The Steveston Project
– our LPD Church of the Week
What if you started a church with a mission of making disciples, but had no programs to invite people to, no building, no Sunday service and no blueprint for “church?”
Over the past couple years of COVID restrictions, all this may have seemed rather normal, but typically, such an approach may sound rather strange. Typically, we have often defined “church” by buildings and programs rather than mission. At the Steveston Project, we began with the mission of making disciples, and then introduced ministry events that would further this mission. While freeing, such and approach can also be a bit unnerving, and involves launching out into uncharted waters. We are thankful for this work of God, and for the lives touched and changed by our Lord.
Please pray for the Steveston Project, as they celebrate the work of transformation that God is doing in people’s lives and seek the Lord for the next steps. Pray also for Allen and Hannah Chang, and Daniel and Joyce Wong as they provide leadership to this, along with their board, and our district leadership as we serve alongside.
Steveston Project Vision
To see a network of simple micro churches blanketing and
transforming the city of Richmond and beyond.
Steveston Project Mission
To listen and obey Jesus at all costs and invest in those who desire to do the same.
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Eight Things I Have Learned Over Forty-Two Years
Well my friends, this is my last edition of “Five Minutes on Friday.” Thanks for being part of this journey of life and ministry. As of Wednesday, June 1, my service as your district superintendent will have come to a close, and that of Evans Hundermark begins. There are many churches I had hoped to visit after COVID restrictions, but this has not been possible. I am so thankful for our journey together these past twenty years.
Emptying my office bookcase has been an insightful experience for me. My collection of books represents more than forty-five years of study and ministry. It spans seasons of youth and camp ministry, pastoring and superintendency. It also spans different themes and “methods” of ministry. As I am forced to “downsize” my library, what do I give away and what is important to keep? Somehow, this experience becomes something of an illustration of what really matters in both life and ministry.
I have many books on the church as an organization – most of these will go. I have many books on leadership techniques and principles – most of these will also go. I have a collection of books on “church growth” and strategies for leading through the “200 barrier.” Bye bye to these, along with many books on once contemporary issues.
Books on Bible Study, spiritual disciplines, the Christian Life and anything by C.S. Lewis are keepers!
As I have been sorting books, I have been reflecting on what I have learned through these years of service, and also lessons that I wish I had learned earlier, lessons that if I could start all over again, would be foundational to my ministry from day one. I summarize these in eight axioms that I pass on to you:
1. Ending well is more important that starting well. While “starting well” is also important, many who began well and enjoyed “success”in ministry, somewhere along the way were tripped up by sin and are now remembered as those who “DNF,” (did not finish). Some of these wrote several books, drew many to conferences and were emulated by many pastors across America.
The Bible records the lives of many people – from Kings to lepers- some began poorly yet finished well. Others began well, but finished poorly. By God’s grace, God called and patiently led and shaped those who began as something of “failures”- Moses. Peter. Matthew. The Apostle Paul. David… Despite their struggles and failings, by God’s grace and to His glory, finished well. May we all finish well. I trust that it may be said of me that, “He walked with God and practiced what he preached.”
2. Growing Disciples is more important that growing churches. While both are important, the great emphasis on “church growth” in the 80’s and 90’s, while well-intentioned, led to marketing the church to “consumers” of churches and their services.
We can call this the “attractional” approach to growing churches.
Sadly, numerical growth has most often come from people migrating from one church to another while the world around has largely “tuned out” of the church and many do not see anything attractive about churches and those who belong to them.
A young pastor once expressed to me his frustration that his church leadership seemed to be focused only on measuring the numbers of attendees, and his heart was to invest in disciples. My answer to him was to simply view his attendees as disciples, and focus on growing them in Christ. As they grow in and reflect Christ more and more, they can be sent out from the church into the world to be “salt and light.” We call this the “missional approach” to growing churches. As Titus 2 reminds us, our lives will either make the Gospel “attractive” or detract from it.
3. Information without transformation is an aberration. As believers, we acknowledge that we need a Saviour, and that we cannot gain God’s favour by “trying to be good.” Much of our teaching/preaching/books today are focused on “how to,” “steps to” and information, but how are we to do and obey things that we were unable to do before? This was one of the errors of the Church in Galatia, where Paul asks of them, “After beginning by means of the Spirit are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3)
Transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, not us “remaking ourselves.” Just as God transforms a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly, so He can transform us into trophies of His grace. My favourite picture of the church is found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, where Paul reminds us of where we have come from, (and such were some of you), but we are now washed, sanctified and justified in the Name of Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Once labelled by our sins and struggles, our new identity is in Christ.
More and more, I am aware of my personal need for Christ’s work and transformation in my life. This is both humbling and freeing, and I invite the Holy Spirit to do His work of “metamorphosis” in me. I do not need to “try harder” so much as I need to yield more, and just as God can transform me, so he can transform anyone.
4. Ministry is measured by lives, not certificates. Packing up my office, I have taken down and carried out various certificates and gifts recognizing service. I have a beautiful and large framed Scripture with an engraved frame from Trinity Western University, given after I served on the Board of Governors from 1995-2001. I have an etched glass gift from the EFCC, recognizing my service on the EFCC Board of Directors from 2004 – 2010. I have various plaques from my seventeen years of pastoral service and from my service as superintendent. I have received recognition from serving as a volunteer on our LPD Board from 1986-1990 and again from 2000-2002, from chairing the EFCC Ministerial Association from 1991-1994 (where I initiated the Pastor and Spouse retreats at Entheos Retreat Centre), from serving on the EFCC Social Concerns Committee, from chairing the EFCC Constitution Review Committee and from serving on the ACTS Seminary Joint Governance Council until 2014, when ACTS restructured. I have certificates for my degrees from university and seminary, and from completing my first solo flight when I learned to fly. I have a certificate of ordination with the EFCC…
While all of these are significant to me, the real measure of ministry is not to be found in such recognition, but in the lives of people served in the Name of the Lord. Paul reminds us of this in 2 Corinthians 3, where he states that he no longer has need of letters of endorsement because the people themselves are proof positive of the nature and effectiveness of his ministry.
As I empty what has been my office, my certificates and awards are packed away in boxes for now. More important to me are memories of you, of your churches and the privilege of walking alongside you through the ups and downs of ministry. I pray that by God’s grace, God has used me and those who have served alongside to be an encouragement and resource to you and your church.
When Karen and I said “farewell” to North Delta EFC, after seventeen years of service, the most touching memory is that of some youth singing the Ray Boltz song, “Thank You.” The lyrics of the chorus include, “Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave …” How humbling to think that God can use us to His glory to influence the lives and faith of others.
5. Ministry is about service – serving God and serving others in His Name. Recently, I read an article about “breaking the 200 barrier” in church attendance. That is a topic of a leadership seminar I went to in the 1980s – I recently recycled my binder of materials.
The argument is that is a pastor focuses his/her energies shepherding people through pastoral care, the church will grow only to the pastor’s capacity to care – perhaps a maximum of 150-160 people. There is some truth in this.
Over the years, I have seen the above taken to the degree that some pastors have neglected pastoral care. One pastoral applicant told me that, “he doesn’t “do” people.” I encouraged him to find another line of work. While a pastor cannot be there for everyone, the pastor does set the tone and influence the culture of the church – it could be said that if the pastor doesn’t seem to care, the church will not seem to care either.
When I go to a restaurant, a store or other service, the customer service I receive is always a reflection of the management and the values modeled to and taught to the employees. The same goes for churches, our district and our denomination. Ministry is about service. We do not “use” people toward our ends, but serve people toward God’s ends. Such was the example of our Lord.
6. The Messenger is not the Message. Looking at the life of John the Baptist, I am so taken by the way that he so emphatically stated that his ministry was to point people to Jesus. He was not the Messiah – he saw himself as unworthy to loosen the very sandals of the Messiah. He stated that Christ needed to become greater, and he needed to become less. (John 3:30).
Similarly, Paul preached not himself, but Christ. He states in 2 Cor, 4:4,5,”The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
We live in an age that increasingly seeks to present God as more “accessible”or perhaps more “palatable,” by simply denying or redefining sin. The trend is growing, and many denominations are submitting to societal pressure to do so. In doing so, they can merely mirror our society, and as has been said, “…become so relevant that they are irrelevant.” Our message is not that God has either “softened up” or changed his mind – rather it is that He loves us so much that He himself has sent Jesus Christ to rescue us (John 3:16,17).
Rather than having to hide, deny or attempt to redefine sin, we can be honest with the God who created us, knows us, and while we were still sinners, died in our place, paying the penalty for our sin. He also promises to remove our sins as far as the east is from the west.
If I am concerned about my image, I may be tempted to waver from what Scripture teaches in an effort to more politically correct, “woke” or acceptable. The question at the end of the day is not what others think of me, but what Christ, to whom I report, thinks. Preach Christ!
7. My Identity is in Christ, not in my position or title. In my working years, I have served in several jobs – from bus boy in a restaurant to a waterworks crew (ditch digging), and I have learned something from every employment. In ministry, I have been known as a youth worker, camp director, pastor, and superintendent. As of next Wednesday, for the first time since I was a student, I will have no employment title – at least for a season…
As people, (especially men), “we are what we do.” We identify ourselves and perhaps “rate” one another by the jobs we have and the titles we carry. “Foreman.” “Labourer.” “Pilot.” “Doctor.” “Unemployed.” Each brings a certain image and status. If you have been unemployed, you may have avoided public gatherings, simply to not be asked, “What do you do?”
My identity in Christ is secure, regardless of my employment status. I am a child of God, redeemed, forgiven and secure in Him. No matter what life throws at me. Nothing that has happened, is happening or can happen can separate me from the love of God that is mine in Christ Jesus my Lord! (Romans 8:31-39).
To minister to others and serve God, I do not need a salary or a title – I can simply be a good neighour and find ways to serve in the Name of Jesus. I look forward to, by God’s grace, being “good for nothing!” (salary wise).
8. Leaders will change, but God’s work continues. At our LPD Conference in March, incoming superintendent, Evans Hundermark and I focused on the account of the transition in leadership from Moses to Joshua (Joshua 1).
Moses had died – just as the Children of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land. Bad timing, it appeared, but God had it all worked out. He had said that Moses would not enter the Promised Land – only see it, and God had raised up Joshua to be the successor. What seemed rather disastrous proved to all be in God’s plan.
Taking possession of the Promised Land was not Moses’ vision or dream. It was God’s plan and God’s promise – not just to Moses but to God’s Chosen People. God “recruited” Moses to lead His people, even though Moses felt hopelessly unqualified. By the end of his ministry of forty years, it was hard to fathom someone replacing him, but God had that base covered…
Joshua had been an aide to Moses and a witness to much of what God had done. In calling Joshua, God assured him of his calling and presence and so he could be strong and courageous.
As my season of service with the LPD draws to an end, I am so thankful that God has raised up Evans and Donnae to take up the task. I have been privileged to provide servant leadership for our district journey for the past twenty years, and I pray for God’s hand to be upon Evans as he takes up the mantle and leads forward, guided by God in the season ahead. As he does so, he has my prayers, my full support and my offer to assist him in any way that I can.
Leaders will change, but God’s work continues, as does our district mission!
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As I write this last Five Minutes on Friday, I thank you for your friendship and service alongside. We remain family and co-workers, and I do hope to keep in touch. While my formal ministry ends, you remain in my heart and my prayers, and I remain keenly interested in what God is up to among you and your church.
I also give thanks to our district board -currently, Randy, Dan, Sam, Johnny, Ben, Bill and Josephine – these faithful friends and servants care deeply for you, and embrace our mission and heart to be an encouragement and resource to you. It has been such a joy to serve with each of our district chairs and all who have served in each portfolio over the years. Thank you! May Evans enjoy the same relationship that we have.
Thank you to Josephine Papp, our LPD Director of Church Support. She has been a joy to serve alongside, has a heart to serve, is a wonderful resource, and will be a huge asset to Evans as he begins.
Thank you also to Bill, Neil, Kirby and others in our wider EFCC Family. It has been a joy to serve with a team who share a common ethos, biblical convictions and desire to serve together. I pray for growing synergy and mission in the years ahead.
Finally thank you to Karen and to our family who have been alongside through these years of ministry. Karen is such a wonderful partner and support in life and ministry, and has always been willing to support me in what God is calling us to. Together, we are blessed with a wonderful family, and we hope to invest in them in the years ahead.
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 1:2,3).
