Please pray for
Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church
-our LPD Church of the Week
At our 2019 LPD Conference, it was a joy to welcome three churches into our LPD/EFCC Family. Two of these, One Hope Community Church and Cross Fellowship Church, minister primarily to recent immigrants from Korea. The third church, Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church, ministers, as the name implies to immigrants from Ethiopia.
Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church has met onsite at New Westminster EFC, but during this season of COVID, like many of us, has been meeting via YouTube.
Locally, there are more than 2000 people of Ethiopian descent (2016 Census), and this population is growing. Pastor Fitsum (Aregash) Mekbib and Pastor Worku (Abebe) Mekonnen have both pastored in Ethiopia and internationally, and we are thankful for their ministry, both here and abroad.
Please pray for this church family, as they minister to our Ethiopian-Canadian neighbours, and as they have a heart for global mission and ministry. Their website is: https://geecvancouver.ca/
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A word of encouragement today…
As I speak to many of you, I am aware that many are tired and weary. It has been a long stretch in this pandemic season, and there is no soon relief in sight. Many people are discouraged. Many of our neighbours are unhappy, and look for someone to blame for our current predicament. May we be a voice of hope above all the chatter.
Ministry can be draining – and if we are honest, people can be draining too…
This week, I was blessed through my reading of, My Utmost for His Highest, where Oswald Chambers asks, “Are You Exhausted Spiritually? He begins, “ Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service...” Here is the link: https://utmost.org/are-you-exhausted-spiritually/
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Be careful little tongue what you say!
Some of you might remember the Sunday School song, “Be Careful Little Eyes What You See.” This “children’s” chorus has good counsel to all today. Be careful little eyes what you see; ears what you hear; tongue what you say; hands what you do; feet where you go; heart whom you trust and mind what you think. Good counsel! Here is the third stanza, which cautions:”
O be careful little tongue what you say
O be careful little tongue what you say
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little tongue what you say
This is an appropriate word to us today. In this age of polarized politics, conspiracy theories and cancel culture, not only is our Father in Heaven watching – the world is watching too!
Sadly, these days, churches as a whole are not widely respected, considered relevant or seen to offer a unique voice of hope or truth in our culture. Sad, but for the most part true.
Such a statement gets beyond arguing whether or not we should be considered to be an “essential service,” by our government, and therefore permitted to “re-open.” Since when has any secular government viewed our Faith as an “essential service,” especially when they want to be appear to be fair to all creeds and faiths?
We can all be drawn into discussion and critiques of our government’s failure to lead with integrity, competence and fiscal responsibility. Sadly, there is more than ample evidence to make this case. But, rather than entering into this discussion, what positive message do we have to offer? “Be careful little tongue what you say…”
Recent studies have demonstrated the harm done to Christian witness through identification with contemporary conspiracy theories. Pastors often find themselves caught between polarized parishioners – some will question or even deny the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanied restrictions, while others are so concerned that they believe that we need to have a total lock-down. We can be so focused on the debate that we are distracted from our mission.
Here are links to two articles:
The first is, “How to Lead Your Church in a Truth-Averse Culture.” Writer Daniel Darling provides counsel for leading in times where leadership and truth are in question. He writes, “Conspiracy theories have always existed, but belief in them rises when trust in leadership falls. And today many people are rightly feeling let down by the leadership they see. In the last few decades, every major institution in American life has seemingly failed us: the church, the academy, sports teams, government, business, etc.”
In response to focus on conspiracy, he offers, “Pastors can help combat conspiracy theories by simply preaching what the Bible says about renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). We should urge our people to build good habits and spiritual disciplines.”
Here is a link to his article: how-to-lead-your-church-in-a-truth-averse-culture
The second is, “Christians, Conspiracy Theories and Credibility: Why Our Words Today Matter for Eternity.” Writer Aaron Earls addresses various conspiracy theories through the ages, and how these have impacted the church. He concludes by citing MaryJo Sharp (author of “Living in Truth: Confident Conversations in a Conflicted Culture), who wrote, “…Christians must always be “gospel-forward in how they live their public lives.” She says that anything a follower of Christ chooses to pass along in person or on social media should first be processed through the question, “How will this affect my ability to share the good news of Jesus Christ?” She maintains, “What I post today could influence how people view my beliefs tomorrow.” And, as a result, it could influence where someone spends eternity. “
Here is the link: christians-conspiracy-theories-and-credibility-why-our-words-today-matter-for-eternity/
A good word to us all!
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Upcoming Dates:
LPD Annual Meeting – virtual…
Saturday, March 6, 2021 – 10AM – 12noon.
“Advancing the Gospel in Pandemic Times.”
We invite you to attend this important meeting of our Lower Pacific District.
Registration is open – and is free!
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/annual-agm-zoom/
Please consider gifting your registration fees to:
LPD Ministry Care Fund
Thanks so much for joining us for our annual meeting this year. We appreciate it! We are sorry that we are not able to bring you a conference this year – we always look forward to gathering together with you, and to our fellowship together. As we are meeting online this year, the AGM is free. Registration fees for conference are typically $75.00 per delegate for the weekend ($65.00 for “Islanders”). As many churches have already budgeted for conference, we invite to donate your conference registration fee to a fund that we are establishing to invest in ministry personnel, the LPD Ministry Care Fund. We are establishing this fund to provide ministry retreats for pastors and spouses, to assist ministry personnel in times of special need, and to invest in the ministry and welfare of those who serve. If you are able, please consider donating conference registration fees toward this ministry to those who serve. Donations can be made by e-transfer office@lpd-efcc.ca, cheque, or paypal https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id%3D7JTC99H5NCDBU&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1612483441277000&usg=AFQjCNFKqLK3rmBX0_SHnHiff7pUQtB1kg. Please designate in the memo that the funds are for the LPD Ministry Care Fund.
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Need a B-r-e-a-k?
Matt Castle, a former youth pastor at Fort Langley EFC is now Executive Director of Camp Luther on Hatzic Lake in Mission.
As camp programs are suspended due to COVID, they are offering the use of their cabins for pastors and families – free of charge. Bring your own food dishes and cooking appliances, but you are welcome to stay for free and use the canoes and waterfront.
http://campluther.ca/
Spring break is March 15-26 – perhaps a few families can enjoy Camp Luther over this time (social distancing and all…). The camp would prefer for us to “book” a block of time for our district, and then they can also share the camp with others.
for more information.Please please contact Rob at the LPD Office
