No doubt all of us were caught off-guard nearly 2 years ago when COVID-19, a term we had vaguely heard about in the news, suddenly began affecting our lives in powerful and disruptive ways. Image via Pixabay At that time, our church shut down and went online, and we, like all leaders, were scrambling to figure out what to do next. As my church board, staff, and myself began to grapple with the implications and our response, one of the... Read more
Jesus’ first miracle was not a healing or a casting out of demons or demonstrating mastery over the weather. Jesus’ first miracle was saving a party that was about to go sour, by making a ton of wine. Image via Pixabay Behold the story, from John’s Gospel: 1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother... Read more
Heavenly Father, we cry out to You for freedom for Canada, in so many ways. Image via Pixabay Free us from the grip of COVID-19, and its effects on life, health, body and soul. Free us from the weight of restrictions that have laid upon us all. Free us from the heavy burden of exhaustion that we carry. Free us from fear, which covers the land. Free us from anger, which has filled the atmosphere.... Read more
Last week I wrote a column called Concerning Convoys, Protests, Tyrants, and the Christ-follower, trying to sort through my own conflicting thoughts and feelings about current events in Canada. If you haven’t already, read that one first! Image via Pixabay So it turns out when you try and find some balance and moderation in the middle of a contentious debate, people get annoyed with you on both sides! But I don’t have the luxury of pastoring a church full of people who... Read more
For a while in the 20th century, it was common for churches and ministries to use the word “crusade” to describe major evangelistic events – a Gospel “crusade,” a children’s ministry “crusade,” etc. The word can mean any political, social, or religious effort towards change, so it’s a legit usage, and the heart of these Christian events was certainly in the right place, wanting to introduce people to Jesus. But given the word’s connotation from Church history, eventually we realized... Read more
Well, first things first: I’m aware that this column may be a bad idea. Image via Pixabay I’ve worked in the local church for a little over 20 years now, and have never before witnessed anything as divisive to the Church in Canada as COVID-19 has been. As I speak with many other pastors, it seems to be a universal experience. People have quit churches over COVID opinions, sometimes cruelly. Others have broken off friendships with brothers and sisters in... Read more
You have heard the proverb, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” This is wise and true. When I am away from my wife and kids for work, I am always so eager to see them again, and our reunion is always sweet. But you have also heard, “Out of sight, out of mind.” This is wise and true. When I haven’t seen someone for a while, inevitably I start to think of them less, unless I make a conscious effort... Read more
Christians talk a lot about “the way of Christ.” We are followers of Christ, so we actually need to follow Christ, walking in His ways. Image via Pixabay A crucial Scripture for Christ-followers, and one beloved by Anabaptists, is “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” (1Jn 2.6) In other words, if we are going to call ourselves Christians, we actually need to live like Jesus did when He walked this earth. If we aren’t following... Read more
I’ve had so many people say to me over the years, “The teaching of Jesus is just so encouraging! I love it so much!” And certainly, I agree with this sentiment. However, I also wonder if these people have read all of His teaching? Image via Pixabay Because as I much as I revere the words of Jesus as holy, God-breathed, life-giving, life-changing, uplifting, and powerful, much of His words are also amongst the most hard-hitting that I have ever... Read more
An atheist friend once remarked to me in passing that it must be nice to be a Christian, since hanging out with other Christians must mean that we never fought since we were “all about love and peace and all that stuff.” Image via Pixabay After he left, and when I had finished wiping away the tears from my extended laughing fit, the offhand comment certainly gave me a lot to think about. Years later, I still think about it... Read more
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