“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” — Galatians 4:4-5

We don’t want to miss Him.

Advent should be like a funnel that focuses us in on the most important part of Christmas: renewing our relationship with our Lord and Saviour.

However, Advent competes with so much that demands our attention. There is tremendous busyness and stress. We spend record amounts of money. We attempt to host and attend so many things. The church can be the centre of this activity with extra practices and set-ups and additional services and programs. The scheduling of special times with family, friends, and co-workers adds to the monstrous expectations all designed to be experienced in a few weeks of December.

It takes much care not to miss Him.

We don’t want to miss Him. Oh, we will have some special moments. A child’s delight, a heart-pulling special on TV, a special warmth from familiar music, and perhaps even a delightful amount of snowfall at just the right time. But often it all passes too quickly as we barely survive all the demands of the season, and it is possible to absolutely miss Him.

In an unlikely way and in an unlikely place, our God stepped into His creation and became one with His creatures. The God-Man was born. The timing was all His. The plan was His. The knowledge of God progressively revealed to His people suddenly became fully visible and knowable to all humankind. The future of God’s people was revealed as our adoption as sons and daughters of the High God was made possible.

We don’t want to miss Him. It will take a plan. It will take intentionality. It will take concentrated effort. But it will be worth it. Let’s start with the beginning of Advent. A good question we might ask ourselves during some time of reflection (which we set aside and protect religiously each day) might be this: “What difference did it make to the world that Jesus was born on earth 2,000 years ago?” This question can be made more personal when asked this way: “What difference does it make to me that God became human in Jesus?”

The faith and the faithful will be renewed if we make sure we don’t miss Him this Christmas season.

To never forget.
Around the time most will receive this edition of the Record, Canadians will take time to observe Remembrance Day. It is how we reflect on the tremendous sacrifice made by so many Canadian men and women and their families. It is a time to tell the next generations that the life we share together in Canada had a price; and that price was willingly paid.

“Lest we forget.”
As I write this, I am also preparing for World Communion Sunday. There are significant parallels between Remembrance Day and Communion Sundays. We remember great sacrifice willingly made. We remember our freedom is the result of that sacrifice. We set aside times to commemorate both of these remembrances. We share with the next generations how blessed we are so that we never forget.

“Do this in remembrance of me.”
As the memory of the great wars fade, with most of Canadians alive today born after the end of World War II, it will take much intentionality to keep the significance of Remembrance Day alive. With fewer living veterans and diminished Canadian Legion membership, our children and grandchildren must take on the promise made to never forget. It is our responsibility to pass along the great debt of gratitude Canadians of succeeding generations owe.

Again, there is a parallel with Communion. Fewer and fewer Canadians attend churches and participate in the Lord’s Supper. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is not known or understood by the vast majority of Canadians. Even in some churches, Communion has lost its power as people practice the ritual but have become theologically detached from the God-Man Jesus. They share at the table of Jesus while believing His death and resurrection, if Jesus ever existed at all, is a myth concocted in the early centuries of the Christian era.

In my visits to congregations across Canada, I couldn’t help but notice that Communion was often elevated in the churches displaying renewal and growth. Many of them, for example, celebrate around the Lord’s Table monthly instead of quarterly. I also have noticed that the observance is moulded to both be open to children and youth but also understandable by them.

Could it be that one of the impetuses of renewal is going back and “telling the old, old story”? Rehearsing again, sometimes in fresh and creative ways, the awesome truths that “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”

“Do this in remembrance of me.”

Human sexuality issues are front and centre for the Presbyterian Church in Canada. There will be study and dialogue at every level of the church and eventually decisions made concerning the numerous overtures forwarded to our General Assembly this past June.

There will be votes by commissioners in the coming years together with votes in sessions and presbyteries. The majority will express their will on the church. It is the way we are governed.

In the meantime, we are in a time of discernment. There will be study guides provided this fall by the joint efforts of the PCC’s Justice and Church Doctrine committees: work given to them by this past General Assembly. There will be small and large gatherings promoting everything from mutual understanding to a particular position on this debate. There will be many talking about “what ifs” as they try to picture the significance of things either staying the same or changing radically over the next few years in the life of our denomination.

I need to let you know that there continues to be passionate discussion at every level of the Renewal Fellowship’s constituency and leadership. We have also had input, sometimes very passionate input, from some who hold views contrary to the fellowship’s orthodox position.

In this period of time, how do we live out our call to seek God’s renewal for us all? I would humbly respond that just like four years ago when I came to this ministry, our call is to serve God and our denomination the best we can.

Our belief is that encouraging, organizing, and facilitating prayer is our clearest priority.

We continue to serve as agents of connection. We exist to connect the unconnected. We seek to encourage the discouraged and share resources with those who need help and healing. We also serve to connect like-minded people together. This has been accelerating over the past months as many who hold orthodox views seek to connect and share with others of similar understanding.

In the meantime, I continue to minister to many of our ministers and am looking forward to more encouragement road trips in the next couple of years. I am already seeing and hearing higher stress levels and more profound isolation as some congregations and presbyteries have experienced heightened conflict. Remember to pray for all our ministers and congregations.

Lastly, there is an elephant in the room. Many of the Renewal Fellowship membership—and I might add, many who do not align themselves as fellowship supporters but do hold orthodox views—have expressed their expectation that we do more to support the status quo and resist the changes sought. When we try and drill down to determine what is expected, it takes many forms. Some say it is not clear where we stand. Some believe we should be louder and tougher. Some believe that these issues should command all our time and resources.

I can’t speak for everyone. I can only speak for myself. I hold orthodox biblical views with respect to marriage and the totality of human sexuality. I also confess my own brokenness and the need for healing and forgiveness in my life. Also, I believe there is a greater issue that is at play today with respect to scripture, doctrine and culture. But I also believe that the church has at most times failed to practice Christ-like love and understanding to the LGBTQ individuals and communities in our midst and at our doors. I am hoping this time in the church will result in huge gains in our mutual understanding and love.

Whether you agree with me or not, please remember me in prayer. I seek to serve the God who calls me, the denomination that adopted me, and the ministers who trust me for community and connection. There is so much at stake. There is so much to do.

I had the privilege of attending General Assembly last month as a visitor in my role with the Renewal Fellowship. Let me share some highlights of my time there.

I experienced General Assembly in WORSHIP.
General Assembly 141 was kicked off with wonderful opening worship that included uplifting singing and an inspiring sermon from Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris, moderator of the prior assembly. A highlight for me was the sharing of communion around the Lord’s Table. Each morning’s worship helped us begin our day together with energetic praise singing and thought-provoking sermons.

I experienced General Assembly in FELLOWSHIP.
One of the best things about General Assembly is the opportunity to connect with Presbyterians from across the country. It is a time to meet up with new friends and old. There is so much to share as we have so much in common.

I experienced General Assembly in PRAYER.
Prayer was such an important part of our time there. It started on the eve of Assembly with a small group walking the campus to each of the key spots where Assembly would happen and praying for the people and proceedings. It continued each morning with a group gathering to pray for Assembly that day, and in sederunts set aside for prayer alone. For many, the prayers of the Moderator, Rev. Karen Horst, beginning each sederunt, were powerful.

I experienced General Assembly in MINISTRY.
Just like my Encouragement Road Trips across Canada, I had opportunity to minister to some of our ministers engaging in deep conversation. These conversations ranged from desperation to great joy. I love that I can serve our church in this way.

I also got to sit with different combinations of commissioners processing the day’s happenings together. This provided other opportunities to encourage the discouraged and to point to our Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and worthy of our faith and trust.

I experienced General Assembly in CONTROVERSY.
As I travelled Eastern Canada in May, I was made aware of the significant amount of anxiety surrounding this Assembly. The issues surrounding human sexuality that were on the docket elicit a full range of opinions and beliefs. There is potential for great division in our denomination.

I supported the attempt to have a time of conversation and a time of prayer this year; with a consideration of responses planned for the future.

As a supporter of the belief that all people should be welcome in Christ’s church but that there are biblical standards that inform our view of marriage and ordained leadership, I find myself worrying about our future together. I need to remind myself about Who is in charge and how much He has at stake.

I experienced General Assembly in HOPE.
The best part of my time in Vancouver was the irrepressible hope that invaded each day and many reports and conversations. There are some incredible stories of the Lord’s faithfulness and blessing across the country. If you are discouraged and find yourself thinking too much of lost causes and hopeless situations, you need to discover the new sprouts of life and growth, sometimes in unlikely places, that are showing up in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

A year ago, in the June Record, I shared about the 2014 Encouragement Road Trip I took through Western Canada. Because the trip was so well received and because the support of individuals and churches exceeded the expenses by a good margin, I floated the idea of a trip east this year. The response was immediate and positive. Within weeks all the finances were in place as well as a good start in requests for meetings and meet-ups along the way.

As I write this, I am halfway through the 2015 Encouragement Road Trip. What a privilege and honour to be able to minister in this way. Already I have experienced great hospitality, quite varied ministry and extensive opportunities to speak words of encouragement to ministers, their families and their congregations.

Much of it seems like a blur as I have visited in six provinces in the past 11 days. However, there is a recurring theme that is consistent with my experience everywhere in the denomination. There is a pattern of isolation, discouragement, anxiety and evidence of burnout coming from many of our ministers. My prayer is that the words of encouragement I bring and the opportunity for them to unload their hearts in a personal and confidential way helps in some measure to ease their burdens.

But I discovered something unexpected this trip. The Presbytery of P.E.I. has taken a most positive step in dealing with these issues. With support of the synod, who had encouraged presbytery projects with unused synod staff funds, they have implemented a part-time leadership pastor position. The intention is to provide much needed ministry to the ministers.

Since November 2014, Rev. Andrew Hutchinson, a local retired minister, has filled this role. He reports a significant number of ministers are taking advantage of his availability. He attributes this to his neutral role in presbytery, the uncompromising confidentiality he promises and the palpable hunger for collegial connection.

Andrew reports that he is pleased with the progress to date and presbytery has also expressed confidence and approval of the program so far. His vision is to be a catalyst to create much more significant collegial interaction between presbytery members. While this will take consistent effort and initiative, Andrew sees the benefits far outweighing the investment.

When I asked if he recommended this approach for others he was unqualified in his response. So, I hope and pray that sharing this with my readers will spark some ideas and actions in other synods and presbyteries. I would certainly offer our resources to help coordinate an event to share needs and approaches so that others can benefit from what has already been learned.

And as I have said before, please remember to pray for all our ministers and leaders.

“There is so little room for genuine give-and-take in our Presbyterian discussions these days, while at the same time so much hangs on how our conversations go. The issues that we are discussing are not simply topics about which we happen to disagree. They are matters that are vitally connected to the question of whether we can stay together as a denomination. In that sense, our present Presbyterian debates do not feel like friendly arguments over the breakfast table, or even the more heated kinds of exchanges that might take place in the presence of a marriage counselor.”

The issue referred to is the place of same-sex marriage and non-celibate LGBT ordination in the polity and practice of the church.

These are not my words but rather those of Richard J. Mouw, former president of Fuller Theological Seminary, in a 2004 article in Sojourners magazine as he surveyed the denominational situation in the PC(USA). His article was titled “Why the Evangelical Church Needs the Liberal Church.” He clearly writes from an evangelical perspective but does so in a humble and forthright manner that I found winsome.

His good friend Barbara Wheeler, then-president of Austin Theological Seminary, wrote a parallel article titled “Why the Liberal Church needs the Evangelical Church.” She clearly comes to the matter at hand from a liberal point of view.

I commend both articles to all of you. I am pretty sure that evangelicals like myself will not be convinced they are wrong. Neither will my liberal friends. What we might all be convinced of is that there is a greater issue at play here. Unless there is a change in some of the rhetoric and intractability Dr. Mouw describes in the opening quote and which I have witnessed in recent days on this side of the border, the casualty may be our Presbyterian “large tent” that provides a ministry and theological home to many liberals, many conservatives and many evangelicals. It has been the nature of our wonderful diversity for many generations.

Post-Christian Canada does not need to see another messy church split. It is already convinced that we are irrelevant—both liberal and evangelical. Our denomination does not need congregations and presbyteries and ultimately our General Assemblies ground to a halt by countless cases, appeals and endless debates while the Titanic continues to sink.

Let me conclude with Dr. Mouw’s closing comment:

“I want with all my heart for this to happen to us in the Presbyterian Church—that we take up our arguments about the issues that divide only after we have knelt and laid our individual and collective burdens of sin at the foot of the cross. Needless to say, if it did happen, I would be surprised. But then, the God whom we worship and serve is nothing if not a God of surprises.”

To read both articles, visit:
sojo.net/magazine/february-2004/why-evangelical-church-needs-liberal-church
sojo.net/magazine/february-2004/why-liberal-church-needs-evangelical-church

It is an ancient liturgy translated into countless tongues and spoken by billions since the historical event of the resurrection. It is the core of the Church’s Easter worship. It is the centre of Christian belief over the past two millennia.

It is the announcement that reminds us that Jesus is who Jesus says He was and Jesus has done what Jesus said He would do. It speaks to the awesome power of God that breaks into our physical world and demonstrates supremacy over life and death.

It is the proclamation that death, which seemed so inevitable for all creation, not only could be defeated, but was convincingly overcome for all whose futures were woven into Christ’s. The Scripture describes believers as those who are in Christ and those who have Christ in them. Our eternity cannot be separated from His.

It is the assertion of a primary truth. The death and resurrection of the God-Man Jesus is the centre point of our faith. God loved us so much that He came into our world to reclaim us and save us. He came humbly to give Himself for us in order to redeem us.

It is the rallying cry for billions who stand witness to the fact that our world’s history was impacted forever by a carpenter’s Son in the backwaters of the Roman Empire who briefly taught in parables 2,000 years ago. Something miraculous happened to inspire a faith and a church to explode like a creative big bang that is still creating communities of Christ followers.

It must be the foundation of the gospel we share. Jesus Christ was more than a great teacher. His importance transcends any philosopher. He exceeds any who brought moral and ethical truth. Jesus is who He said He was. Jesus does what He says He will do. He and the Father are one. He must die but after three days will rise again.

Paul, the archetypical missionary, sums it up for us in 1 Corinthians 15:

“…and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that He raised Christ—whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!

We live in a country of ever-increasing cultures and subcultures. We live at a time when we realize that in the past, many confused winning folks for Jesus with winning folks for our culture. Cultural insensitivity has many times held us back from an effective witness to our faith in Christ.

If we are to renew our ministry and our outreach, I would point to a few cultures existent in Canada that need to be continually studied and understood. It probably will surprise you when I tell you what they are.

First, I would like to share some thoughts I have had over the past few years. My father was 30 years older than me. He would have been 96 this year. We shared much in common. Our tastes in music had a significant overlap with at least 80 per cent of our preferred artists and songs being in common. We read a lot of the same books. We attended the same church and even sang in the same choir. We were educated in much the same way. In most things and at most times, we shared a common culture.

My children range in age from their late 20s to their early 40s. While we were able to compromise on a road trip playlist that included soundtracks from Les Miz and Phantom as well as Jim Croce, the Beatles, the Eagles, and Garth Brooks, I share very little of the music they connect with. They read different books and listen to vastly different cultural voices. Their educations are diverse and do not parallel mine.

My grandchildren range from newborn to 21. There are more contrasts between them and their parents than my children and me. And both generations share a radically smaller overlap than my dad and I did.

Welcome to significant generational cultural divides. I wonder if we seek the same sensitivity culturally when we seek to reach out to these generations? Are we really looking to make converts to our own cultural Christianity or are we looking to build Christ’s Kingdom?

Remember this: Strip mall operators have discovered they can keep teenagers from loitering by playing classical and operatic music day and night. They can actually use a cultural divide in musical preference to drive kids away.

To me that seems pretty far away from the Great Commission. We are called to go into all the world. That includes our own generational cultures. How sensitive are we? How respectful are we? How willing are we to change to reach the next generations for Christ?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

This has become my life verse. It is a comfort when things go wrong. It is an inspiration when I feel small and insignificant. It is a lens for me to understand both my past and my future.

This past year, one of my congregations bought and moved into a different kind of space for worship and ministry. It was originally built to be a funeral home and then renovated into a restaurant/bar. The building has been known in recent years as The Spur.

As we gathered and prayed in the main dining room, looking for God’s wisdom and direction as to whether we should purchase it as our new home, we considered these verses:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24 – 25).

On the one hand it seemed cute that we could find verses that talked abut The Spur. However, as we prayed and meditated, these verses seemed to come alive to us and began to speak into our hearts and minds about ministry in this new place. It inspired us to call the building, “the Spur youth and family ministry centre.”

A last example concerns my own call to ministry and the type of pastor I believe I have been formed to be. I remember sharing this with my peers and counsellors at our guidance conference and having all this affirmed by one counsellor who said she almost could have predicted my ministry scripture.

“One of the two who heard John speak and followed [Jesus] was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’” (John 1:40 – 41).

It is for me an understanding that the primary task of the gospel is to share the gospel. These verses refocus me, energize my ministry and allow me to find direction and purpose.

I share all this to encourage you. Do you have a scripture for your life, for your ministry and for your congregations? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to one.

I would go further. If you serve on a committee or are part of a choir or praise team then find a scripture.

The next time you start a project, a trip or a year, why not spend the time to connect to a verse that will bring God’s word into the core of all you do?