One Province – Many Peoples
Here are some rather unique things about me that you might not have known.
First, I have attended an Evangelical Free Church since birth. Most people attending Evangelical Free Churches have come from other denominations or are new to church altogether. My dad helped construct the White Rock Evangelical Free Church (now White Rock Community Church) on his summer breaks as a teacher, and this was the first church I attended.
Second, as implied above, I was born and raised in White Rock BC. While this may not seem all that rare, between 2001 and 2011, 90% of those who came to Greater Vancouver came from overseas. While I am the child of immigrants from England and Scotland, 70% of those coming to Vancouver over the decade of 2001 – 2011 came from Asia. Canada-wide, 67% of immigrants come from Asia.
Third, over my lifetime, I have become a “visible minority.” To many of you, this might seem to be a strange claim, but fully 85% of immigrants coming to BC are described as being “people of colour.” For Greater Vancouver, The 2016 census shows that 51.1 per cent of the population of Metro Vancouver is “non-visible minority.”(Caucasian or Aboriginal). As 2.5% of the population is Aboriginal, then that leaves 48.6% only Caucasian like me – a visible minority!
Furthermore, if we look at our population city by city, the difference is still greater. In Richmond, the Caucasian and Aboriginal populations combined compose only 23.6% of the population. Caucasians and Aboriginals have also declined to 36.4 % of the residents of Burnaby, 42.5% of the population of Surrey, 48.4% of the residents of the city of Vancouver and 49% of those who live in Coquitlam. See: visible-minority-now-meaningless-term-in-metro-vancouver
I write this simply to encourage us to take note of our growing and changing population, and the ministry opportunities and challenges that come with this. While it was once true that most of our immigrants came from Europe, many of these from Great Britain, like my ancestors (street names reflect this), this is no longer true. I welcome our new neighbours from all over the world and seek to provide some perspective as we celebrate B.C. Day this weekend. I also celebrate and enjoy the diversity of peoples in our district churches. On a given Sunday, there will be services conducted in at least seven languages in churches within the LPD. Each brings both a different language and culture, and will minister in a way that is relevant to the mission of their local church. We have much to learn and gain from one another!
Over recent weeks, our British Columbia newscasts and papers have been inundated with a variety of news themes and reports. We have been closely watching COVID reports and news. We have been concerned by the daily reports of heat, drought and forest fires in the interior of our province. We continue to anguish over the number of deaths from tainted drugs.
With all the current ongoing emphasis on racism, whether it be “systemic racism” or “random acts,” we might have heard of “Critical Race Theory (CRT).” This movement is based on the notion that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed category that is used to oppress and exploit people of colour. Even Christians can be somewhat divided as they respond to this movement.
Dr. Tony Evans, an African American pastor recently presented an alternative for us as believers – “Kingdom Race Theology (KRT).” (Thanks to Steve Doerksen for passing this on to me).
The article states: Evans says KRT is based on Ephesians 2:11-22, in which Paul discusses the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles that Jesus made possible. Paul’s letter describes how the circumcision debate led to division and name-calling, even among people attending the same church. In that society, the Jews were privileged, and then the Gentiles entered in. Paul has to spell it out: “Y’all are now Christians,” says Evans. “You’re going to the same church. So it’s time for new rules.”
Here is the link: tony-evans-critical-race-theory-kingdom-race-theology
As Christ’s Church, rather than mirroring society, we have opportunity to be a model and example of being united in Christ. Evans writes: Verse 13, which begins “but now,” indicates there’s a new “Christo-centric perspective.” And verses 14,15 sum that up: “For [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.”
As Christ’s Church, we have the opportunity, and calling to be a living example of truly being one in Christ. We may come from a variety of countries, a variety of cultures and speak a variety of languages – but we are One in Jesus Christ. We can learn from one another – and we are better for it!
While we in BC and in all of Canada have again been made aware that our province and nation are in need of both justice and reconciliation regarding our treatment of First-Nations People – and others, we still are blessed to live in both our province of BC and our nation of Canada.
My prayer for our district, and for your church, is that we might present to our neighbours and world an example of being this “one new humanity out of the two,” or should I say of the 7+ languages and peoples within our churches!
This BC Day weekend, may we celebrate our blessings in Christ together – and may we pray for our leaders as per 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
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BC COVID-19 Policy Updates:
To summarize: There are no capacity limits or restrictions on indoor or outdoor religious gatherings and worship services“
Important News regarding the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program, and the last period will be Period 20 (September 2021). It has been replaced with the Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
The government will be wrapping up the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program, and the last period will be Period 20 (September 2021). It has been replaced with the Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) and so far, it is extended to Period 22. As a non-profit, churches qualify as employees for CRHP.
This is based on increases or hiring after April 10, 2021. If the loss of revenue is more than 10% in the quality month then CRHP will provide a subsidy equal to the incremental remuneration based on original wages between March 14 to April 10, 2021. It starts in Period 17 at 50% and gradually decreases until Period 22 at 20%.
During the 4 months when both CEWS and CRHP are available, only one can be applied for per period. The new excel calculator will help you enter all the info to determine which program will be greater for that period. If the amounts are the same apply for the CEWS.
For more information can be found at:
recovery-hiring-program/crhp-compare-cews.html
For assistance or to answer questions, please contact Josephine at the district office.
