northside***
Northside Community Church might be new to you, but it actually has been a part of the EFCC since 1959. In fact, I pastored this church from 1985 – 2002, before becoming district superintendent.
If you are not familiar with this church, you may know it as “North Delta Evangelical Free Church,” the name it bore for its first 61 years. Language changes over the years, and while the word “evangelical” is clear to us, in many circles the word has come to be associated with “right wing politics.” Rather than opening doors, to some it may lead to a wrong association and a “closed door.”
“Northside Community Church,” while perhaps “non-descript,” can also open doors and can beg definition. Northside of what? What kind of church is this? What do you believe?
Today, Northside Community Church is pastored by Lead Pastor Mark and Tami Johnson, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Mattias and Stacy Ekkert and Community Development Intern James and Cindy Clark. Pray for them and for the team of volunteers, as they seek to reach out to their community in innovative ways and are making plans to “re-open” as they are able this fall.
When not “on the road,” Karen and I still attend Northside Community Church. In these of COVID, we join in via ZOOM whenever we can . We are thankful for this church family, and for what it has meant to our family through the years.
***
Is Church an Essential Service?
Over these months of COVID-19, we have all wrestled with determining what is “essential” and what is “non-essential.” We have championed health care workers who have been at the front lines. We express appreciation to grocery workers, to bus drivers and to the truck drivers who deliver our goods. These provide services we deem essential.
Let me ask you, are pastors essential? Is church essential? If so, what essential services do pastors and churches provide? Do we have anything essential to offer?
One can hear a sermon from a preacher of choice at anytime of day or night. Worship music can be accessed at any time through YouTube. So … what is essential about your church?
Let me ask you a perhaps uncomfortable question. As ministry has changed through COVID, have you retreated from ministry with people – both within your church and in the community? Has COVID provided a reason to withdraw from the front lines of ministry, or have you seized the new opportunities that COVID has presented?
To be honest with you, my observation is that many churches (of all denominations) are somewhat a.w.o.l. these days. Pastors work from the safety and convenience of home. Messages are “canned.” Churches are empty.
How does one even contact a pastor these days? Recently, I needed to contact a pastor of another denomination on a matter that was personal to another person. As the pastor and staff were all “working from home,” no one was present to answer the phone. No one was checking the voicemail either. For reasons of security, the only email address on their church website was “Contact” office@….. Their church website had the following message, “Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, all church ministries have been suspended until further notice.”
I commend all district churches who have begun meeting on Sundays again. As I peruse our church websites, I am pleased to see that Parkdale, Nanoose EFC, Wildwood Community Church, Grace Hanin Community Church and Grace Community Church are among the churches that have begun meeting live. While COVID protocols demand that we can only have limited attendance, we can at least provide an option for those who are able and anxious to gather together. Town + Field Church had several “fireside gatherings” to interview and get to know their candidate for lead pastor, Ryan and Talasi Guerra (now beginning September 1). Christ Community Church in Ucluelet has been meeting in people’s yards, taking advantage of the summer weather. Some other churches are making plans to begin soon.
Some district churches wish to meet, but do not have facilities in which to do so. Several churches have been renting schools and community centres that do not yet allow rentals to return. An example is Pastor Sammy Kabyemera and the dear people of Jesus Grace International Church. They would dearly love to assemble together, but are unable to find a church building or other facility in which to do so.
Of course, being church is much more than simply gathering on Sundays. It is about sharing and living the Good News. It is about encouraging one another, praying for one another and helping one another grow as disciples of Christ. The “new” New West EFC is growing through their life groups and the Steveston Project is appreciating their “micro-churches.”
Whatever you do as you minister in this season of pandemic, please emphasize ministering to people, both in your congregation and in your community. Christ is the centre of our lives, our mission and through this time of COVID. Do you believe that we have a message of hope and assurance that is essential for everyone!
Charles Spurgeon, in the midst of a cholera epidemic, encouraged and challenged pastors and others with these words:
And now, again, is the minister’s time; and now is the time for all of you who love souls. You may see men more alarmed than they are already; and if they should be, mind that you avail yourselves of the opportunity of doing them good. You have the Balm of Gilead; when their wounds smart, pour it in. You know of Him who died to save; tell them of Him. Lift high the cross before their eyes. Tell them that God became man that man might be lifted to God. Tell them of Calvary, and its groans, and cries, and sweat of blood. Tell them of Jesus hanging on the cross to save sinners. Tell them that: “There is life for a look at the Crucified One.”
Tell them that he is able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him. Tell them that he is able to save even at the eleventh hour, and to say to the dying thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.”
Here is the article:
spurgeon-ministry-cholera-outbreak/
Here is a link to Spurgeon’s entire sermon
spurgeongems.org/sermon/chs705.pdf
COVID-19 has perhaps impacted larger churches more than “small” churches. Smaller churches are perhaps more resilient. There are often close bonds and significant relationships. and perhaps less reliance on the Sunday service.
Dave and Meghan DeJong have been providing interim ministry to Christ Community Church in Ucluelet. The church has been enjoying gathering for Sunday ZOOM services, and during the summer, people from the congregation have also been gathering in various members’ yards during the week.
Dave has been writing and sending the “Christ Community Connector” to the congregation each week, and he has recently been sharing some helpful thoughts about Christian friendship and discipleship.
Here is a link to a recent edition of Dave’s Christ Community Church Connector. This focuses on friendship – please also follow the embedded link to an article, “The Lonely Crowd: churches dying due to friendlessness,” by Michael Frost.
Here is the link:
Got Friends? Christ Community Church Connector
While COVID may have caused churches to at least temporarily discontinue some ministries, how are we providing opportunities for developing and deepening friendships?
Has the ministry of your church in recent months demonstrated that you believe yours is an essential service?
***
LPD/EFCC Pastor and Staff Orientation
Monday, September 28
This is a requirement for all seeking credentialing in the EFCC, and is most helpful for all incoming pastors and staff.
We have decided to conduct this live on the Campus of ACTS Seminary, where the EFCC Office is located.
Please mark your calendars and watch for information.
***
Please Remember our LPD Missionaries:
Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time.
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/donations
LPD Missionaries
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/”new”New West EFC)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston Project)
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
Nathan and Amber Kinsey (Winsome Games) –beginning September 1.
***
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES REGARDING COVID-19
We in the LPD are here to serve you and your church through this time. Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available on resources available to you and your church in this time. Please email Josephine
Please contact us for:
***
Please pray for:
