Quadra Island Bible Church

– our  LPD Church of the Week.

Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!

I have never met a person who has intentionally set out to cause division in a church, but I have met several whose actions have led to division. Some have been church leaders. Some were “serial dissenters,” spreading negativism from church to church. Others were simply people, either a leader or attendee who pushed a cause, opinion or personal preference to the extent that the pursuit of their own interests alienated many others.

Last week I wrote about a leader’s “wake,” the impact that a leader’s actions have on those whose around them. Just as the skipper of a boat traveling to its destination is capable of producing a wake that is turbulent or a gentle ripple, so with a leader of a church. We need to focus on both our destination and the wake we leave behind.

Sometimes, division may be unavoidable. It may stem from a disagreement on the authority or teaching of scripture on a central issue. It may be disagreement on the person and work of Christ, or the Gospel itself. Here there can be no compromise. Most often, however, disagreement and division comes from matters of personal preference or failing to listen to or consider one another. In studying 1 John recently, I have been both convinced and convicted that we often settle for far too little when it comes to our relationships with one another as believers and brothers and sisters in the local church.  This hinders both our witness and God’s work among us.

When we plot our course towards our church’s destination (mission), let’s be mindful of both our wake and the impact of our leadership on those we lead. It is a great witness when we arrive together!

A recent article entitled, “Credentials Are Not Competence, an excerpt from 15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me,” quotes David Trip, who writes:

Bad things happen when maturity is more defined by knowing than it is by being. Danger is afloat when you come to love ideas more than the God whom they represent and the people they are meant to free…I longed for [seminary students] to understand that they aren’t called just to teach theology to their people but also to do theology with their people.

Here’s the link.

Related to division in the local church, a recent podcast by Tony Morgan is on the theme,  “How To Split Your Church – Five Simple Steps.” While not profound, it is a good reminder of common causes of “preventable division.” Here is a link.

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Last Sunday, it was a joy to join with Pastor Sammy and Eva Kabyemera and the people of Jesus Grace International Church.  Please pray for this church, as they meet at the Strathcona Community Centre in Vancouver and minister primarily to refugees and immigrants from Africa. Please see Pastor Sammy’s update in the prayer requests below.

Please pray for:

• Hope City Church took another step this week, as their church has received status with CRA – another step towards self governance. More than this – the church is moving forward on mission – we are thankful for God’s continued hand on Phil, Grace and the team at Hope City!
• OUR LPD Board. Board members are Randy Lemke (Allana) – Chair, Patrick Chan (Sarah) – Property and Finance, Ben Crumback (Anna) – Island Liaison, Charles Labun (Carolyn) – Church Board Liaison, Rob Stewart (Karen) – DS, Tim Stewart (Emily) – Innovative Ministries, Kenneth Tsang (Mabel) – Chinese Church Liaison; Paul Yang (Jin) – Lorean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary.
• Nathan and Amber Kinsey and family, formerly of Quadra Island Bible Church. They have accepted a call to Oceanview Community Church in Ladysmith, where he will serve as Pastor of Kids and Youth. They begin on May 1. May God bless you and others through you, Nathan and Amber!
• The Steveston Project Team – Allen and Hannah Chang and Daniel and Joyce Wong. They request prayer for their “next experiment,” to see how and whether larger group gatherings can galvanize and propel us deeper into the mission of Jesus. Pray also for ministry on the Richmond TWU Campus and Financial Support.
• Central EFC in Courtenay/Comox, as they step forward in faith to purchase a building for their church and ministries. Our district is glad to assist them with a mortgage for this.
• Quadra Island Bible Church in their pastoral search.
• Steve (Gillian) Sharpe, in his ministry as LPD Missionary of Church Planting Development, serving both our LPD Missionaries and Church Plants and church planting in the EFCC. Pray for Steve and Gillian as they are serving in transition and renewal at New Westminster EFC.
• Pastor Sammy Kabyemera (Eva) praises God and thanks us for our prayers, as the violence in Congo has largely subsided and there is hope for peace. Please continue to pray to this end and for God’s work through his people.

EFCC/LPD PASTOR’S ORIENTATION! at the EFCC Home Office, Tuesday, May 1, 2018 –

– this is a requirement for all who are pursuing credentialing, ordination or transfer of ordination to the EFCC, so pastors and staff, please plan to attend if you have not already done so! Here is the info:
LPD_Orientation_2018_Invitation.pdf
LPD_Orientation_2018_Agenda.pdf
Connecting Popular Culture with Faith and Christian Living—Attend the Conference! – at ACTS Seminary – Friday, June 1.

For registration and more info, please see click here.
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Camp Evergreen:  2018 Camp dates for children, youth and LTDs are August  6-11. See http://www.campevergreen.ca/ for information.

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In 2018, our Lower Pacific District is assisting in the birth and revitalization of churches. We have also stepped out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money.  To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals.  You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website. See LPD website at https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/ for more info.