Sointula Community Church
– our LPD Church of the Week
Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!
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So, pastor, what is your vision for this church?
Such a question is a part of every pastoral candidate’s interview. It can be a
question asked at an annual meeting, or behind the closed door of a pastor’s
office by a restless church member.
It is not an unfair question. Perhaps it is simply the wrong question and will
often lead to the wrong answer.
A generation of pastors have been told that a pastor worth his salt will have
dynamic and compelling vision for his/her church. After all, “Where there
is no vision, the people perish…” (Prov. 29:18).
This has resulted in comparison, frustration and at times desperation, both by
pastors and congregations. Vision has often come to be equated with one’s
personal agenda.
In reality, biblical vision is not that of a leader, but is an understanding of
God’s purposes and plan for his people and his church. It was not Moses’s
vision to lead the people from Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses reluctantly
joined in God’s vision, only after called and compelled by God.
The Apostle Paul was not a person of vision so much as he was one with a
compelling conviction of God’s call on his life, and a sensitivity to the voice
and leading of the Spirit.
Paul refers to himself as a “wise builder.” He writes, “By the
grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else
is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay
any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor.
3:10,11).
The word that Paul uses that we translate “builder,” is the word
from which we get our word “architect,” and I love this picture. An architect
draws the blueprints for what does not yet exist, but that which he sees
clearly in his mind. He sees the completed structure, and with the help of
auto-cad and other software, can actually present images of the finished
project.
Just so, as pastors and leaders, we are drawing a blueprint for that which does not yet exist, but we believe is in the heart and mind of our Lord, and in also in ours, as we have sought his leading.
While few pastors will be what our world may define as
“visionary leaders,” it is the responsibility of a pastor to ensure
that the congregation has a conviction of God’s call and purposes, and will
guide and model this direction. Over the years, I have come to believe that
every effective Christian leader will have a conviction of three things:
It is not “my” vision that counts. It is our shared
conviction of what God has called us as his people to.
***
Here is an interesting and insightful article on a pastor’s experience regarding vision. writer, Chase Reploge, like many of us has been spoken to in reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Life Together.”
bonhoeffer-convinced-me-to-abandon-my-dream.html
***
Please pray for:
Upcoming Events:
LPD/EFCC Pastor and Staff Orientation
Monday, September 23 at the EFCC Office
All pastors staff and interested volunteers are welcome too this opportunity to learn about the history, ethos, doctrine and ministries of the EFCC. Orientation is a requirement for all persons seeking credentialing in the EFCC, and is valuable for everyone in EFCC churches.
Here is the info.
Pastor_and_Staff_Orientation_2019_Invitation.pdf
You can register online at:
https://www.efccm.ca/wordpress/pastors-orientation/
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EFCC Lay Leader Training
| The training is designed to help followers of Jesus carry out their calling of making disciples, both inside and outside the church. It will provide a series of modules with in-class sessions on a variety of key topics. They are as follows: |
| Module #1 1. EFCC History & Ethos 2. Canada’s Changing Culture 3. How to Share the Gospel 4. How to Make a Disciple Module #2 1. EFCC Theology 2. Spiritual Formation 3. Christian Leadership 4. Mentoring/Coaching |
Location: Fosmark Centre at Trinity Western University, in Langley BC
When: Friday evening and all day Saturday, September 20-21, 2019
What: Module #1
Cost: $50/person (includes food & beverages for breaks, and lunch on Saturday)
Teachers: Bill Taylor, Dave Penner, and Neil Bassingthwaighte from EFCC Home Office
Registration : Online at http://www.bit.do/layleader
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Best Practices for Mission Workshop
The Best Practice for Church Missions Workshop, developed by Fellowship International and Northwest Baptist Seminary, has benefited almost 50 churches across Canada. It has been designed to help churches navigate the maze of missions options to become effective and strategic partners in God’s mission to the world.
This one-day workshop provides church leadership and missions committee members the opportunity to revisit and clarify their missions program. The interactive format encourages vision and passion as participants see a role and purpose for their leadership in missions involvement.
Join others in a day of discovery and decision making that will give clarity, purpose – and a plan – for impacting missions participation.
Book your table soon, there is only room for 6 churches.
Date: Saturday October 5
Time: 9.30 – 3.30
Cost per church (includes lunch): $80 (up to 6
participants), $100 (7-10 participants), $120 (11-15 participants)
Venue: Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Free
3295 E Broadway (at Rupert)
Missions_Committee_Workshop_brochure.doc
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LPD Pastor and Spouse Retreat
Nov. 22-24, 2019
Hello LPD pastors, we’d like to invite you to join us on Nov. 22-24, 2019 for a Pastors’ retreat! We’d like to encourage you to take a breather in late November (before Advent begins) with your fellow pastors at Camp Charis in Chilliwack.
Registration is open on our LPD Website. Please see:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-pastor-and-spouse-retreat/
