After hosting a party or Christmas dinner, do you make changes so that the next one will run better? Why would you host something that takes so much effort and time. . . again?
This is my second planning team for the Canadian National Gathering (my third if you include the Classis Toronto CCC event in January 2013). Why would I volunteer to plan this Gathering (#crcgathering)?
First off, the smiles. The excitement. The social interaction. The hard work of thinking, planning, sharing, pointing forward, the love for the CRC (#crcna) as church people interact.
God gifted me with organizational skills. You aren’t supposed to bury a gift, so I use it. I’m good at planning things. I have an eye for logistics and problem solving. Much of which has come through trial and error. In my previous life-work, I helped plan and lead wilderness outdoor trips (hiking, winter camping, snowshoeing, canoeing) for school groups.
I really enjoy planning for The Gathering. It takes a lot of time and energy. But it is a joyful, blessed task.
My “day time” job is that of a pastor. In a small, rural church. North of Toronto. In a geographical feature called The Holland Marsh. I have the privilege of preaching. Doing pastoral care. Teaching. Leading. Living in a beautiful farming community. Coaching basketball and baseball to community youth. I am grateful to my church council and congregation for allowing me to serve on this planning team. It’s their gift to Canadian Ministry and the denomination.
I am currently serving on the Classis Executive Committee for a second time since arriving in Classis Toronto. The first time around on CEC is when I helped organize the CCC (Canadian Catalytic Conversation) in 2013.
Which led to being asked by the newly minted Canadian Ministry Director in 2014 to help organize an event for 2016. It was a privilege to work with a diverse and skilled team for that event.
When you put something together, you discover better ways of doing it. Until it becomes a finely tuned machine. There were a few bumps leading up to the 2016 event. They seemed overwhelming and impossible to overcome. However, after meeting the almost 150 people who arrived in Waterloo, watching them become fully engaged, listening to their excited conversations, experiencing their smiles and words of thanks, worshipping with Jeremy Benjamin, and then serving communion and blessing one small child during our Sunday service, I knew I had another event in me to tinker on making this one run better (maybe there will be more, we’ll have to see what God gives).
I also have a deep love and appreciation for Canadian Ministry. There are so many unique and wonderful things we as CRC folk do for people in various pockets throughout Canada. I am humbled to be part of it. My offering of thanks to the church and to God is to serve in this small way on the planning team.
Planning the Gathering is a privilege. We are gifted a certain amount of money from the denomination, registration fees, and private donations to host a sharing and planning celebration. I’m frugal enough that I want to steward that money well, while blessing the people who give of their time to travel and serve over the 3 day event. I am once acting as the treasurer and the registration person. I’m happy to not have to look after the travel logistics this time around since 75% of the attendees will be flying in from across Canada.
Why do I serve on the planning team for the Canadian National Gathering?
I am passionate and excited about ministry in Canada. I love helping to bring people to the table to have them share, to engage, and to champion with others ministry in Canada, locally and nationally. I return a small portion of the gifts God has given me.
I am eager to spending time with the almost 150 people that will be arriving in Edmonton in May 2019. To hear your life stories, your ministry stories, your God-moments, your excitement and passion for ministry, your frustrations and challenges. This is the privilege I have in helping to set the table for sharing in the burden and joy of ministry in the church as we live for Jesus.
There is more I could say. I hope you get the idea. If you aren’t able to make 2019 in Edmonton, then be on the lookout for the Gathering in 2022…and see if you can join us for celebrating, planning, encouraging, guiding Canadian Ministry into God’s emerging future for the CRC.
In Christ, Richard Bodini (aka Dominee Dickie)
