Johnston Heights Church
– our LPD Church of the Week
In 1958, Surrey, B.C. was largely rural and treed. There were scattered communities and a lot of small farms. People would travel to family cottages in Crescent Beach and White Rock for summer vacation. There was no Port Mann Bridge (1960) and no Alex Fraser Bridge (1986). Even the George Massey Tunnel did not open until 1959!
The population was beginning to grow in this post-war era, as families would settle “south of the Fraser.” My parents were among these “local migrants” after my father was discharged from the Canadian Forces. Some entrepreneurial pastors and leaders saw the need for a church near Guildford (The mall area was then a dense forest).
Two smaller church works, Hjorth Road Mission and Green Timbers Bible Church joined to form one church, Johnston Heights Church, and began services in their newly constructed building on October 19, 1958.
Since these rather humble beginnings, the church has grown and thrived. Generations of believers have come to faith, been discipled and served, both in and from this church.
I am thankful to have our LPD Office in this church, as it is in the heart the mainland region of our Lower Pacific District and it is good to have a district “home” in this local church.
Since 1958, the community has grown and changed, and so has Johnston Heights Church. According to the National Household Survey (2011) the top three most reported religious affiliations in Surrey are Christianity (38.2%), Irreligion (28.6%) and Sikhism (22.6%). The Gospel remains just as Good News as ever, and I am thankful for the witness of the people of Johnston Heights Church.
Please pray for this church family and their team of pastors, staff and volunteers. They have had several children’s and youth ministries over the summer and have also “re-opened” on Sunday mornings. Johnston Heights is being used of the Lord, both locally and globally, and we are thankful for them!
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The “Affair” That Few Talk About
Healthy pastors have been careful to create standards and protocols to take the offensive against engaging in an extra-marital affair – both in reality or in perception. Such actions are both wise and necessary.
I have personally always made it a point to never make an appointment to meet a female at a time when my secretary would not be present. I have always had a window in my office, and I have always kept the door at least ajar, if not open. You have no doubt followed a similar protocol.
There is another type of affair, however, that pastors can be vulnerable to. In fact, it can even be encouraged by the nature of ministry as it is often understood today.
This “affair” is not with a person – it is with with ministry itself – not the ministry that Christ has called us to, but the ministry style and system often present in the contemporary church.
You may have heard the phrase proudly strutted by a person in “the Lord’s work,” who might state, “I would rather burn out than rust out!” Though this might sound pious, it really is the statement of a person who is both prideful and imbalanced.
Pastoral Ministry, perhaps more than many vocations is one where we can draw our identity by “what we do” or by our title of “pastor” or “reverend.” Churches admire and affirm us for our “dedication” and hard work. We may feel that we need to work hard to “earn our keep” or to meet the varying expectations of our congregations. No one has ever told me to “take it easy” in ministry or to “take the day off.” Sermons are never as prepared as they could be – we can always prepare more. We can always make another call, hold another meeting or accept another invitation.
One of the most difficult tasks I have faced in ministry was to be engaged in the disciplinary process of a retired pastor. Sadly, this did not lead to the restoration of this person and his ministry as I sincerely desired that it would, by God’s grace. By “taking away” his certificate of ordination, we seemed to take away his identity, his person-hood and his life. His family certainly thought this.
One writer has challenged pastors by observing that, “every time we say “yes” to our church, we are in fact saying “no” to our families.” While this will always be the case to a degree, who do we find it easier to say “no” to – our church or our family? How would our spouse answer this question? Our children?
If we are insecure as a leader or unconsciously engaged in a “ministry affair,” we will also likely find it hard to take a vacation – at least to disengage from ministry while we take a vacation. We may feel that we are “missing out,” that we might be needed (or perhaps we may feel that we “need to be needed”) or even that people might discover that the church can function without us for a time…
Carey Nieuwhof recently posted an article titled, “The Affair You Are Most Likely to Have as a Christian Leader,” and he makes some important observations for us all. Here is the link: the-affair-you-are-most-likely-to-have-as-a-leader
As you take some time out over the summer, please take time to reflect on your life, calling and ministry.
Is our ministry a response to the calling of our Lord, where He invites to walk with Him, draw from Him and allow Him to minister through us, or is it a response to the “callings” of others, where we constantly strive to meet the expectations of self and others?
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt. 11:28,29).
