Burnaby Chinese EFC
– our LPD Church of the Week
Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!
So, who is your
personal hero? You likely have not
given thought to that lately – or recently been asked that question…
Green Party leader
Elizabeth May was recently asked this question, in an interview with Vassy
Kapelos, host of Power & Politics on CBC News Network.
May answered without hesitation, “Jesus
Christ,” but then immediately apologized, saying that she
had, “… answered without bothering to self-edit.”
Kapelos followed up
with May, asking why she felt a need to apologize, and she answered, that it
was because the Green party was a tolerant and diverse place — “inclusive and
all-embracing.”
Globe and Mail Columnist, Matt Gurney writes of this exchange, “Shouldn’t
that make it easier for the leader to discuss her own sincerely held moral
positions?”
He writes:
“This entire campaign
thus far has been infused with the background issue of religious tolerance in
Canadian society. Indeed, I note with interest that it was just a few days ago
that May was making the point that her party was welcoming of religious
diversity and would not tolerate discrimination, this after some NDP defectors
to the Greens were reported to have concerns with the electability of Jagmeet
Singh, a Sikh, because of his religion.”
Gurney, who himself makes no profession of faith, concludes his column with the comment, “If she does not see the absurdity in insisting that the Green party is too open and tolerant a place for her to express, in pretty mild and unobjectionable terms, that she has faith in the Christian Saviour, I’m not really sure that says anything good about either her, the party she leads or the notions of tolerance and inclusivity as embraced by Canada’s political left. “
Here’s a link to the
full article:
I write of this exchange, not to critique Elizabeth May, but because she perhaps illustrates the confusing corner that some professing and no-doubt well meaning Christians have painted themselves into. “Tolerance” means embracing and welcoming all religions, with the exception of Christianity, because one fears that to identify with Christ and the faith that bears His name might be considered to be intolerant of others.
As I ponder May’s rather inconsistent and perhaps incoherent thought, I wonder if there is not more behind this. Might it be that in the climate of Canada today, the word “Christian” is not associated so much with one being a disciple of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as with one who is associated with the Christian religion, and is “anti” many of the initiatives of the “progressives” today – same sex marriage, abortion, gender fluidity, etc.
It is written of
the early church in Jerusalem:
They
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking
of bread and to prayer. Everyone
was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had
everything in common. They
sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of
all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being
saved. (Acts 2:42-47).
While
followers of Jesus should not expect to be immune from persecution and
hardship, it should not be self-inflicted. The Bible speaks to the uniqueness
of the Christian Gospel and Jesus Christ our Lord. It also speaks to social
issues of today. Let’s preach the Gospel of Christ unapologetically, and with
compassion, love and humility, remembering where we have come from, as Paul
writes, “And
that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you
were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
What are we as EFCC churches known for in our
communities? In our places of work? What are our people known for? What am I
known for? How do we equip people to be those who “reflect Christ” (2
Cor. 3:18) to our communities?
CS Lewis, in “Mere Christianity” states this so
well, as he writes, ”
“The Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. They hope, by being good, to please God if there is one; or — if they think there is not — at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.”
May we reflect the love, grace and holiness of Christ to our
neighbours and friends.
***
Here are some
interesting stats on the increasingly secular region in which we live:
And an article on
millennials and faith:
canadian-millennials-choosing-god-in-a-secular-world
***
Please pray for:
Upcoming Events:
LPD/EFCC Pastor and Staff
Orientation
Monday, September 23
at the EFCC Office
All pastors staff and interested volunteers are welcome too this opportunity to learn about the history, ethos, doctrine and ministries of the EFCC. Orientation is a requirement for all persons seeking credentialing in the EFCC, and is valuable for everyone in EFCC churches.
Here is the info.
Pastor_and_Staff_Orientation_2019_Invitation.pdf
You can register
online at:
https://www.efccm.ca/wordpress/pastors-orientation/
***
Best Practices for Mission Workshop
The Best Practice for Church Missions Workshop, developed by Fellowship International and Northwest Baptist Seminary, has benefited almost 50 churches across Canada. It has been designed to help churches navigate the maze of missions options to become effective and strategic partners in God’s mission to the world.
This one-day workshop provides church leadership and missions committee members the opportunity to revisit and clarify their missions program. The interactive format encourages vision and passion as participants see a role and purpose for their leadership in missions involvement.
Join others in a day of discovery and decision making that will give clarity, purpose – and a plan – for impacting missions participation.
Book your table soon, there is only room for 6 churches.
Date: Saturday October 5
Time:
9.30 – 3.30
Cost
per church (includes lunch): $80 (up to 6 participants), $100 (7-10
participants), $120 (11-15 participants)
Venue: Vancouver
Chinese Evangelical Free
3295 E Broadway (at Rupert)
Missions_Committee_Workshop_brochure.doc
***
Theology
in Culture: Of God and Games Public Lecture
The first instalment of ACTS’ new Theology in Culture series will explore what it looks like to think critically about God, faith, video games and gaming culture. With presentations from John Auxier, Ph.D. (Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at ACTS Seminaries) and Kevin Schut, Ph.D. (Professor of Media and Communication and creator of the new Game Development program at Trinity Western University), this event will offer a chance to learn and discuss the interaction between faith and games.
The seminar will be hosted by SouthRidge Fellowship Church in Langley
on Saturday,
October 5th from 9am-3:30pm and the cost of $40 includes
lunch.
For more information, please check out the webpage at actsseminaries.com/culture.
Online registration is available through Event Brite.
***
LPD Pastor and Staff
Cruise
a day of fellowship,
learning and encouragement with co-workers in Christ–
Wednesday, October 30
Here are the details:
Pastors_Cruise_Oct._30_2019.pdf
***
LPD Pastor and Spouse Retreat
Nov. 22-24, 2019
Hello LPD pastors, we’d like to invite you to join us on Nov. 22-24, 2019 for a Pastors’ retreat! We’d like to encourage you to take a breather in late November (before Advent begins) with your fellow pastors at Camp Charis in Chilliwack.Registration is open on our LPD Website.
