August 1, 1970, St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Robert Goodnough and Christine Vance stood side by side, answered questions posed by Rev. Kenneth Vickers and were pronounced husband and wife. Today we go by Bob and Chris and marvel at the journey. We have lived in five provinces of Canada, and attended many … Continue reading It’s been quite a journey
church
How to read the Bible
I grew up in a home where the Bible was read every day; my father often talked bout things he read in it. We attended the Anglican Church of Canada, where every service had a reading from the Old Testament, another from the New Testament, and several other passages from the Bible were spoken in … Continue reading How to read the Bible
He is not the show-off Spirit
Some years ago my wife and I were in another city and attended a Pentecostal worship service. It was a large church and the congregation was multiethnic, with many black faces scattered throughout. It has been said that the most segregated place in North America is a worship service on a Sunday morning; this congregation … Continue reading He is not the show-off Spirit
The Great Omission
Yeah, I know; I’m cloning a clever title that others have used. But please bear with me as I attempt to explain what I fear is so often missed when Christians claim to be putting the Great Commission into practice. Here are the last three verses of Matthew’s gospel, which are customarily referred to as … Continue reading The Great Omission
Why the top-down church doesn’t work
The pattern of Old Testament history is that as long as the people of God had a Judge or a King who knew God and walked in his ways, the people followed and all was well. All to often though, when that Judge or King died things quickly went downhill. We should not believe it … Continue reading Why the top-down church doesn’t work
Two or three gathered together doth not a church make
[Another post from 10 years ago] Why do people stop going to church? Could it be because so may churches are not really churches? Matthew 18:20 does not speak about Christians gathering for worship. It is a continuation of the passage beginning at verse 15 and speaks of the testimony of two or three witnesses … Continue reading Two or three gathered together doth not a church make
Thinking outside the zeitgeist – 3
Surveys show that people are searching for truth - so churches offer them entertainment. Isn't that because money will get you a magnificent building with excellent acoustics, top notch musicians and rousing speakers, but money can't get you servant leaders with compassionate ears and caring hearts?
Things fall apart
Why are so many families and churches falling apart? Were there some adhesive qualities at work in previous generations helped to make relationships more cohesive? Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay The answer, I believe, is yes, but. Such qualities did exist, and still do, but not everybody was convinced of their value. Things have always been falling … Continue reading Things fall apart
How to read the Bible
I grew up in a home where the Bible was read every day, my father often talked bout things he read in it. We attended a church, the Anglican Church of Canada, where every service had a reading from the Old Testament, another from the New Testament, and several other passages from the Bible were … Continue reading How to read the Bible
What is baptism all about?
Folks talk about baptism as a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. That it is, but when I was baptized I was asked to go a step further. I was asked if I would be willing to accept reproof from members of this faith community and if I would be willing to give reproof … Continue reading What is baptism all about?
Flatlander Faith 