First URC in Regina

Congratulations to the Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, Saskatchewan. This is the first URC in Saskatchewan and the only faithful Reformed or Presbyterian church for a long ways. If you live in Regina, will be traveling there, or plan to move there, make sure you contact their pastor Brian Cochran, who will be ordained very soon. They will also be have an intoductory conference to introduce their congregation and the Reformed faith to Regina. You can find all of this information on their website. www.redeemerchurch.ca

U.S./Canada History

Here is Tom Brokaw telling American about Canada, and I think he does an excellent job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYoTJltSPtO

Are We Suprised?

On Friday morning Tiger Woods stood before his mother, a couple of hand chosen reporters, and one camera to make his public apology. He admits it was his fault. He was unfaithful...he had multiple affairs, etc. Does that surprise anyone?

He is an unbeliever, a Buddhist. Doesn't surprise me...I'm surprised he didn't have more affairs actually. Why? Because he is living in darkness and depravity. Is there any end to wickedness. Genesis reminds us that "the inclination of the human hearts is evil continually."

Then the question comes whether or not Tiger meant the apology. I believe he did? But, he was not sorry and remorseful for what he had done to God Almighty. He is sorry that his wife left him, his endorsements left him, and some of his fans left him. He ought not to fear these things, but he ought to fear the terrible wrath of God against his wickedness.

Can we learn anything from Tiger Woods? We can be reminded of the nature of fallen man and without the guidance of Divine grace in the heart, man leads himself into all kinds of wickedness.

A Westerner: Good or Bad?

As you may know, I will be traveling to Ukraine in April. Pastor Dick Moes (Surrey URC) and I are going to an international Reformed seminary in the city of Donetsk (pop. 1 mill). As I am preparing to go and reading more about Ukraine, I am continually reminded that I am a Westerner, whether Canadian or American, we stand out as Westerners. But what defines us as Westerners? Are these good things?

Is it ease of life? Old Democracies? Luxuriant living? Our music, movies, sports, etc.? The danger for a pastor is that the "Western" mind, has more impact on his ministry than the "biblical" mind. John Piper wrote a book to pastors a number of years back entitled, Brothers, we are not professionals. In it he warned of the danger of ministers "keeping office hours", elevating oneself above the rest, have a CEO mentality in the church. In other words, it was to take the mindset of the Western business mind into the ministry. He had many good points to make.

But my problem is that I am the pastor of a Canadian congregation and they are Westerners. I am a Westerner...so what to do? When I think about these things I look at a quotation I have taped to the wall of my study above my computer. It was written over 40 years ago and I will quote it in part.

Speaking of the ministry it says:

Fling him into his office, tear the office sign from the door and nail on the sign: Study. Take him off the mailing list, lock him up with his books-- get him all kinds of books-- and his typewriter and his Bible. Slam him down on his knees before texts, broken hearts, the flippant lives of a superficial flock, and the holy God. Force him to be the one man in our surfeited communities who knows about God. Throw him into the ring to box with God till he learns how short his arms are; engage him to wrestle with God all through the night. Let him come out only when his is bruised and beaten into being a blessing.

And when he is burned out by the flaming Word that coursed through him, when he is consumed at last by the fiery Grace blazing through him, and when he who was privileged to translate the truth of God to man is finally translated from earth to heaven, then bear him away gently, blow a muted trumpet and lay him down softly, place a two-edged sword on his coffin and raise a tune triumphant, for he was a brave soldier of the Word and e'er he died he had become spokeman for his God.

-Floyd Doud Shafer

That is what I remind myself of this Monday morning.

Things going on

This is the week the Olypmic games begin and that is the talk around town, so it seems. Yesterday in ICRC we witnessed the baptism of a covenant youth, which was a blessing to witness God's goodness and faithfulness.

But my mind lately has been on the bigger picture of not only the church of Jesus Christ, but also our federation of churches. A good friend of mine minister-elect, Gary Zekveld accepted the call to the church in New Westminster, which is presently independent. It would be good to see a URC in New West, but only time will tell.

We as churches continue to have a fruitful relationship with the Canadian Reformed Churches and enjoy their fellowship. But, what does the future hold for our small federation of 100 churches? Where will we be in 10 or 20 years? The landscape could look much different. Revelation 1 reminds us that the Son of Man stand among the lampstands. He builds his church and holds her together, and so may it be our prayer that he will strengthen his church and people.

As I begin this blog, I will likely spend a little bit of time on Mondays writing (or typing). If you have any suggestions, just let me know. Thanks for reading.