Faithfulness, Fickleness and Stubbornness

The Church of All Nations

– our LPD Church of the Week

The of the Church of All Nations began in 1939. Newlyweds and recent graduates of Prairie Bible Institute, Bill and Josephine Johnson arrived from Saskatchewan (age 26/24) to come and plant New Westminster EFC.

They came with no promise of any regular salary, and moved into a suite in New West for $15.00 per month. Bill supported himself and Jo by working part-time as a salesman and a truck driver, as well as church planting.

The work began to grow. By 1943 the work was established and the church structure was built at Douglas Road (Canada Way) and 10^th Avenue. The Johnsons assisted in the planting of Town + Field Church and Port Coquitlam EFC, and the birth of Trinity Western University.

Over the years, much has changed. The community of New Westminster/ Burnaby has grown and has become ethnically diverse. The church building burned down and was rebuilt. The congregation has aged, and has been in decline numerically.

Two years ago, we met with church leadership to trust the Lord for the renewal of New West EFC, and God has birthed the “Church of All Nations.” This church represents the heart and values of New West EFC, combined with a fresh vision and model for ministry.

Church Planting Pastor, Jorge (Emily) Lin, as the name suggests, is fluent in Spanish, Mandarin and English, having been born in Argentina, and being of Taiwanese heritage. Emily was born in Taiwan, and shares this heart for intercultural ministry.

Jorge was born into a Buddhist family, and as a young man desired to become a monk. His family immigrated to Canada, and through the witness of a persistent friend at university and the creativity of God, came to faith in Christ.

The church has been meeting in various Life Groups via ZOOM, and is coming together as One Body, combining the faithful people and heritage of New West EFC with the new people and future vision of the Church of All Nations.

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Faithfulness, Fickleness and Stubbornness
– and the Future Mission of the LPD

As I have ministered to people and churches in ministry transition, and as I have dealt with transition personally, have come to the awareness that the Christian term “call” can be used both sincerely and insincerely. The term sounds and should be noble, but can also be used to smooth over other realities. Is one’s decision to remain in or to leave a ministry driven by faithfulness to God’s evident and compelling call? Is it driven by fickleness, like the hireling of John 10:12,13, where one runs from difficulty? Has one simply “had a bad day?” It is driven by stubbornness (perhaps like Jonah), where one rationalizes and really does not want to obey God’s clear call? Does one choose to carry on because of salary, status or security?

Each person needs to weigh these possibilities, both humbly and prayerfully before God, and I trust make an appropriate decision that is in keeping with God’s leading and timing.

In 2002, when I transitioned from serving as lead pastor of North Delta EFC to become Lower Pacific District Superintendent, it was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. I had a strong desire to remain on at North Delta. I love the congregation I served. I love pastoral ministry, and could have justified remaining as being “faithful,” but to do so would have been to stubbornly refuse to step forward in faith to a new challenge and calling. “Faithfulness” would really have been a “cover” for stubbornness.

Long term ministry is is most instances much more effective than short-term. Trust is built. Relationships are made and strengthened. Vision can be implemented. While one might minister from his or her “position” or “office” on the short-term, an effective leader will over time lead from his or her person. Trust has been earned. Character has been proven. There is alignment between one’s life and one’s leadership.

It takes discernment, both to know when one should “accept” a call, and also to know when one’s task is complete and it is time for succession and a new leader of God’s choosing. Faithfulness, fickleness and stubbornness…

I have come to appreciate the words of A. W. Tozer, who wrote;
A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation. Such were Moses and David and the Old Testament prophets. I think that there was hardly a great leader from Paul to the present day but that was drafted by the Holy Spirit for the task, and commissioned by the Lord of the Church to fill a position he had little heart for. I believe it might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and together as ready to follow as to lead, when the Spirit makes it clear that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared.

At our Lower Pacific District Conference last weekend, I spoke of the process of succession before our district. As I enter my 20th year of service, my life odometer reads “66” and counting. Current goals have been achieved, and I believe that God will raise up another servant leader who will be used to lead our district into the next chapter, beginning in March 2022. I love what I do, and am thankful for this opportunity to serve, but I pray for God to provide a leader to “pick up and carry the torch” into the future. Until this person is identified and affirmed by you, I gladly continue to serve you and our Lord wholeheartedly. Healthy organizations and churches plan for succession, trust God to raise up the right people at the right time and prepare leaders to begin and serve well. Ed Stetzer suggests that in our 60’s, we should be looking to, “pass it on to others,” and at age 66, I believe that this is good counsel.

In the future, I do trust to be engaged in the local church, to invest in younger leaders and to be available to assist churches where needed.

Please see the letter below, which I shared at conference on March 6 and have sent to pastors and church chairs. Rob_Stewart_Letter_to_the_LPD_District_Family_March_6_2021

I also share with you a helpful article by Ed Stetzer, titled, “Learning to Lead Differently as You Age.” I have found this to be wise counsel and I trust that you will as well. learning-to-lead-differently-as-you-age
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LPD Conference News:
We were pleased to elect two new board members,

Dan (Carla) Splinter, Johnny (Daisy) Mak

We re-elected two board members:

Ben (Anna) Crumback, Tim (Emily) Stewart
We are also thankful for the ongoing and faithful ministry of LPD Chair Randy (Allana) Lemke, Sam (Eun Young) Cho, and LPD Office Administrator, Josephine Papp.

We also gave thanks to several board members who completed their terms.

Patrick (Sarah) Chan, Charles (Caroline) Labun, Philip (Karen) Leung, Philip (Grace) Yung

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BC COVID-19 Policy Updates:
This week, it was announced that some restrictions are being lifted. This related to outdoor gatherings.

While there remains some hope that churches may be able to gather in limited numbers by Easter, there is no promise whatsoever of this. As best we know, we might be permitted to return to pre-December numbers of 50 for indoor gatherings. Most churches need to plan for at least hybrid services, if not only online.

Some churches are simply planning to go online for Easter Service, and to hopefully supplement this with an informal, likely outdoor gathering, where people can gather more easily and informally.

We will keep you up to date as soon as more information is available, and as always, will be glad to assist you with policies and protocols.

Here is a memo I sent to some youth pastors last week, with guidance and reference to Government regulations for “extra curricular” activities for children and youth. With adequate COVID Policy, children and youth ministries are encouraged.

It is also needed! Children are lonely and isolated. While Churches are “prohibited’ from gathering, ministry to children and youth is encouraged!

Memo_to_churches_re_Children_and_Youth_Ministry_March_3_2021.pdf
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