Cornerstone CRC in Chilliwack is working through a sermon series challenging people to reflect on their Christmas spending habits shifting the focus on getting to giving, but not to those already richly blessed but those struggling. The series is entitles "Advent Conspiracy: Spend Less, Give More".
Hi...as I read The Network I often alert our pastor, worship director, youth pastor and admin to articles they might find interesting and helpful....a life time habit.
As per the Psalms there is little that we cannot bring before our God in prayer. He accepts our thanksgiving but also listens to our frustrations, fears and hurts.
I often wonder whether the term "servant leadership" is applied to too limited a number of "positions". Because God has equipped people with different skills and opportunities, leadership can be exercised in many different ways. Leadership is not limited to pastors, elders, deacons or "educated", that is "schooled" folk, but is attainable to almost all and comes to expression if a variety of ways. Leadership and expertise go together but it is when expertise is acknowledged and allowed to be exercised within the context of a community of servants of all kinds that a Christian community can flourish and demonstrate the sprinkling of God's gifts and grace to all people.
Thank you so much for your response and concerns. As a member of the planning team I want to assure you that we are working to ensure that our conversations and discussion at The Gathering will focus on the role of the church in local communities and Canadian society. We want to see all members of the CRC engaged in living the good news to the benefit of our local communities and our country, perhaps extending to other nations as well. We would love to see a cadre of people equipped to assist local congregations to become engaged locally as they live out Christ's mission recorded in Luke 4 and Matthew 28. Rather than "just" head "knowledge" we hope that gatherers will return to their own congregations and classes with possible action plans or items. We hope that these will consist of very practical suggestions and that classes throughout Canada will "see" and acknowledge representatives from their areas as people who have developed some insight and plans for local action.
The framework for Gathering 2019 to be held in Edmonton, May 24 - 26 has been set. Gathering 2019 team continues to consider ways in which the event will be helpful and stimulating for gatherers and, especially, be a blessing to congregations of the CRC in Canada, and, perhaps, the U.S. as well. Gathering 2019 team has purposely chosen not to import powerful and insightful presenters. Gatherers, sent by the various classes throughout Canada, are being encouraged to read, pray, fast, read and memorize scripture, view films, and receive input from local church councils as preparation for what promises to be an intense weekend of listening to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Together, as people of God, we're listening to input from various sources, some CRC and many from other believers to help shape conversation. The planning team is expecting that gatherers will be challenged by what they read and hear and will be willing to be creative and open in their conversation leading to new challenges for the CRC. It's like in Acts 1 where about 120 people waited for the coming of the Spirit Who would help them deepen their understanding of Who Jesus was and the mission He had given the church. The church in an increasingly secular world needs to explore ways of addressing the needs of this world and, especially our neighbours. What will this look like? I am eager to find out what gatherers want to convey to the church.
Posted in: Best Tool for Church Pictorial Directory?
Check with Melissa Raap at Cornerstone CRC in Chilliwack [email protected]. She produces a great pictorial directory every year.
Posted in: Share Your 3-Word Prayer for the Human Sexuality Conversation
wondering, hopeful, concerned
Posted in: Where Did You Worship This Past Sunday?
Because of the floods in our area, my wife and I worshipped with our congregation, but on line, in Chilliwack, B.C. Our church is Cornerstone CRC.
Posted in: Current Sermon Series?
Cornerstone CRC in Chilliwack is working through a sermon series challenging people to reflect on their Christmas spending habits shifting the focus on getting to giving, but not to those already richly blessed but those struggling. The series is entitles "Advent Conspiracy: Spend Less, Give More".
Posted in: Using Only 3 Words, How Do You Currently Feel About Church?
encouraged, wondering, supported
Posted in: Giveaway Time! Just Say "Hi" and Be Entered to Win Best-Selling Book
Hi...as I read The Network I often alert our pastor, worship director, youth pastor and admin to articles they might find interesting and helpful....a life time habit.
Posted in: Faith Lessons From the Prayers of the Black Church
As per the Psalms there is little that we cannot bring before our God in prayer. He accepts our thanksgiving but also listens to our frustrations, fears and hurts.
Posted in: Where Do You Live? Say Hi Below!
Hi from John Vanderhoek from Chilliwack, B.C. who has lived in many parts of Canada.
Posted in: Rediscovering Servant Leadership at Inspire 2019
I often wonder whether the term "servant leadership" is applied to too limited a number of "positions". Because God has equipped people with different skills and opportunities, leadership can be exercised in many different ways. Leadership is not limited to pastors, elders, deacons or "educated", that is "schooled" folk, but is attainable to almost all and comes to expression if a variety of ways. Leadership and expertise go together but it is when expertise is acknowledged and allowed to be exercised within the context of a community of servants of all kinds that a Christian community can flourish and demonstrate the sprinkling of God's gifts and grace to all people.
Posted in: Why I'm Helping to Plan Another Canadian National Gathering
Hi Keith
Thank you so much for your response and concerns. As a member of the planning team I want to assure you that we are working to ensure that our conversations and discussion at The Gathering will focus on the role of the church in local communities and Canadian society. We want to see all members of the CRC engaged in living the good news to the benefit of our local communities and our country, perhaps extending to other nations as well. We would love to see a cadre of people equipped to assist local congregations to become engaged locally as they live out Christ's mission recorded in Luke 4 and Matthew 28. Rather than "just" head "knowledge" we hope that gatherers will return to their own congregations and classes with possible action plans or items. We hope that these will consist of very practical suggestions and that classes throughout Canada will "see" and acknowledge representatives from their areas as people who have developed some insight and plans for local action.
John Vanderhoek
Posted in: Missional Pastoral Care
Interesting....but are pastors not charged with equipping people in their congregations to exercise pastoral care when and where it mis needed?
Posted in: Next Steps for Ministry in Canada
The framework for Gathering 2019 to be held in Edmonton, May 24 - 26 has been set. Gathering 2019 team continues to consider ways in which the event will be helpful and stimulating for gatherers and, especially, be a blessing to congregations of the CRC in Canada, and, perhaps, the U.S. as well. Gathering 2019 team has purposely chosen not to import powerful and insightful presenters. Gatherers, sent by the various classes throughout Canada, are being encouraged to read, pray, fast, read and memorize scripture, view films, and receive input from local church councils as preparation for what promises to be an intense weekend of listening to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Together, as people of God, we're listening to input from various sources, some CRC and many from other believers to help shape conversation. The planning team is expecting that gatherers will be challenged by what they read and hear and will be willing to be creative and open in their conversation leading to new challenges for the CRC. It's like in Acts 1 where about 120 people waited for the coming of the Spirit Who would help them deepen their understanding of Who Jesus was and the mission He had given the church. The church in an increasingly secular world needs to explore ways of addressing the needs of this world and, especially our neighbours. What will this look like? I am eager to find out what gatherers want to convey to the church.