Please pray for New West EFC, as they seek the Lord in becoming the “new” New Westminster EFC!
Many shook their heads when the United Church of Canada, once Canada’s largest Protestant denomination agreed to allow professed atheist, Rev. Gretta Vosper to remain a member of their ordained clergy and to continue her ministry as pastor of a local church.
Douglas Todd, writing in the Vancouver Sun, observes, “Just as it is hard to spend time with human beings who psychologically internalize external criticism and constantly belittle themselves, who wants to be a part of a self-defeating organization that thinks so little of itself?”
This situation seems rather absurd. Why would someone want to pastor a Christian church when they do not believe in God? Who would want to attend a church in which the pastor denies the existence of God?
As Todd notes, “is it wise to give a long-proud atheist a formal role as clergy in a Christian church, which has historically put theism, in its diverse forms, at its core? What’s next: Self-declared Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews and neo-pagans as Christian clergy?”
As United Church of Canada Moderator, Rev. Richard Bott (himself a theist of sorts) states, the move to affirm Vosper, “…comes out of ongoing tension between the church’s stated faith in God and its commitment to be “open and inclusive” and to show “all are welcome”.
Todd concludes his article with the challenge, “Will the United Church of Canada again find its reason for being? Its soul?”
As I read Todd’s article, and observe the decline of the United Church of Canada, I think of our nation and the tension between “inclusion” and “conviction.” Inclusion is “in,” and any conviction that is perceived to in any way limit inclusion is deemed to be intolerant.
In response to the United Church or to Vosper, we might protest or complain. I wonder the value of this, just as I wonder the value of being “anti-abortion” (as opposed to pro-life) or “anti- cannabis,” (as opposed to celebrating life in Christ).
The world today is not much interested in an “anti” message, but there is an appetite for a message of hope and a demonstration of what this means.
I am reminded of the words of the Book of James, where the author asks, ”
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:18-24).
The point made is that faith is much more than being a “Theist,” or in the case of the words of James, to, “believe that God is one.”
If I truly believe that God is one, how does that impact my faith, my behaviour and my hope?
Whether it be in my life, our churches, or our communities, I do not want to be a “Theist who really functions like an Atheist.” Christ makes all the difference as our Saviour, our Lord and our Hope, and as we head towards the Advent and Christmas Season, may we share this hope with joy and in deed!
The Mission of the LPD is to, “Encourage and resource our growing family of churches to reflect Jesus Christ.” May Christ be seen, both in and through us!
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On the note of religious beliefs in Canada, here is an interesting article from this morning’s Vancouver Sun, “Supporters of public faith in Canada are young, educated, Liberal and ‘quite dug in’: pollster.”
https://vancouversun.com/news/religion/supporters-of-public-faith-in-canada-are-young-educated-liberal-and-quite-dug-in-pollster/wcm/5dd89252-926c-4604-8397-b60d205fb2b2
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Please pray for:
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Upcoming Events:
LPD Annual Conference: March 1,2 at Vancouver Chinese EFC.
