***
Bloom Where You are Planted – part 2
What was David thinking? 2 Samuel 11:1 begins with, “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. “ We are not told why King David decided to stay back. One can only speculate.
Until that time, David had led his army to one victory after another. God being with him, David had defeated every adversary who challenged Israel. He had led by example in battle and been there to cheer on his troops. While Joab had proven himself to be a loyal and capable commander, David was the inspiration and leader of Israel’s army. But not this time…
Somehow, David had lost his passion to lead his people and rationalized staying back from his duties as king. As he loitered about his palace rooftop one evening, his wandering eyes caught sight of the bathing Bathsheba, and as they say, “the rest is history.” Temptation. Adultery. Deceit. Murder…
While we can only imagine what would have happened had David gone to lead his army, as was his role as king, we can be sure that he would not have had opportunity to spy on Bathsheba and begin his string of sinful actions. No doubt, David offered up numerous reasons to stay back at his palace. Perhaps he claimed he was tired. Perhaps he could say that had delegated things to Joab and was not needed. Perhaps, perhaps…
Lest we be especially harsh on David, we are every bit as capable today of being distracted from our calling and finding ways to justify our actions, or lack thereof. One thing can lead to another, and we find ourselves much deeper in trouble and sin than we ever anticipated we could be.
James tells us that sin is the fruit of a process of bad decisions… “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. “ (James 1:13-15).
We rarely fall headlong into sin. Much more often, we rationalize and take one step after another, following what C.S. Lewis describes as a “gentle slope” rather than falling over a precipice. It often begins with one rationalization; one justification; one decision to “stay back,” rather than to go about our assigned task.
In these prolonged days of COVID, rationalization is easier than ever. We can work remotely – “everyone understands.“ We can “attend” church online “to be cautious,” rather than physically attend in order to serve and encourage others. We can all find reasons and justification to retreat, rather than to lead by exampand inspire the troops. COVID, while a challenge to us all, does not provide a reason to “mothball” our mission or to retreat.
As I speak to district pastors and leaders, I am encouraged to hear of innovation and fruitful ministries. From Alpha to outdoor Bible studies and fellowships, people are finding ways to share our faith and to grow disciples. I also hear the voices of those who lead and serve people who will themselves often “rationalize,”choosing to withdraw and remain “remote.” This can be discouraging, I know.
I encourage you, pastors, leaders and all who are a part of a local church to “show up” as you are able to church services, to be at your church office when possible and to be with others. While you might be able to “attend” from home and to “work” from home, it is more difficult to serve others from home. Attend church, not for what you will “get out of it,” but for how you might serve others in the Name of Jesus. While you might think you can”do without attending,” perhaps there are others who need you – your leadership and your encouragement.
This was driven home to me this week in my encounter with a homeless man who had sought shelter outside of Johnston Heights Church where I have my office. We do not have personnel to “manage” such people, but me, being there, accepted that it fell to me. Who am I, if I do not have time to minister to such a person? What does it say about me, about ministry if we are so tied up with “ministry” that we do not have time for “such as these?” A conversation and prayer together. Some calls to local shelters and resources. A ride to a shelter and some money for a meal and some essentials will hopefully be a start, and I trust begin a pathway toward returning to faith, fellowship and purpose. We are in touch daily, and I trust that he will be in church on Sunday.
As we consider “blooming where we are planted.” Our churches will not grow beyond our passion and leadership. I pray for both you and for me that, by God’s grace, we will be found in the place to which God has called and placed us when Christ returns, and hear from Him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Let’s encourage one another to this end!
Carey Nieuwhof brings this home in his article, “Do You Have The Passion Level of a Successful Leader? How to Tell.” He writes,
“If there’s one characteristic I see in successful leaders in growing churches and organizations, it’s passion. The more church leaders I connect with, the more I see this trend: leaders of growing churches (and growing organizations) have a white hot passion for their mission. You can hear it in their voice. You can see it in their eyes. It spills out of them…”
***
Congratulations to Josiah (Martha) Wall (White Rock Community Church) and to Sonkwan (Eunhyung Kim) Hwang (Jubilee Chapel) on receiving their EFCC Ministry Credentials on Sunday, January 30. It was a joy to be at White Rock Community Church to preach and present the certificate to Josiah last Sunday morning and then to go to Jubilee Chapel to see Sonkwan Hwang affirmed by the congregation to become the lead pastor and to present him with his certificate. We are thankful for both these co-workers in Christ.
COVID UPDATE
There are no new mandates for churches this week. Please see the ongoing policies for worship services : covid-19/info/restrictions#new
– there is hope of some loosening of restrictions in mid- February, and we will keep you posted!
Mask Mandate: Masks are required for all indoor settings including faith services. The mask is required for everyone 5 years of age and older, and includes choirs. Masks can be removed to speak or pray up front if social distancing is maintained, or for communion.
Gathering and Events: Faith Services must now limit capacity to 50% of seating capacity unless the church decides to require everyone in attendance to provide proof of vaccine. In calculating seating capacity it would be wise to use the load occupancy of the facility in which the service will be held. (This number is the seating capacity, as determined by the Fire Marshal, and posted in your church). This number will in most cases be higher than the number of seats you have set up in your church.
Please check our LPD Website to keep up to date with the latest regulations and protocols: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/covid-19/
For personal assistance regarding COVID Policy and the Canadian Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP) and COVID Protocols, please contact Josephine at our district office.
***
Upcoming LPD Events:
LPD Annual Conference
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 9:30AM- 2:00PM
at
Grace Hanin Community Church.
We will be meeting in person and following all COVID Protocols in effect at that time.
This will be a time of farewell for Karen and me as your District Superintendent and the opportunity for you to meet and elect Evans (Donnae) Hundermark as our new Superintendent. Here is a letter of introduction from our LPD Chair, Randy Lemke:
Please register at:
https://forms.gle/BXqD5eT57URbHtmPA
