in Prince George. We visited their church for Easter Sunday. The nursery services were top notch. The worship band was great, led by a new and gifted worship pastor – we and others enjoyed watching and listening to the team as they sang. The message was “nice,” and was geared for those who were not familiar with church. By the end of the service, however, I was crying out for a celebration of Easter, and the pronouncement that, “He has risen!” Yes, “He has risen indeed!” To my relief, this was finally introduced at the end of the service.

 Such an experience has left me thinking. People worked hard to prepare for the service. In one sense, it was, “well done,” but as a visitor, I wondered if “He has risen” really mattered that much. I wondered about those attending who might not yet be believers. What would they have taken away?

 As Paul writes:

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

(1 Cor. 15:12-20,58)

 In my attached, “Five Minutes on Friday,” I include links to a couple of articles. The first speaks to why young people leave church. The second compares the “Jesus Way” with the “American Way.” I encourage you to read these, and to consider what they speak to, as to how we are encouraged to “do” church in North America. Your feedback and comments are welcome!

Please see the Five Minutes on Friday, and news on upcoming events in our LPD and EFCC family.

April 5, 2013 theologicalsummit

I am praying for you and your ministry this weekend!

 In Jesus,

Rob

Good afternoon friends,

 Greetings in Christ on this eve of Good Friday.

 Since Easter last year, our family said good bye –for now to two aunts and an uncle. Good bye because of their deaths; but good bye for now, because of our shared hope in our risen Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 May God bless and keep you as you remember Christ’s sacrifice on Good Friday and the joy of his resurrection on Sunday. Such hope becomes our “north star” for all that we face in life and for our future!

 Please see the attached Five Minutes on Friday, and please note that our EFCC Pastor and Staff orientation is being rescheduled to the fall.

 Please also see the attached info on the upcoming theological summit in Okotoks, Alberta, and please contact me if you are interested in carpooling with others. We have at least one vehicle going with space, and might rent a van.

 March 29, 2013 theologicalsummit

God bless,

 Rob