Dear friends,
221 years ago, the famous Baptist Missionary, William Carey presented a sermon which came to be known as the “deathless sermon.” It gained this title, not because it seemed that it would never end, but because it seemed to live on and on in people’s hearts.
The text was Isaiah 54:2,3, which reads:
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
One of his phrases from this sermon was “extension or extinction,” where he urged his fellow Christians to leave their complacency and to actively engage in world mission. Carey practiced what he preached, and became known as the “father” of modern mission.
I was thinking of Carey’s words when reading an article about the self-predicted demise of Anglicans in our country. The article reads in part:
The B.C. diocesan report tells Anglicans on Vancouver Island and the adjacent Gulf Islands – which the diocese covers – that 19 of their 54 churches should be closed, with another 11 put on death watch, and that two more should not have their priests replaced when they move on or retire.
The remaining congregations have been told to abandon their sedate, clubby Anglican culture and get their behinds off pews to evangelize in shopping malls, homes and workplaces.
“The status quo is not an option,” the report says. With a preponderance of Anglicans being 60 or older, the church is “one generation away from extinction,” it says.
“The unchurched are not coming to us. Lapsed Anglicans are not coming back in sufficient numbers.”
I find no joy in this article – only reason for reflection, and the words, “…the church is “one generation away from extinction.”
Carey’s words, “extension or extinction” were not a reference to the self-preservation of the church, but a reference to death to self for the sake of spreading the Gospel to those who had never heard.
Recently, we visited my wife Karen’s family. Her grandfather was a pioneer Lutheran church planter who would very much relate to Carey’s passion and zeal. He and Karen’s grandmother lived in a sod house on the prairies while church planting, and it was in this sod house that Karen’s father was born.
Letters from Karen’s grandfather speak of a passion to share the Good News to all. The next generation settled in to the existing churches. The zeal dwindled and the churches were pastored professional clergy. These clergy performed the sacraments and did the work of ministry. People supported the church financially and received the sacraments.
Under these clergy, the denomination struggled, compromised their adherence to Scripture and pushed for social reform, including the blessing of same sex marriage and the ordination of practicing homosexuals. The people cried foul, but the “enlightened” clergy won the day. Some churches have left the denomination. Others, loyal to the denomination, chose to stay.
People were left with a choice. Being raised Lutheran*, they feel that they have nowhere to go. Staying, however, means being under the leadership of a pastor who has either taken an unbiblical position, or has simply compromised in order to save a job. In the eyes of many, such a pastor lacks credibility to preach a sermon worth hearing. He or she merely mirrors the world we live in. So what does one do? Sadly, many members have simply dropped out.
(*Please note – not all Lutheran denominations have sanctioned same sex marriage. My reference is to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Lutheran Church – Canada does not)
Extension or extinction. Gospel and Christ centred or not worthy to continue. Salt that has lost it savour is worthless.
In my recent reading of Psalms, I have been taken by the words of Psalm 71:14-18:
As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
While I confess to being somewhat grey (DS’ing will do that to a person), “old” is a relative term.
My prayer is that my children and grandchildren will grow to know God’s ways, works, love and salvation, and will in response, follow him as both Saviour and Lord. My prayer is also, that “on my watch,” the EFCC will both proclaim and demonstrate God’s ways, works, God’s love and God’s gift of salvation.
Revitalize – living and sharing the Gospel in our time!
Please see the attached Five Minutes on Friday – with news from Sointula!
LPD Women in Ministry Facebook Page. On Saturday of conference, LPD women in in ministry (women church ministry staff and pastor’s wives) met for lunch and a number of them expressed interest in being connected. Karen has set up a Facebook Page, and invites all women church ministry staff and pastor’s wives to join. The purpose is communication, encouragement and prayer for one another.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24,35).
To join the Facebook Page – please search “LPD Women in Ministry” and click ‘Join”
Pastors – please inform your spouse of this opportunity!
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• Please remember North Delta Evangelical Free Church – our LPD 
. Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!
Upcoming Events:
• TONIGHT: Care Not Killing: The Most Excellent Way: How can Christians respond in a culture where euthanasia is legal (and promoted)? With Dr. Margaret Cottle. Friday March 24 7:30-9:00 pm – Open to All Ages – at Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Free Church, 3295 E Broadway (at Rupert). An excellent presentation on a timely topic.
• Island LPD Churches Transitioning to the new BC Societies Act Workshop at Wildwood Community Church on Thursday, April 20. We will meet for bag lunches at 12:00 noon and hold our workshop at 1:00 PM. At this, event, we will provide resources for your church to transition and also give opportunities to raise and answer questions pertaining to our proposed bylaw change.
• Gospel Harvest Network Breakfast – Tuesday, May 2, 8:00AM at Johnston Heights Church. This is a follow up to our “Revitalize” theme from the LPD Conference, and will focus on implementing the Five Harvest Principles in your life and church.
• LPD Pastors and Staff Cruise – Wednesday, May 31 – please mark your calendars.
Five Minutes on Friday, March 24, 2017
May God bless and keep you as you look to the Lord, and trust him for his good work in the week ahead.
In Jesus,
Rob
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In 2017, our Lower Pacific District is assisting in the birth and revitalization of churches. We have also stepped out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money. To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals. You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website. See LPD website at https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/ for more info.
