Duyring the winter of 1973-74 our pastor spent several weeks in California taking in a seminar on church growth. Upon his return to Moose Jaw, he called a meeting at church to talk about what he had learned. He began the meeting by asking “What makes a church grow?” One lady responded with what seemed … Continue reading Trying to swim upstream
gospel
Silence like a cancer grows
Paul Simon was right. Hidden amidst the noise that permeates our daily lives - the noise of our appliances, the hum of our computers, traffic noise, telephones, sirens, music, celebrations, protests, news - there is a pernicious silence. No one dares talk of the things that are churning in their heart. It's just not done, … Continue reading Silence like a cancer grows
But that’s not what ships are made for
I once had a poster with a picture of a sailing ship at rest in a calm harbour. The caption read: A ship in a harbour is safe — but that's not what ships are made for. There have always been Christians who thought that the safest way to live a pure Christian life was to … Continue reading But that’s not what ships are made for
Sidetracked?
The purpose of the church is to share the gospel and make disciples in all the world. It is also important to keep the church pure. Is it possible that so much time and energy is spent on this maintenance that it becomes our main mission? Wouldn't that be like a farmer who spends all … Continue reading Sidetracked?
The problem of ethnic pride
I read a number of English language historical novels when I was young. The English heroes were brave, honest, noble and kind. The villains, often French or Spanish, were shifty-eyed, cowardly dishonest and cruel. I accepted this as truth, and, being of English ancestry, it felt good to be able to identify with the good … Continue reading The problem of ethnic pride
What is an indigenous church?
An indigenous church is one that has been planted in a new environment, taken root and grows and thrives without outside support. People in the community do not see a cultural barrier between themselves and members of the church and conclude that any differences between them and the members of this church are due to … Continue reading What is an indigenous church?
Missionary hymns
I think the old missionary hymns leave many of us feeling a little uneasy. Those references to carrying the gospel to every dark land – was there a deliberate inference that lands where white people dwell are more enlightened and the lands where darker skinned people dwell are in spiritual darkness? I fear that idea … Continue reading Missionary hymns
Sin
“Almighty and most merciful Father, We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And … Continue reading Sin
Have we misdiagnosed the problem?
It is at least 50 years since C.S. Lewis wrote: “The greatest barrier I have met is the almost total absence from the minds of my audience of any sense of sin . . . We have to convince our hearers of the unwelcome diagnosis before we can expect then to welcome the news of … Continue reading Have we misdiagnosed the problem?
A holy appetite
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled Here is something more than mere vacuity, or penitence, or tranquil readiness. It is an ardent longing — a holy appetite for all that is right and good. Filled — The Gospel can fill the largest desire for the true … Continue reading A holy appetite
