One year ago, as we began 2020, we really had no idea of what would unfold and how our world would change. Locally, there was a lot of protest over proposed oil pipelines. The word, “pandemic” was not a part of our vocabulary. “Black Lives Matter,” was not a hashtag that we had heard of. Our provincial government was priding itself with a proposed balanced budget (instead of the current 13 billion dollar deficit), and we were concerned that our federal government was heading toward a 30 billion dollar deficit (instead of the current 400 billion dollar deficit). For some of us, our personal world may have changed. You may have experienced the loss of a job or a business due to the pandemic. For others, your vocabulary and focus may have changed due to diagnosis of a serious and even life-threatening disease.

As church leaders, we planned programs for children, youth and adults. we planned worship services, sermon series and intentional discipleship. Our district planned our annual March conference at Grace Hanin Community Church – we squeaked this in just before the “shutdown” that  came in mid-March.

Few, if any of us had heard of Dr. Bonnie Henry, and who had any clue of the role and authority of the “Provincial Health Officer?” Our world has changed. Our churches have changed. Our ministries have changed. We have changed. Who knows what will define “normal” for all of the above in the future – and when….

As has been said, as of today hindsight truly will be “2020.”

I am reminded of the words in the Book of James, where we are told of the folly of making assumptions about life and plans. He writes, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15).

I believe that this realization, or should I say, confession, is a very good thing. Rather than relying upon the programs and methods gleaned from others, and on the “assumptions” and paradigm of church that we have taken as “given,” we now have to trust God to guide our steps and to work, both in and through us as we look to the year ahead. There is so much we cannot know as we attempt to plan. When can we gather again as a church? How many will be able to  gather? Will we be able to sing?…

A recent article by Joy Almond, titled, “10 MINISTRY IDOLS BEING EXPOSED BY COVID-19,” speaks to the lessons learned through ministry in times of COVID.  ministry-idols-being-exposed-by-covid-19

In contrast to our uncertainty, God is faithful. God is able to keep His promises – and on time – His time, not ours. He is not surprised by, nor rendered powerless by a pandemic or any other circumstances.

As a child, my mother gave me a print of a painting by Warner Sallman titled, “Christ Our Pilot.” Though the painting has gone missing in one of my earlier moves, I have always appreciated the the image and what it reflects. A young, and somewhat timid skipper, at the helm of a ship sailing through a rather violent storm, is guided by the gentle and confident presence of Christ. As the Psalmist reminds us, “For this God is our God for ever and ever;  he will be our guide even to the end. “ (Psalm 48:14).

I take this image and promise into 2021. While none of us can predict what the year ahead will hold, we know in whom we can trust, and who will guide our  course towards our destination and the safe harbour of His presence.

We, in the LPD will be here to walk alongside you and your church through 2021 (Lord enabling). Together, we can be confident that our Lord has things under control, will guide our course, and by His grace, will use us to His glory.

 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:3-6).
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Upcoming Dates:

LPD Annual Conference – virtual…
Saturday, March 6, 2021 – 10AM – 12noon.