Of Coffee, Tea and Mission

Grace Evangelical Free Church

– our LPD Church of the Week

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

Grace EFC meets in Richmond, and is our first intentionally Mandarin-speaking church in the LPD. While there are other Mandarin ministries and services, this is the first Mandarin church plant.

Please pray for this church family and for Pastor Ping Su, as she gives servant-leadership to this ministry to our growing Mandarin-speaking population.

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So, how is your church doing? How would you answer that question?

What do we measure? Numerical growth? Freedom from conflict? Conversions? Positive feedback versus negative on our preaching, worship and programs?

In this day of “connectedness,” we are aware of what is happening in other churches, and perhaps, rather like the phenomenon of “Facebook,” where it appears that everyone else has a better life than us, other churches may also appear to be more “successful” than ours.

I have lived through several trends in the Canadian church. From “worship wars” to debates over the length and style of sermon; to the use of drums, video clips and the “Andy Stanley” dress code for pastors. Sneakers, faded blue jeans and shirt tails have largely replaced the suit and tie (except in our Asian churches :)).

I write, not to speak against such trends, but simply to point out that, just as we encourage children to be the “best that they can be,” rather than try to be like someone else, so with churches. We should be the best we can be, not the best imitation we can be of another church.

As I travel about our churches, I will wear a suit and tie in some churches and dress casual in another church. I participate in traditional worship, and though “rhythm challenged,” I try to keep up with more expressive worship.

In working with churches, one of my favourite and simple tools is a simple diagram, first introduced by Aubrey Malphurs.

Using the coffee maker analogy, Malphurs speaks of the “mission” (Great Commandment and Great Commission) being like the water we put into a coffee maker. It is somewhat “generic” for all coffee makers in a region. Values, just like coffee grounds, are more specific. There are different “tastes.” The coffee “brew”(vision) is the Great Commandment and Great Commission flowing through our congregation.

Very often, a church will seek to arrive at a “vision,” and this may be influenced, or even “borrowed” from another church. We may well find ourselves adopting a vision that is neither God’s will for our church or our our people’s conviction. I have seen this lead to both frustration on the part of the congregation – and resignation on the part of the pastor.

We may find that our “Tim Horton’s” church is seeking to fulfill a “Starbuck’s” vision.

I agree with Malphurs, when he asks simply, and in this order:

What has God called us to do? (Mission = Great Commandment and Great Commission)
Who has God called us to be? (our core values and convictions)
Where has God called us to go? (our church’s unique mission)

The church’s mission of making disciples is true for all. How this is accomplished in our context will be shaped by our church’s culture. Yielded to Him, God can use us to his glory and in an unique way.

God can use both “Tim Horton’s” and “Starbucks” churches, and for our Island friends, he can also use “Saltspring Coffee” churches. He can also use “tea!” The point is simply to be true to who you are. Yielded to God, He can work through you and your church in a unique way.

Here is an article that speaks to discerning the voice of the Spirit versus that of modern-day trends.

practices-to-help-you-discern-between-the-holy-spirit-and-leadership-gurus

Here is another from Ed Stetzer:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/433d3cb120e1cebbbc3b0c67c/files/1da92068-68b1-444c-b67e-1d558e6de555/When_Formulas_don_t_Work_Ed_Stetzer.01.pdf

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PLEASE HELP

Vancouver Gospel Home Church is a Korean church plant that meets in Coquitlam. We have enjoyed coming to know Pastor Daeho Cho, and are working with them, as they make application to join our district and the EFCC Family.

Sadly the facility their church rents was recently broken into, and all their sound equipment was stolen. If your church can donate either equipment or funds towards replacing what was stolen, this would be a great blessing to these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here is a list of what is needed:

Speakers 2~3(under 100W)

Speaker stand 2

Microphone 2~3

Sound mixer(up to 10chn)

Projector 1

Please contact me (Rob) for more information, and thank you for considering this need. (rob@lpd-efcc.ca).

Please pray for:

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 the Church Revitalization workshop he is leading at Nanoose EFC on Saturday.
Darren and Wendy Young of Town + Field Church, who will be completing their ministry at the end of this month, as he transitions to minister with the Leadership Network. Pray for Darren and Wendy as they complete their ministry, and as they and the church trust the Lord for the future.
Pray for our EFCC/LPD Pastor Orientation on Monday, September 23. We look forward to introducing 16 new pastors and missionaries to the EFCC.
Pray for the EFCC Leadership Training on Sept. 20,21.
Pray for Peter Han, who is in basic training as a chaplain in the Armed Forces. Let’s also remember chaplain Shiya Janzen (Padre Shiya Janzen, Lt(N) / Ltv), as she continues to serve as chaplain in Esquimalt and coordinates chapel. Chris Willis, another EFCC Chaplain has also been assigned to the Canadian Forces base in Esquimalt as well, and we welcome him to our region.
Pray for our nation – that our leadership candidates will acknowledge our Lord, and will speak and act with integrity.
Joshua and Nicole Fast, new Children’s Ministry Intern at Parkdale EFC, who is also now a LPD Missionary, as he begins “Priceless Youth Ministries,“ a ministry to families of special needs children/youth.
The Steveston Project Team – Allen and Hannah Chang and Daniel and Joyce Wong. Pray for them, as they lead this developing work of God, and give thanks for the lives being touched through the Gospel. Pray for them and their leadership, as they seek the Lord for the next steps in this work.
New Westminster EFC. Pray for Transitional Pastor Ralph (Karen) Hardy and Church Planters Jorge (Emily) Lin this church family, as they seek the Lord for the “new” work.
Tom and Sandy Ford and family, as he awaits transplants, made necessary through the impact of his diabetes.
Quadra Island Bible Church, as they seek the Lord in their pastoral search. They have plans to candidate a pastor this Sunday, September 22, and we trust God to guide all in this process.
Christ Community Church is considering options for pastoral ministry for the future.
Praise the Lord that Carl Lindstrom, a faithful member and volunteer at New Westminster EFC he is responding well to chemotherapy.
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, Paul Yang (Jin) – Korean Church Liaison; Phil Yung (Grace) – Church Planting and Josephine Papp, LPD Office Administrator – Recording Secretary. Please pray for provision of a Chinese Church Liaison.

Upcoming Events:

PREPARE-ENRICH Inventory Training

8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Friday, 27 September, 2019
At ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University, Langley
with
JOHN AUXIER, Ph.D.

The PREPARE-ENRICH Inventory Training will help you learn to use the leading assessment tool for counseling couples at any stage in their relationship – whether they’re dating, living together, engaged, or have been long married and are used by pastors, chaplains, social workers and mental health professionals.

The PREPARE-ENRICH inventories help couples identify their major stressors, and develop their communication and conflict-resolution skills. In this four-hour training seminar, you will learn how to administer and interpret the couple inventories and also give feedback to the couple. All Prepare-Enrich tools are designed for couples at any age and stage of their relationship. The program helps identify a couple’s strengths and weaknesses, major sources of stress, and develops their communication and conflict-resolution skills.

To register, please use the following link:
https://enrichcanada.ca/new-facilitators/registration/?reg=905&type=7

If you are a student, please choose the student rate option (under “Seminar Options).

Questions? Please email Susan Mattam at Susan.Mattam@twu.ca

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YeBit Praise Folk Dances & Concert Party(Korea) and Continental Singers Mission Choir(Korea)
at Fort Langley Evangelical Free Church
(8870 Glover Rd., Langley)
5:00 pm on September 28, 2019

Both are excellent Christian artists groups from Korea, which are well known to Korean churches for their outstanding performance. Through this performance, you will be able to feel how Korean traditional music meets the Christian gospel. They are currently visiting Canada to support aboriginal mission of the Korean churches in Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley areas.

Admission is free and children are welcome(but babysitting not provided).

please contact Dr. Rev. Paul Yang if you have any question(1-604-996-8439).

Here is a poster for the event:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/433d3cb120e1cebbbc3b0c67c/images/c0866a9e-e059-4fc3-bfad-e2a7d202b3a1.png

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Best Practices for Mission Workshop

The Best Practice for Church Missions Workshop, developed by Fellowship International and Northwest Baptist Seminary, has benefited almost 50 churches across Canada. It has been designed to help churches navigate the maze of missions options to become effective and strategic partners in God’s mission to the world.

This one-day workshop provides church leadership and missions committee members the opportunity to revisit and clarify their missions program. The interactive format encourages vision and passion as participants see a role and purpose for their leadership in missions involvement.

Join others in a day of discovery and decision making that will give clarity, purpose – and a plan – for impacting missions participation.

Book your table soon, there is only room for 6 churches.

Date: Saturday October 5
Time: 9.30 – 3.30
Cost per church (includes lunch): $80 (up to 6 participants), $100 (7-10 participants), $120 (11-15 participants)
Venue: Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Free
3295 E Broadway (at Rupert)

Missions_Committee_Workshop_brochure.doc

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Theology in Culture: Of God and Games Public Lecture

The first instalment of ACTS’ new Theology in Culture series will explore what it looks like to think critically about God, faith, video games and gaming culture. With presentations from John Auxier, Ph.D. (Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at ACTS Seminaries) and Kevin Schut, Ph.D. (Professor of Media and Communication and creator of the new Game Development program at Trinity Western University), this event will offer a chance to learn and discuss the interaction between faith and games.

The seminar will be hosted by SouthRidge Fellowship Church in Langley on Saturday, October 5th from 9am-3:30pm and the cost of $40 includes lunch.

For more information, please check out the webpage at actsseminaries.com/culture.
Online registration is available through Event Brite.

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LPD Pastor and Staff Cruise

a day of fellowship, learning and encouragement with co-workers in Christ–
Wednesday, October 30

Here are the details:
Pastors_Cruise_Oct._30_2019.pdf

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LPD Pastor and Spouse Retreat

Nov. 22-24, 2019

Hello LPD pastors, we’d like to invite you to join us on Nov. 22-24, 2019 for a Pastors’ retreat! We’d like to encourage you to take a breather in late November (before Advent begins) with your fellow pastors at Camp Charis in Chilliwack.

Registration is open on our LPD Website. Please see:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/lpd-pastor-and-spouse-retreat/