“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 nine years, and have put down some deep roots. Their ministry extends beyond the church to the whole community – Ben and Anna really function as pastor and chaplain to the entire 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. We do hope to be able to visit them soon!
***
Have You Checked Your Vision Lately?
When I used to fly aircraft, eye tests were a part of the medicals required. Having 20/15 vision, I was able to read the eye chart better than most people, and always enjoyed the attention I would draw for being able to read the fine print at the bottom of the chart.
While I still enjoy good vision, I am reminded each time that I go to pick up a book and reach for my reading glasses that my vision is no longer 20/15. Age and life have taken their toll, and have tempered my vision. How is your vision these days – not your physical, but your vision for life, for ministry for your church ? Have life, age and COVID taken their toll? Have you tested it lately?
Over my years in ministry, while “vision” has been always important, our understanding of vision has changed over the years.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s, every church leadership conference would speak of the importance of having a “vision statement,” where the church’s vision and mission could be articulated. As a pastor, our team of leaders developed one for our church. It was prayerfully worded, wordsmithed – and it was rather long. It was written on our bulletins. It was written in large calligraphy and placed prominently in the foyer of our church. While I spoke of it often and preached on it regularly, to this day, I believe I am the only one who can recite it – ask me, I will be glad to do this for you 🙂
We learned that vision statements, to be effective, must be short and easily remembered. If one can’t remember it, how can it guide and direct us?
Then came 911. Confidence was shaken. We all learned to make room for “stuff” to happen. We no longer spoke of our plans as “sure things.” We learned to speak of “preferred futures,” and “preferred outcomes,” making room for the unexpected and events that would impact our timelines and even outcomes.
Then came COVID… With all the twists, changes, “pivots” and “waves,” one might even find “preferred futures” difficult to articulate with confidence. We might find ourselves saying, “How can I possibly speak of a vision for the future when we can’t even plan for the next month, given all the changes and extensions of COVID closures ?
While it might be difficult, in these extended days of COVID to plan for the “what” and “how” of ministry, let us never for get the “why?” What is the vision that you had when you entered ministry? When you volunteered as an elder, as a deacon, as a youth leader?
What is the vision/mission that drew you to your church, that your church is called to? If we have simply been focusing on the “what” and “how” of ministry, we will find ourselves weary and likely frustrated that we can’t “do” as we would like to in ministry.
Right now, we feel limited as as to “how” we can minister, but let us never forget why we minister – and who we serve! Let’s make this our focus and also how we adapt and measure our efforts.
Back to flying for a moment. The first time I landed an aircraft, we approached the runway, and as we were about to touch down, I had a great urge to look out the side window, hoping to see the wheels so that I could “park” them on the runway. My alert instructor grabbed the controls and reprimanded me. He told me to forget the wheels and focus my eyes and attention on the horizon far ahead. By focusing on the horizon, I could see and feel the aircraft descending, and then gently pull back on the controls to slow and land the airplane – it works every time:) Just so with vision and circumstances today – let’s keep our eyes fixed on our Lord and the mission entrusted to us. (Hebrews 12:1-3).
As I preach this weekend, the theme for the 9th anniversary of Grace EFC is to “Know Christ and Serve God,” taken from 1 Chronicles 28:9. J.I. Packer sums up the relationship between knowing Christ and service when he writes, “There’s a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him, and contentment in him. “
So, how is your eyesight these days? Let’s maintain our focus on our Lord and why we serve – the “how” can change and maybe even the “what” – there is a mission to do, and let’s clearly recall and focus our attention and energies on the vision entrusted to us.
Speaking of vision and the challenges of maintaining this through COVID, here is a helpful article from Carey Nieuwhof, “HOW THE CRISIS PROBABLY KILLED YOUR VISION (AND HOW TO GET IT BACK).” Here is the link:
How Crisis Killed Your Vision
