Our Changing LPD

The Steveston Project
 

– our LPD Church of the Week

Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!

***

With the long weekend, I am sending out “Five Minutes on Friday” – on Thursday

The Steveston Project
 

What if you started a church with a mission of making disciples, but had no programs to invite people to, no building, no Sunday service and no  blueprint for “church.”

While this may sound rather strange, we often define “church” by buildings and programs rather than mission. At the Steveston Project, we are beginning with mission of making disciples, and then introduce ministry events that further this mission. While freeing, it can also be a bit unnerving, heading into some uncharted waters.

Please pray for the Steveston Project, as they celebrate the work of transformation that God is doing in people’s lives and seek the Lord for the next steps. Pray also for Allen and Hannah Chang, and Daniel and Joyce Wong as they provide leadership to this, and our district leadership as we serve alongside. 

Steveston Project “is a disciple multiplying movement discovering what God is doing through listening, obeying and celebrating.”

Steveston Project believes in fostering:

• Leaders that multiply leaders
• Disciples that listen and obey the Spirit
• Churches that celebrate
• Christians reaching/connecting with people seeking God

For information, please contact:
Allen Chang: alchang604@gmail.com
Daniel Wong: danielhcwong@gmail.com

 

OUR CHANGING LPD
 

Last Sunday, it was a joy to join with New Living Assembly in Chilliwack, where I preached and joined them in their “Backpack Sunday” outreach. The church has recently stepped out in faith to move into a new building that will enable them to serve their community throughout the week (see photos).

On “Backpack Sunday,” the church gives out free backpacks for school to the community, and it was great to meet a number of families from the community who came and received backpacks, a barbeque lunch and fellowship with the church family. 

As I minister in the LPD, a highlight for me is to learn from the different cultures that are reflected in our churches.

On a given Sunday, the Gospel can be heard in our churches in English, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Swahili and Tagalog (language of the Philippines, though services are conduced in English).

Not only is there a variety of languages. There are different cultures, traditions and “styles” of worship. Our African brethren enjoy lively worship with beautiful harmony. Our Cantonese and Korean services tend to be more formal. Some churches welcome and introduce visitors. Others welcome them quietly as they have freedom to “check out” our church. Churches use hymnals, Power Point and even read the lyrics from their phone (Steveston).

So often in North America, we are given “formulas” for church growth and leadership. We are led to believe that following these methods will lead to success. While there is much to learn from this, it often leads to frustration and failure. Better to understand our people and community, and yielded to God, serve in a way that is appropriate to our culture and mission. When I come to your church, I look forward to learning from you and celebrating with you – and I can dress in a suit and tie (tartan) or a golf shirt – whatever is appropriate in your setting!

Just as Steveston Project is challenged to build ministry around mission, so are we in all churches. How would God use us to reach the culture and people that surround us in our local church?

Here is a portrayal of our changing cultural landscape in Lower Mainland.

the-ethnic-refashioning-of-metro-vancouver-a-work-in-progress

 

Please pray for:

• Pray for Peter Han, whobegins 12 weeks of  basic training as he starts as a chaplain in the Armed Forces. Let’s also remember chaplain Shiya Janzen (Padre Shiya Janzen, Lt(N) / Ltv),  as she continues to serve as chaplain in Esquimalt and coordinates chapel.
• Pray for pastors and leaders as preparations are made for launches into the fall season.
• Pray for our teachers and educators, as they begin another school year. Pray for discernment for our children and students, as they measure what they are taught in school with the standard of God’s Word.
• Praise God for baptisms and new believers in a number of district churches.
• Joshua and Nicole Fast, new Children’s Ministry Intern at Parkdale EFC, who is also now a LPD Missionary, as he begins “Priceless Youth Ministries,“ a ministry to families of special needs children/youth.
• The Steveston Project Team – Allen and Hannah Chang and Daniel and Joyce Wong. Pray for them, as they lead this developing work of God, and give thanks for the lives being touched through the Gospel. Pray for them and their leadership, as they seek the Lord for the next steps in this work.
• New Westminster EFC. Pray for Transitional Pastor Ralph (Karen) Hardy and Church Planters Jorge (Emily) Lin this church family, as they seek the Lord for the “new” work.
• Tom and Sandy Ford and family, as he awaits transplants, made necessary through the impact of his diabetes.
• Quadra Island Bible Church, as they seek the Lord in their pastoral search. They have plans to candidate a pastor in September, and we trust God to guide all in this process.
• Christ Community Church is considering options for pastoral ministry for the future.
• Praise the Lord that Carl Lindstrom, a faithful member and volunteer at New Westminster EFC he is responding well to chemotherapy.
• LPD Board. Board members are Randy Lemke (Allana) – Chair, Patrick Chan (Sarah) – Property and Finance, Ben Crumback (Anna) – Island Liaison, Charles Labun (Carolyn) – Church Board Liaison, Rob Stewart (Karen) – D.S., Tim Stewart (Emily) – Innovative Ministries, Paul Yang (Jin) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary. Please pray for provision of a Chinese Church Liaison.
• Steve (Gillian) Sharpe, in his ministry as LPD Missionary of Church Planting Development, serving both our LPD Missionaries and Church Plants, and church planting in the EFCC.

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/

***

EFCC Lay Leader Training

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
 

***
 

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

***

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/