Grace Hanin Community
Church
– our LPD Church of the Week
– thanks to Anna Crumback (Ben) of Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week.
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At our LPD Conference at Grace Community Church in 2018, we welcomed two new churches into our LPD/EFCC Family. The first was Hope City Church, as this church plant became an “autonomous and interdependent” member church. This was a celebration for all. The second church was “Grace Hanin Community Church.” (“Hanin” is a reference to Korean).
We welcome this church to our family, and very much enjoy serving with them. Their mission is to be, “A Church that transforms the world in the Name of Jesus.”
Grace Hanin Community Church has given birth to seven other churches. It is the largest church in the EFCC, and is a reflection of the changing population of our district and the EFCC. We celebrate them and what God is doing through this church!
We are so pleased that Grace Hanin Community Church is hosting our LPD Conference on March 6,7, and we welcome you to join us for this. (please see below).
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Missions Fest, 2020
It was so special to visit Missions Fest last weekend, and to attend the seminar of Jorge Lin and Steve Sharpe on Discipleship that Transforms. It was well done, well attended and left participants (me too) with application to daily life. Way to go Jorge and Steve!
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Called, Calling and Calls
Every pastor and ministry worker will testify to a sense of being “called” of God. It may be a call to ministry itself – as a pastor; a missionary; to a para-church ministry.
In our contemporary understanding, we often attach “calling” to a vocation, a specific ministry position or a “job.” Once in a position, we may receive “calls” from many of those we serve to minister in areas and ways that we never anticipated. In so doing, we may find ourselves investing time and talent in areas that we never anticipated. We may find ourselves asking, “Am I in the right spot?”
As I observe and reflect on the above, I am coming to more and more see “calling” as a calling on one’s life, rather than simply a given position. Yes, one is “called,” (subject to congregational approval :)) to a given ministry position, but the life call transcends this. God has entrusted to each of us, gifts, abilities, passion and convictions, and these should be lived out in the “vehicle” of where we serve.
The Apostle Paul writes of being “called to be an apostle (Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1).” He also writes of being called to preach the gospel (Acts 16: 10). Neither of these reference are related to a position or fixed location per se.
Let me ask, “What if my “life calling” is out of synch with my “job” or ministry position?” This can obviously be a rather awkward question, but I also believe that it is a relevant one. My observation is that as believers, perhaps knowing that “love covers over a multitude of sins,” (1 Peter 4:8), we want to believe that we can make things work. While true in personal relationships, it may be less applicable to vocational choices.
As I meet with students, often those “between” vocational ministry positions, I ask, “What questions will you ask before you consider another ministry position?” I believe that they have learned something of where their passions, gifts and life calling lies, and will not apply for or consider a position that is not in alignment with these. I.e. -The evangelist will not apply to an administrator position.
I am sending you a couple of articles to consider.
The first is the story of a pastor who, through a “reality Check,” came to find his “life calling” and “vocational calling” come into synch. Her presents some good life lessons.
https://factsandtrends.net/2019/12/19/how-my-biggest-disappointment-led-to-ministry-sweet-spot/?ecid=PDM196260&bid=123725586
The second article addresses the question of, “A Square Pastor in a Round Church.” This provides a constructive approach to finding peace and effectiveness as we serve in a position that might not be a “natural” fit.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/1990/winter/90l1084.html?share=TnY2Ib3UPJhS6tNb9TylRBU96crgIese
I am thankful that God has called us to belong to HIm. I am also humbled and thankful that He calls to service, as volunteers, as “salt and light” and in our vocations. I also welcome honest and God-honouring conversations as we prayerfully seek the Lord, and that our ministries will truly reflect our callings.
We will pick up on the theme of calling in weeks ahead, and adress how we discern our ministry “fit” over the years of vocational and volunteer ministry.
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Please pray for:
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Upcoming Events:
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
Canada Summer Jobs Program
Applications are now being received for Canada Summer Jobs Program. This provides a great opportunity to fund students and staff for summer ministry in your church – and we can also put our tax dollars to good use 🙂
Several district churches have taken advantage of this opportunities in years past, and I would encourage you and your church to consider this opportunity to further your service and minstries to your community and congregation.
Please note that applications must be submitted by February 24.
Here is the link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html
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Chaplain Positions at Cadet Training Centers:
Padre Shiya Janzen, Lt(N), Chaplain and Faith Community Coordinator (Prot) at CFB Esquimalt
makes us aware of a special opportunity in the Canadian Armed Forces
For more info, please contact Shiya at: shiya.janzen@forces.gc.ca
Here is the position description:
CTC_Recruiting_one_page_call_for_applicants.docx
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LPD Conference
– Just four weeks away!
at
Grace Hanin Community Church
March 6,7
with Dr. Randy Wollf of ACTS Seminaries.
“The Heart of Discipleship”
As we meet for LPD Conference this year, will explore the “heart” of discipleship, by focusing on the themes of, prayerfulness, hearing and responding to God’s voice, a love for people and a heart bent on mission.
Discipleship has been the focus of much discussion among Christian leaders in recent years. While we have many “methods” of discipleship and “pathways” toward discipleship, we are humbled to recognize that the church has not done well to produce obedient disciples of Christ. Might we have missed the “heart” of discipleship, where we invite God to do what we cannot?
We are so glad to welcome our presenter, Dr. Randy Wollf, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Leadership Studies; Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary at ACTS. Randy (Lore) Wollf became our first LPD Missionaries in 2005, as they planted “The Journey.” Randy is a practitioner when it comes to church, and believes that there are several practical essentials for effective discipleship in our local churches that transcends our methods and effort.
Please plan to join us for this important time of sharing together, learning together and providing direction to the ministry of our Lower Pacific District. All are welcome to join us for the workshop with Randy on Friday, to the informal dinners with ministry colleagues on Friday evening, and the Saturday morning time for teaching, ministry reporting and decisions. We will end off with lunch together, including an informal fellowship lunch and prayer time for ladies in ministry and ministry wives with Karen Stewart. Also, we anticipate one or more churches joining our LPD Family at conference.
All Pastors are expected to attend, and all others are welcome to join us!
Register online at: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-annual-conference-2020/
Here is a conference poster and info. on the luncheon for pastor’s wives and women in ministry:
