In this time of COVID-19, we hear about the challenges of the growing homeless population on the downtown – Eastside of Vancouver. From housing to mental health to addictions, there are special challenges among this population – physically, socially, financially and also spiritually.
We are thankful that we can support Jonathan and Harmony Ng, members of Vancouver Chinese EFC and missionaries with the LPD, as they minister to this population in the Name of Christ.
All communities in the Lower Mainland have their own, “Downtown Eastsides,” with homelessness, addictions and social needs. Jonathan is glad to share with you and your church what he has learned about befriending, earning trust and sharing Christ with our neighbours with such challenges.
Please pray for them in this ministry, and as Jon is able to re-connect with those who have been somewhat separated due to COVID restrictions.
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Essential Essentials for Reaching our Neighbours
On our LPD Pastor and Staff Cruise (virtual) on Wednesday, we focused on ministering to those who identify with the LGBQT+ Community.
Those who profess faith in Christ can often gravitate to one of two poles on this issue. Some, focusing on upholding God’s Word might speak words of condemnation. Others, focusing on God’s love, might speak words of affirmation. Where do we stand in the EFCC?
Speaking of standing, our pioneers in the Evangelical Free Church summarized our Statement of Faith with the words, “Where stands it written?” We uphold this value today, believing that God’s Word is both verbally inspired and authoritative. We state in article #2 of our Statement of Faith (2008):”
God’s gospel is authoritatively revealed in the Scriptures.
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavour should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
As such, we believe that Scripture provides more than simply an opinion or a record of what was. It provides us a foundation for and the measure of our beliefs and convictions. This is an absolute essential of being EFCC people and leaders.
We also believe in sin and in God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. Article #3 of our Statement of Faith reads:
God’s gospel alone addresses our deepest need.
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
The wonderful thing of our Christian Faith, (or should I say one of the wonderful things) is that our Holy God and Righteous Judge is also our Redeemer through the gift of His Son. We do not need to deny our sin, hide our sin, attempt to redefine our sin or compare ourselves and our sins with those of others. We do not need to compete for God’s affirmation or acceptance. As we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
We, in the EFCC, are called to the Essential of remaining true to God’s Word – (and to do this with accuracy and integrity). We are also called to humility. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are all deserving of God’s righteous judgement.
As recipients of God’s grace; as those who have been washed, sanctified and justified, with a new identity in Christ, we have a message of hope for others. Our Lord calls people to come to Him in their brokenness and sin – to receive forgiveness and new life in Christ, and to invite Him to transform us more and more into His image.
So – we hold on to God’s Word with one hand, and with the other, we reach out to a broken and needy world. We do not reach out with a fist to shake at others – we reach out with an open hand to to reach out to others, with the humility of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Tim 1:15,16).
Here are some resources that we shared on our Pastor’s Cruise and I share with you for reflection and consideration today. We, as leaders in the EFCC, believe that we are called to be true to God’s Word while also reaching out with love and a message of hope to all people These are our Essential Essentials for reaching our neighbours!
EFCC_Resource_for_Local_Churches_Ministering_to_Contemporary_Issues_of_Sexuality_cover_letter.pdf
Other resources to consider:
Journey Canada: https://www.journeycanada.org/
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Position on Conversion therapy and Bill C-6: ConversionTherapy.ChurchGuidance.pdf
Centre for Faith, Sexuality and Gender: http://www.centerforfaith.com/
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BC COVID-19 Policy Updates:
This week has been one of pivots and turns. The “breaker switch” has become a “dimmer switch.” As of Wednesday afternoon of this week, indoor worship gatherings are permitted with up to 50 people attending and will all guidelines and regulations followed – as announced on Thursday, May 27. Here is a link to these regulations: office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-variance-indoor-worship.pdf
Highlights of the variance for indoor worship:
Outdoor Services remain permitted: Dr. Bonnie Henry stated that churches can gather outdoors with groups of up to 50 people meeting outdoors, masked, social distancing and not singing or interacting covid-19-variance-outdoor-worship.pdf
With changes to the BC Employment Standards, employers are now required to provide all employees with three hours paid time for the purposes of vaccination, retroactive to April 19. Here is a link to the legislation: gov.bc.ca/releases
