– our LPD Church of the Week
You might not be familiar with this church – at least not by this name. This church was birthed in the community of North Delta in 1959 and is built on land donated by the generous owners of the local Shell gas station at that time.
The church has grown and changed with the community over the years. It has been the church family of Karen and me since 1985, when we came there as a young family to pastor this church. Little did we know that we would serve as pastor for 17 years, and that this church would be our church home for these 36 years! Our four children were raised and baptized in this church, and we have been blessed by the ministry of many.
We are thankful for the ministry of Lead Pastor Mark and Tami Johnson, of Pastor of Youth and Young Adults Mattias and Stacey Ekkert, and for the team of volunteers.
In recent years, the church has been undergoing a revisioning process, and part of this has meant a change of name. The church has chosen the name, “Northside Community Church.“ Though on the south side of the Fraser River, it is located on the north side of Delta. Such a name provides the opportunity to describe and define who we are to those who might ask, “what kind of church is this?”
The mission of Northside Community Church can be summarized as, “A People Pursuing Jesus in Community with God, with One Another, and for the World.”
We are thankful to call this church family home, and pray for God’s guidance and work as we reach out to our community in the Name of Jesus.
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The Best Leader is a Follower
On Monday, it was a joy to invest the day with several younger (and some not-so-young) leaders from our district churches at our Pastor and Staff Orientation. What a great group of leaders I am privileged to serve!
We covered our EFCC history, ethos and Statement of Faith, and enjoyed discussion on what it means to lead and serve a congregation today. Leadership is both a privilege and a challenge.
Our modern world is filled with examples of leaders and leadership – both good and bad. In our recent federal election, I was somewhat dismayed to see how little character and integrity factored into the election campaign, and also how people voted. While no one party has the “corner” on integrity, it was baffling to see that a lack of character of integrity disqualified so few. Yes, there was much “virtue signalling,” and promises of “investing” additional uncontrolled debt, but few constructive initiatives. As I write this, our Prime Minister is on vacation in Tofino as our nation recognizes a Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a day that his government introduced.
Often, discussion regarding leadership focuses on power and control. Who is empowered to lead? What privilege do leaders have? As Canadians, we see some merit in a minority government in that we are not collectively prepared to entrust control to any current federal leader. Less than 33% of Canadians voted for our current national government.
In pondering the above, I have been reading 1 Kings in my personal study, and re-read the account of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who succeeded him as king.
Sadly, for all his wisdom, Solomon did not “end well.” Scripture says of him that, “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.” (1 Kings 11:6).
Solomon had also also fostered resentment among his people, drafting many into forced labour to build his grandiose edifices.
Rehoboam had the opportunity for a fresh start. His rival, Jeroboam, comes to him and offers his allegiance, saying, ” Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1 Kings 12:4).
Rehoboam asks for three days to ponder this request, and first consults his elders, all of whom had served with Solomon. Their counsel is clear. They state, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” (1 Kings 12:7).
He rejects their counsel, and instead seeks the counsel of his friends – young men who had grown up with him and shared his privilege and “golden spoon” upbringing. Tone deaf to the people, their counsel is to be all the more demanding of the people, saying, “My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” (1 Kings 12:11).
Rehoboam had an opportunity for a fresh beginning, to build trust and to become a servant-leader. He blew it, and instead misused his position of leadership for his own gain. If only he had listened to his elders…
Christ modeled for us servant-leadership, and all of us as leaders are either gaining trust or abusing the trust that has been granted to us. with the Day of Truth of Reconciliation this week, we are reminded that church leaders are not exempt.
People today have reason to be both suspicious and questioning of leaders, and we, by God’s grace have opportunity to serve others in the Name of Christ. Serving does not mean to be a “people-pleaser,” as at the end of the day, we will give account to Christ. It does however mean that we put them before ourselves and their interests before our own.
I have appreciated the words of Lord Montgomery, who defined leadership as: “the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose, and the character which inspires confidence.”
I appreciate this definition, as it draws together both vision and character – both are needed in leadership today As servant-leaders, Vision gives us the reason to lead, while Character gives us the ability to lead! Vision gives us the passion. Character gives us the credibility.
In our Evangelical Free Church tradition, ordination does not confer authority on a pastor or leader. Instead, it affirms the character, calling, giftedness and effectiveness of a leader, and this is done in partnership between the local church, our district and the national leadership of the EFCC.
Truly, the Best Leader is a Follower, and first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ, who aspires to lead in the manner that Jesus did.
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4).
If character gives us the mandate to lead, and vision gives us the reason to lead, how are we doing with vision these days? It can be hard in times of COVID, as we might be tempted to simply put our heads down and wait it out.
Bryan Rose, recently wrote an article titled, “4 Hidden Realities Behind a Lack of Vision in Your Church,” and in this helpful in discerning what might be keeping us from any visionary leadership in these times. He writes, “What if the next time someone asked you what your vision was, you could not just repeat a mantra but confidently share a future-fueled faith in the gospel at work in your church? Maybe it’s time to make God’s better future a spoken reality and step confidently into the good-natured questions ahead.” Perhaps a helpful read as we trust God for the future of your church. Here is the link: 4-hidden-realities-behind-a-lack-of-vision-in-your-church
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BC COVID-19 Policy Updates:
(Current Information: New restrictions for the upper Fraser Valley – Abbotsford, Sardis, Chilliwack and Agassiz: Regional-Measures-Order–Fraser-East–Sept-28-2021.pdf
The BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Ministry of Health continue to state that:
“Worship services are exempt from both the provincial mask mandate that requires mask use in indoor public spaces and the requirement to provide proof of immunization against COVID-19 to access some events, services and businesses. However, faith leaders are supported to implement these additional measures in their in-person services should they desire to do so.”
Here is the full document: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/community-settings/faith-based-spiritual-and-worship-practices
While we will welcome all who attend, please be both considerate and mindful of those who are either compromised and/or specially cautious regarding COVID. Wearing a mask can be an act of servanthood to brothers and sisters who feel vulnerable to COVID.
Please also note and utilize the recommendations provided in the document “Guidance for Holding Low Risk Worship Services.”
COVID_public_guidance/COVID-19_Guidance_Faith_Based_Organizations.pdf
Children’s Ministries (K-Grade 12) are exempt from vaccine requirements: covid-19/vaccine/proof
Please also check current policy and resources on our LPD Website at: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/covid-19/ Thanks to Josephine for keeping us up to date!
Important News regarding the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canadian Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP). Your church may be eligible:
Current information can be found at: recovery-hiring-program.html
For assistance, please contact Josephine at the district office.
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Upcoming Dates to Mark on Your Calendars:
LPD Pastor and Staff Cruise
Wednesday, October 27
This “cruise,” we will return to our live time together via BC Ferries! This will likely be my last cruise with you as DS!
Pastors and staff, plan to join us for this time of fellowship, encouragement and equipping.
Here is some info: October_27_2021.01.pdf
