– our LPD Church of the Week
– thanks to Anna Crumback (Ben) of Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week.
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In 1958, Surrey, B.C. was largely rural and treed. There were scattered communities and a lot of small farms. People would travel to family cottages in Crescent Beach for summer vacation. There was no Port Mann Bridge (1960) and no “Uber” (still isn’t…).
The population was beginning to grow in this post-war era, as families would settle “south of the Fraser.” Some entrepreneurial pastors and leaders saw the need for a church near Guildford (The mall area was then a dense forest).
Two smaller church works, Hjorth Road Mission and Green Timbers Bible Church joined to form one church, Johnston Heights Church, and began services in their newly constructed building on October 19, 1958.
2020 1958
Since these rather humble beginnings, the church has grown and thrived. Generations of believers have come to faith, been discipled and served, both in and from this church.
I am thankful to have our LPD Office in this church, as it is in the heart the mainland region of our Lower Pacific District and it is good to have a district “home” in this local church.
Since 1958, the community has grown and changed, and so has Johnston Heights Church. According to the National Household Survey (2011) the top three most reported religious affiliations in Surrey are Christianity (38.2%), Irreligion (28.6%) and Sikhism (22.6%). The Gospel remains just as Good News as ever, and I am thankful for the witness of the people of Johnston Heights Church.
Please pray for this church family and their team of pastors, staff and volunteers. Johnston Heights is being used of the Lord, both locally and globally, and we are thankful for them!
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Are you working hard enough for God? This sounds like a rather odd question – but really, what does God expect of us?
In ministry, whether volunteer or vocational, one challenge is that the work is never completed. A sermon is never fully prepared until it is delivered – and maybe personally reviewed afterward. We can always do more preparation – if only we had more time.
We will never meet everyone’s expectations, nor will we please everyone. Rarely, (if ever) will anyone say -“go home and take it easy – you have done enough for today.”
I believe that we may also feel to compelled towards overwork. Perhaps we feel a need to, “justify our existence,” – or perhaps our salary?
Whatever the reason, ministry is a hard vocation in which to keep boundaries. We know in our hearts and preach the need for Sabbath rest. We speak of ministry coming from the overflow of one’s heart, yet we so easily can fall into the trap of running on empty.
The old adage that, “what is measured gets done,” is true. I believe that and we often measure the wrong things in ministry. Volume of work does not equate to the effectiveness of work. My work and the work of the Spirit are not one and the same. My strength and abilities are limited – our God’s are not.
Geri Scazzero, (wife of Pete, author of “The Emotionally Healthy Church, etc.) has served on staff of New Life Fellowship Church in New York City for the last 29 years, and is the author of, “The Emotionally Healthy Woman.”
She writes a powerful article on the danger of “over-functioning” leadership. “Over-functioners” are simply too busy. She states:
…. I would venture to say most of the over-worked, under-rested church leaders I encounter are over-functioners.
We over-function when we do for others what they can—and should—do for themselves. Over-functioners prevent people, including themselves, from growing.
Wherever you find an over-functioner an under-functioner inevitably follows close behind. Over-functioning dangerously imperils friendships, marriages, churches, workplaces, and families.
I would encourage you to read this article and to reflect. Are you an over-functioner? How about your pastor? Here is the link:
The Leadership Practice that Could Ruin Your Ministry
I (Rob) am wired to be something of an “over-functioner.” I am one who is committed to “fix” things and to see things through. More and more, I am learning that only our Lord can “fix” people and churches, and that I do a disservice to try to do for others what only God can do, and/or what the people need to do for themselves.
In our small group on Monday evening, we found encouragement in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Such a simple verse, yet what a difference it makes. It commands/invites us to literally “transfer” our anxieties to our Lord – who cares for us. Not just once, but as a matter of course.
As we discussed this, we asked why it is so difficult to do, and we concluded that it is either:
Both attitudes will lead to “over-function.”
In a week that has had some real stresses in life and ministry, it is so comforting to be assured that our Lord who cares invites us to transfer our anxieties onto Him.
As one who monitors my blood pressure at home, I am able to get instant feedback as to how successful I am at doing this 🙂
How about you? Are you an over-functioner? What is our Lord inviting you to “transfer” to Him?
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Annual Requirements for all pastors and ministry personnel of EFCC Churches
Deadline for reporting is today!
In order to maintain good standing, and as a matter of ministry integrity, all pastors and ministry personnel of EFCC Churches are required to annually affirm their commitment to the EFCC Statement of Faith, ethos, and Covenant of Personal and Professional Ethics. Pastors and staff, if you have not done so already, please complete your annual report at the link below. Church chairs and leaders, please encourage your pastor and staff follow through with this. Thank you!
Medical Assistance in Dying
As followers of Jesus, we believe that we are created in the image of God, and that all life, from conception through death has value. The Department of Justice is currently soliciting input from citizens regarding changes to current laws regarding medical assistance in dying. This is an opportunity for Christians to speak into this issue, so please take the opportunity to complete the survey and speak for the sanctity of life.
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cons/ad-am/index.html
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Please pray for:
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Upcoming Events:
LPD Conference
at
Grace Hanin Community Church
March 6,7
with Dr. Randy Wollf of ACTS Seminaries.
“The Heart of Discipleship”
As we meet for LPD Conference this year, will explore the “heart” of discipleship, by focusing on the themes of, prayerfulness, hearing and responding to God’s voice, a love for people and a heart bent on mission.
Discipleship has been the focus of much discussion among Christian leaders in recent years. While we have many “methods” of discipleship and “pathways” toward discipleship, we are humbled to recognize that the church has not done well to produce obedient disciples of Christ. Might we have missed the “heart” of discipleship, where we invite God to do what we cannot?
We are so glad to welcome our presenter, Dr. Randy Wollf, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Leadership Studies; Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary at ACTS. Randy (Lore) Wollf became our first LPD Missionaries in 2005, as they planted “The Journey.” Randy is a practitioner when it comes to church, and believes that there are several practical essentials for effective discipleship in our local churches that transcends our methods and effort.
Please plan to join us for this important time of sharing together, learning together and providing direction to the ministry of our Lower Pacific District. All are welcome to join us for the workshop with Randy on Friday, to the informal dinners with ministry colleagues on Friday evening, and the Saturday morning time for teaching, ministry reporting and decisions. We will end off with lunch together, including an informal fellowship lunch and prayer time for ladies in ministry and ministry wives with Karen Stewart. Also, we anticipate one or more churches joining our LPD Family at conference.
All Pastors are expected to attend, and all others are welcome to join us!
Register online at: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-annual-conference-2020/
Here is a conference poster and info. on the luncheon for pastor’s wives and women in ministry:
