“Sointula” means “place of harmony” in the Finnish Language. The community of Sointula is on Malcolm Island, and was founded in 1901 by some Finnish immigrants, under the leadership of a cult-like leader, Matti Kurikka. These newly-arrived people worked in the coal mines of Nanaimo, and feeling exploited, recruited Matti from Finland. He soon rallied the people together, and they followed him in rowboats for the 163 mile journey north through the currents of Johnstone Straight to Sointula,
Intending to form something of a “utopia” on Malcolm Island, Sointula was to be founded upon the concept of community and sharing. Politics and religion were not welcome. The “utopia” soon failed, but the community survived, and by God’s grace a church was planted.
Ben and Anna Crumback have pastored Sointula Community Church for the past eight years, and have put down some deep roots. Their ministry extends beyond the church to the whole community – he is something of a chaplain to the Island. In these days of social-distancing, Ben and Anna prerecord the service and post it on Facebook. They also record the service on DVDs, which they deliver to islanders who do not have computers.
We give thanks for Ben and Anna, and for the people and ministry of Sointula Community Church, our LPD Church of the Week.
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Feeling uncertain of things these days?
As leaders, whatever our style of leadership, we are responsible to provide both vision/direction and a pathway to arrive there.
In these days of COVID-19, this is certainly more easily said than done…
I am no exception. This week, I was increasingly bothered by my need for a haircut. Finally, in something of desperation, I took matters into my own hands… I cut my own hair – with my beard trimmer!
One has to make changes and adaptations in both life and ministry. We need to respond to both what is known and what is unknown.
Perhaps we will all relate to Abram, who obeyed God in leaving what was familiar to the unknown, as God spoke, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1).
At times like this, we have to both know and trust God – and his promises. Leadership in uncertain circumstances is more following God step by step than following a road map that has the route forward laid out for us.
Here is a reading from Oswald Chamber’s, “My Utmost For His Highest” that I read earlier this week. I hope that you will find this encouraging too!
Gracious Uncertainty
…it has not yet been revealed what we shall be… 1 John 3:2
Our natural inclination is to be so precise– trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next– that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life– gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God– it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “…unless you…become as little children…” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “…believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in– but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
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Certainty in Christ – in the Mist of Life’s Uncertainties
Chamber’s provides us a good reminder – be certain in our Lord in the midst of uncertain circumstances. I was touched this week at the story of such certainty and focus in the life and ministry of Pastor Earl Duggins. His wife had recently passed away after 60 years of marriage, and he referenced this in his Easter Sunday Message. The closing words of his sermon were:
I stand today, this resurrection day to tell you, “Jesus Christ is alive.” He has helped me. He has blessed me. I bless His holy name today. All for Jesus. He’s the true, living Savior. He’s alive. He was born of the virgin. He lived a perfect life. He was crucified out on Mount Calvary, put in a borrowed tomb, but on the third day—on God’s schedule—up from the grave He arose. And He lives to help us. And He lives as our blessed hope. Trust Him today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, thou shalt be saved.
Please see the short video at this link:
. pastor-dies-immediately-after-easter-sermon-on-resurrection-hope/
May we as leaders lead with such certainty – right to the end!
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Upcoming Opportunities in the LPD
LPD Pastor and Staff – Virtual Cruise
May 27, 9:30AM – 11:00AM
Plan to join with fellow pastors and leaders in a Virtual Pastor and Staff Cruise on Wednesday, May 27 – watch for the link and invitation in the weeks ahead – and save the date!
While we may not be able to travel together, we still want to meet!
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EFCC National Conference – Virtual
June 27, 2020
With COVID-19 response, we are unable to physically meet for EFCC National Conference this year. We will be meeting for an abbreviated conference on June 27. Here is a letter from George Budd, EFCC Board of Directors Chair: Letter_from_the_Chairperson_of_the_EFCC_Board_of_Directors.pdf
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Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time. Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/donations/
LPD Missionaries
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/”new”New West EFC)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston Project)
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
Here is the latest prayer letter from the Steveston Project
how-we-almost-got-dropped-by-our-denomination
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Please pray for:
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It is exciting to know that God is calling some of our own to service overseas! I had the privilege of being Kim’s (then Kim Holbrook) pastor at North Delta EFC, and her dad, Bruce served alongside as youth pastor. She married Henry, after meeting him in Kenya while on a short term mission, and they returned to Canada so Henry could pursue theological studies. While studying, Henry interned at New Westminster EFC, while our son, Tim (Emily) Stewart pastored there.
We are excited and thankful for how God has led and called Henry and Kim, and we invite you to join in their prayer and support team. They trust to travel to Kenya to begin this ministry in September of this year. Here is a link to their newsletter, “The Daily Move.”
TheDailyMoveMarch.pdf
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