Ministerial approves Misconduct Policy and Ethics Commitment
During the June 2, 2023, Ministerial meeting, Cameron McKenzie, Board of Leadership and Outreach (BLO) chair reviewed several documents that have been in process for a few years. The Ministerial Misconduct Policy and the Ministerial Ethics Commitment were both approved by the ministerial and are offered as resources to churches and pastors.
Lorne Meisner addresses longevity in ministry
An occupational hazard of ministry is not finishing well, and this was the topic guest speaker Lorne Meisner was asked to address at the Ministerial meeting held on June 2, 2023.
Abundant Springs celebrates 40 years
We’re only about halfway through an eight-hour journey back to our homes. We are sweaty, tired, and wouldn’t be blamed for being a little grumpy. But that’s not the current mood; youth are singing along to music behind me right now. The reason is simple: we were just at Abundant Springs.
The state of the church: a Conference Pastor perspective
In spring 2022, Cardus, a Canadian non-partisan think tank, gathered data from nine surveys taken between 2017–2022 in order to get a snapshot of the religious landscape in Canada. In reading the report it is obvious that the events of the past three years have negatively affected the religious landscape in Canada.
Why haven’t people returned to church post-COVID?
COVID is getting smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, yet we experience its lingering effects. One effect is that some people haven’t returned to the life of the church. We may have expected a “Great Return of Exiles.” That didn’t happen. Why not?
Walking through deconstruction
There seems to be an increase lately of Christians who are deconstructing their faith and moving on from it. In fact, some reports say that 60 percent of people born in the church deconstruct and lose their faith after high school. But I’m not convinced deconstruction needs to end up there.
Inquiring minds: a selection of Q&A from the SBC Leadership Conference 2023
SBC Leadership Conference 2023 speakers respond to questions such as, “How do we go about determining the essentials versus the non-essentials? The gospel is to unite us, but how do we define the gospel?“
Church unity in a polarized world
It would be a gross understatement to say we live in an age of division. One only needs to look at world events, read the national or international news, or observe the tone in their own community and networks to see that division and polarization dominate.
What (or Who) makes for Christian unity?
What makes for Christian unity? It is my contention here that it is allegiance to lesser gods—including ourselves—that is at the heart of our divisions; therefore, the remedy is being de-centered by and oriented toward Jesus. This is the message of John’s Gospel.
Unity in a time of crisis: a Torah perspective
Can the gospel still unite the church at a time when ideological and theological factions are intensifying? I have no doubt it can, but it doesn’t have to. Let me explain what I mean by examining three texts found in the Torah: the Shema Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4–5), the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17; Deuteronomy 5:6–21), and the creation account (Genesis 1–3).
A little talk with Jesus
One of my favourite stories in the New Testament is the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35). As they are walking a stranger comes up beside them and starts a conversation. The stranger proceeds to explain to them what Scripture says about the Messiah. Only later do these disciples recognize the stranger is Jesus himself!
More than mere scraps
My family has had our share of medical and health struggles in recent years, which we have generally been fairly open about. Our home is no stranger to intense suffering. Through this, we have wrestled with the Lord but also come to learn invaluable truths that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Lucy made of light
People are talking about emotions and boundaries and getting by for one more day. I’m relieved that, as a newcomer, it’s all right if I just listen. Hiding symptoms, pretending I’m OK, has become second nature, a way to go on breathing.
The influx of immigrants— a burden or an opportunity?
Today, Canadians only have to go as far as the local grocery store or visit a shopping mall to encounter people of several different races. Believers are God’s ambassadors whether they cross the world to other countries or simply cross the street.
Undivided: Could the good news still unite the church today?
Three speakers with diverse tastes in coffee joined Terry Hiebert at Steinbach Bible College for a conversation around two questions. What are some of the key issues creating disunity in the church today? What do you think your perspective will bring to this conversation?
NOT all the same
How quickly and naturally we generalize people. Today, as more newcomers are coming to Canada it is easy to do the same—to lump them into one singular group, as if they were all the same.
Ministers retreat for renewal: Singing God’s Story
Ministry leaders had a wonderful opportunity to refresh their souls during the ministerial retreat at Wilderness Edge Resort and Conference Centre in Pinawa, Man., November 26–28, 2022.
Advent 2022: The candle of light
Today we light the final candle of Advent. This candle represents light.
The Passion of Jesus at Christmas
Jesus didn’t come as a conquering hero. He didn’t arrive as a man of strength, with an army on his right and left. He was born into this world as a baby.
Advent 2022: The candle of joy
In Mark 6, we encounter a king who is experiencing the absence of true joy. Herod is selfish, lustful, and distressed. The result of this foolishness is the death of John.