If you think ministry is hard in these days of pandemic, give a thought to the Prophet Jeremiah, a.k.a. “the weeping prophet.”
Called to be a prophet, even before his conception, his assignment was a tough one. He was called to warn God’s complacent people that God, who had delivered them from Egypt and had given them the land to enjoy, had taken notice that they had “strayed” from Him, the Living God. They instead created idols and gods with their own hands, and then they turned to worship and trust what their hands had made.
Jeremiah puts it this way, “They say to wood, “You are my father,” and to stone, “You gave me birth.” (Jer. 2:9). Sounds stupid, doesn’t it?
The sins of Judah were twofold. First, they had forsaken God, the “spring of living water.” Secondly, they had dug cisterns for themselves, broken ones that could not hold water.” (Jer. 2:13)
He goes on to say, Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns. O Judah.” (Jer. 2:28).
The people of Judah were much less than receptive to the message of Jeremiah… Though King Josiah listened at the beginning of Jeremiah’s forty years of ministry, the kings following at best ignored him, and more often plotted to silence him through torture, imprisonment and threats. We are not the first generation of “cancel culture.”
In the end, the stubbornness and rebellion of the people led to their demise. They would not listen. God, though patient, finally said, “enough is enough,” and the people, as prophesied, were led away to a 70 year “time out” in Babylon. Though God disciplined His people, He never abandoned them.
As I have been reading Jeremiah in my personal study, I cannot help but see a parallel between 629 BC and 2020 AD. We are just as dull, and as a nation, have learned nothing…
In the midst of out of control (and nasty) political campaigning (on both sides of the border), out of control government spending (on both sides of the border), political and moral corruption, not to mention an “out of control” pandemic, our government leaders, for the most part, as well as most people, still look to their own leaky cisterns rather than to the living and fresh streams of water from our living and loving God.
Perhaps the most bothersome and troubling accusation of Jeremiah, was of the priests and prophets of the day. He states, “The priests did not ask, “Where is the Lord?” Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.”
The “spiritual leaders” of the day merely mirrored the culture and decay of the nation back to the people, rather than directing people toward their/our God. Perhaps in their efforts to remain “relevant,” they became irrelevant. This is true of many churches today – how are we doing? Here are the results of a recent study on the beliefs of evangelicals in America. survey-reveals-many-evangelicals-hold-unbiblical-theological-beliefs/
The subject of sin and rebellion against God our Creator is no more popular today than in the days of Jeremiah. We are glad for God’s blessings – we just don’t want to do what He says.
As Jeremiah puts it, “Have you not just called to me: “My Father, my friend from my youth, will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue for ever? This is how you talk, but you continue to do all the evil you can.” (Jer. 3:5).
Becky Pippert in her article, “Talking Sin in a Culture that Doesn’t Believe in It,” addresses the heart of what sin is – idolatry. It was true in Jeremiah’s day, and it is true now. While our culture wants us to embrace and affirm that which dishonours God, we have a message of hope to share. As we have experienced his boundless grace, so we have a message to share with all who will recognize their brokenness.
I appreciate Pippert’s approach, and seek to apply this to my friendships.
We are not called to bring a message of condemnation! We are entrusted with the message of Hope and a future – the Good News! God sees our sin and our need – His response was to send a rescuer.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
John 3:16-18 The MSG.
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Creative in COVID
stories of creative ministry in the midst of a pandemic…
Diving in to Drive In
Karen and I attended the Johnston Heights Drive-In Church last Sunday, along with three of our grandchildren. What a great experience, and how good to witness the team of staff and volunteers serving together! Thanks Johnston Heights! https://hopetoyou.com/
This week, they launch a “watch party,” where people can register to come to the church to view the streamed service together!
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One Size Doesn’t Fit All!
If you have attempted to organize anything in recent months, you will have found yourself caught between recognized “good COVID protocol,” and the “personal COVID protocols” of those we serve. Masks, social distancing or both? Meeting inside or outside? How big can our bubble be? Some are anxious to attempt to return “as close to normal” as possible, and as soon as possible. Others believe that any such talk is premature. Some have healthy immune systems and some are “compromised,” and need to isolate from any exposure to COVID.
Parkdale Church in Victoria has resolved this in providing a “hybrid” service. Those who are able are welcome to come to the church on Sunday AM. Those who are unable to attend can simultaneously join the service via ZOOM.
During the service, those “live” and those “ZOOMING” are able to greet one another as the camera is panned around the church.
This has been working very well, and there is both appreciation for and acceptance of the wellbeing and needs of various people who compose the church family.
Way to go, Parkdale! https://parkdalechurch.ca/
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LPD Pastor and Staff “Virtual Cruise”
Wednesday, October 28
The Pastor and Staff Cruse has become a tradition in our LPD over the past 20 years…
With BC Ferry COVID Protocol requiring face masks and social distancing, it is not practical/possible to hold a “live” cruise, so we will look forward to a “Virtual Cruise” via ZOOM.
Please plan to join us from 10AM – 12Noon, and enjoy this time of connecting, learning and growing together.
Details and ZOOM link will be sent in the coming weeks!
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Please Remember our LPD Missionaries:
Here is the link to their information and how to support them:
Please remember all of our LPD Missionaries (and all missionaries) at this time.
LPD Missionaries
Dan and Sharon Williams (Osoyoos Project)
Steve and Gillian Sharpe (Missionary of Church Planting Development)
Jonathan and Harmony Ng (Inner City Ministry)
Noel and Lynda Macasaet (New Living Assembly)
Jorge and Emily Lin (Church of All Nations/”new”New West EFC)
Joshua and Nicole Fast (Priceless Youth Ministry)
Allen and Hannah Chang (Steveston Project)
Daniel and Joyce Wong (Steveston Project)
Nathan and Amber Kinsey (Winsome Games)
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES REGARDING COVID-19
We in the LPD are here to serve you and your church through this time. Josephine has been continually updating our information, so has the most current information available on resources available to you and your church in this time. Please email Josephine.
Please contact us for:
1. Current Information on the Federal Government Wage Subsidy Program. Recent changes will positively impact the eligibility of grants for churches. Please contact our office for information.
2. Resources regarding “restarting” and regathering in your church, and regulations for doing this. Several churches have been “re-opening,” as regulations permit. We are posting information on our website: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/ By law, your church will need both a plan and a policy, and we can help you with this. Please check as government policy is changing weekly, even daily!
3. Online Giving Options for your church – helpful, especially when your church cannot physically gather.
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Please pray for:
• Tom and Sandi Ford and family. Tom had additional surgery yesterday (Thursday), to address what was not healing after his last surgery. Pray that he will heal, that he will receive prosthetics, and that he will be able to receive a kidney transplant. Hosanna EFC, where Tom has served, has set up a GoFundMe, and we encourage you to participate in this ministry to Tom and his family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/2020-care-package-for-the-ford-family
• Nathan and Amber Kinsey. Nathan (Coach K) has just been approved as a LPD Missionary, in order to lead Winsome Games, a ministry to reach out to children and youth through sports. Welcome aboard Nathan, Amber and team! He began on Sept 1. Welcome Nathan, Amber and family!
• 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) – D.S., Tim Stewart (Emily) – Innovative Ministries, Sang Hyun (Sam) Cho (Eun Young) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting, Philip Leung (Karen) – Chinese Church Liaison and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary.
