Lost Widget

Amazing Grace

Some wacky Stuff

Declaration of Joy

In another moment given to the Gospel Coalition, I was listening to Tim Keller’s message on the implications of the Gospel on ministry strategem. On the back of Carson’s talk on what the Gospel is, Keller describes what Gospel-centred ministry looks like. One great snippet:

The significance of declarative preaching, the significance of proclamation declarative preaching, is irreplaceably central to Gospel ministry. 

The point is not being instructive, in a “how-to” message, but instead being declarative in pronouncing what has already been accomplished by Christ’s redemptive work on the cross for us. This resonates with me because it allows the actions and ministries that take place in a church or Christian organization to be shaped not by the traditions or sentiments that have developed, albeit with good intention. Instead, ministry is shaped by how Christ can redeem the lost and how we communicate that truth.

I will comment more later…

The Gospel Coalition

   I’ve not written for a while. I have found myself reeling from the strains on my time this semester, with an overbearing course load and what has felt like unending responsibilities at work. As a result I have found myself, among other things, unable to take pleasure in those little things that refresh me and “keep me going,” one of them being writing in this blog. Though it is not too late, I am resigned to the fact that the next six weeks will continue to be strained, as my commitments to school and work cannot be dropped immediately. Though I might feel otherwise at times, I really wouldn’t want to drop them, either.

It is into this set of circumstances that a nice grenade was dropped into my introspective fixation on the things I’m embroiled in. My pastor told me today about The Gospel Coalition, a council of evangelical leaders who have come together to pursue the centrality of the Gospel to life on earth. In the brief glimpse I have given this group’s website, I have been excited to see some respected church leaders articulate the core values which resonate with me. I will be watching some of the plenary sessions when I find some snippets of time. One quote by D. A. Carson has already gripped me:

“If the Gospel is merely assumed, while relatively peripheral issues ignite our passion, we will train         a new generation to downplay the Gospel and focus on the periphery. It is easy to sound prophetic         from the margins. What is urgently needed is to be prophetic from the center.”

Though it’s been just a pause in the motions of work and school, being able to stop and ponder the Gospel and its role in my life and in the world to be one of those pleasures which I have neglected in the past few months. By soaking up these thoughts and words of wisdom and godly resolve, I am not only refreshed but shaken from my inward focus. I am reminded not only of my passion for the work of God in the world, but also in my need to step back from the work that can so often take over, and enjoy these pleasures as they are aroused by the Spirit. I look forward to writing more, and taking pleasure in the sharing.

The Church Site is Up and Running

This week has been a big one with regards to my work on the Evangelical Free Church website. This weekend Jen and I are away in Spokane, WA with our friends Kurt and Laryn Gordon (more to come on this later!). Also, Dan (who is building the site for us) left for Hawaii Saturday morning. So, it’s been crunch time in working out the bugs and transferring the site to it’s permanent home at www.efreelethbridge.ca – check it out! Dan did a great job – and made the switch just hours before boarding the flight to the beach. A few improvements need to be made when he returns, a few additions and things that are beyond me, but otherwise it’s ready to go. Just need the departments to add their content  -looking forward to seeing it being used extensively by the church!

The Different Caps of Leaders

I read this article today through Rick Warren’s mailout. It discusses four different roles that a leader must play at various different times and in varying circumstances and situations. Here’s a breakdown:

1. The General/Foreman: The leader must act with much direction where motivation is lacking, providing ample presence and direct communication in order to move the “troops.”

2. Coach: Where the team is motivated but unclear about the next move or general vision or direction, the role of coach can give organizational oversight and delegating with a recognition of the gifts and skills that reside within the team.

3. Team Captain: Where the leader acts as a peer-leader and give encouragement and training/mentoring/discipleship to team members.

4. Friendly Expert: Where team members are very skilled and motivated, strong leadership could squash the work going on – here is a role of facilitation, listening, and advising.

As I consider my work with young adults at my church, I must examine not only the circumstances in which I find these varying dimensions of leadership, but also the areas of leadership that I must develop within myself. I hope to develop a complete and well balanced toolkit from which I can actively and effectively lead those with whom I am involved.

The Office

So I’m trying to put together a project for work and wondering what to do. I have to use video to introduce the staff at the church, and am wondering how to do it. I’ve been inspired by the quirkiness of The Office, but still, wondering how the staff could pull it off. Anyways, I gotta keep thinking. Any suggestions would be welcomed in the comments! Here’s a snippet below. Ah, research!

7 Hours I’ll Never Get Back…

Alas, this evening, I went to see Pirates of the Carribean 3 – At Wit’s End. It was ridiculous, and I was longing for one of the computer generated explosions to misfire and detonate in the seats and put us out of our misery. I refuse to try and figure out such a convoluted plot, and hope that I never see Keira and Orlando in the same flick again for fear of what memories that might conjure from this evening. Take heed and steer the ship clear of this one!

Find ‘Em and Grind ‘Em

Today was meant to be a busy but productive day: Leading a portion of the staff meeting at work, a brief but important dentist appointment, a few phone calls, more web development, and a meeting with the boss all looked ready to go on the to do list. Unfortunately I hit a major detour at the dentist, and ended up spending the better part of the day with my butt in various dentist’s chairs with half of my face frozen with what culminated in a root canal operation in a whim. I think it might be hard explaining to work why my whole day was spent out of the office, but one glimpse at the bill and they’ll believe me!