Systemic Racism and the Canadian Church

Central EFC
– our LPD Church of the Week

Central EFC serves the communities of Courtenay an Comox on Vancouver Island. Pastor Dave and Lydia Koleba have faithfully served at the church for the past 25 years, and have seen the church transition from a church plant to now having its own building, with hopes of building in the future.

Like several other LPD Churches, they have begun live services again, albeit with appropriate social distancing measures.

Pray for the church family as they serve their community, and as they minister to those facing sickness.

Karen and I enjoyed some time camping with our family at Manning Park. It was great to be together with our crew – we are so blessed! We also to enjoy some time hiking in God’s wonderful creation.

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Systemic Racism and the Canadian Church
One of the blessings of camping in Manning Park is that there are no newspapers, radio reception is poor, and wi-fi access requires a 15 minute drive down the mountain to a weak and timed signal.

It was refreshing to be away from daily stats on the COVID epidemic and also to news of racial tensions and strife. For a few days, life seemed “normal,” as we focused on our family and with fellow-campers and hikers. Somehow when one is on a strenuous hike in the mountains, there is a bond that transcends age, race and gender.

As I have descended from mountain, and now catch up on the news of the world, once again, I am surrounded by the realities of our world situation.

Just as we were leaving for Manning Park, Jason Lavergne, Lead Pastor of Fort Langley EFC introduced me to Sherman Lau. Sherman attends FLEFC, and works with the organization that hosts Missions Fest. He is also one who cares deeply about racism and is now pursuing doctoral studies in the field of intercultural ecclesiology at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

Sheldon recently wrote an article for Faith Today, in which he raised the question, “Does Systemic Racism Exist in the Canadian Church,”

Does-systemic-racism-exist-in-the-Canadian-church?

Please take time to read this article, and consider the questions that Sherman poses. Consider what Sherman writes in your church context – no cultures or settings are immune from racism of some sort. Here is an excerpt from his article:

The way various ethno-theological heritages have built up the Canadian church has left us with a systemic tribalism that excludes various “others” in order to remain loyal to a particular ethnic heritage of Christian doctrine and practice.

This form of exclusion shows up in churches in various ways. Here are three examples.

1. Global Christians, some of whom may share the same theological heritage, are expected to assimilate to the worship styles and governance of the Canadian church, rather than invited to contribute their faith expression.
2. National or provincial leadership are disproportionately represented by the founding ethnic group, amounting to tokenism when other ethnicities are included.
3. Transnationalism creates division within the church body by importing issues (both historical and current) from the most prominent foreign country of origin.

Sherman also has written in the Light Magazine and Mission Central, where he asks, “Is Multiculturalism Bad for the Church?”

is-multiculturalism-bad-for-the-church?
Thank you for allowing us to share these articles, Sherman. I trust that these will further our dialogue and understanding of responding to elements or racism that may exist among us.
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Please Remember our LPD Missionaries:

Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time.

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)
Nathan and Amber Kinsey (Winsome Games) – beginning Sept. 1
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES REGARDING COVID-19

We in the LPD are here to serve you and your church through this time. Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available on resources available to you and your church in this time. Please email Josephine.
Please contact us for:

Resources regarding “restarting” and regathering in your church, and regulations for doing this. Several churches have been “re-opening,” as regulations permit. We are posting information on our website: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/ By law, your church will need both a plan and a policy and we can help you with this
Online Giving Options for your church – helpful, especially when your church cannot physically gather.

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Please pray for:

Grace, wisdom, humility and a posture of listening, as we deal with issues of racism and conflict in our land and in the USA.
Town + Field Church, has voted to extend a call to Ryan and Talisi Guerra to come and serve as Lead Pastor. We are thankful for God’s leading in this search process – welcome Ryan and Talisi!
Fort Langley EFC has called Erwin (Renee) Van Ramshorst to serve as Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults . Welcome Erwin and Renee!
Nathan and Amber Kinsey. Nathan (Coach K) has just been approved as a LPD Missionary, in order to lead Winsome Games, a ministry to reach out to children and youth through sports. Welcome aboard Nathan, Amber and team! He will begin on Sept 1.
Tom and Sandi Ford and family. He is healing well from his amputations, and asks prayer for strength, as he readies for a kidney transplant.
Churches, as they determine the best course towards “re-opening” and ministering to people in this time of “pandemic exile.” Please check with us for help
Our 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, Sang Hyun (Sam) Cho (Eun Young) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting, Philip Leung (Karen) – Chinese Church Liaison and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary.