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From Argument to Discussion — & from Disagreement to Relationship & Support

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from disagreement to relationship & support

As our Executive Director Bill Taylor noted last week, the polarized nature of our culture ranks among the most divisive ever. It is not simply about how we disagree; it is also about the vast amount of items we divide over. It is no longer simply the “big” issues of life that get our dander up; it seems like everything is fodder for a fight. And while Bill’s point that we must take a strong and unwavering stand on the gospel is an essential one, I want to make a complementary point in this short blog – that disagreements on just about everything will always exist and holding them correctly and productively is also part of our call as Christians.

Once we are anchored and secure in our identity in God as provided for, and articulated in, the gospel, we should have both the confidence and compassion to navigate disagreements in productive ways. In Romans 14 Paul indicates that we will have differences on issues for which we hold strong convictions. Too often we hold those convictions not simply firmly, but also as universal, exclusive, and inalterable. In other words, we are convinced that everyone must hold the same convictions, and unfortunately, we then disparage anyone who dares to disagree with us. But that approach does not align with Paul’s instructions in Romans 14, where we are told that it is fine to hold those convictions, but such convictions are to be “between yourself and God” (Rom 14:22, NLT). As Langer and Muehlhoff put it in “Winsome Conviction,” those convictions are not primarily for “export.”

If our attitude is right — and our anchoring is truly set in Jesus and the gospel alone — then we need not be threatened by others who hold convictions different to ours on secondary issues.

The beauty of the gospel is not that we all look the same, but rather that we can be a mosaic glued together through Christ and His gospel alone. And mosaics requires differences!

But it is also worthy of note from Romans 14 that the greater responsibility Paul lays upon us is not simply to hold on to our personal convictions well (even though we are encouraged to do that). God’s words to us (through Paul) seem to indicate that our greater responsibility as it pertains to “personal convictions” is the welfare of the other person. In other words, how can we hold a conviction in such a manner that protects, builds up, and encourages brothers and sisters who hold a different conclusion on matters which fall outside the core essentials of the gospel? Romans 14:18 tells us that if you “serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you too.”  The “attitude” Paul is speaking of is a life of “goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” marked by a self-sacrificing love for our brothers and sisters.

Disagreements around anything non-essential (a future blog will suggest some ways to differentiate between the essentials and the non-essentials) are never to be managed by an argument intended to prove that “I have the right conviction and understanding.” Rather such disagreements should lead to a discussion about the welfare of the other, and how we can honor God in our differences. And I am convinced that as we do just that, the testimony of hearts shaped by Jesus will mark the message of the gospel as unique, in a day where not only is such an attitude rare, it is needed by people who need reconciliation (with God and others). Never before has gracious disagreement and humble self-sacrificing been so rare, and thus so powerful. As God’s ambassadors, we are to be about reconciliation and restoration of relationship — first with God, but then also with one another. That restoration is not based on us agreeing on every issue, but rather on what God has done for us in Jesus, uniting us as a wonderful mosaic of God’s creation glued together by Jesus — not united by our own wisdom or understanding or agreement on every “jot and tittle.”  From argument all the way to relationship and support — that is the path Jesus leads us on.

Terry Kaufman
EFCC Leadership Catalyst

Moving from Argument to Discussion: The When of Each

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moving from argument to discussion

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, coming to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul… For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements…”  (Acts 15:24-28)

This week we begin a new series – Moving from Argument to Discussion. There have been many significantly polarizing issues throughout history, but I cannot think of many times and places where so many issues have coalesced at once and divided people into hostile camps who so fervently hate each other like in North America today. Let me be clear – there are issues indeed worth arguing over. Our hope as the people of God, however, is that argument would lead to discussion that resolves issues and preserves the unity of the body – and does not simply divide followers of Jesus into two or more factions mutually committed to each others’ destruction. I have modest goals for this short blog:  I want to outline when it is time to argue and describe how argument might productively turn to dialogue and lead to resolution of a problem and to unity in the church.

To accomplish that, allow me to highlight a few issues from Acts 15 and the controversy facing the early church. We see in verses 1 and 2 that teachers showed up in the multicultural church in Antioch of Syria (the same church that had sent Paul and Barnabas out on the First Missionary Journey in Acts 13) and insisted that all Gentiles must be circumcised as per Jewish law in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, “arguing vehemently.”   

My point here is pretty simple: One of the things we must argue about is the gospel – particularly against those who would mix culture with it and make it into religion.

Paul and Barnabas rightly argue about this, and the church rightly decides to move this from argument to discussion by sending them to Jerusalem to dialogue with the apostles and elders. So, notice: they don’t just divide into camps of mutual hatred – they reach out to other leaders for help and resolution!

As you read the story, notice further how they reach resolution. Paul and Barnabas reported “everything God had done through them” (15:4) and what the teachers were adding to the good news. Peter shares his experience with the Holy Spirit, how God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile. He argues that God saves through faith and concludes that adding Old Testament Jewish laws (even as important a law as circumcision!) is challenging God and adding a yoke the Jews themselves had never been able to bear. James then speaks up and supports Peter’s experience from the prophets, showing that the salvation of Gentiles was foretold in Scripture. He further argues that the church should not make it difficult for Gentiles who are turning to God. Everyone at the counsel listens, discusses the issues, and arrives at a consensus regarding the core of the gospel. They will only present Jesus to the Gentiles – not extra cultural rules. They ask only that Gentiles abstain from practices that are particularly offensive to their Jewish brothers and sisters.

And so, they send messengers out to communicate the decision that “seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…”  It is a great picture of when an argument is worth having and how that argument needs to be transformed into a dialogue that brings resolution and consensus. Did everyone agree with the final decision? I suspect not! Yet this absolutely critical, core issue – the very definition of the gospel – was settled! Not all arguments lead to discussion and agreement – see Paul’s and Barnabas’ disagreement over John Mark at the end of Acts 15! Yet even that disagreement did not lead to two “camps” hating each other. I suspect they blessed each other, agreed to disagree, and simply took their ministries two different directions (literally). Paul later refers to Mark in very positive ways.

In the end, Acts 15 shows that there are at least two things worth arguing about:  the essential core of the gospel, and how we ought to treat people. The Jerusalem Council reminds us that the point of arguing is not to divide and condemn – the point is to find ways to resolve and unite. As people who hold the motto “in essentials unity, in non-essentials charity, in all things Jesus Christ,” may we be so gospel- and people-focussed that it becomes instinctive for us to know when to argue and how to move through discussion to resolution and to restoration of relationship!

Bill Taylor
EFCC Executive Director

Leadership is a Calling

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leadership is a calling

The Bible discusses the means for the church to accomplish its God-given tasks. The Bible describes these means as spiritual gifts, one of which is the gift of leadership. The spiritual gift of leadership appears in Romans 12:8 and 1 Corinthians 12:28. Leadership is an essential part of the success of churches and mission organizations.

Leadership in church or organizational development is essential. Leadership is so important that everything rises and falls with leadership in organizations. The more skillful and effective the leadership, the better the organization runs and the more the potential for growth increases. David showed us how he developed as a leader. In Psalm 78:72 David “shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Biblical leadership involves character and competence.

What does it look like for someone who has a gift of spiritual leadership? People with spiritual gift of leadership recognize that their position is by appointment of the Lord and is under His direction.

They understand that they are not absolute rulers but are themselves subject or accountable to the One who is over them all, the Lord Jesus who is the head of the church. Recognizing that the gifted Christian leader is subject to Christ, he can be prevented from succumbing to pride or a sense of entitlement. Like the apostle Paul, truly gifted Christian leader recognizes that he is but a slave of Christ and a servant of those he leads. A gifted Christian leader also recognizes that God has called him to his position and has not called himself (1 Corinthians 1:1). His call is by the will of God.

One of the gifted leaders in the early church is James, the half brother of our Lord. He led the church in Jerusalem. He referred to himself as a “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). As a gifted leader, James exhibited the ability to sway others to think rightly, biblically, and godly in all matters.

At the Jerusalem Council, James dealt with the controversial issue of how to relate to Gentiles coming to faith in Jesus the Messiah. “And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, ‘Men and brethren, listen to me: Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His Name’” (Acts 15:13-14). With that opening statement, James led the delegates to think clearly and biblically, enabling them to come to a right decision on this issue (Acts 15:22-29).

As shepherds of God’s people, gifted leaders lead with diligence and possess the ability to discern true spiritual needs from “felt” needs. They lead others to maturity in the faith. The Christian leader leads others to grow in their ability to discern for themselves that which comes from God versus that which is cultural or temporary. Following Paul’s example, the church leader’s words are not “wise and persuasive” from the viewpoint of human wisdom but are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, leading and encouraging others to rest their faith on that very power (1Corinthians 2:4-6). The goal of the gifted leader is to guard and guide those he leads “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

The spiritual gift of leadership is given by God to men and women who will help the church to grow and thrive. God has given the gift of leadership not to exalt men but to glorify Himself when believers use His gifts to do His will.

Ike Agawin
ServeBeyond Director

May They All be One (John 17:21)

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called to be one

Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (one love)
There is one question I’d really love to ask (one heart)
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?

Let’s get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (one love)
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (one song)
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
There ain’t no hiding place from the Father of Creation 

One love (what about the one heart?), One heart (what about the?)
Let’s get together and feel all right
I’m pleading to mankind (one love), Oh Lord! (one heart)
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right
Let’s get together and feel all right

One Love/People Get Ready – Bob Marley/Curtis Mayfield

For many years, the secular poets and prophets have hinted, sometimes not subtly, at the call to unity. Although they were calling our broader world together, it is the church’s calling as well.

As a youngster, I remember the first time I recited the Apostle’s Creed. It was surprising. Recital of creeds is not commonplace among evangelicals. Maybe that’s why it made an impression. I also remember stumbling over “the holy catholic church” line. I knew I wasn’t a Roman Catholic, so what was that about? I was also brought up very conservative (shocking to some of you I am sure), so I had heard all the warnings against those terrible “ecumenicals”. They were well on their way down the slippery slope, and we didn’t want to go sliding into hell with them. Clearly, I hadn’t been taught about small “c” catholic.

Jesus’ prayer for the unity of his followers in John 17 should rock us to our core. I’m realistic enough to know why we have different tribes. I also deeply value my EFCC tribe. Yet, we should probably read Jesus’ prayer and wonder if somehow, we have missed something. Scripture piles on with a passage like the front end of Ephesians 4 where Paul reminds us to be patient and make allowances, and to make every effort to keep yourselves together in the unity of the Spirit. Or a passage like 1 John 4 where John reminds us that if we say we love God but not our brother or sister we are liars.

Wow. That hurts! At least it does if we hold those passages up as mirrors in which to view ourselves.

Has our need to be right hurt our ability to be together?

I’m not against being right, but since we all see through the glass dimly, I suspect we have an elevated view of how much we have right. After all, good Bible believing Christians can hold almost diametrically opposed views, having formed those views through the study of the word, and claim they are right. So, which view is right? And is being right really the most important thing? Or is love for one another more important?

We think uniformity brings unity. After all, “Cloneliness is next to godliness, right?” (It’s a great day whenever you get to quote Steve Taylor). But the fact that Jesus had to pray for unity, meant there would be difference. Uniformity would mean Jesus prayed unnecessary words. Our diversity is remarkably beautiful if we can appreciate it. Yet it makes unity a challenge.

I suspect our fractured world needs to see a beautiful mosaic of diverse unity more now than ever before. Could it be our greatest apologetic? Jesus seemed to think so: “Everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What if, in our desire to be right, we got this one thing down – we grow into a radically loving diverse community of faith? Isn’t that who we are called to be? I know that is messy. I know that requires supernatural love. I know that adhering to a list of dos and don’ts that makes us all look alike is simpler.

But Jesus wasn’t calling us into simple. He called us into a new life, lived out through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As people in the EFCC, I think we have a unique opportunity to model what this looks like for other believers. Our ethos is built around this motto, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials charity, in all things Jesus Christ.” If we lived this motto well, we would embody Jesus’ unity prayer. May we truly do so.

Neil Bassingthwaighte
ServeCanada Director & Interim Prayer Catalyst

Called to Be Where?
An Issue Underlying Much of our Conflict

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called to be where

Sometimes, firm believers quarrel with each other. Sometimes, faithful attenders migrate to other churches. And we wonder – why do God’s people, who are called to unity, divide?

The Scriptures are full of beautiful metaphors which illustrate our collective identity as God’s people – to name a few, we’re called a family, a body, and a temple. And these images also clarify how we relate to God, as believers – we are children of One Father, servants of Christ, and a dwelling place for the Spirit (see Gal 3:26, 1 Co 12:27, Eph 2:22, plus more).

Certainly, it is essential for us to know who we are and how we relate to God – and knowing these Biblical images can build good common ground between believers. But there is a whole other issue that can trip us up and divide well-meaning believers. It’s an issue that requires another set of Biblical metaphors to clarify it: How are Christians called to relate to their surrounding culture?

Why can we be focused on worship, fellowship, and discipleship one minute, and get sidetracked by politics the next minute? Why do peripheral issues hijack our conversations? Why can sincere Christians disagree so sharply about where to send their kids to school, how to vote, or what the church’s local and global missions should look like?

I’ve become convinced that our differences really boil down to the way we answer two questions: 

  1. Is our stance toward culture optimistic or pessimistic?
  2. Is our posture toward culture active or passive?

An optimistic stance typically results in a person engaging with the culture around them, while a pessimistic stance results in their withdrawal or separation. Those with an active posture would likely seek to change their culture, while those with a passive posture look for a way to coexist.

Now, one might ask for a definition of culture, but I’ll leave that to other authors. [1]And we could talk about the Kingdom of God – what does Jesus mean when He says the kingdom is like wheat mixed with weeds? (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).

But for now, if we focus on asking these two questions, our results will produce a chart that I’ve found helpful for understanding others:

Passive (Coexist)Active (Change)
Negative (Withdrawn)SubcultureCounter-culture
Positive (Engaged)CooperationTransformation

Perhaps a chart like this can illustrate why some parents homeschool, and others become public school teachers. Or why Christians divide politically today, as the Jews did in Jesus’s day. Or why different Christians have founded monasteries, started wars, built hospitals, and translated the Bible. I’m tempted to fill in the chart with examples, [2]but I’ll respectfully leave that to the reader, and hope that it leads to some helpful conversations.

As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “there is a time for everything.” Throughout the Biblical narrative, Christian history and our daily lives, there is a time for God’s people to take refuge, and a time for prophetic confrontation. There is a time for building bridges, and a time to blaze missional trails. All of these cultural responses reflect Christian values in different times and ways.

Yet, I will admit that I do hold one quadrant to be ideal. In light of our call to be Christ’s Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:14-21), to be “in this world but not of it,” (John 17:15-18) and to “live good lives among the pagans,” (1 Peter 2:11-12), I prayerfully hope for opportunities to be actively engaged with the culture around me. And, to end with one final metaphor, from Jesus:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16 ESV)

tim stewartTim Stewart
Pastor | Parkdale Evangelical Free Church

[1] I’ve personally enjoyed thoughts from Stackhouse, Making the Best of It, Fitch, Faithful Presence, and Crouch, Culture Making on this topic. [2] Which I do at http://www.eremos.xyz

Called to be a House of…?

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called to be a house of

Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So, after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit…(Acts 13;1-5a)

I love this Acts 13 passage. It speaks to me about complementary callings we have as Jesus’ community of followers. First, allow me to place it in context. Ike has reminded us in his blogs about our calling to mission. In Acts 1:8 Luke records Jesus’ call to the disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the “uttermost parts of the earth.” This is a call to being a global church, a diverse house.

We are called to leave the comfort of the familiar and follow the Holy Spirit outward from our Jerusalem outward to the entire world.

This is always difficult for us. It takes a persecution after the death of Stephen to scatter the disciples out of Jerusalem – and they then share the good news in Judea and Samaria. It takes the Holy Spirit giving Peter a crazy dream (Acts 10-11) to move Peter to share the good news with Gentiles in Caesarea. By the time we read Acts 13 we see that Antioch is now an obviously multicultural church (check out the different names of the teachers and prophets!) and is a frontier city in Syria for the spreading of the gospel into Asia. In Acts 16 we see the Holy Spirit closing doors on Paul in Asia and giving him a dream inviting him to come to Macedonia to share good news in Europe (and the edges of the then known world).

So first, we are called to be a global church that is led by and steps out in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Second, we are called to be a House of Prayer/House of Worship. Notice what the prophets and teachers are doing – they are worshipping, fasting, and praying. They lay hands on Saul and Barnabas in obedience to what the Spirit commands. Saul and Barnabas humbly, obediently (and I think confidently!) submit to the calling to go out and share the gospel in Asia. Why? Because the church is so attuned to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in worship, fasting and prayer that there is no doubt in anyone’s mind what the Spirit is asking of them. These leaders are not asking the Lord to ensure their comfort or success. They are clearly asking their God what He wants them to be doing. And He answers! And they submit and obey! I suspect the Spirit spoke in a still small voice, but they were such a worshipping and praying community that they received the message loud and clear!

I was once at a dedication service where the mayor of the town brought greetings. He was not a believer, but in his greeting, he noted that when he was a kid, they used to call the church a “house of worship” or a “house of prayer.” That has stuck with me ever since. What if we were not known for what we are against, but what we are for? What if we were known as a house of worship and prayer – a diverse, global group of followers of Jesus who seek and submit to His Holy Spirit? May we be a house of worship and prayer who experience an Asbury University type of revival and follow the Holy Spirit out of our comfort zone to a diverse people who Jesus desires to join His family!

Bill Taylor
EFCC Executive Director

Obeying the Call of Jesus to Make Disciples of All Nations

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obeying the call of Jesus

In October 2017, Barna released a study[1] asking a thousand church-going evangelical[2] believers, “Have you ever heard of the Great Commission?” The study’s results were shocking: 51% said they had never heard of it. And alarmingly, another 25% said they thought they had heard of it but did not know what it meant. Only 17% of the people could say they had heard of it and knew what it was about.

The command of Jesus in Matthew 28: 18-20 is to make disciples. This is normally called the Great Commission. It is interesting that if you study the life of Christ, you will discover that each of the four gospels, plus the book of Acts, has that commission recorded in unique ways. In John 20:21, Jesus said, “just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Here we have His model of the mission. If you look at Mark 15:16, Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Here we have the magnitude of that commission. In Luke 24:47, Jesus again commanded His disciples that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Here we have the message of the mission. And then, if we go to Acts 1:8, Jesus said – “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth,” here we have the means of the Great Commission.

But in Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus is showing us the method of the Great Commission, the most precise approach of Jesus and how He made disciples.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The central command in this text is to Make Disciples. If you ask pastors and Church leaders what the command in Matthew 28 is, almost half will say that the imperative is to go to evangelize and count decisions for Christ. But in Greek, the command is not to go but to make disciples who make disciples.

But how should we make disciples? The three participles are to go, literally, as you go – as you go to work, as you go to school, etc., it’s an everyday commission for every believer of Christ in every moment of their life. And then He said to baptize. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an external expression of a new internal belief system. Go is to win the lost; baptize is to root and establish these believers in their newfound faith like Jesus did with His early disciples. In baptism, new believers identify with the work of Christ and the mission of Christ. And lastly, teach them to obey all that Jesus has commanded them.

In the life of Christ, there are 405 commands. 260 plus of them is disciple-making commands.

Teaching them to obey means equipping them in every area of their life to walk as Jesus walked.

So, the commission is clear: to make disciples. How? By going, baptizing and teaching to obey. Jesus commanded the Church, then and now, to make disciples. The Church is God’s instrument in fulfilling the task of discipling the nations. There’s no plan B.

While the churches in Asia, Africa and Latin America are rapidly multiplying, the Church in Canada is in decline. The latest survey by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada[3] indicates that in 1996 Canada was 12 percent evangelical Christian. In 2015, Canada was 9 percent evangelical Christian. Today, the number of evangelicals in Canada dropped even further to 6 percent.

Worldwide, missiologists and mission researchers estimate that one-third of the world’s population, which represents 2.6 billion, are still unreached because the Church in the reached areas is not sending missionaries to them. The significant imbalance of missions is that most missionaries go to and are sent to reached areas of the world – regions where the Church already exists, and the name of Jesus is known. On the flip side, there are very few missionaries working among the remaining unreached people groups who have yet to hear the name of Jesus.

Are you making disciples who make disciples as Christ commanded? Are our churches and denominations making disciples in Canada and beyond? Jesus is calling the Church to obey what He commanded us to do – to make disciples who make disciples. May we be obedient to His call to disciple all the nations of the earth, beginning in our Jerusalem.

Ike Agawin
ServeBeyond Director

[1] Barna, Translating the Great Commission Survey 2018 [2] Evangelicals are believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and take the Bible seriously, not a political and religious identity. [3] Faith Today, https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2020-Jan-Feb/Not-Christian-anymore

A Worshipping People

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a worshipping people

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Let everything that breathes sing praise to the Lord!” (Psalm 150)

Genesis 1 can be read as a description of God dedicating all of creation as his temple. Is God trying to tell us that he designed all of creation to bring about his worship? It would appear so. The writers of the Psalms pick this up often. John’s throne room vision in Revelation agrees:

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever.” (Rev. 5:13)

Humans were created to be worshippers. But we have strayed so far:

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshipping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshipped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.” (Romans 1:20-22)

Do we still have idols? We do! Lots of them! Tim Keller says an idol is a “good thing we turn into an ultimate thing”. In other words, “anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God”. I believe Keller is right. Those idols are everywhere. Sometimes we even acknowledge idol worship like Hozier did in the 2013 Grammy nominated hit, “Take Me To Church” (not a Christian song):

My lover’s got humor, She’s the giggle at a funeral, Knows everybody’s disapproval,

I should’ve worshiped her sooner, If the Heavens ever did speak, She’s the last true mouthpiece
Every Sunday’s getting more bleak, A fresh poison each week, “We were born sick”, you heard them say  My church offers no absolutes, She tells me, “Worship in the bedroom”
The only Heaven I’ll be sent to is when I’m alone with you…
Take me to church, I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death, Good God, let me give you my life.

We’ve been talking about the calling of the church this blog season. 1 Peter reminds us that we, the church, are a called-out people who are to display the goodness of God (2:9). Later in his letter, Peter says:

You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Peter is clearly calling us, the church, to renounce our idols and worship the one true God who brings a hope the idols of the land cannot. Simple, right? Is it though?

I suspect our desires and imaginations have become shrunken and hollow due to our lack of attention, and the appeal of the gods of the land. It takes time to reorient ourselves as worshippers. How can we spur one another on in worship? How can we help each other see God’s truth, goodness, and beauty in stark contrast to the idols? Togetherness is key here. Alone we easily can become inattentive and unaware of God and may replace him with a weak temporary substitute. What if we, with a group of our peers, read one of those big bold revelations of God in Scripture each day? Could that subvert the lure of the idols? Here are a few that always refocus my attention:

  • The last few chapters of Job (38-39) – where God asks all his questions
  • Psalm 8, Psalm 19, Psalm 139
  • Isaiah 6, Isaiah 40
  • Ezekiel 1
  • John 1:1-18
  • 1 Corinthians 15
  • Revelation 1, Revelation 4-5, Revelation 21-22

Let’s help each other see a big, bold, wonderful, True, Good, and Beautiful God together!

“Oh Lord, you’re beautiful, Your face is all I seek! And when your eyes are on this child, Your grace abounds to me.” – Keith Green

Neil Bassingthwaighte
ServeCanada Director & Interim Prayer Catalyst

The Call of the Church Today – “On-site” or “Online”?

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onsite or online

The last three years have seen most churches push into digital and online ministry sooner than they would have expected. As you well know, for a time it was the only option really available to us for some of our ministries. At the time, some suggested that the crisis only hastened the inevitable move from physical to digital ministry. But, I would suggest – and I expect most of you would agree – that a church cannot really fulfill the full calling of God without a physical presence and ministry. Bill talked last week about the community of faith, and I want to push deeper into that by suggesting the need for churches to intentionally create cultures of warm and welcoming presence in our churches as a key part of that community of faith. While there is much that can be done and accomplished digitally, for the vast majority of our communities their fullest expression requires incarnation – a physical presence and experience.

We are now in a time when most churches are evaluating how best to move forward into this new chapter of ministry. Leaders are wrestling with what ministries to re-activate. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have been saying that we need to assess our ministries through the filters of vision and mission. Tradition, historical practises and programs, and especially “loud voices” should not be the sole driving factor in how we do ministry. We are in a new chapter with new opportunities as well as new challenges and limitations – all to be assessed and engaged from a perspective of vision.

In addition to prioritizing ministries that best fit vision, leaders have to steward limited resources (financial, people, facilities, etc), even as they sort out who is actually a part of their church family. Into this discussion we add the question of the place for online ministry with its opportunities, expectations, and limitations.

Let me suggest that church leaders address this last question by first spending time reflecting on the essential role of the personal, physically gathered, ministry of the church. A part of the strength and calling of the church is found in the personal interaction, engagement, and shared experience for the family of God. Additionally, a safe, engaging, personal community is something many people are missing, and looking for. More than ever, the full experience of the Church family has something the world needs.

I am not suggesting that you do not leverage online ministries. Online ministries provide us some great opportunities. While we should use “online” for it does best, we must also embrace “in person activities” for what they do best. Online can deliver information and content really well. It can help people get a picture of your church to inform their decision on whether or not to visit. It can even offer a measure of the relational component of the church – but not all of it.

People are unlikely to feel the warmth of your fellowship online.

So, friends, do not miss the opportunities afforded by online and digital technology. Keep pushing and asking what it can help you with. But be sure to intentionally consider what it does not do as well as “in person” engagement, and give appropriate attention, resources, and priority to those activities – especially the building of community through relationship. Work hard to make your church a warm welcoming environment. Start by modelling that as leaders. It can be hard work; it is easier to just focus on those we are already comfortable with. But our calling is so much bigger than that.

All churches, whether large or small, need to intentionally work hard to make people feel welcome. Most of the churches I talk to are seeing new people come – what a great opportunity that is. Let us not miss the calling to be warm welcoming communities, it is an essential part of our calling. Bill’s word to us is appropriate, and it is up to us to make that community of faith welcoming to all people. We must not miss this unique moment of opportunity. For that, you will need a strong “on-site” culture of warmth and welcome, for which “on-line” is a partner, but never a substitute.

Terry Kaufman
EFCC Leadership Catalyst

To be a Community of Faith

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a community of faith

 

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.” (Acts 4:32-35)

Above are two classic passages that describe the culture of the early church. It is dangerous to assume that this is the model for what the church should look like, in all locations and cultures, and in all times. However, I think it is fair to say that the core values represented in these passages are overwhelmingly reiterated in the rest of the New Testament. So, while the local church may be organized differently over time (and in differing cultures), these core values are key components to the biblical calling of the church.

I would like to argue that the overarching thing the church is called to is to be a community of faith. Neil argued this a few blog posts back. Ike highlighted in the last blog that we are a community on mission. And three blog posts back Terry reminded us that the church is called to feed the sheep – and sheep do not do well wandering around as individuals. They only survive in a flock: a community, cared for by a shepherd. There are numerous New Testament metaphors for this community. We are God’s holy temple (I Corinthians 3), Jesus’ body (I Corinthians 12), a holy nation, royal priesthood (I Peter 2) and so much more. All the metaphors point towards a community of faith. The passages in Acts reflect a generous, loving community of mutual submission – where my “stuff” belongs to God – and His community of faith.

We are called to live out the “one-anothers” in this community. We are not individuals saved for heaven. We are saved for community and a redemptive mission.

The church is not just called to be any type of community. It is Jesus’ community of faith. The early church met for the apostles’ teaching about Jesus the Messiah. They shared meals and their lives with each other. They “gloried”, especially in their (new) equal status as they celebrated the Lord’s Supper as a family meal. They prayed – seeking the Lord to move redemptively among them and those they loved and met. I love that the apostles “testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus!” This is that mission component Ike was talking about. Yes, we are people of the cross – but we are even more, people of the empty tomb. So often I hear us talk about the cross and how Jesus saved me, a sinful individual. And then? Complete silence on the resurrection. This sin management gospel is half right – but fully wrong! It is perfectly fitted for our individualistic, “Jesus and me, and now I have my ticket to heaven” culture. Yet in I Corinthians 15 Paul reminds us that we are people of the cross and the resurrection. Without the resurrection we are still dead in our sins. The resurrection raises us to new life in the here and now. The resurrection places us into the community of faith (by His Holy Spirit)! As His people we have the privilege in joining the apostles in testifying to the reality of the resurrection in word and by living in resurrection community.

May we answer His calling to be His generous, loving, community of faith!

Bill Taylor
EFCC Executive Director

Called to be On Mission with God

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called to be on mission w God

What is the Biblical calling of the Church? Depending on their giftings and agenda, this question has different answers to diverse Christians and leaders. But throughout history, the calling of the Church has been defined and shaped too often by its cultural context.

To answer this question biblically, we need to look at the biblical story. As we examine the Scripture closely, the biblical calling of the Church is to be on mission with God. Being on mission with God is the very essence and identity of the Church as it takes up its role in God’s story in the context of its culture and participates in God’s mission to the world.

In the biblical story, beginning in the Old Testament, there is an expectation that God’s people be involved in His mission to the world. The account begins with Abraham’s call (v. 3 – And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed) in Genesis 12 and continues in Exodus 19:3-6, showing that God calls his people to live in holiness and be a blessing to all nations and creation.

3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” (Exodus 19:3-6)

God also made it clear that the calling of the nation of Israel, God’s people in the Old Testament, is to be a light of the nations. Isaiah 49:6 says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the protected ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

While Israel’s history shows God working in their context to enable them to be on mission with Him, each stage in Israel’s story produced failure. By the time of Jesus, the Jews basically hated the Gentiles, seeking separation from them rather than being a light to them.

In the New Testament, from the Gospel accounts, Jesus’ ministry was a call to Israel to renew its role to bring salvation to the nations. Yet they still failed Him. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the means by which the community of believers, which becomes the Church, is empowered to be on mission with God and live a distinctive life that leads to not just individual salvation but to the creation of transformed communities of disciples in all places.

The Church in Acts is the continuation of the ministry of Jesus through the Holy Spirit as a witness of God’s work in Jesus to the whole world. The calling of the Church to be on mission with God is found in Luke 24, Matthew 28, Acts 1:8 and other “Great Commission” passages. In the Epistles, the writings of the Apostle Paul reflect the missional nature of the calling of God’s people. As the people of God in the New Testament, Paul linked the Church to the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit as God’s way to share the message of salvation through Jesus.

The Church is to live holy lives to attract and be missionary people to carry the message to others.

Peter reiterated the calling of the people of God in 1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (cf. Exodus 19:5-6)

The biblical calling of the Church is to participate in the mission of God. This is our identity and the very essence of the Church. Let’s reclaim and obey our biblical calling for the glory of God.

Ike Agawin
ServeBeyond Director

To Bee or not to Bee

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to bee or not to bee

My wife and I are commonly known as “the Bees.” This moniker is not due to our honey-sweet disposition, or any stinging rhetoric we may employ. Rather it is a simplified rendering of an incredibly long last name. We are rarely called “the Bassingthwaightes,” for obvious reasons. However, being known as “the Bees” has led to our house being filled with bumble bee ornaments, tea towels, wall hangings, etc. Anyone walking into our home gets the connection – we are “the Bees”.

In this season of this blog, we are talking about the calling of the church. In this post I want to briefly remind us of our identity. To live out our calling we must know who we are, or maybe more aptly, whose we are. In 1 Peter 2 we read these words:

“…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” (vv:9-10 NLT)

While much could be said about these verses, suffice it to say, they are a much-needed reminder that we are God’s people, designed to demonstrate his goodness. That is our identity. We are not first and foremost Canadians. We are not defined primarily by our jobs. Our earthly family of origin, as important as it is, doesn’t prescribe who we are as children of God. As people who have died to self and now live out the life of Jesus, while earthly realities remain; they are redefined within the framework of new creation.

We are God’s people. United together as one. A new family. Showing mercy to one another. Living out God’s good design for human life and flourishing. We are living images of Christ.

You will notice I have used similar language to Peter. I’m describing a reality that isn’t fully realized yet. When God rolls up saying “Bring out your dead,” my old self could say, “I’m not dead yet.” I need help.

Most of us, as good North American individualists think this is an individual problem with an individual solution – God’s Spirit at work in my (singular) life. This is necessary! But it also misses Peter’s point. Just like “The Bees” aren’t an individual, Peter is talking about our identity together – with one another. What if we took Peter’s cue and deepened the mercy sharing? Isn’t that practicing the “one anothers” of the New Testament? What if our “bumble bee paraphernalia” on display was mercy so over the top, that no one could miss the connection? Isn’t that who we are to be?

Neil Bassingthwaighte
ServeCanada Director & Interim Prayer Catalyst