George Saylor

Making the Most of Summer

2011-06-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

It's official- school ends this week and summer has begun!
And so our thoughts turn to long weekends, lazy nights, family vacations, summer jobs...

I must confess that for a long time I resisted the notion of church "slowing down" during the summer.

When do people not need to worship?
When do our neighbours not need love?
When should we not preach the great news about Jesus Christ?
When should we not pray, study the bible, give to God?

It took me a while, but I finally caught on to the fact that we don't stop ministry during the summer,
but we need to change the way we do ministry.

For example, I am absolutely convinced that we need to run our home groups (Connection Groups) in light of the "semester mentality" in our culture.
So, as a church, we gear up and get excited to launch Groups each Fall, Winter and Spring.
We get Groups in place with starting and stopping dates and a very clear purpose:
"Here's where we're meeting, when we're meeting, why we're meeting, and what benefit will come from meeting."
Without apology we ask that everyone who calls Connections their church be a part of what our church does, and what the bible commends: people of all ages and stages, meeting in homes under the direction of a leader of the church. By taking the summer off we can give leaders a break, and actually build excitement to re-launch Groups in September!

But back to the point,
How do we change our ministry in the summer?
Or to put that in more practical terms, what can we do as a church in the summer?

Here are some thoughts:
1. Bring your neighbours to worship. Summer is perhaps the best time for people to actually try something different. The rest of the year is about so much routine, so why not bring someone on the adventure to visiting our church and talking about God!

2. Focus on one. Since we tent to focus groups and events so much of the year, why no focus on the one this summer? Get together a few times with someone you know, or want to know, and spend some intentional time together in conversation, prayer, or even bible study. Talk to them at worship, and set a time to meet that week to get it started.

3. Let your worlds collide. Pick a night, have a party, and rig it with people from work, your neighbourhood, and church. Make sure you are a good host and introduce peopel to one another, "Hey Bob, meet Joe, he goes to my church. You guys both like basket weaving right? You two should talk." (OK, maybe not basket weaving. How about golf?)

4. Plan an event for Connections. We are a very fluid church. Got an idea for something fun or that might meet a real need in our community? Write us! We make no promises, but if it seems like a good idea, maybe we can help you pull it off. We'll never know until we try!

5. Lastly, try out a volunteer role: greeter, usher, cafe, nursery, roadies... we have a whole slew of jobs to be done!
So, in the past I looked at summer with some sadness as many ministries would stop.

Now I say BRING IT ON!
We can do ministry in ways, and with impact, that we can't do any other time of the year!

Can a church grow during the summer?

2011-06-08T12:26:00.000-04:00

I'm praying for that which only God could get the glory-
a church that grows during the summer.

I'm looking forward to some down time and relaxed summer nights! The summer changes our rhythms and routines, but it doesn't change the fact that the church must continue to seek, grow and send the people of Christ.

But as a church we need to re-direct and focus our mission.

I know it sounds crazy, but I'm really praying that we see a consistent growth curve in the summer months.

It won't happen by just praying,
working,
or inviting people to Connections.

But it can happen by praying AND working AND inviting people!

Introducing Luke Holst

2011-05-02T12:16:00.000-04:00

Luke Holst is joining our team as our Director of Worship!

Our Worship and Stewardship Teams started a search to fill this position in February. By the time we hit March we had more applicants than we expected for a part time position. God blessed us with several strong candidates who were genuinely excited by what they saw happening at Connections, and who were eager to be a part.

Several candidates had the skills, but we were looking for the person that really had the fit for the Connections vision and culture.

Right when we were ready to run second interviews the fire struck.
The process was put on hold, and we went into survival mode.

Then, before Easter, we set our sights back on finding the right person.

Last week we extended an offer to Luke.
And now a new chapter begins in the story of our mission!

Luke is finishing up a double major in music and theology at Heritage College, and recently finished up an internship with a local church (West Park). What made Luke stand out and seem like a great fit with Connections?

First, Luke has a heart for the lost. Luke has a rather dramatic story of how he came to faith. He wants worship and music at Connections to build bridges into the community and to resonate with the hearts of people looking for God.

Second, Luke has a heart for God. He is unapologetic when to comes to the the priority of worship. He is passionate about growing a church around the celebration of God. A church that grows in worship is a church that grows in every other good thing.

Third, Luke has a love for mission. He has spent time in places as diverse as inner city Toronto to Africa. When we explained that Connections does just "do" missions, rather, Connections "is" mission, he lit up! He gets it. We are living the mission of God's love in Jesus Christ every day in every way.

There is a lot more to Luke, and we believe that we'll be blessed through his leadership in music and worship.

We welcome Luke and his wife Christina to the Connections crew.
FYI, today is Christina's birthday,
and next Sunday, his first day leading worship, is their first anniversary!

Also, Luke will be having a guitar recital May 14, 7pm at West Park Church, 955 Gainsborough Rd in the youth auditorium.

Let's show him some love and be there!

Now what?

2011-04-26T14:59:00.000-04:00

It's been one month since the fire.
Now what?

I asked everyone to come together in prayer for our church in the weeks leading up to Easter.
I know many of you have. It's been a joy to talk with many of you about your hopes and prayers for our Church.

What has inspired me is the overwhelming consensus that this fire is not the end, but a new beginning.

In fact, this trial seems to have stirred up a new resolve to move forward as a church. Many can see more clearly that we have nothing to lose in attempting something great for God. After all, we lost almost everything we owned, and everything at the Ministry Centre.

But we have continued to worship God, meet in homes, serve our community, and see people come to faith in Jesus!

Maybe what we sang the morning of the fire is true,
"Out of the ashes we rise..."

This week we are rising up to make several moves as a church.
Now I want to you to know what is happening, and to keep these items in prayer:

First, we are extending an offer to hire a part time worship director.
We believe the church exists for the glory of God, and that starts with worship.
A group of Christians can have big dreams to make great impact in their community. But without gathering together to teach His word, sing His praises, offer prayers and give our gifts, we will never go anywhere.

And so we want to grow our worshiping community so that we may continue to grow our mission to our city.
By hiring in our music/worship ministry, we are investing in a bigger vision for Connections.
Pray that this person will take our already amazing musicians and vocalists to greater excellence.
And pray that our worship services will glorify God and lead people to salvation.

If all goes well, we will be introducing our first half-time hire starting in May.

Second, we are actively seeking a partnership for Connections mid-week programing and office needs.
Our Stewardship Team has prayed over and discussed our options. At this stage we believe that God is not leading us to simply rebuild what was lost. If a partnership can happen, then this will serve as evidence of the path we should take at this stage. We don't know how long we would be in a partnership, of even if it will happen.
But this approach could potentially meet our needs, and potentially bless another church or organization.

We are very excited about this kind of "Gospel Partnership," and again, ask for your prayers.

Third, we need your SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL and FINANCIAL support.
It's already been mentioned- we need your prayers!
Pray for your church, your ministry team leaders, our worship services and programs.

We also need your physical support.
If Connections is your church, we ask that you serve.
~ Volunteer with the First Impressions Team.
~ Help out with the Family Ministry.
~ Join the team that helps set up the worship service every Sunday.

And we don't just need volunteers, we need leaders-
~ People to lead ministry to our Junior and Senior High Youth.
~ Leaders in our outreach to the community.
~ People to start Connections Groups.

And finally, we need your giving.
All things belong to God, and we worship Him through our offerings to His church.
So give in worship to God to Connections so we can continue with our mission.

Later this week we'll share about the new series, "7 Deadly Sins, 7 Saving Virtues"
as well as updates on Connection Groups and upcoming events.

Until then,
Pray for our new Worship Director;
Pray for a new partnership to come together;
and Pray, Serve and Give to Connections!

We have nothing to lose,
everything to gain,
and a great God who is with us all the way!

Connections Easter Celebration

2011-04-22T13:34:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, April 24, we celebrate the event that changed the world;
conquered sin;
defeated death;
and gave rise to hope.

It's the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Join us at Silver City Movie Theatre, Masonville Mall
9:30am Cafe
10am Worship

Nursery and Toddler's care will be provided
Children in grades K through 5 will have special movie and celebration of their own

We pray you'll bring a friend and join us for the celebration!

www.connectionschurch.ca

R.I.P. Ford Taurus, 2001-2011

2011-04-11T17:02:00.000-04:00

Rest in peace, Ford Taurus.
aka, "The Bull"
aka, "The Golden Calf"

She came off the assembly line and into the world an unwanted car.
Dropped off in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Passed around from renter to renter her first two years.

One kind retired man took pity on her, and brought her home for good.
But within a year grew tired of her.

Then one pastor saw something beautiful in her.
He sold all he had, a Malibu, and bought her.
And brought her home, to Lenior, North Carolina.
She was happy driving in those mountains and that hot summer sun.

She wasn't sleek and sexy like other cars.
No CD player.
No spoiler.
No sunroof.

She wasn't even what you might call reliable,
needing almost constant repair.

Her last few years were hard.
The harsh winters of Ontario, the salted roads and mammoth pots potholes, took a toll on her.

But what she was, was what I liked best in a car...
Paid for, and mine.

And for that reason, and that reason alone, I love her.

It was on a warm March 29 when she and I took a trip to Burlington.
We were looking forward to a nice drive home, just to two of us.
It was about 2:30pm.
She never even saw it coming...

One moment innocently driving through a parking lot.
The next moment, viciously t-boned.
Well, more like bumped into on the passenger side doors.
She was towed back home, and sent to the shop for repairs.

Repairs, it seems, that will ever happen.
"She's just not worth it." the insurance adjustor said.
Where harsher words ever said about a car who just wanted to be used?

I can't help but think of all the trips left un-trod.
All the adventures never ventured.
All the things left unsaid.

And so I say in closing,
"Good bye my Golden Calf, my Bull, my precious Ford Taurus.
You will never be forgotten.
But you will be replaced."

I Don't Live On Bread Alone

2011-04-06T17:37:00.001-04:00

I'm three days into my prayer and fasting.
21 days, leading up to Easter, no mid-day meal, more time in prayer.
Seeking direction through ashes of our fire.
Seeking resurrection.

Why fast at all?
It's a physical way to match a spiritual yearning.

Ultimately I don't make any food I eat.
I don't even prepare it (thanks to Robin).
God makes it all.

Likewise, I need wisdom and direction from God.
I can't make it.
I can't conjure it up from within.
I don't even want to.

It needs to come from God.
I need to know it comes from Him.

My fast much try to equal the need to my soul.
Jesus is the bread of heaven
Jesus is the spring of living water.
Jesus is the living word of God.

To come through this trial, this testing in the desert,
I look to Him alone.

He fasted. He was tested.
But he did not fail.

In Him we have victory.
In Him we have everything we need.

¹^(A) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness^(B) to be tempted by the devil. ²And after fasting^(C) forty days and forty nights, he^(D) was hungry. ³And^(E) the tempter came and said to him, "If you are^(F) the Son of God, command^(G) these stones to become loaves of bread." ⁴But he answered, ^(H) "It is written,

^(I) "'Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Prayer for Leah

2011-04-05T13:09:00.000-04:00

Leah Shadd, a fully devoted member of our Connections Community, left for Africa this morning.

Leah suffers from sever scoliosis and other health issues.
But she doesn't let that stand in the way of her mission.
She has two passions (amongst others): Sewing, and the children of Africa.
So she found an organization (Teen Missions) that could put her gifts to work.

We received this update last night...

"We are no longer going to Zimbabwe because of the communication of getting there by transportation and safety. Instead, we are going to South Africa. Basically we will be doing almost the same things as in Zimbabwe (sewing school uniforms for children)...
I have a prayer request. There is something wrong with my right leg but don't know why. It started about a week & half ago. When I walk, my leg feels numbness once in awhile but today it happened a lot. It's frustrating but I know God will help me to walk and my team knows my concerns and will help me out by holding my hand, etc. if I needed to. Please pray that my leg wouldn't give me so much trouble while I'm away. Thanks."

This is my prayer for Leah...

"I pray that you will know God's love, and show God's love, in life-changing ways everyday.

I know you are a hard worker, so I'm praying you will take time to be with the people and meet the children you are helping. Find out their names, find out their stories, and share that with us.

When they ask why a woman spends her own money and travels half way around the world to work, tell them, "It's because Jesus loves me, and Jesus loves you, and this is what he wants me to do so you can know His love in a real way!"

Then tell them, "Every time you put on that uniform I want to feel like it is God's love covering you in Jesus Christ."

I know God will use you to do awesome things in Africa.
You will not see many of the results.
But you will be planting seeds with every stitch of clothe.
Seeds that can grow up into life saving faith in Jesus Christ.

You go in His name, and with our love and prayers surrounding you."

Easter Prayer and Fasting

2011-04-04T16:22:00.002-04:00

If we were watching a movie about a church, and the church burnt down,
you would know one of two things was about to happen.

The story was about to end as a tragedy.

Or, against all odds, and in the face of great adversity...

The best part of the story was about to unfold.

Having a fire destroy our Ministry Centre is a pretty dramatic turn in the story of Connections.
But I don't think it's a tragic ending.

I believe the best part of our story is about to unfold...

In 21 days (counting today) we will celebrate the Easter Story.
The crucifixion of Jesus was a pretty dramatic turn.
And it wasn't a tragic ending.

It was the beginning of the the best part:
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ- victory over sin and the defeat of death!

For the next 21 days, right up to Easter, I am committing to prayer and fasting through this trial.
I will be giving up lunch, and giving extra time to prayer.
I will be seeking an answer to one question:

What Now?

Going without lunch is a physical way to express a spiritual need.
It is my way of saying, "God, there is something more important to me now than that leftover tuna melt."

This type of fast works for me because it allows me meals with family.
And if I'm meeting with someone over lunch I can still have water or a hot drink.

I am asking you to join me on this journey to Easter.
Give up something for God.
Commit to prayer.
Ask Him, "What now for Connections?"

Let me be clear on this:
I have NO idea what God is going to say.
That's the whole point.
I am seeking an answer we don't have.

But this much I know:

Our Ministry Centre is a pile of ash;
Easter has a way of bringing life out of death;
And our story has never been more exciting!

Please let me know if you'll join me on this journey to Easter.
If you are committing to prayer, or to fasting.

My Help...

2011-04-03T13:32:00.000-04:00

I usually come out of worship feeling pumped and prepared for the week.
I love seeing the church gathered, praising God, praying to God, learning God's word.
It's awesome.

Today I feel exhausted.
Like I stood naked in front of the world, and told them how I was really feeling.
Which, I guess, is just what I did.

God is good.
Our faith is strong.
We will come through this trial.
But it's no fun right now (understatement).

The refining fire of a trial is hard.
Impurities burn away.
The metal of our faith is tempered.
We are melted and remade into to the shape of God's plan.

We would be faithless to walk away from the trial.
Foolish to not turn to God in the midst of the trial.
And fearful if we do not press on after the trial.

And so I pray God takes us through.
Not, "God, save us from the trial."
But "God, save us through the trial."
Save us, and work out our salvation through the trial.

But today, I need sabbath.
I need rest in God.

Psalm 121

My Help Comes from the LORD

A Song of^(A) Ascents.

¹I^(B) lift up my eyes to^(C) the hills.
   From where does my help come?
²^(D) My help comes from the LORD,
   who^(E) made heaven and earth. ³He will not^(F) let your foot be moved;
   he who^(G) keeps you will not slumber.
⁴Behold, he who keeps Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵The LORD is your keeper;
   the LORD is your^(H) shade on your^(I) right hand.
⁶^(J) The sun shall not^(K) strike you by day,
   nor the moon by night.
⁷The LORD will^(L) keep you from all evil;
   he will keep your life.
⁸The LORD will keep
   your^(M) going out and your coming in
   from this time forth and forevermore.

After the Fire, Day 2: Refining the Mission

2011-03-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

Well I woke up, and it wasn't a bad dream.
The Ministry Centre really was a pile of ashes and rubble.

The "high" of adrenaline, and worship, and being with the church all day yesterday, began to wear off.
On the inside I felt a bit numb today.
But the feelings started to rise up.

My external hard drive, gone.
My books, all of them, years of books, gone.
The study bible on my desk, the one I've used since seminary, gone.
The stained glass window my father-in-law gave me, gone.
The CD my friend gave me that I was going to upload on my laptop, gone.
All the little odds and ends collected or given to me after too many mission trips to mention, gone.

All things considered, it was actually a great day.
I talked with many folks who have pledged love and support.
Some I knew were going to call.
But a lot of folks surprised me, in a really good way.

Deep down I can already feel myself getting excited.
I just keep thinking about 1 Peter 1:6-7.
God is refining our faith, like gold in the fire.

And in our case I believe He is refining our mission.
God will use this fire to change us.

So it's not about just picking up where we left off.
And it's not about dwelling in the "why" questions.

It's about looking ahead and praying, "What now?"
You've changed our plans.
You've "tweaked" our direction.
Now show us the path you have for us.
And may we embrace the mission.

I don't know exactly where He's going to take us, or what it's going to look like.
But I believe it's bigger, better, and more beautiful than what we had planned.

After the Fire

2011-03-27T23:09:00.000-04:00

Connectors,

I think tomorrow I am going to wake up and ask myself,
"Was yesterday all just a dream? Did the Ministry Centre REALLY burn to the ground?"

Let me assure you, it did.
Nothing is left.
Nothing can be salvaged.
We will not even be allowed to walk through the ashes.

But I can tell you that God is good!

The outpouring of love and support from Connections, the community, and people around the world, has been amazing.
Not just amazing.
Humbling...
Inspiring...
Life changing.

We have been overwhelmed with phone calls and messages.
Flowers have been sent to my home.
Churches are praying for us.
Doors have been opened to us.
Support already given to us.

People have shed tears to grieve our loss.
They have offered hugs and kisses of comfort.
And they shared words of promise and hope.

Here is the word I hold onto tonight...

6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7

Connectors, I do not write this flippantly.
I do not state this without feeling grief for our loss...

Though we are tested by fire today, this will bring about praise and glory and honor for Jesus.
I know that out of the ashes, a stronger Connections Community Church will arise.
I know that our faith, more precious than any building, will grow.

In faith and hope I ask for your prayers tonight:
- Give thanks to God that no one was hurt, and for the fire fighters who worked through night and day.
- Pray for the owner of the building, who just this week lost her husband to cancer this week.
- Pray for the businesses destroyed- London Trim and Door, and Gibson Flooring. They are impacted so much more than we are.

Then pray that tomorrow will start anew at Connections.
Our mission is still clear:
We will continue to worship Christ,
share His love,
and serve our community in His name.

We spent the first 3 years of our church learning to be a church without a building.
What's a little while longer!

In His Love,
Pastor George

Inked: True Marks of the Christian Faith

2011-03-25T10:42:00.000-04:00

Every tattoo tells a story.
It's an external mark representing something, or someone, that has impacted a life.

This series isn't about tattoos.
It's about the marks of the Christian faith,
and how are lives are impacted by Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Heavenly Father.

Marks so vivid that they should be written across the pages of our lives.

Join us this Sunday, March 27 @ Silver City Movie Theatre
9:30am Cafe
10am Worship
Childcare is provided
www.connectionschurch.ca

Isobelle Gunn and Bustin' Marriage Myths

2011-02-25T12:33:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, February 27, is going to be HUGE at Connections.
Local award winning band Isobelle Gunn will be leading us in worship and playing a few originals.

Then we are going to bust some "Marriage Myths" in our current series, "Threesome: Me, You and God."

9:30am Cafe
10am Worship
Silvercity Movie Theatre
www.connectionschurch.ca

Signing off, for now

2011-02-16T19:45:00.000-05:00

Some have noticed that I haven't been posting much lately.
I'm just glad somebody noticed.

Yes, I've had other things to occupy my time lately.
Mostly manual labor at the New Ministry Centre.

I'll get back into this, once I figure out where I'm going with it.
For now, just some random posts.
Like this.

Threesome: Me, You and God

2011-02-11T20:05:00.000-05:00

This weekend couples will celebrate Valentine's Day,
singles will search for love,
and Connections will launch our series, "Threesome: Me, You and God"

What role does God have in our relationships?
The next 4 weeks we will explore God’s plan for dating, marriage, sex and family.

If you are single or dating you can not miss this Sunday's message.
If you care about someone in a dating relationship you'll want to bring them.
And if you're married this may be just the "check-up" you need.

We'll be talking about 5 Core Compatibilities that bring God into our relationship.

You Need a Prayer Plan

2011-01-23T15:53:00.000-05:00

You have a plan for you or your kids education.
You have a plan for your finances.
You have an escape plan in case of a fire for your house.
You probably already have plans for Spring Break!

Do you have a plan for prayer?
This week's worship service was all about getting on a prayer plan.
The model outlined in the bible is pretty intensive,
"Pray without ceasing!" (1 Thes. 5:17)

So how you do get to the place where you pray all the time everywhere?
You pray sometime somewhere,
just as Jesus taught his followers to do.

So here's the plan:
Morning: affirm your faith with the Greatest Commandment, then pray the way Jesus taught his followers, and then go through your bible reading plan or devotional (See last week's message to learn about a bible reading plan).

Afternoon: affirm your faith and say the Lord's Prayer again, then read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month (for example, here's Proverbs 23)

Evening: you got it- affirm your faith and say the Lord's Prayer again, then write in a prayer journal to keep track of all those requests. It doesn't need to be much, just a few lines is often enough.

(You can read or listen to the message at our website, www.connectionschurch.ca)

If you are ready to grow your faith in 2011 the tools have all been given to us:
Follow Jesus.
Invite others to meet Him.
Read the bible.
Pray.
And next week we'll cover one more essential growth tool:

Sacrificial giving!

Just Read It!

2011-01-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I shared one of those messages that I wasn't sure how it would fly.
5 ways to NOT read the bible? Really?!
http://www.connectionschurch.ca/sermons/

Well, it must have hit a chord.
Because we gave out every bible, book, devotional and reading plan at the Information Table!

Few things thrill me more as your pastor than the knowledge that you are reading the bible! Really.
I know that you can not fully mature as a Christian without becoming a student of His Word.

And if you were in the service you know that you are almost there:
Being a part of a worship service built around the bible is the first third.
Being in a Group that reads and discusses the bible is the second third.

But many people miss the final third.
The one where they take charge of their growth and get on a personal study plan.

I'm no legalist. There are a lot of way to do this. But they all share these two traits:
1. Get yourself a bible (I fully switched to the ESV translation in 2010 after flirting with it for years).
2. Get yourself a plan.

So here are some options:
1. Get yourself a bible with a built in plans. This is great if you want to tackle big chucks of the bible!
2. Or, get yourself a devotional. Your options here are almost limitless. We give out the TODAY Devotional at Connections. It has a reading and commentary for everyday, and comes out every 2 months. There are other options available, so just ask of you have any questions.
3. Or get online. Here are two sites worth checking out:

http://www.youversion.com/
This is my "go to" app on my mobile device. (You can also have readings sent to your email account everyday.) I recently finished the E100 plan- Awesome! They have so many options. Want to read through the bible? They have a plan. Want to read through prayers of the bible? They have a plan!
I like this because I actually associate my laptop and itouch with work, so reading online actually helps me focus.

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/
This is my other "secret" to bible reading- I don't always read it, I listen to it.
I have the entire New Testament on my ipod so I can listen to books of the bible whenever I want.
I run, and listen, and I get totally keyed in. It's great.

So there you go. The "secret" to becoming a student of the bible.
1/3 Get to worship.
2/3 Get in a Group.
3/3 Get on a plan!

Go that extra step. May it personal. Get on a plan and give God's word about one hour of your week. 10 minutes a day. Your faith will grow as your relationship with God deepens.

The Most Important Resolution

2011-01-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday we jumped right into our first series for the new year, "2:47 in 2011."
It comes from Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
In 2011 we want to be the kind of people that God uses day by day to save lives.

How will that happen?
If each of us resolves to lead someone to Jesus.

In 2011 I'm asking you, as your pastor, to pray that God would use you to lead someone to saving faith in Jesus.
Make yourself available everyday to God, and to the people you love.

For the rest of January we want to give you tools and encouragement in this mission:
~ How to share the message of salvation (January 9).
~ The importance of reading the bible (January 16).
~ Why we need to pray (January 23).
~ Why we need to give (January 30).

But for now, today, and everyday, make this your heart's prayer:

"God, in 2011, use me to lead someone to you."

Next to accepting Jesus as our savior, inviting others to accept Him is the most important thing we can do with our time on earth.

2:47 in 2011

2011-01-01T14:44:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Connectors!

You do not want to miss the worship service tomorrow!
First, it's the first Sunday of 2011 and God deserves our praise. So let's start out the year right.

Second, we are commissioning Evan and Melissa Fletcher as they are heading off to St. Thomas to help start a new church! As much as we'll miss them, we are thrilled to see new churches start and God's kingdom grow!

Finally, we'll be introducing our "theme" for the year, "2:47 in 2011"
(Say it a few times, it's catchy.)

It comes from Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
In 2011 we want to be the kind of people that God uses day by day to save lives.
And we want you to be a part of it!

So invite a friend,
and we'll see you at the Silver City Movie Theatre
9:30am Cafe
10am Worship

www.connectionschurch.ca

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T09:09:00.000-05:00

Connectors,

One of the classic Christmas texts is found in Isaiah 9:
⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
   and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

There are over 250 names/titles given for Jesus throughout the bible.
I just can't seem to make it past that first one this morning,
"His name is wonderful.)

Truly, everything about Jesus fills us with wonder...

His birth is wonderful. At just the right time, with all the right pieces coming into place, God entered our world, Immanuel, with us.
His life is wonderful. Loving the lost, serving the Father, showing us what real humanity actually looks like.
His death was wonderful. Betrayed, beaten, hung on a cross, all for our sins.
His resurrection was wonderful. Death could not defeated the Lord of life!
His ascension was wonderful. Even now he intercedes on our behalf at the right hand of the Father.
And finally, his return will be the most wonderful thing our eyes will ever behold, and our world will ever experience!

I pray that this Christmas; at a worship service, in reading the story, in telling the story to your kids, in exchanging gifts and sharing a meal with family and friends- I pray that your hearts are filled with the wonder of it all. I pray you can do nothing less than give Him your life, and love Him with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength.

Merry Christmas!
In Wonder of it All,
George

Here's a link to read the Christmas story in Luke 2.

And here's a nicely done video of a reading and a few reflections on the Christmas story from Northpoint Church.
(It's 5 minutes, and well worth it.)

Immannuel Is...

2010-12-20T16:50:00.000-05:00

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
(which means, God with us).

~ Matthew 1:23

Jesus is God Immanuel, God with us...

He is with us in the flesh, sharing our humanity. We remember this miracle on Christmas. Fully God, fully man; divinity PLUS our humanity.
He is with us and this is the foundation of our faith. He stood with us, and stood in for us, taking our sin, and our death; paying our price and rising to new life.
He is with us in our humanity, as he will be with us finally and forever in his second coming, his final advent. This is our hope and comfort in life and death.
He is with us right now by the power of His Holy Spirit, the deposit guaranteeing our adoption as the children of God. He is with all who call upon the name of Jesus and who put their faith in Him.
He is with us, and that He is with us is somehow the greatest thing that could ever happen to us, and somehow one of the most unsettling truths we can know. He is comfort in our affliction, and affliction to our comfort.

God Unboxed

2010-12-17T13:29:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the commercial for the mashed potatoes you buy in a box?
They make it sound like cooking real potatoes is drudgery:
"The washing, peeling, cutting! Isn't there an easier way?"
I laugh every time see it. Is washing, peeling and cutting really that bad?

Anyways, it did make me think of the drudgery that we make of Christmas:
"The shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, traveling and general busyness of the season!
Isn't there an easier to celebrate?"

Yes there is.

Come and worship Him this Sunday, "God Unboxed," with Connections.
9:30am Cafe
10am Worship
Silver City Movie Theatre, Masonville Mall
www.connectionschurch.ca

It won't help you finish your shopping, but you will already be at the mall!

P.S. for a preview of this Sunday's service check out this video...

12 Days of Christmas

2010-12-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

I was recently at a gathering where we sang the old carol, "The 12 Days of Christmas."
I wouldn't count on our church singing this one any time soon... or ever.
But it's still a fun song of the Christmas season.

Like many, I've wondered what on earth that goofy song is really all about.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive story on its origins or meaning.

One theory is that it was written as a "catechism" song for teaching some of the major articles of the Christian faith around the "Christ-Mass" in the Catholic Church. I'd like to think this is the case.

Here is one version of the meaning of each verse. No matter what the actually origins and variations of the song, this is pretty cool, and will make you think the next time you hear the song...

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit- Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit- Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Snow Day Top Ten

2010-12-07T12:17:00.000-05:00

OK Connectors, I can't help myself.

As I work away at home on this snow day, now getting ready for a nice hot lunch, I simply must share a few thoughts.
I'll put them in the form of the infamous "Top 10 List" format...

1. If at all possible, stop from your normally busy life, and just be. Be in the moment. Be in the snow. Be with God. How wonderful it was to take extra time this morning, before my kids were up, to just a child of God before I did anything else. That was some sweet time in prayer and bible reading.

2. Get into the word! I've been thoroughly enjoying "Journey to Bethlehem" the past 8 days. It's a great way to entering into the real miracle of Christmas.

3. Plan ahead! Yeah, it's great to chill out for a while, but now I'm using this time for some advanced planning for our church. I think this snow is God's way of forcing me to not fill this week with do work, but planning better works. You know the old proverb about sharpening your ax? Well, I'm working to get mien razor sharp!

4. HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURS! If you are in good health go our and help! I have actually cherished time the past two days working with my neighbors and getting to know new neighbours- we helped the couple who just had a baby 2 months ago, the lady who can't run her snow blower any more, the single mom busy with her kids and trying to clear her drive.

5. Help your neighbours. Did I mention this already? Really, you can do some AMAZING ministry during this storm! Your neighbours are home and need help! Go bake some cookies and share them with the kids playing on your street!

6. Bake some cookies! When I came in around 10:30am to the smell of fresh baked oatmeal cookies.... it's a good thing (that's my homage to all you Martha lovers out there).

7. If you have kids- PLAY WITH THEM! Dad-up and play with your little ones! Mom-up and go outside and have a snowball fight!

8. Stop for a second. A few days ago you were complaining that you didn't have time to do something: a project at home, a book to read, paperwork to get done. Guess what? You have time now.

9. Talk to someone. Pick up your phone and make that call. You mom missed you. Your friend wants to hear from you. So call.

10. Give Thanks To God. I know for some it's hard, and that snow storms can be dangerous. But take some time today to give God some serious prayer time and praise. It will be time very well spent!

With Prayers and Blessing from your pastor,
George
PS, I waxed up my CC skis and I'm heading out for visits this afternoon. Give a call if you need anything!

God's Will For Your Life is Objectionable

2010-12-07T07:40:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday Ben did a great job of giving us a way to think biblically about "calling." If you haven't listened to it, you should. Especially if you are in a stage of transition or preparation to consider making some changes in life.

As I think about Ben's message, and I work through the E100 Bible reading plan that Connections is doing, and in reflection upon my own life, I realize how objectionable God's calling can be. All these occur in just the first few chapters of the book of Acts...

God tells Stephen to preach the gospel, and it gets him killed.
The man who had Stephen killed, Saul, is walking down a path when God blinds him, speaks to him, and calls him to completely change direction in his life.
God calls a man named Ananias to go to Saul, pray for him, and welcome him into the church.
Phillip is told to go and witness to a man utterly unlike him, who in any other circumstance, would have been his enemy.
Peter is told to go to a home of people unlike him and completely change his entire religious and culture world view in obedience to what God was doing.

Perhaps one of the litmus tests for God's "Specific" calling upon on lives (the third call to consider in Ben's paradigm) is the "objectionable" factor. Here's why:

If it was easy, or obvious, or NOT objectionable, it would be part of our "General" or "Immediate" calling. By definition, if God has something very specific for us to do, He will have to get our attention. He will have to tell us something surprising. He will have to move us to do something that we might not normally think to do, or want to do.

If you feel that God might be leading you to do something that you might even normally object to, that might be sign that God is really speaking.

Give more than what you think you can afford...
Share with that person that you would not normally associate with...
Go on that trip to that place that scares you...
Go and talk to that person when you feel the Spirit's prompting...

If you "object" to something at first, but upon prayerful consideration think it may be God's will, chances are good that it is! God's specific calling, by definition, is often something we would never dream of doing without Him.

Advent Conspiracy 2010

2010-12-05T07:16:00.002-05:00

How to Grow Spiritually (Day 4)

2010-12-02T16:50:00.000-05:00

Here is a very quick summary of what Willow discovered to be the 5 catalysts to Spiritual Growth:

Personal reading and reflecting on the bible is the most powerful catalyst for individual spiritual growth. People need it, and they want it!
Developing core christian beliefs is crucial for people in the early stages of growth (Beginning Christians and Growing Christians)
Developing personal spiritual practices are the building blocks of a Christ-Centered life
Serving is the most catalytic experience offered by churches.
Spiritual community is vital and migrates from organized to organic. That is, the most Christ-Centered Christians must be free to create their own opportunities and relationships.

A Resilient Life

2010-11-30T17:46:00.000-05:00

More from Gordon Mac...

“Resilient” comes out of positive psychology.
In the past the focus was on the mentally ill and what makes them unhealthy.
Then they asked, "What makes someone healthy?"
What makes someone healthy is resiliency. Those people who face struggle, grow, and come through to the other side stronger and equipped to help and inspire others.

So, what does the biblically resilient life look like:
1. An Energizing Story
Ask folks their whole life story in 4 minutes when you first meet them, the urgency will cause them to reveal the big stuff really quick: who they are, what they do, are they happy and satisfied with life?

2. Conversion, Call, Character
By what energy do you move forward, by what purpose, and by what qualities?

3. Daily Initiatives
What are your routines? You will move to the end goal of your life by moving forward everyday.

4. Intimate Community
What are the relationships, and what role to they play in your life?

Self Management with Gordon MacDonald

2010-11-30T17:40:00.001-05:00

“How does one build a life which grows to be more satisfying, more strategic, and more please to God with every year?”

"Self" Management
1. Thinking Strategically: The 7 year plan
Defining the picture of where you want to be, what you want to be doing, and what has happened to get you there.

2. Thinking Tactically: to horizontal view, or one year down the line
Making plans for the things that will unfold in the coming year that move you towards the big picture.

3. Thinking Immediately: this week, what has to happen for forward to progress
What am I putting my time and energy towards right now.

Partnering to Prevail, Session 1

2010-11-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, why not share my notes from some of the sessions here at Willow Creek?

Session 1: Community
Scott McKnight, Prof. @ North Park University

“Community is at the center of what we’re about.”
The hope of the world is the local church.” Hybels

To understand the bible we must deal with three re-occurring words:
-Israel
-Kingdom
-ChurchThis stands in tension with extreme western individualism

So what does re-learning the bible with community in mind looks like?
Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus’ temptation/testing in the wilderness...

1(A) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness(B) to be tempted by the devil. 2And after fasting(C) forty days and forty nights, he(D) was hungry. 3And(E) the tempter came and said to him, "If you are(F) the Son of God, command(G) these stones to become loaves of bread." 4But he answered, (H) "It is written,

   (I) "'Man shall not live by bread alone,
   but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
5(J) Then the devil took him to(K) the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,     (L) "'He will command his angels concerning you,'
   and    "'On their hands they will bear you up,    lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
7Jesus said to him, "Again(M) it is written,(N) 'You shall not(O) put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8(P) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone,(Q) Satan! For(R) it is written,     (S) "'You shall worship the Lord your God    and(T) him only shall you serve.'"
11Then the devil left him, and behold,(U) angels came and were ministering to him.

How will most western Christians read the bible?
1. The Law Approach
God word are God’s commands for us to do
This makes God primarily a law-giver, this as opposed to Covenant-Maker
Thus, the bible becomes a weapon and puts people in judgment over one another

2. The search for blessings and promises Approach
Reading the bible becomes a search for the blessings I want
What to do with God’s wrath, judgment? What about suffering, failing and complaining?
If you’re looking for the blessing in Jesus’ temptation, you’ll just skip over it.

3. The “Ink-Blot” Approach
“There’s nothing really there in the ink blot, it’s only what you impose/project onto it.”
The truth is that we do impose our pre-existing ideologies on the text
So, what are you looking for in the temptation story? That all depends...

4. The Puzzle Approach
God put all the pieces in there, you just need to sort through and put them together
We call it “Systematic Theology”
The problem is that ST consistently neglects huge portions of the bible story
Example: Where does Ezekiel or some of the stories of the judges fit in?
If you impose systematic theology on this text you might not know where it fits or what purpose it serves
(Note: this is why biblical theology is so important. It is impossible to deny our categorical approach to understanding the texts)

5. The “Maestro” Approach
Who is the one that really nailed this
If Paul is our guy, Romans is our book, and 1-3 are our chapters!
Then we read all of the bible through the lens of these three chapters

(Note: Actually, I think Jesus is the maestro, and we do read the text thru his life)
Really, he’s applying historical contextualism through Christo-centric interpretation
And that is what any good seminary will teach you to do!

How do we read the temptation?
Is Jesus the second Adam? Kinda, but this is no garden
Jesus quotes Deut. 3X
All 3 are references to Israel in the wilderness
Jesus is in wilderness
Israel wandering 40 yrs
Jesus out 40 days
Jesus is the second Israel
Jesus succeeds where Israel failed

Therefore...
You are God’s chosen people when you are in God’s chosen one- Jesus!

"We need to talk" this Sunday

2010-11-26T11:45:00.000-05:00

We've all had some conversations that changed our lives.
Some for good...
Some, not so much.

This Sunday we want to have a great conversation with you.
Actually, we want you to have a great conversation with God.
One that can change your life and give you complete assurance of your relationship with Him.

See you at the Theatre.
www.connectionschurch.ca

The first 36 hours...

2010-11-17T14:45:00.000-05:00

Within the first 36 hours of taking the keys to the Ministry Centre we had two events that I hope typify our ministry:

First was a gathering on Monday night to pray for the Centre. About 40 people came through that night, and the energy was contagious! I hope we'll see many, many more gatherings of people to pray, fellowship, work and play!

The next day we received 10 pallets of diapers and paper products to give away in London. Our neighbors helped us unload the truck with their fork lift, and over 20 folks came out to help sort and organize the products. I hope we'll continue to see this Centre as a sending place for service and mission to our community!

If we can keep having days like the first 2, this space is truly going to be a blessing to us and our city!

And now, I get to meet with our architect and foreman to plan our renovations!

I fell a lot, so I must be getting better!

2010-11-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

One of my top ten life verses is Romans 12:1-2. Verse 2 reads,
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."

I see the power of the mind daily in the growth of my children.
Yesterday my eldest daughter had a mind-renewal.

She came out of ice skating, and when Robin asked her how she did, she said,
"I fell a lot today, so I must be getting better."

VICTORY!!!!!!!
She's finally getting it!
Every fall is a step toward success.
Every fall means she's working harder and making gains!

In our culture that has so deeply latched onto the talent-myth and the "lower the bar" mentality,
this is HUGE!
She is transforming her mind to embrace the power of hard work and mental attitude.

This runs against the grain of culture.
But I will not praise my kids for talent.
We're all created with tremendous potential, because we're all made in the image of God.

I will praise my kids for hard work.
I will work to transform their thinking into a mind-set that drives them to work hard,
receive instruction and feed back,
and strive for improvement.

Today, I hope you try something hard.
I hope you fall.
And I hope you get backup wiser, stronger and more determined to succeed.

The Ministry Centre!

2010-11-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

Today is the big day: We take possession of the Ministry Centre!
Tonight you are invited to join us at 7:30pm for a tour and time of prayer.
Join us at 1895 Blue Heron Drive and share in the excitement of this next stage in our church.

In the next few days we'll be sharing what work is being done, and when. If you have the skills, jump on in! We'll be cleaning up this week, then doing framing, electrical, some new plumbing for the bathroom and kitchen, dry-walling, painting and decorating.

In the past year we hesitated to overextend our church with a financial commitment to a Ministry Centre or hiring additional staff. Looking back we see that this has cause a plateau this past year. Worship, groups and tons of ministry has continued, but Connections is essentially in the same place it was at the beginning of 2010 as an organization.

We're still doing the same ministry in the same way.
Which is good, but not great.
We want to do and be more!

Our hope and prayer is simple: with the new ministry centre and additional staff our church can grow to the next stage.

Please understand what we are saying: the next stage for us isn’t really about getting the ministry centre or additional staff. Many churches might see those as ends in themselves. For us, these are means to the end of a greater mission. The mission that has grown us from nothing into what we are today, the mission that will continue to grow us more and more: to reach the lost of London and our world. To connect people with God through preaching the great news of His love for us in Jesus Christ; to connect people in genuine fellowship and life together; to connect to our world by giving, sending, and even church planting!

And this just in:
We'll need help unloading our first shipment of paper products at the Ministry Centre tomorrow afternoon, about 4:30pm. We'll be receiving approximately 10 pallets of supplies to give out this Christmas season!

How the Church Works: Plus One

2010-11-09T13:14:00.000-05:00

We've been asking how stuff works.
This week the topic was "how the church works."
There's one sure sign to know whether or not the church is working...

The proof that the church is working is given to us in Acts 2:47 where we read,
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Things work for the church, and the church is only really working, when people are getting saved.

And so I want to call Connections back to this mission.
We will keep moving forward, making an impact, WORKING as a church when we can do this one thing: add to our numbers, daily, those who are being saved.

I don't know if we set the bar too high in our hopes, or too low in the weakness of our faith, but this was and is our guiding prayer: that every week, when we gather for worship, one person would be saved.

Maybe it would happen right in worship. Awesome stuff happens when people gather to worship God.
Maybe it would happen in a small group, when someone has a chance to ask questions, and get answers, from the bible.
Maybe it would happen one-on-one. Someone would tell a neighbour about Jesus, they would come to faith, and they would be saved.

One person, every week. 52 weeks a year. Every year, or until Jesus returns!

Imagine how that church would work and grow:
New people coming to faith, bringing their friends and family. The church keeps growing. More people start giving and serving. New groups start forming. People start getting mentored, and mentoring. Worship services need to be added. Leadership grows and staff are hired so more ministry can be done. People get sent out to start new churches.

That’s the sure sign that a church is working. That God is using the church to bring people to salvation. This week, pray that through the ministry of our church, which is the ministry of the people of our church, that someone will be saved.

And go ahead and pray that you can be the one to lead them to salvation in Jesus Christ.

"What is the Church" Video

2010-11-07T21:48:00.001-05:00

Here's the video we used in worship today.

You Have to Grow In Order to Grow

2010-11-03T15:54:00.001-04:00

For over a year I've felt that Connections has been between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.”

We started meeting in a large space, in a growing part of our city, so we would be positioned to be a growing church. And we did grow. From nothing, to a stable church that can see as many as 200 in worship, and with more than half of those people in a Connection Group or Ministry Team.
That's awesome!

This makes us what most (more than 80%) churches are: "relational" congregations.
Basically, most everyone knows everyone like one big extended family.

Statistically most new churches are less than 100 people after 4 years.
So we think God brought us this far for a reason: A bigger impact on a growing city.

We want to get to the next stage: 200-400 in worship every week.
Which leads to the "rock and hard place."

If we had more growth we'd have more resources to hire staff to do more work to structure our church for growth. But, if we don't have staff to get us prepared for growth, how will we grow and gather more resources?

So how do you we grow and get more resources without some staff leading the charge?

My answer:
We'll have to grow in order to grow.
We'll do what we are already doing, and work to do it better.
We'll pray for more givers and more growth.
And we'll pray that the the right leadership grows from within our congregation, or to come to our congregation.

What still amazes me is that Connections is totally driven by volunteers.
Our people are truly being the church!

But I believe that with the right leadership in place through staffing and volunteers, we can better equip our people for ministry and grow this church for God's glory and the blessing of our city.

Things I'm Praying For...

2010-11-02T13:06:00.000-04:00

I'm praying today.
It's been a while.
It's funny how as a pastor I can still feel guilty about taking a whole morning to pray. (Yes, I feel the need to appear busy, and schedule meetings, and even do things like write a blog. But sometimes to be a pastor, you just gotta pray!)

But today I've been praying.

Praying that God will take this Ministry Centre that He's given Connections and will use this to grow Connections in big ways!
Praying that God will literally drop an "associate pastor" on our front door.
Praying that God will take our amazing musicians to the next level by raising up a new leader.
Praying that giving will grow by $1000 every week in 2011.
Praying that we'll finally break this 200 barrier once and for all.
Praying that we can get 250 attending regularly by this Christmas.
Praying for an AMAZING Christmas Eve worship at the London City Music Theatre (looks like it's gonna happen!)
Praying that we need to add a second service in 2011 to accommodate AND expand growth.
Praying that people are being blessed by our E100 Bible reading plan, and are become life-long students of God's Word because of this.
Praying for our Connection Groups to be the place for fellowship, care and outreach to our neighborhoods.

I'm praying for some people too...

Praying for Sarah and our family ministry. We have so many kids, and many more on the way, and many more we want to reach. Wow, she is going to need lots of help!
Praying for another dedicated Sound Board Operator to help David.
Praying for someone to step up to the Outreach Coordinator role (I'm turning down agencies asking for help almost EVERY WEEK!)
Praying for Tyler as he takes up the Media mantle.
Praying for more volunteers for every ministry team: First Impressions, Family Ministry, Music and Media, Set-Up, Connection Group Leaders.

That's a lot of prayer. Wait, I have more...

Praying that today, God is going to use someone from Connections to change a life forever.
Praying that this Sunday lives will be changed for eternity because there's power in preaching of the Word of God.

And I'm praying for myself...
Praying that God will grow me in humility and leadership to be the pastor of our church.

That's enough writing.
I think I need to pray some more.

Images of Devastation, and Hope

2010-11-02T10:41:00.000-04:00

John Vandersteen shared a few stories and images from his mission trip to Haiti in worship.
Because of his work a mission centre now has reliable power to provide disaster relief in the midst of this crisis. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here's a couple thousand words describing what John saw and did...

John put a lot of money out of his pocket for this trip.
I'd like to see his church community step in to cover the gap.
He gave his time and talent.
We can give some financial support.

Five (more) Things That Would Transform Your Life

2010-11-01T10:33:00.000-04:00

I suggested five simple things that will transform your relationship with God that everyone can do:

Worship God- every weekend!
Bring a friend to church. Or at least keep inviting them.
Give. Where your money goes, so goes your heart.
The "Daily Office:" a few minutes everyday for bible reading and a prayer.
Join a home group.

I have to add five more simple things you can do:

1. Get a Mentor
Everyone should have someone they can look up to. They should also know that they serve this role in your life. You might meet regularly, monthly, or just whenever you feel the need. What is essential is that you allow this person to speak into your life.

2. Start Mentoring
If you have moved even one step down the path of faith in Jesus, bring someone else along! Many young Christians discount their ability to make a difference in someones life. DO NOT DO THIS! God will you uniquely at this time in your life, and in the lives of others. One of the most evident fruits of genuine faith is the desire to serve. So start serving someone in this way now.

3. Join a Team
Our church, and most every church, has numerous opportunities to volunteer. And most of these are in teams. Serving your church on a ministry team is often the game changer in someones faith.

4. Take a Sabbath
I have to throw this on in because it's so obvious, yet so little applied. A Sabbath is not a day off. Our culture already tells us to take two days off a week. Sabbath is a day to rest from work in order to be with God. For most of us it is Sunday: we go to worship, spend time in fellowship, read a bit more of the bible, and perhaps have our home group. Why wouldn't you want to honor God and grow your faith with a Sabbath!

5. Share your faith
Nothing grows our faith like sharing our faith. Pick 2 to 4 people you love, pray daily for them, serve them, and take opportunities to share Jesus' story with them.

Five Things That Could Transform Our Worship Service

2010-10-28T09:54:00.000-04:00

The last three posts, while providing simple, doable things that would transform your faith and our worship service, were a bit heavy. In order to lighten things up today, I'm just throwing out five simple things that could dramatically improve Connections worship service. Just little tweaks that come to mind:

Better Signage
Signs along Fanshawe. Signs on Richmond. Signs all around the theatre. Signs in your yard!
Great signs help visitors know exactly where everything is. And that knowledge would make them so much more comfortable! We should get more signs.

Whipped Cream
Hey, we already make the best fair trade, locally roasted coffee in the city, why not go all the way! I think I should add to our supply list lots of whipped cream, caramel drizzle, cinnamon and sugar sprinkle. Who buys that stuff anyways? Get some whipped cream and Halloween sprinkles this week!

Improved Lighting
This one may not be easy. Our team works so hard to get lighting in that theatre, but it's still so dark. There has to be some better system out there, we just haven't found it. If you know of a killer lighting system (Easy to set up and bright) let us know.

Gift Bags
Hey, we already do this! So if you see someone with a gift bag, it means they are a visitor. And that means you should go out of your way to make them feel welcomed!

No One Gets Out Alone
By the end of the service everyone should have connected with someone. I'm NOT saying that we can't leave space for folks to visit quietly and check out our church. But everyone should be given the opportunity to engage in a conversation about our church.

Admittedly this is an art. Greet everyone and take a read: if they seem to engage the conversation, go for it. If they seem to want to lay low, let them be. But the point remains- no one should get out feeling dis-connected.

Five Things That Can Grow Your Group

2010-10-27T09:07:00.001-04:00

Today it's about growing your home group.
Which means that first, you have to be in one of our Connection Groups.

Invite a Friend
Putting a guest in a group makes everyone think about what they say, how they behave, and the atmosphere of the group. And all for the better. It will be a great experience for the friend, and help the group practice hospitality.

Pray for Each Other
Write down everyones name. Pray for them during the week. Then you can actually say to them, "I prayed for you this week." You'll be amazed at how that impacts a group.

Play for Each Other
Plan a group event and go have some fun! Laughing together will take the group to a deeper level of trust and intimacy.

Work for Each Other
Someone has a baby, help them out. Someone has a project at home, help them out. Don't know what else to do, go help someone in your neighborhood out!

Have some Friendly Competition
Last semester we had the "Best Banana Bread Bake-Off." Every week some brought their favorite recipe, and at the end of the semester we took a vote! It was fun, and I got an awesome new BB recipe!

Five Things that Will Transform Your Worship Experience

2010-10-26T11:22:00.001-04:00

The first thing in yesterday's post, "Five Things To Grow Your Faith" was worship.
There is really NO way around this- if you want to grow in your relationship with God, you have to make Corporate worship top priority. It's really this simple:
God is worthy of all of our lives, so the least we can do is offer to Him this time of worship. Remember, God doesn't need our worship. We need to worship him!
We are the ones bound by time, body and limited resources. Not God.
We need to give that time, with our bodies, and with our gifts, to God.

So think of worship as your weekly "date" with God. Plan on it. Anticipate it. And don't let anything stop you from keeping it. And since you're going to meet, make the most of it with the following "Five things that will transform your worship experience:"

Early is Not Too Late
Since you are getting out of bed, getting ready, and showing up. Show up early!
Save yourself the hassle, the rush, the stress that might ruin a potentially life changing experience.
Many people miss God by just showing up too late.

"You're Welcome" (Or, "Everyone is a Greeter")
If every Christian embraced their role in creating an atmosphere of hospitality, every church in the world would grow. Since you are showing up, show up ready to be welcomed and to welcome others.
If you see someone looking lost, make them feel found!
If you see someone looking lonely, make them not alone!

Sit Up Front
I'm killing some sacred cows now!
Listen- you're out of bed, you showed up, you welcomed others.
Now it's all about God! So sit right up front!
There's no one there to distract you.
Sing your heart out. Raise your hands for all I care. Just go for it.
(And if you think that everyone will be looking at you and thinking about you, let me break the news to you: other people think far less about you than you might think. The truth is that most people are too busy thinking about themselves.)
So sit up front and just get busy thinking about God!

Volunteer Once a Month
If you volunteer once a month it will change you and your church! Your church will not be scrambling for help. You'll feel like a part of the team. And on the 3 other Sunday's out of the month you'll be so happy to just be free to show up and worship God without anything else on your mind.

"I'm Hungry, How About You?"
Just make this a part of the routine. If you have no plans after worship, plan on lunch with someone. Plan on inviting an old friend, or a new one. Or go out for lunch. We are all going to eat, so why not carry the worship experience right on into some fellowship experience?

How do I know these 5 simple things can transform your worship experience?
Because I do them every Sunday.

Five Things...

2010-10-25T11:50:00.000-04:00

I like things in groups of five.
I have five fingers.
There are five days to the work week.
I can usually remember 5 points.

So for the next FIVE days I post FIVE things that can grow your faith and our church.
These are going to be simple things.
Things that we within your power to do.
Things that you can start doing immediately.
Today I start with the basics...

"Five Things To Grow Your Relationship With God"
I think it goes without saying that when someone makes the leap of faith to become a Christian, they want to grow in their faith. So here are five basic things you can do.
Five things that if you DO them, your faith will grow.
Five things that if you DO NO DO them, your faith will most certainly shrink.
Five things that many who say they are Christian are still not doing.

First: WORSHIP GOD!
When Christians say going to worship is optional, they are saying that worshiping God is optional. They are functionally choosing to put other things before God. The real value of corporate worship is in the long haul. It's much less about the emotion or experience of one particular worship service. It's about shaping your whole life to worship God. According to the bible, that just can't happen without making worship at church priority number one!

Second: Invite and Bring someone to church
Inviting others to worship grows our faith because it's a little scary, causes us to pray a little more, and raises questions that we might find difficult to answer. But until you start actively inviting people to church, you won't experience significant growth as a Christian.
Sometimes inviting a friend means making the invitation once, then letting it sit for a while, while you pray for them. Sometimes it means nagging them every week! Sometimes it means they start coming with you every week!

Third: Give
There is no way to deny it, no way to avoid it, no way to argue against it from the bible. Giving grows our faith. It aligns our worship with God and our values in the world. The hardest easiest thing to do to grow our faith is just taking some of that cold, hard cash and giving it over to God. I could give a hundred proofs and scriptures, but at the end of the argument the command is still the same:
Give sacrificially to God! (Check out our giving page which gives the basic biblical teaching.)

Fourth: Book an Appointment
Maybe first thing. Maybe during your morning break. Maybe as a family after dinner.
But start meeting with God everyday in bible reading a prayer. Keep it simple! Get a children's story bible if you kids are young. Or get yourself a study bible. (I recommend the NIV Study Bible or the ESV Study Bible. Both have numerous reading plans.)
Start with the Gospel of John. Then Acts. Then Romans. Read a chapter from Proverbs every day of the month (there are 31 chapters in Proverbs). Read a Psalm each day as a prayer.
In your study time just ask three questions of the bible: What is it saying? What does it mean? How can I apply this to my life? Sometimes the application is a truth to be embraced, other times an action to be done. You can figure it out.

Fifth: Go Home
Go to a home group. We call them Connections Groups.
It's a big step, and it can feel really awkward at first. But being a part of a group of Christians from a variety of ages and stages and backgrounds in life is part of what believers do. We talk, we pray, we read the bible. We grow our faith, we serve each other, we find ways to serve our community. It's a beautiful thing.

Tomorrow:
"Five Things that Would Transform Your Worship Experience"

The Life Cycle: Building and Managing

2010-10-21T10:50:00.001-04:00

Here's another one of those blogs for me to process some thoughts.
If it helps you in any area of your life and leadership, great.

Organizations have a life-cycle (I like this one BECAUSE it so simple):
Building- Managing- Justifying- Blaming

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's kind of ironic.
Having a building is what is needed to better manage Connections.
But better management is what is needed to keep building our mission and growing our church!

When a church or organization starts it's really simple- start building!
Not a "building," per say. You build the mission: who are you, what will you do, who will you reach.
Once you get some traction you start managing. Growth without support, organization, structure, is doomed to fail. SO you figure out the ways necessary to manage growth WHILE promoting more growth.

Then you turn a corner.
At some point organizations look back and realize that they've stop building, focused on managing, and therefore start justifying this transition. The group says things like, "We are focusing on the people we already have. We want more depth." Great things, of course. Who can argue with that.

But it's clearly justification for the guilt of not creating new growth. Growth and depth must always happen together. For more fruit to grow, roots must simultaneous go deeper.

The sad thing is you can't stay justifying too long. When folks realize no new growth is happening, they start blaming. In church world you hear things like: the preaching is not good enough. The music not inspiring enough. There's too little emphasis on home groups. There's not enough outreach to the community. The board/elders are too entrenched.
All of that may be true. But if you're only blaming others, put a fork in it!

When a church starts, it's all about building the mission of the church:
Get people on board.
Clarify the vision of who you'll be and what you'll do.
Create a strategy to get started.
Build systems to keep things growing.
Get the facilities, or other physical structures in place to keep growing.

What has been a surprise to me how you never really move past the and of those stages in building the mission. We are still looking for the right people to get on board. We are still refining our vision, although a lot of our DNA has been established. We still have more "strategy" than actual systems.

We are still in the building stage in my view.
And now we actually have a building!
So how will a building help us while we're still in the building phase?

Foremost, I see the building as a step towards the "managing" stage.
A building centralizes and focuses the management of our church.
More work can be done in a more efficient manner.

How do you reach "the church?" Call the office!
Where will the ministry teams meet? The office!
Where do we keep stuff? The office!
Want to start a class? The office!

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's kind of ironic.
Having a building is what is needed to better manage Connections.
But better management is what is needed to keep "building" our mission and growing our church!

Grace vs. Work Quiz

2010-10-19T11:32:00.000-04:00

The other week I spoke on "How Grace Works."
Since there were only a few folks there (Literally, our smallest gathering EVER!)
And since a few people told me the "quiz" at the end was very helpful,
I think it's time for everyone to take the test.

So here's how it works:
Are you trying to work for God's grace? (Do you feel you have to prove something to get God's love? Do you think you need to earn God's blessing? DO you think God gives out rewards, instead of gifts?)
Or,
are you allowing God's grace to work for you? (Have you accepted the gift of God's love, and that he's simply going to love you no matter what? Do you realize that you can't earn the favor of a perfect and holy God, so you must simple allow his favor to fall upon you?)

Look at the following lists. Examine your life and determine where you are at in these contrasting positions. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself bouncing from side-to-side. Most of us have areas where grace has flooded our lives, but others where we still think we can, and must, earn God's favor. Use this exercise to help you let God work his grace deeper into your heart:

"Working" for God's Grace          Allowing God's Grace to work for you
1. Holier than Thou                      1. Humble
2. Critical                                     2. Encouraging
3. Loathes Others                         3. Likes Others
4. Unforgiving                             4. Eager to forgive
5. Lonely and Secretive               5. Joyful and Communal
6. Prayers of petition                   6. Prayers of adoration
7. Insecure faith                           7. Assurance of salvation

Many Christians rightly profess that we are saved by grace alone (Eph. 2:1-10).
But functional we are trying to live out our faith through our own works.

But grace doesn't really have a hold of us until we embrace the revelation that we are not only saved by grace, but we must live by grace as well.

Think if it this way:
Grace is our regeneration;
Grace is our justification;
Grace is our sanctification;
and Grace is our glorification!

Connections has a Ministry Centre!

2010-10-18T15:04:00.000-04:00

Today we leased property for a Ministry Centre!

I'm pretty pumped up about it.
Now, if you want to know the skinny, keep on reading...

First: The address- 1895 Blue Heron Drive.
Here's a link to the address.

It took a year, but we finally found a good space (approx. 2000 sq. ft.),
in a good location (across from Canadian Tire),
for a "good-enough" lease (approx. $1,500 per month),
with the first 60 days free (because we'll need to put some work into the place),
without a long term commitment (only 18 months to start).

So after much prayer and many visits, our Stewardship Team and other ministry team leaders were in 100% agreement to make this happen!

Why this location? Connections launched, less than three years ago, with a clear vision to reach the growing North London edge. We were committed to keeping our vision.

Second: Why are we calling a "Ministry Centre"?
We want this space to become the centre of operations for Connections.
Worship will still happen Sunday's at Silver City and Connection Groups meeting in homes will always be essential.
But now we have a place to be a part of the community.
This will allow us centralize the organization and administration of our mission.

Third: What will happen at the Ministry Centre?
That remains to be seen! We've never had a space of our own, and we're excited to see how this resource can be used with and for our community. But we do have a few ideas:

It will be a place for work to happen.
It will be a place for staff to have an office! (Not having an office has actually prevented us from moving forward with staffing.)
It will be a place for groups to meet. Like a youth group- how cool will that be!
It will be a place for our musicians to practice.
It will be a place to offer classes to help Christians grow in their faith.
It will be a place to drop in.
It will be a place to serve the community, like with our Paper-Product distribution.
We'll have the joy of discovering all sorts of new ways to be in the community and use this Centre.

Fourth: What happens now?
We take possession November 15th.
We can formulate a plan in the next month.
We'll be setting dates to do work: Tentatively set for November 13, 20, 27, and December 3 for stuff like framing, dry-walling and painting.
We'll also send out a list of items we'll be looking for. Things like good office furniture, a big screen TV, etc.

Finally,
Thanks to everyone who gave to this project. We reached our goal of $10,000 to help cover start-up costs. By the time we hit January 2011 we need to have the church budget up by $2000 per month.
We mention that now so that you can be prayerfully planning your budget, and your giving to Connections, in 2011.

If you've read this far, you're probably as excited about this Ministry Centre as I am!

If you can do anything else, do it!?

2010-10-07T15:16:00.000-04:00

A recent conversation has me thinking back to the time I was exploring my "call" to ministry.

Let me tell you right now I never heard a voice say "Be a pastor, plant a church." The phone never rang, a light didn't draw me in, nothing dramatic happened.

When I was growing up, whether intentionally or not, a message got communicated:

"If you can do anything else, then do it, and don't go into ministry!"

That's a lot of pressure!
It also creates a false hierarchy in the church: "Everyone has a part to play, but you know, the most important parts are pastors, missionaries and worship leaders."

The bible says that Jesus is the head, and we are all his servants with an equally vital role to play in the body of Christ. (See Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:1-16.)

When I looked at my life as a young man I realized that I could do many things. I could have gone to law school and taken my father's place in his law firm. After all, the world certainly needs some Christian lawyers to pursue the cause of justice in our world.

The truth is that we are all called into ministry. Minister simply means "servant." We are all servants of Christ and His church. So every Christian is a minister of the gospel. We just have different roles in this mission.

After some time and prayer, I figured out that God had already called me to faith, and called me to serve Him. Then I figured out that I wanted to serve the church.

So Christian, here's the deal: God has already called you to be a minister.
God has a place for you in the body of Christ.
Figure out where that is. Then do it!

London Food Bank 2010 Fall Food Drive

2010-10-05T12:24:00.000-04:00

Connectors,
Last night my kids, ages 6 through 10, gave out over 100 bags at Loblaws in one hour!

This event is so easy, so fun, and makes such a huge difference!
We have many spots available all week long.
We have two locations to pick from:

Loblaws at the corner of Fanshawe and Richmond
Sobeys at the corner of Fanshawe and Adelaide

Here's the spreadsheet link for the Loblaws location
Here's the spreadsheet for the Sobeys location
If there is a name or an "X" in a slot, it's taken.
If it's blank, filler in!
We would like at least 2 people volunteering for each time slots.

I'll even give you a script of what to say:
You, to everyone walking in the store, "Would you like to help the London Food Bank?"
About half will say yes, then ask what to do.
Then just say, "It's all explained on bag," and give them one of the bags!
Bags are already on site at the stores.

If you have any questions about this, just call me.
Otherwise, SIGN UP NOW!
519-636-4175

Pray for John...

2010-10-05T11:35:00.000-04:00

John Vandersteen left for Haiti this morning.

Please pray for John, and for his wife Irene, whom many of you know and love.
John will be there for the next three weeks.
He will be installing a generator, and all the other necessary electrical work, in order to supply power to a Christian Reformed World Mission Centre.
This mission serves as a church, ministry centre, school, and for the past 9 months, disaster relief coordination.

Our church pledged $1000 to John this past Sunday.
And I know that Connections can step up and cover any other expenses.
If John can give his time and talent, we can certainly give our money and be a part of this mission!

So say a prayer for John... right now.
If you are participating in the E100 Bible Reading Challenge make it a part of your daily routine:
Read the bible, and pray for John. That's a great way to start your day!

And if you want to read more about Christian Reformed World Missions in Haiti, here's their site:
http://www.crcna.org/pages/crwm_glance_haiti.cfm

E100: One Week In

2010-09-29T09:55:00.001-04:00

We are already one week into the E100 Challenge.
(FYI, it's NEVER too late to start.)

We haven't made it out of Genesis, but already we've learned about:

The creation of the world and why it's so good (Genesis 1 and 2);
What went wrong with the world and why their is evil, hatred, pain and brokenness (Genesis 3);
An amazing story of how God hit the "re-set" button on creation (Genesis 6-7);
God's promise to a man named Noah, and what that promise means for us (Genesis 8);
Why it was so hard for me to learn Spanish in college (Genesis 11);
God's plan to bless all the world, and you can be a part of it (Genesis 12);
How to cut a covenant, which is really very cool. It is initiated by God, and invites our participation (Genesis 15).

We waste a lot of time, and a lot of years, saying "Coulda, shoulda, woulda."
Many of you have been saying for ages,
"If only I read the bible more as a kid..."
"I should have a morning bible reading time..."

Well friends, you have today. So live today the way you want to live.
Read the bible.
Catch up on the E100 plan.
Say a prayer.
Then go and be a blessing to the world as you have been blessed in Jesus Christ!

The E100 Challenge Starts September 23

2010-09-21T12:11:00.000-04:00

Connectors,
The E100 Challenge starts this Thursday, September 23.*
100 essential bible passages in 100 days.
You'll finish on the last day of the year, December 31.

If you are a bible reader, join us on this challenge and encourage others to come along.
If you've never been a bible reader this will be a great way to find encouragement, accountability and resources as you get started.

Step 1: Decide to take the challenge by going onto the E100 site and signing "the wall."
Step 2: Go onto our Facebook Fanpage and sign our wall.
Step 3: Download the reading plan (if you didn't get one at Connections).

Or, sign up for the E100 reading plan at Youversion.com and participate in the Connections live event online.
(You can start the reading plan @ YouVersion on September 23,
or start having the daily readings sent to your email account or mobile device,
or download the YouVersion App and read on your iphone/touch/pad.)

Step 4. Starting this Thursday, September 23, read 100 essential bible passages in 100 days.
Step 5. Post your thoughts and reflections on the daily readings on the Facebook Fanpage or on our YouVersion Event.
Step 6. On December 31 we'll announce our plans for a celebration for everyone who has successfully completed the challenge!

We pray that EVERYONE will take the challenge!

* The Essential 100 Challenge (The E100) is a proven systematic approach that guides readers through the big picture of the Bible without getting bogged down and frustrated. The E100 is a carefully selected list of short Bible passages -- 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. The passages are usually one to two chapters in length and can easily be read in 10 minutes or less.

howstuffworks.God

2010-09-20T13:34:00.000-04:00

It's already time to think about our big Fall series starting this October.
If you haven't guessed from the graphic, it's "howstuffworks.God"
Here is some the "God stuff" that I think you might be interested in:

How religion works
How grace works
How the Trinity works
How Predestination works (I bet I caught your attention with that one!)

But I want to know what YOU want to know.
Comment and share your ideas...
"I want to know how __________ works."

Meet Theo

2010-09-16T09:57:00.000-04:00

Tuesday night I met Theo.
You need to meet Theo.

Theo was the staff person in charge at the Ark Aid helping our group to serve dinner. He told us briefly about his story, and as you might guess, it was a hard one. But Theo is in a good place now.
No, he is in a great place now.

Theo is in charge several nights a week at the Ark. He is up early helping to direct pick-ups from all the food donors. (FYI, if you want free Starbucks coffee and pastries, go hang at the Ark weekday afternoons! I had two cups, a donut and even got to shoot some pool!) He is main job is custodial, and he keeps the place looking great.

But that's not why you need to meet Theo.
You need to meet Theo because his faith is contagious! He believed that God was going to show up at the Ark Tuesday night. He believed that God was going to change lives. He believed that God was going to set people free, heal the broken, release the addicted, lift the fallen, find the lost, forgive sinners and save lives.
He really believed it would happen.
And he really believes it will happen every night.

Why? Because it happened to him.
He sees it happen to others.
And he believes that whenever God's people show up and share their lives and the love of our God,
that God shows up.
And God changes lives.

You want a faith like Theo's.
And God can show up today where you work, where you play; in your marriage and at your dinner table; on a coffee break and in a conversation.
If you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to believe.

You gave it to Jesus...

2010-09-15T11:46:00.000-04:00

³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' ⁴⁰And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Matthew 25:37-40

Hey, Connectors,
I just wanted you to know, that when you gave your jacket to Ark Aid on Sunday, you gave it to Jesus.

When you gave to your church, you gave it to Jesus.
When you served at the soup kitchen...
When you collected food for the Food Bank...

But not only that,
When you visited your neighbor...
When you were extra nice to that waitress who looked really stressed out...
When you took that guy out for wings...
When you picked up that garbage that wasn't yours...
When you wrote that note...
When you played peek-a-boo with your baby...
When you made that meal just the way your daughter likes it...
When you took time out of your day to say that prayer...

When you did these things, you did them for Jesus.
And you can do these things for Jesus again today.

Love. Host. Share.

2010-09-14T12:25:00.000-04:00

Sunday we looked at one of my favorite chapters in the bible: Romans 12
(Read the message or listen at http://www.connectionschurch.ca/sermons/ )
There is SO MUCH in there, so I had to focus on just three things.

Love sincerely.
Practice hospitality.
Share with the saints.

So this is just a little pastoral follow-up for whoever needs it...

God spoke to you on Sunday, because His word is awesome!
You know you need to move out of Pseudo Community and into Sincere Community with someone. It's a couple you've been avoiding. A co-worker you used to talk to all the time. Maybe it's your spouse- you've only been going through the motions of a marriage for the past few weeks/months/ years!?! Isn't it time you stepped into that Tunnel of Chaos? Yes, it is scary. You don't know for sure how things will end up. But can it end up any worse than Pseudo Community?
Have faith. Take that step. They are feeling it too. And God can do AMAZING things in one conversation. He can revive a marriage; restore a relationship; even save a life.

To someone else,
You know you need to put Hospitality into practice. After all, God is the Lord of Hosts, and he welcomes us into His home, His Kingdom. So go ahead- sign up for that Connection Group and get into community. Invite those neighbor over for a cook out before you can use the weather as an excuse. Your kids teacher will say yes if you invite her to dinner. That guy from work would LOVE to go to a movie and feel like one of the boys. Have faith that God can do something when people just gather around a table, or in a room, or at a coffee shop. It maybe be awkward at first, but the moment will come when Hospitality will change a life.

To yet another,
It's time to share. No more excuses. Don't just give away what you don't want or need. Share what you value the most. Re-work your budget so you can share more! God has blessed you to bless others. When you horde it, you lose the joy of it. When you share from it, it continues to grow. You know it's true. You've held tightly to wealth, and now it's lost it's luster. But once you gave, and it released something in you! So share. And when you do, know that you share with the saints. God's people are saints! You get to give to the blessed saints!

Love Sincerely. Practice Hospitality. Share with the Saints.
These are just some of the marks of true Christianity.
You can't say you're really a Christ-follower and not pursue these things.
But why wouldn't you want to, when you know how they can change the world, and transform your life?

2010-09-13T11:20:00.000-04:00

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you. Proverbs 3:28

Well folks, yesterday I asked, and you gave. Lots.
Shirts.
Jackets.
Shoes.
Jewelry.
A watch.
And a few dollars shy of $500.
(One shirt still had the tags on it- how did that happen?)
All for our neighbors at the Ark Aid Street Mission.

Tuesday evening a group of us are going to serve dinner at the Ark.
I can't wait to go, to serve, and to give our Sunday best.

Literally, our Sunday best- the clothes off our backs, and the money from our pockets, for our neighbors.

Our church is awesome, and I am so privileged to be your pastor.

In Christ and In the Hood

2010-09-10T11:41:00.000-04:00

There is a saying,
"Some Christians are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good."
I’ve meet Christians like that. You probably have too. These are the brothers and sisters in faith that drive me crazy. I really feel that they have been deceived by wrongful teachings and miss the point- Freedom from the worries of this world allows us to live fully as the hope of this world.

When we are free from worrying about our lives in this world, we can get on with being the hope of this world.
Your sick, that’s OK. We’ll pray you get better, but if not, you get to go to a much better place.
You lose your job. We’ll pray for you, but it’s OK, you haven’t lost your place in heaven.
You’re hungry in this world, it’s OK, we’ll do our best to feed you, but don’t worry, there’s a banquet waiting on the other side.
You suffer injustice in this world, that’s OK, we’ll fight along side of you for our God calls us to do justice, but no matter what, we’ll leave it in the hands of the God who will bring everything into account on judgment day.

When we really get the hope of living in Jesus, we really start to get living in this world the way Jesus intended. We really start to love our neighbors and live our faith "in the Hood."

We won;t ever really engage our faith in the world until we really embrace the invitation of Jesus to put not just our faith, but our life, in Him. When you put your life in Jesus, you have nothing to lose in this world, and everything to gain in heaven.

And when we, as Christians, really get that our lives are together IN Christ, we'll finally get what it means to be the the church, the body of Christ. We are connected to one another as we are connected in Jesus.

A Missional Conversation

2010-09-08T12:30:00.000-04:00

I had a very interesting conversation this summer. This person was asking about our church, and specifically about what we were doing in mission.
Loaded word, that word mission.

I must confess that I was feeling a bit snarky. So I simply said, “I don’t understand. We are a mission.”
The person said, “But I want to know what your church is doing in missions and evangelism.”
I said, “Right, our church is doing missions and evangelism, that’s what churches do.”
There was a bit of pause.
Long, uncomfortable pause.

I said something like this...
“Here’s my story. I resigned from my position as pastor of a wonderful, loving, serving, giving congregation in North Carolina.    I left my church, my denomination, my country, and I came to London to start a new church, because I think the church is the hope of the world. The church is the mission of God to the world. The church is the primary means to share the good news of Jesus. I came to London because a small group of people cared enough about London to ask me to lead a new church plant for North London!"
I said, “Look, I am living my mission. My whole life is my mission.”

Then I really got emphatic.
“I eat, sleep and breathe mission. That is what I am. This is what I do.
This is who Connections Community Church is- we are the mission.
When you get that- that we are living the mission- then you’ll get what Connections is about. In fact, you’ll get what the church is all about.”

I do understand the search for a mission. And I am sympathetic to those who are not in a position like mine. It is a bit easier for me to say, "My life is mission," as I am a church planter.

But the point here is to realize that to really "do" mission, we must first "be" on mission.
Be missional right where you are, doing what you are doing.
Have faith that God will use your life.

Maybe God will call you to go somewhere else and do something like plant a church or create a ministry. But chances are he already has you where he sent you to go.

Do you believe this?
You are on your mission site in you home, your neighborhood, your workplace.
You are where God wants you, right here, right now.
You just need to see the vision to see the mission that is right in front of you.

Are you going missional?

2010-09-07T16:14:00.001-04:00

One of the ways we define Connections is a "Missional" church.
A missional church is one that doesn't just do missions.
A missional church understands itself to be the mission.

Think about it this way:
Missions is the organizing principle around which everything the believer is and the church does.
Now missions isn't something we do, but it's who we are.

We worship, in mission...
We serve, in mission...
We go to work, in mission...
We play with our kids, in mission...
We befriend our neighbors, in mission...
We have a date with our spouse, in mission...
We go on a bike ride, in mission...

When you really get this, I mean really get this, it can drive you crazy!
"YOU mean I have to think about serving God when I go out on a date?" Yes.
This doesn't let us off the hook of engaging in missions.
Instead, it is the maddening proposition and understanding that EVERYTHING matters to God and must be given over to Him in service and devotion.

Here's a graphic...

You can read my message from Sunday, which is mostly about missional living, at our articles site,
http://articles.connectionschurch.ca/category/sermons/
or listen at
http://www.connectionschurch.ca/sermons/

Here are the questions to ask yourself now, or after reading/listening to the message:

Are you trying to live out your faith 168 hours of the week? How, or why not?
How can you improve in living out the Great Commandment? In what areas are you not showing love for God, neighbor and/or self?
Does the Great Commission define the mission of your life?
Does the vision of Connections (Connecting with God...People... the World) make sense and make you want to be involved in each essential area of our ministry (worship, home groups and volunteering)?
How can our church get from here (worship) to there (the hood) better than we are right now? Or, how can our church get from here (the way things are) to there (the way want them to be)?
Do you personally feel awake, equipped and fully nourished, as enacted in the Lord’s Supper? If not, what needs to happen in your life this Fall?

In the Hood

2010-09-03T10:59:00.000-04:00

I just love the graphic for our new series. My bride made this one...

I'm so excited for this series.
I've been waiting to get into some of these passages of the bible for a while.
Romans 12:3-25 and Hebrews 10:19-31
We'll be looking at these later this month.
Romans 12 is amazing. Just hang out in that chapter for a few days, or weeks, or for the rest of your life. We're going to look into sincere love, and confront some of the counterfeits in our neighborhoods.
Hebrews 10 is so deep. I'm going to name my sermon something cheesy like, "The Meat is in the Let-Us." Maybe that way folks will remember how amazing the "Let us..." statements are.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how to get this started this Sunday.
I've practically written a book in my message notes.
I'm sure there's a sermon in their somewhere.
I'll just have to digg out from the following things...

Connections started with a simple vision to be a church in the hood:
Living our faith in our neighborhoods and among our neighbors.
It's why we still meet in a movie theatre.
It's why we make gathering in homes one of our three main programs.
It's why we don't run many programs, but instead, try to create opportunities for relationships to grow.

It's sort of a "This is our vision, here's where we're at, here's where I screwed up, now how are we moving from here to there?" type of message.

So this Sunday might be the greatest Sunday ever...
Or I may make a complete fool of myself.

But the music will be inspiring and we'll all be fed at the Lord's Table, so really, with those two things, you can't go wrong!

Oh yeah, and we are introducing our new brew of coffee made especially for us and for the causes we support!

It's Gonna Get Worse...

2010-09-02T14:56:00.000-04:00

If you're feeling like whining about your life, I encourage you to read Jeremiah 12.

Jeremiah is depression, discouraged, down in the dumps.
He's got it bad.
And so he tells God.
Righteous are you, O LORD,
when I complain to you;
yet I would plead my case before you.

He proceeds to tell God a bunch of stuff God already knows about how bad folks are and what a bad place he finds himself in.

Then God gets quiet, and says oh so tenderly...
⁵"If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,
how will you compete with horses?
And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

Basically God tells Jeremiah,
"You think it's bad now? You haven't seen anything yet!
This is like a walk in the park compared to where you are going to walk!
This is a day at the beach compared to the days ahead of you.
You think this is bad? This is like paradise compared to what you are going to have to endure!"

(And we wonder why Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet?)

Folks, I have some really bad news for some of you...
It's going to get a whole lot worse.
The next few days, weeks, maybe even years, they are going to be tough.

But don't worry, God saved the best word for last...
¹⁴Thus says the LORD concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: "Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. ¹⁵And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land.

Bad times may be just around the corner, but give it some time, and God will pluck you up and out of the land of your misery, and bring you to better place with compassion.

Just pray it doesn't take 70 years!

By Faith: Saved and Served!

2010-08-31T11:58:00.001-04:00

Two facets of our faith are recognizing what we can do, and what we can't do.
Both do require faith.

First, what we can't do. We can't save ourselves.
We are not gods, we will not become gods.
We are creatures, made in the image of our Creator.
We are estranged from the relationship with God for which we were designed.
We are broken, we are messed up, we are what the bible calls "fallen." We are sinners.
So we need saved from sin, from death, and from ourselves.
In steps Jesus.
The bible tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (see Ephesians 2:8-9).
We exercise faith that God will do for us what we can't do for ourselves- freely bring us back into relationship with him through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Saving Faith. Before anything else, the bible urges us to come to faith, to accept the gift of salvation by calling on Jesus and simply saying, "I'm yours. Forgive me. Thank you."

But our faith doesn't end there.
What can we do "in faith?"
Serving Faith. God saves us and sends us in serving faith to do the work he has prepared for us to do (Read Ephesians 2:10).
Serving faith says, "Now, with the assurance of my salvation, I will serve. I will live by faith and walk into the works that God is preparing for me."

Here's the thing I notice in myself an others- we tend to get it backwards.
We live like we're trying to save ourselves.
And we tend not to serve because we lack confidence.

It is only when we really get that we can't save ourselves that we are free to accept the gift of saving faith in Jesus. And when we really get that we are saved by grace, we have confidence that our service matters and is being used by God.

Saving Faith. Serving Faith.
We need them both, and both are made available to us through Jesus.

I encourage you to read Hebrews 11:1-12:2 and ask God, "What are you calling me to do by faith?"
If you pray that, and mean that, He will grow your faith.

Madmen Roll Call

2010-08-30T10:11:00.000-04:00

I'm already getting pumped for September and the "In the Hood" series.
But I can't move on before I do a little processing of this past summer. (I am so guilty of getting focused on the next thing, that a I often forget the GREAT thing that God has already taught me.) So what are some of my "big learning" from this summer...

Jacob- "What your name?"
Jacob, the one born a deceiver. He wrestled with God. Him, he couldn't beat Him, but he wouldn't give up, and God called him by a new name. Israel. It means to wrestle with god, yet overcome. To walk with a limp.
We wrestle with God. We work our faith. He calls us by a new name.
So what's you new name? Who is God calling you to become?

Rahab, the prostitute- "It's not about where you came from, it's where you're going."
I LOVE this Wild Woman. She was a whore. But she met God. And she moved forward.
It is so hard to break away from our past, especially when the world keeps trying to remind us where we came from. But who cares. Move on. They kept calling her Rahab the prostitute, but she called her self Rahab, ancestor of Jesus our savior. That is AWESOME.
So let's move on, all of us whores, has-beens, failures and fakes. Let's move on!

Joseph- "God intends good things."
What do you do when god is with you?
Life gets hard, and as long as you're faithful, you know God is with you, and you are in His plan.
Life goes your way, and you still know, God is with you, and he gets all the credit.
Some turn to God when life gets tough, some turn away.
Some turn away from God when life goes great, some stay close.
But no matter what, when we know God is with us, we know he can use our life to save lives.
God will use YOU to save lives. Really, He will.

Abigail, Nabal, and David- "Be the one."
Ben Jolliffe brought this obscure story to life! One guy is a fool. Another guy is full of himself. One woman uses her head, and exercises her faith. She takes charge. She gets things done.
Are we listening to the people around us?
Are we looking for the clues?
Or are we so blinded by our own agenda that we can miss the amazing opportunity right in front of us?
Don't miss it! Don't miss what God has put right in front of you.
Say yes!

Ruth- "Til Death Do Us part."
What can we say about Ruth? Just read her story. She and Boaz are amazing examples of faith, hope and love. Really, it's just story we need to know and emulate.

Samson- "I am my own worst enemy."
He had so much potential. So many opportunities to do amazing things for God and his people.
But he blew it. Over and over again.
Until he did one good thing for God, and it cost him his life.
What a waste.
Man, I am my own worst enemy so much of the time.
I hope I can learn a lesson from Samson, and give my life to god before my life is over.
(oh yeah, and my favorite quote from the summer. "Sin- it will bind you, blind you, and grind you down!" You know it's true!

Finally, the roll-call of the faithful.
We'll look more at that later.
For now, ponder these madmen and wild women.

What can we learn from them- their successes and failure; strengths and weaknesses?
What has God done in your life this summer?

The Purpose of the Church

2010-08-26T10:28:00.000-04:00

Steve Pye, a fellow Connector and leader in our church, has an outstanding blog, ORGANIC CHRISTIANITY. His post today on the purpose of the church is too good to miss.

What I appreciate so much from Steve, and the body of Christ in general, is perspective.
Steve draws out some things that are biblical, but different than my usually way of prioritizing the mission of the church.
But that's the thing. At this young stage in the lifecyle of Connections I have a focus on the mission of the church. In my view we are still just a baby church, keeping our mission in front of us to take our first steps. Steve draws out deeper purposes of an established and more mature church. Ultimately we can say that mission is part of the larger purpose of the church. A huge part, the driving part, but part of a bigger picture.

Anywho, it's awesome. I commend it to you...
http://oc.stevepye.me/article/268

2 Service Events this Week...

2010-08-23T10:16:00.000-04:00

Hey Connectors,
We are serving at the Ark Aid Street Mission, 696 Dundas St, at 1:30pm tomorrow!
That's Tuesday, August 24. Meet us there if you want to learn more about this community outreach.
(FYI, we'll be making a generous financial contribution to their mission. But don't say anything- it's a surprise!)
Check them out there webpage: http://www.arkaidmission.com/index.html

Second, we'll be helping out at the foodbank Wednesday, August 25th, 6-8pm.
I think we have a full slate of volunteers for this one, but write us if you are dying to go!

You are all a bunch of Schmucks!

2010-08-18T09:55:00.001-04:00

Yeah, you read me right- I think you are all schmucks!
And so does God!

The more common meaning is used in the recent movie release, "Dinner for Schmucks." Basically it's an insult- a foolish, annoying and obnoxious person. Or at least I think this is how the movie intends for us to interpret the word. (I'm also told that it sounds dangerously similar to a very insulting Yiddish word, but we won't go there.)

But there's an older meaning.
It's a German surname that means "Precious Jewel."

"On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people;
for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land."

~ Zechariah 9:16

Did you know that you are a precious jewel to God?

Did you know that God desires to save your life?
Did you know that you were made to shine in the presence of God for all eternity?

Christine Van Dyk told me she grew up singing a song called "Precious Jewels," with the following chorus...

When He cometh, when He cometh

To make up His jewels;

All His jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

CHORUS:

Like the stars of the morning

His bright crown adorning

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

Today I invite all of you to hold your head high.

You are a bright jewel for His crown.

Yes, you are a schmuck!

Mission to New Residents

2010-08-17T14:31:00.000-04:00

Connections started as a grass-roots movement of crazy, committed, Christ-loving individuals. A few of us found each other, started meeting, starting inviting our contacts, and got this mission started.
Since then we have settled into a familiar and effective way of doing ministry:
We love our neighbors, we build into their lives, we bring them to Connections. It’s got us this far and continue to grow our mission.

Along the way we have talked about, and dipped our feet, into various ways of building up our church. We’ve given out invitation cards around town.
We’ve hung some posters around the mall.
We’ve put ads on Facebook.
We've prayed to find a way to reach out to our community and promote our church in a way that works for us. After talking with a few people about how they found out about Connections and got involved, we think we’ve stumbled upon a really great idea.

One of the main ways that people have come to Connections is through a move to the area. They were looking a church, for friendships, for a sense of “neighborhood.” Praise God, they found us.

So we said to ourselves, “Instead of sending out wasteful and ineffective mass mailings, why not “target” our outreach? Let's try to get in contact with all the new folks moving to our region. It’s more intentional, more personal, and just a better fit with our church culture.”

So here’s the plan:
The sale of all residences is public information. We have a volunteer who is willing to go through each months listings and compile the addresses for us. Then we can reach out to these new residents! We’ll need a team of a few people (3-5) who can block out one morning once a week, or one or two days a month.

Each month we’ll take that list of addresses- It ranges from about 100-300, depending on the month. First, we’ll send them a simple hand written note. Yes, hand written, form letters will just get filed in the blue box! It will read something like this, “Welcome to London. We hope your move is going well. If there is anything we can do to help you, or if you are looking for a church, we hope you’ll visit or give us a call. Blessings, your neighbors at Connections Community Church.”

Then, a month later, we’ll send a follow-up note. This time a form letter, hand addressed. It will welcome them to the neighborhood, again. Remind them of Connections. Extend an invitation to call or visit. Then, we’ll include a “perk.” We’ll invite them to bring their letter to a worship service to receive a welcome pack to the community.

Now we need people to make it happen! If you have any thoughts about this plan, let us know.
If you would like to be a part of this team reaching out to our community, or lead this new ministry, please talk to us! We’ll get you everything you need to get started!

A Church for People with Ecclesiophobia

2010-08-03T13:23:00.000-04:00

Ecclesiophobia. noun.
1. The fear of churches.

How's this for a new un-offical Connections motto,
"Connections- the church for people with Ecclesiophobia."

Why start a church for people afraid of church?
It's is ridiculous on many levels.
But it highlights the depth of conviction that we have about what the church is,
and why it exists.

The church is the hope of humanity, and the hope of the world.
It exists to share God's love until Jesus returns.

Is that arrogant in today's culture? Yes.
Is that offensive to some people? You bet.
Does that church our view of the what the church is and why it exists? Nope.

As hard as it is, as uncomfortable as it may be, as difficult as has been,
Connections will continue to be a church for people with Ecclesiophobia.

We will seek to love them as our neighbors.
Give, service and make sacrifices for their blessing.
Lay down our lives if need be.
When they thank us, we will say, "It's our pleasure."
When they spit on us, we will say, "It must be raining."
When they ask us why we live the way we live,
Seeking justice, extending mercy, spreading love,
we will say,

The love of Jesus compels us.
We can do nothing less because of His great love.

Cross the line?

2010-07-30T14:53:00.000-04:00

"When did you become a Connector?" I asked.
"What's a Connector?" He said.
"You are."

In our conversation I was struck how quickly this man began to identify himself with Connections. You could tell that he is totally attached to Connections. He is committed to being in worship, to honor God and the body of Christ. He is building relationships with others in the church. He is starting to volunteer.

At some point he crossed a line and start identifying himself as a part of Connections. He feels a sense of belonging. It's a community of faith where he feels nourished, and feels useful.

We often don't know we've crossed the line of belonging until after the fact. We look back and realize at some point, during some conversation, or a worship experience, that it happened.

At Connections we don't have prescribed ways to say you belong. No membership class where you sign on the bottom line, no monthly fees to pay, no annual shareholders meeting.
Or do we?

Connectors joyfully come to worship God and fill out their Connection Card.
They generously give to God each week.
They graciously offer their time and creativity to a ministry team.
And when you talk with them you know, you just know, they are a part of body of Christ.

Of course our prayer, and a significant amount of work done at Connections, is to move people from visitors to Connectors. Here's the usually path most churches use:
Community
Crowd
Congregation
Committed
Core

The Community is the people we are trying to introduce to Jesus and our Church. Your neighbor!

Crowd: These are our Visitors. They get invited, or they find Connections on their own. They come hoping to have a good experience and to feel welcomed. They suspect it won't happen, and they are very pleasantly surprised when it does.

Congregation: These are our Return Visitors. Their first impression was good enough to merit coming back on occasion. Maybe this time they share their contact information. If they do they are very surprised to find a handwritten note in their mail box, an email, a phone call, or all three depending on how much information they share.

Committed: Our Regular Attenders. This person has come to the line. They are making worship and a home group a priority. They usually start to give something back.

Core: These are the Connectors. For this person the attachment is undeniable. They are emotionally, physically, financially, chronologically committed to Connections. They change plans to be at worship. Their Home Group meeting is etched in stone. Their volunteer commitment is to priority because they know they are changing lives for Jesus! They really are a vital part of the body of Christ.

This is not to cause anyone condemnation.
But it is to cause us to reflect and ask ourselves where we land.
If you've been coming for a while, have you moved closer to "the Connectors?"
If not, what's holding you back?
If you are being held back, is it because you are resisting God?
Or are you resisting the vulnerability that comes with community? (Lot's say they want it, few actually live it!)
Or is God saying, move on. And if he is, where is He telling you to go?

I guarantee you that God will not tell one of his sheep to stray away from the flock. He always calls us to himself, and always calls us to his church. Always.

Next time: a simple test to find the line.

A "With You" Church: Before, Beside and Behind You

2010-07-27T14:27:00.000-04:00

Before Connections got started as a "church," we got started by being the church.
Let me explain.

The church is most commonly referred to as the body of Christ, or the fellowship of believers, in the bible. That body/fellowship was characterized by activities such as worshiping, praying, teaching and sharing life together. They did this at the temple, in the public square and in each others homes. Sometimes it was a huge gathering, other times just a few. Leadership was in place to direct the new believers, but everyone took a role in the ministry of the church.

So before we started meeting at Silver City, a small group of people started being the church together.
We had one simple mission- to see people come to know Jesus as their Lord.
Everyone had a part to play.
And we didn't need to wait to start our "formal" worship service to live that mission.

Are you being the church?
If not, what are you waiting for?

You have all you need: the mission of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

You have a church that will stand in front of you, leading the way.
A church that will stand beside you as you embrace your role.
A church that will stand behind you as you take the lead in new missions and new ministries.

Let's call this a "With You" church. It's a church that you serve with, and that serves with you in being the body/fellowship of believers.

Madman: Joe Jacobson

2010-07-23T13:30:00.000-04:00

What do you do, when you know God is with you?

This Sunday we look into the life of a man who lived with the unshakable confidence that God was with him.
When things went his way, he knew, God was with him.
When things went sour, he still knew, God was with him.
When he had the opportunity to get payback, he knew, God was with him, every step of the way.

Join us this Sunday as we begin the journey into the life of Joe Jacobson.
9:30am Cafe
10am Worship
Silver City Movie Theatre
Nursery and preschool care provided throughout the summer.

www.connectionschurch.ca

3 Things to do, pt. 3

2010-07-21T11:01:00.001-04:00

Here is the third thing to do this summer.

First- Join us in some of our "Servant Evangelism" events.
The next two: Friday and Saturday, 7-8pm, handing out granola bars and invitations in Victoria Park at Ribfest. Meet at 531 Talbot St.
Why are these important?
One, they set a time and place to do something that we know we should already be doing- loving our city and building our church!
two, there is power in doing something in pairs, as a church. It's a spiritual thing. Conversations happen. "God" things happen. It's weird, but it always happens.

The second thing to do this summer- Invite visitors to lunch!
This is something all of our "Connectors" need to do after the worship service.
Who is a "Connector"? If in your heart you know you have crossed that line, and you identify yourself as a part of our church, then you are a Connector!

I'll state it this dramatically- if someone visits our church, an invitation to lunch is the MOST IMPORTANT part of there experience. Really. In a few days they won't be able to name the songs or remember much of the message,
but,
if YOU take them out to lunch, they will remember YOU!

Finally- Plan your own event!
Really, have a cookout, and invite all those folks you've been wanting to see this summer- folks from church AND your neighbors. (Yes, set-up your neighbors to meet others from Connections!)
Plan a golf game, and yes, invite co-workers AND Connectors.
Plan trip to the beach with some families.
Tailgate party at the drive in!

The possibilities are endless.
The key is to intentionally invite folks from church, and folks you've been wanting to introduce to our church. This way, if you can't get them to Connections, you take Connections to them!

Seal the Deal!

2010-07-20T11:16:00.000-04:00

This past week I was SERIOUSLY blessed.
I got to pray with someone to accept Jesus as their savior.
He's been visiting Connections for the past few weeks.

I could say it was easy:
I listened to his story.
I said something like, "It seems to me that God has brought you this far for a reason. Think it's time to give your life to Him?"
He said something like, "Yes."

I told him just a few of the basics:
We believe that Jesus really is the son of God and that we need Jesus to be forgiven and to live. (See Romans 3:23)
The bible says that when when we confess Jesus, Jesus honors and rewards this step of courage and faith. (See Romans 10:5-12)
Then we prayed.
Now the rest of his new life begins!

So it was easy for me, but only because God and others had already done all the work.

So here's my encouragement to you:
One, do the hard work of loving those who need to know the love of God.
Second, don't wait for me to make the invitation!

Really, do yourself this favor:
If you know that God has been working on someone you love, just ask them if they want to become a Christ-follower!
Offer to lead them in a prayer.
Trust me, this is an experience you DO NOT want to miss!

But, if you have any reservations- PLEASE call me, and I will gladly help the seal the deal!
It's just too awesome to pass up!

Life, and Death

2010-07-19T22:37:00.000-04:00

On Sunday we heard an update from Mark and Julie Stahle, and got to meet baby Josie.
They expressed such gratitude for our church.
But really, it's our joy to be the church to anyone in need, especially those who have been the church to us.
Mark and Julie have been "Connections" for so many people, and it's only fitting that we continue to love and support them.

We also prayed for Adam Wedzinga's father, Andy, who was in a boating accident on Saturday and was still missing Sunday morning.
Today his body was found. Here's the press release.
Of course Adam, and his family, need our prayer and support.

It is very natural for people to turn to the church at birth, and at death.
For all of us living the dash between those dates, let us be the church each day for one another.
Whether in praise, or in pain, be the church for one another.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34

Connections Summer Missions

2010-07-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

So what are you doing this summer?
Any plans to change lives and make an eternal difference?
That's what some of our youth are doing!

Sarah Hiemstra is already in Ottawa this week!
You can find pictures of Sarah and follow along with her mission at
http://www.ronhosmar.blogspot.com/

We have a group of 10 heading on a mission trip next week.
Here's the skinny:
When: July 17 - 24
Where: Grand Rapids, MI

Leaders: Robin Saylor and Wendy Sawkins

Participants: Naomi Perez, Jessica Rolfe, Karissa Sawkins, Lauren Sawkins, Tyler Ulrich, Jenna Veenstra, Rachel Veenstra, Marissa Warring.

Website: http://www.youthunlimited.org/missions/sites/GRBrookside.html

Ester Banninga leaves for Howard City on July 24.
Website: http://www.youthunlimited.org/missions/sites/HowardCity.html

John Vandersteen is serving with the St. Lucia Learning Project.
You can follow along with their mission at http://stlucialearningproject.ca/

If you know any of these folks feel free to contact them directly and send them off with your love and prayers. If you want to pass along some words of encouragement, or gifts to encourage them,
get them to our church by Friday, July 16!
Send them to info@connectionschurch.ca or drop off gifts to our office at 531 Talbot St.

Things To Do, Pt. 2: EAT!

2010-07-09T13:58:00.000-04:00

A family that attended Connections for a year recently moved to another city.
They visited a few churches.
Then got involved with one.
I asked him, "Why did you pick the church you did? Was it the worship? The preaching? An incredible family ministry? Great outreach events? Which one of these things that I think is SO important was the deciding factor? I have to know!"

The answer- none of those things.
In fact, he said he still loves my messages and listens online.
The liked the worship better at Connections.
THIS is what made it STICK for them at their new church:

Honestly, it was the people. We had several offers of lunch and coffee after the service, and when we couldn't go two places on one Sunday, we were "forced" to come back the next Sunday for the service. People make the church, and relationships keep the people.

Do you want to change some one's life?
Do you want to grow Connections?
Invite someone out to lunch or coffee after worship.

WHY this is so powerful?
If someone considers themselves a part of a church, and that person invites a visitor out for coffee or lunch, that visitor feels like the church is welcoming them with open arms.

If two people invite that visitor out to lunch, then they'll have to come back the next week!

Connectors, come to worship this Sunday.
Look for someone new.
Don't waste a moment- introduce yourself, sit with them, invite them out to lunch.
Be the community they are looking for and hoping to find at our church.
If you don't chances are, no one else will either!

3 Things To Do This Summer, Pt. 1

2010-07-08T14:20:00.000-04:00

Summer for me is all about "the list."
I love having a list of things to do as a family, and for myself. Here are some of the things on our list:

Swim at St. Mary's Quarry.
Go to the Mustang Drive-In.
Make Rootbeer Floats.
Place in the Lakeside Triathlon.

That's just a small sample of the Saylor Family Summer 2010 list.

I have a short list of things I'd love to see happen with Connections Church this summer. Today I share the first one:

First, I would love to see some groups of Connectors do some "Servant Evangelism." This is how we got our church started in the summer of 2007. This was before we held any public worship services. We simply asked the folks already interested in starting a church to go around the city and invite people the church that had yet to begin!

We made invitation cards, order balloons with our name and website, and handed them out to anyone who would take them. We "piggy-backed" on the events that were already happening downtown- Sunfest, Ribfest, Balloonfest, Festivus (Ok, that last one doesn't really exist, maybe we should come up with something?).

It was GREAT! People asked us when and where we met.
We said join us for our first service at Silver City this September!

Guess what folks...Sunfest starts tonight!
We are a little behind this summer, but we ordered invitation cards for our "Madmen...Wild Women" series happening all summer long! So this Sunday we'll announce a few dates for Connectors to gather, give out cards, and make some invitations. We'll buy some candy to sweeten the deal, or balloons to pump people up (Oh, that was so corny, I'm sorry. Really, I am).

Tentative Dates:
Friday and Saturday, July 16-17 @ Home County Folk Fest.
Friday and Saturday, July 30-31 @ Ribefest.
Meet @ 7pm at our office (531 Talbot St.)

Naomi's Story

2010-06-29T13:55:00.000-04:00

Many asked if we could post Naomi Perez's story after Sunday's service. With permission, here it is...

The clock tells me it's three AM, I'm lying on my twin size bed, thinking about how I got here. Was it by chance? Or could there possibly be something, or someone, guiding my path?

Whether I'm feeding Tyson at in the middle of the night, or if I'm making up another breakfast, lunch or dinner for Aiden, it always seems like I am busy. Will this ever end?

I'm not complaining. I am actually very happy with my situation. It has been a lot worse. I should be dead right now. If not dead, I should be locked up or being beat right now. Why was I saved from that path?

Born on June 5th, 1992, I was just seven pounds and eight ounces. No complications in the pregnancy, and the labor and birth had gone well. It seemed I was a typical baby girl in the arms of her birth parents. Life probably seemed normal and at peace.

I'm not sure about everything that happened, but when I was three months old, Children's Aid decided that my situation was "not ideal." I was taken to my first foster home, but soon after I was sent back to live with my biological parents. I continued living there until I was eight months old when CAS decided, again, that my situation wasn't stable. I have been told that I was left alone at home with a sister barely older than me while my mother was driving drunk. She got into a crash and the police were sent to my house where they found me.

My biological father had not been around for some time, as his wife and kids had just moved to Canada and wanted nothing to do with me. This meant that I would have to stay in CAS. This is whe I was welcomed in with open arms by the Olthoff family. This placement was only suppose to be temporary, but turned longer than expected.

By the time I was four, my mother was a full-blown alcoholic and the chances of my sister and I returning to live with her were next to nothing. I hadn't heard from my dad for three years, and no one had any idea where he even was. This meant that I had to be turned into a "Crown Ward," which meant that CAS was my legal guardian.

That didn't matter to me, because I was still living with the Olthoff's and they treated me like I was their own daughter. I was enrolled in public school for JK and I did fairly well. When I turned five, they sent me, like their own children, to a private christian grade school. I always felt different from the other kids, but I knew that everyone accepted me and that the Olthoff's (whom I now called mom and dad) loved me.

Throughout grade school I was a straight A student with many friends. I was happy. I was a typical little girl who attended church every Sunday, went to school, and even played extracurricular sports inside and outside of school.

Then grade seven came. My foster parents, Ben and Florence, started to realize that I wasn't as happy as I had once been. My biological mother stopped all contact with me and I hadn't heard from her in many years. I started to become more isolated from the world and I was soon seeing a counsellor. The sessions kept going on, but I didn't seem to be getting any happier. By the end of grade seven I started to cut and I was sent to the children's hospital to be monitored in the psyche ward. I was put on medication for depression and was recommended to attend a day treatment program for adolescents. So I went to school at that treatment centre and talked to counselors every day. The centre helped me out in a lot of ways, but I still continued to self injure.

At that time I was assigned to a new social worker from CAS. She thought it was best if I was sent to a group home so they could handle and deal with my depression. The Olthoffs were okay with this, and so was I. We hadn't been getting along very well and they could no longer deal with my outbursts of cutting and suicidal tendencies. This decision, in hindsight, was the biggest mistake ever as I was soon spiraling down a long black hole with what seemed to be no way out.

Throughout the next couple of years, I was sent from group home to group home. I experimented with drugs of all sorts, smoking, drinking and sex. I wouldn't listen to any one. I thought that this was normal because everyone that I kept on meeting did the same things as I was doing.

Eventually I was sent to rehab. A 32 year old man had been supplying me with terrible drugs. But I took off from there, and returned to another group home. In this new home there were many drugs and lost girls. We mostly got along, but supported each other in our bad habits.

Let me mention that during this whole time, the Olthoffs never gave up on me. I still went on “home visits,” to their house, but I just kept on pushing them away.

They say that when you play with fire, you will get burned. I soon realized this to be true. In February 2008, I found out that I was pregnant. To every ones surprise, even mine, I quit every bad thing I was doing cold turkey in order to have a healthy baby. I was moved to a home called Bethesda and I continued to live there, sober, until my son was born.

My foster family supported me throughout the entire pregnancy and my relationship with them was starting to grow back. After Aiden Mateo Perez was born on October 5th, 2008, I moved back with the Olthoff's.

They supported me in taking care of my son in every way possible. I continued schooling at Regina Mundi Catholic College. The first semester I hung out with the “rough crowd,” and I soon found myself in an abusive relationship. My mom and dad never gave up on me, nor did the rest of the family. They helped me report the situations to the police and I was finally free.

Then, this past August, I found out that I was expecting again with my new, supportive boyfriend. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to go through with the pregnancy so I contemplated abortion. The day before the appointment for the procedure came very fast and I really wasn't sure what to do. I prayed to God to give me guidance as to what to do. That very night I had a dream where I had gotten an abortion, but after the abortion was over, I fell right down that black hole again. When I awoke I knew that I had gotten the answer to my prayer. Whether I was okay with it or not, God really wanted this child to be born, so I listened. This time I knew I really had to smarten up and turn my life around. I continued school, and this time I actually went to all of my classes. I tried, really hard, to do well. Although I was a full-time mom, dealing with all of the stress of being pregnant again, I managed to successfully complete my courses and I even obtained a ninety in my university chemistry class and tourism and traveling class.

I want to tell you what finally proved to me that Christ does exist. At the beginning of my second pregnancy I was having many medical problems. They were becoming unbearable, but my appointment with a specialist was three months away. I prayed to God to some how get me into the clinic sooner. To my great surprise, I soon received a phone call telling me that my appoint was to be in a month. I was overjoyed. But the symptoms were still worsening and I would cry much of the time. It was a day or two later that I called a second time. The receptionist gave me an appointment for the next day. The second I got off the phone I prayed to God a long needed grateful prayer for how much he cared for me.

Now, at night, I hear the sweet sounds that my son makes while he's sleeping. It makes me think of how lucky I am to experience so much, and such an unconditional love from both of my children. Although it gets hard sometimes and I feel like giving up, I pray and thank God every day of my life for saving me from the terrible things that could have, and should have happened to me. Even though I have believed in God since I was a little girl, I recently found my faith and it is becoming stronger with every day.

The way that I see how God helped me could be considered kind of odd to many people. Even though I was not obeying probably ten out of the ten commandments, he never gave up on me. He allowed me to experience the consequences all of the selfish things I was doing, but he never abandoned me. Yes, I have two babies, which wouldn't be ideal for most people my age, but God has saved my life through these two beautiful children.

I think that my situation proves how compassionate God really is, even to someone who at many times didn't really seem to care.

I continue to attend church on a weekly basis, and I find my strength growing stronger after ever sermon that George preaches. I pray every day that my children to grow up trusting in God, because he truly is a savior. No matter what happens, he will be there for them. I am grateful that God introduced me and my family to this church, as I believe that my children and I will be well supported and live Godly lives through Jesus Christs' family.

Right now I am working to complete my high school education and I will be graduating, hopefully, this coming January. After high school, I hope to attend UWO to start my education to become a Social Worker. My dream is to work at the Children's Aid Society so I can help children to stay healthy and try to encourage many of them not to go down the same route as I did.

I believe in God the Savior as he has never failed me once. He is my joy, and my rock. Now I would like to share one bible verse as well as a christian saying that have helped me throughout my life.

1 Peter 5:7 ~ Cast all of your cares on Him because He cares for you.
And,
God will never give you anything he doesn't think you can't handle.

Thank-you for listening to my story. May God bless you all.

A Plan for Discipline

2010-06-28T23:21:00.000-04:00

Most of the questions I received this past month had something to do with discipline.
Instead of going into a whole dissertation on the topic, let me share one bible verse, and one plan for parents to put into practice.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

~ Ephesians 6:4

First, ALWAYS remember- the point of using discipline is to build our relationship with our children, and create discipline in them. Never stray far from that guiding principle.

Now, a plan:

Start Early. Create a home characterized by discipline from BEFORE your children are even born. Let them be born into an environment characterized by this type of structure.

Set Boundaries. Draw the line in the sand. Make it very clear. Make sure they understand. Get them to nod their head and say "Yes, I understand." Then...

Set Consequences. They MUST know where the line is, and they must know what the consequences will be if they cross it. And if they do cross it...

Discipline! If they crossed that line that they knew existed, and if they knew there would be consequences, then you MUST enact the discipline required. And yes, they will test you in this. Do not fail to follow through. This is when most of us mess up. If they cross the line, and you back off. You’ve failed! You must follow through. Then, and this is the MOST important part of the plan...

Restore the Relationship. Remember, the point of discipline is to build the relationship and create self-discipline in our children. You must love them and affirm them back into relationship with you. A good starting point is to just ask, “Are we OK now?” Discipline should always have the ultimate outcome of building love between parent and child, child and God, and the child and them-self (Self-worth).

Two things now to keep in mind: Be fair, and be consistent!
If you fly off the handle. If you yell and scream and throw things. If you send them away from you, you FAIL. Send them away, most often, simply means you are forfeiting your role as disciplinarian. You are not enforcing discipline, you are simple revealing how undisciplined you are. You need to do a gut check and get it together. You can’t raise disciplined kids if you have no discipline.

Things I Take for Granted

2010-06-22T22:30:00.000-04:00

That I wake up look forward to every day.
That I LOVE what I do.
That I REALLY love what I do.

That my kids will see me off with a kiss and a hug.
That my kids will welcome me home with stories of their day.

That my wife will be there.
That my wife will always be there.
That my wife will always be there for me in every way.

That dinner is going to be amazing every night, because even left-over night is delicious.

My health.
My wife and kids health.

Great neighbors and great friends.

A church that is growing.
A church where people ask what they can do.
A church with a mission.
A church without petty conflict.
A church full of people I can call on.

A God that loves me.
I mean REALLY loves.
I mean REALLY, REALLY loves me.

The Ministry of D.A.D.S

2010-06-21T14:40:00.000-04:00

Here's the abridged version of my advice for D.A.D.S.:

DIRECTION
If you get your direction right, chances are good your kids will get their direction right. So get in the direction of Jesus. Give it all to him, and follow him passionately. Your kids will love you for it.

AFFECTION and AFFIRMATION
You can't love on your kids enough. But they time they are ready to leave home their "love tanks" should be so full that they will be equipped to conquer the world! Love them with words, time, service, gifts and hugs and kisses whenever possible! Yes, both your sons and daughters!

DISCIPLINE
I'll write a separate post on this. For now, disciplined Dads raise disciplined kids. Dead beat, lazy Dads, well, pity you and your kids. We use discipline to foster self-discipline in our children. Proper discipline always builds, always affirms, always strengthens relationships.

SECURITY
All true Fathers make their home a place of safety and security in a wonderful, but often cruel world. To be without a safe home in the world is to be lost.

And now, some of my current favorite helps for Dads:

http://familygps.org/
Go to this online survey for children, students and parents to help discover your direction, strengths and growth areas. It will take 5-10 minutes to answer 40 questions. 8 key areas of family life will be charted. Numerous resources can be accessed in each of the 8 areas.

Kids of Integrity
Take your family devotions a step further. This site provided a comprehensive list to character lessons for children and families. This would be an EXCELLENT site to work through over the summer.

Parent's Prayer Program
A great guide to help you pray for your kids every night. Mine is tapped up right by my kid's bed. If I forget to say this prayer at night, my kids will come knocking on my door!

Kids are WAY cool

2010-06-18T12:57:00.001-04:00

Following up yesterday's post...
"Train up your child in the WAY he/she should go."
Now what about that WAY?
The revelation of this verse is that each and every kid has a way.
A particular way. A unique and wonderful way imprinted in the child by God.
Our job in train them up is to discover and develop that way.

Let me use the analogy of a seed.
Say you find a seed. You're not sure what it is, but you plant it and give it the things you know every seed needs: soil, water, sunlight, air.
As that seed grows, you begin to learn more about it: looks like it might be a tree. Looks like a deciduous tree. Look like a maple. Looks like a red maple. (Yeah, that's the "Canadian" Maple.)

You train up that seed into the plant it was made to be. That's obvious enough.

But somehow we often miss this with our kids.
We give our kids the things every kids needs: nurture, shelter, protection, etc.
They start to show themselves to be one kind of plant.
Then we need to start figuring out what they need specifically.
Don't just give them the basic stuff all kids need.
And don't push them to be something they are not.

Parents, train up your child in the way that God made them to grow.
To do anything less dishonors God, mis-directs our children, and does our relationship with them no good.

So ask yourself, what kind of plant is my seedling, and how can I nurture that way in him/her?

Hanahk Your Children!

2010-06-17T14:30:00.000-04:00

What does it mean to "hanahk" your kids?
That's the Hebrew word we translate "train," as in Proverbs 22:6...
"Train up your child in the way he/she should go..."
I mentioned that this word carries the aspects that all shed light into the role of parenting.

First, this idea of training. When I preached on this I said that all the World Cup players know the importance of training. Then I said that we parents are in the job of training our kids to live godly lives. I want to take that back.
Our job in training our kids is WAY MORE IMPORTANT and WAY MORE INTENSE than training for the World Cup. Say what you will, it's a game. It's a cup. It's fleeting glory.
But we are training our kids for a goal and prize that never fades and never perishes!

Second, "dedicate," "consecrate" your child. The three other times hanahk is used in the bible it is translated to dedicate a building. Before a stone is laid in the foundation of our children's lives they are to be fully dedicated to God. Pray over your kids. Have them baptized or prayed over in public worship. Pray with them every night and remind them that they belong to God.

Third, the idea of putting a bit or bridle on a horse. It is vital for parents to provide a structure of restraint and direction in children's lives. This goes way beyond building a fence to keep our children and toddlers safe. This is about teaching discipline, self-control, delayed gratification. The bible calls it "meekness." It's about power in control. Our kids have INCREDIBLE potential, and they need us to help them learn how to harness and direct it.

We need to train our children with the intentionality of a coach.
We need to dedicate our children to God so they never doubt to whom they belong.
We need to bridle our children so to harness and direct their power.

Parents NEED to do this for their kids.
Their peers won't.
Their teachers can't.
The media isn't able.
They need their parents to do this.
Do NOT drop the ball on this one- Hanahk your kid!

Don't Be Boring!

2010-06-16T10:18:00.000-04:00

It breaks my heart when I hear someone say they have a "boring" or "normal" life.
A few years ago I was on a trip with some youth and we had a rare moment of down-time.
One of the teenagers couldn't help but say, "This is boring."
I instantly blurted out,
"This isn't boring, YOU are boring!"
The kids looked at me like I said something in a foreign language.
I explained by saying something like this:
Life isn't boring. But people are. If you're bored it's because you are a boring waste of flesh.

I started the Parenthood series by challenging families to bring their kids in the incredible story of what God is doing in the world- SAVING IT!
So what are you as a family, or as an individual, going to do this summer to be a part of the story of what God is doing? Do something exciting.

Take a week to do a home project together with your kids- build a half pipe or renovate a kids room. Let this project be an opportunity for ministry to happen.
Fix up a car and donate it to Teen Challenge.
Go on a mission trip to another city or country.
Take a prayer walk through your neighborhood.
Go downtown and hand out invitations to church to folks in the park.
Visit a few of the missions in your city- the food bank, a food kitchen, a women's shelter.
Read through the New Testament as a family, then celebrate when you finish with a big family party.
Call up some families of your kids friends and have a cookout.

This summer, the moment anyone says, "I'm bored," they are opening the door for an adventure.
Jump on that opportunity, and write yourselves an awesome chapter in the story of your life.

The Golden Rule of (Grand) Parenting

2010-06-15T16:09:00.000-04:00

On Sunday I preached on the Golden Rule of Parenting:

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

~ Proverbs 22:6

I was asked, "How does this apply to grandparents?"

I'll put it this way:
I had one kid.
I thought I could never love a kid as much as my Eden.
Then I had Karis, and I loved her just as much.
Then I had Justin, and I loved him just as much.
Now I Robin and want to foster/adopt a kid, because the love just seems to keep flowing!

So if my instincts are correct, grand parents find that they have as much love welling up for their grandchildren as they do their own children.

And if as parents we suffer when our children suffer (and all kids will suffer some pain),
I think this means that grandparents suffer two-fold: for their grand kids, and kids!

So what what does this mean?
I think it means that Grandparents should play a two-fold role "training up."
They get to train up their children, and their grandchildren.
And they get to do this for as long as god gives them breath.

Imagine if our kids had parents AND grandparents both spending copious amounts of time with them,
loving them,
building into them,
affirming them,
celebrating success with them,
helping them learn from disappointments and defeats without condemnation,
directing them in the unique and wonderful WAY that God made them to go?
Our kids/grand kids would be set!

Ancient Hebrew households grew by extension. A man would take a woman to be his wife. He'd spend the next year building a home onto his family's house. The couple would be married. They would have children. The family lived together, but the extended household would effectively raise the children and do life together.

Grandparents- we parents may not build our homes right next to yours,
but we still need you to build into our lives, and into the lives of your grandchildren.

So if I don't say it enough,
Thanks mom and dad Saylor, and mom and dad Tigchelaar, for building into the lives of our family.
You guys are pretty cool for old people!

10 Immutable Laws for Raising Godly Children

2010-06-12T09:59:00.002-04:00

Joy and Pain...

2010-06-12T07:52:00.000-04:00

So I was about to say something like this.
Then discovered that my wife said it before me, and better than me...

Joy and Pain, Sunshine and Rain
It's been a rough week.
The weather around these parts has been extremely temperamental. One minute it's beautiful, sunny and a gentle breeze is blowing - we're enjoying quiet time reading in the yard. The next minute clouds roll in, the sky darkens, wind rips and the all hell breaks loose. No exaggeration - 10 minutes later we're back to reading on the trampoline. Crazy. Keeps you guessing. Keeps you on your toes.

It's hard to fully enjoy the sunshine when you see dark clouds ahead.

This week has been a mix of joy and pain. A douse of sunshine and the threat of rain - literally and figuratively.

Sunday marked the start of our Parenthood Series at Connections. George is flying high with this one - loving it, growing and learning so much in the process of preparing it and eager to share. (In case you're curious click here.)

As we sat in church Sunday morning there were three VERY pregnant women in the service ... (George secretly hoped one of them would go into labor while he preached - didn't happen).

Wednesday we heard from two of those women.
One went into labor and after many hours delivered a healthy baby boy.
One received results from an anticipated amnio and heard the devastating news that her baby has trisomy 13 and will not live long after birth.

Joy
and
Pain.

Sunshine
and
Rain.

In one breath we are rejoicing with those who rejoice.
In the next breath we are mourning with those who mourn.

We cry.
We smile.
We cry some more.

I am flooded with memories of a July thirty years ago when my own sister was born with trisomy 18. I was 9. She lived for 2 months before she finally gave up her fight for life and went to be with Jesus. I remember that summer like it was yesterday.

So here we sit. On one hand there is great joy for a new life born. On the other had there is great sadness for a life that will be born but not given the opportunity to live. Like that weather that one minute bring sunshine and next minute storm ...

Please pray.
Pray for strength and courage for Mark and Julie.
Pray for hope and joy.
Pray for their marriage.
Pray for their daughter Savie.
Pray for the little daughter yet to be born (Josie).
Pray for wisdom.

Pray for Vanessa and Dave.
Thank God for the birth of Jack.
Pray that they will parent with wisdom, courage and love.

Pray for us as we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
Pray that we will have the courage to do both authentically.

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

This DOES Apply to You

2010-06-09T11:45:00.000-04:00

It happened.
Some people visited Connections this past Sunday because they were interested in the Parenthood series. That's AWESOME!
That's the reason why we offer "series" at Connections- to grab people's attention and maybe get them interested in Jesus.

But some folks, I've heard through the grapevine, are "skipping out" because they aren't parents.
Of course, there's a little personal sting in hearing that. But instead of wasting time ranting, let me do some teaching on the purpose of Sunday worship.

First, and this is MOST important for the person who says they are a Christ-follower:
Worship is about GOD, not about you!
It's not about what you get out of the service, but what you can put into worship.
And what you should put in is your whole heart, mind, soul and strength.
Worship is about gathering first thing, on the first day of the week, to reaffirm our first love- God.
It's about PRAISING God.
Learning the WORD of God.
OFFERING our lives back to God
It's about FELLOWSHIP with the PEOPLE of God.

Second, saying that a given series/topic doesn't apply to YOU puts you above God. Perhaps this needs to be made clear- no matter what TOPIC is being addressed at Connections, it will always start with the BIBLE. So while the focus may be parenting, the text is still the bible, and the purpose is still learning what God has to teach us. ALL believers, no matter what stage or life circumstances, should know what the bible teaches on ALL areas of life.

Third, I am very concerned about creating a culture of church "consumers."
There is a great irony surrounding our church that everyone should reflect upon:

We meet in a theatre, which is all about profit, and entertainment, and not talking, and not interacting, and getting what you want, and leaving, and then going back to your real life.

But we call ourselves "Connections." And we talk about invading this public space with "church," which is all about "connecting with God, people and the world." We have done this because we hope to reach out who are not in a church or who don't even believe in God. Folks who don't know anything about who God is or why we worship.

So I'm left in this predicament:
If folks in our church DO NOT fully understand who we worship, why we worship, or what worship services are all about, then we must actually be accomplishing our mission! Sweet!

But if people who have been with us for a while haven't started to learn about this things, then we are not maturing in our mission. Not sweet.

So what should a person who is not a parent do when your church is talking about parenting?
Or if your church is talking about any topic which does not DIRECTLY apply to your life stage?
You say, that's fine because I still want to worship God.
I still want to know what the bible teaches on all topics.
I still want to be in the fellowship of believers.
I still want to bless someone I know for whom something like a parenting series would be the perfect way to introduce them to Connections.

If you missed the past message on Parenting, or know someone who could be blessed by learning what the bible teaches on the purpose of parenthood, just send them to http://www.connectionschurch.ca/sermons/ (You can even subscribe through itunes. Instructions are found at the link above.)

Ministry Centre Update

2010-06-08T12:55:00.002-04:00

Last week I asked for your prayers and help as we've come to a fork in the road.

One road is to push through with our plans to rent or purchase space to open our own Ministry Centre.
The other road is to pursue a partnership with Bibles For Missions Thrift Stores.

After a week of prayer, a number of conversations and a lengthy discussion by our Stewardship Team, we seem at peace with pursuing the partnership with BFM Thrift Stores. Here's the important things to know about BFM:

BFM Stores are NOT the domain of any one church.
They are a non-denominational, Christian organization that exists solely to open and run BFM thrift stores.
100% of revenues go to support The Bible League of Canada.
The Bible League is AMAZING! Check out what they are doing around the world at their site.
BFM stores are run by a Steering Committee made up entirely of volunteers.
A few key people take on key roles (general manager, volunteer coordinator, director of church relations, etc).
BFM stores require a group of 75 OR MORE volunteers to run weekly operations.

Here's where this leaves us:

BFM is going to open a store in London, and we are going to be involved.
BUT, there is no guarantee that we will be able to open a Ministry Centre connected to a BFM Thrift Store.

SO the question you should ask yourself now is,
"What then do these two things have to do with each other?"

It's this simple:
We think it would be great to help BFM find a really big store.
Big enough to sublease 2000-3000 sq ft to Connections, because it would be wonderful to lease from an organization we support.

If it doesn't work out, fine.
We just go back to looking for our space to open our own Ministry Centre.
We certainly have enough going on to warrant this: the need to be IN our community, a place to hold group meetings and training events, space to grow our children and youth ministry, a place for the band to practice, potentially space to house our Paper Product Ministry, and all those things you can do when you have a place to call your own (or in our case, God's).

So that's if for now.
We are going to try to get people on the Steering Committee for opening a store in London.
We are going to help in any way we can.
If it works out to partner with them, great.
If we discover that we'll need to find our own Ministry Centre, that's fine too.
IN fact, better than fine.

We know that God will work out which path we will follow.

Swagger Wagon

2010-06-06T22:45:00.000-04:00

Many asked, so here's the link to the video we showed in worship today to launch the Parenthood series.

PARENTHOOD this June

2010-06-03T13:22:00.001-04:00

I knew a series on parenting would help parents.

The bible has A LOT to say about raising kids and being a family!

What I didn't expect was how helpful this series might be for grow-up children.

My preparation for this series has already brought healing to me from some significant childhood pain.

So if you are a parent, or hope to be a parent, this series will have some obvious application to your life.

But if you have struggled to make sense of some hurts from your childhood,

I encourage you to join us for this series.

God might do some healing work in your life.

June 6: The Purpose of Parenthood
June 13: The Golden Rule of Parenting
June 20: The Ministry of Fathers
June 27: The Ministry of Mothers

Silver City Movie Theatre
Doors open at 9:30am

Hey, I Said That!

2010-06-03T00:16:00.000-04:00

OK, it's 12am.
Got home late, put on the Cobert Report.
He interviewed Lisa Millar, religion editor of Newsweek magazine and author of the just released book, "Heaven."
Cobert asks, "What's the best version we have of heaven?"
And she goes on to say Dante's Paradiso from the Divine Comedy.

If you listened to my messages from the last three weeks at Connections you might remember my saying the same thing!
Which makes me feel two things:
One, confirmation that I'm not an idiot, and that Paradiso is in fact the most beautiful rendering of the images in Revelation.
Second, that feeling of having said something you think is really profound, then someone more famous says it, and you feel like they stole your idea. Which really is ridiculous.

But the truth is, we both observed the same thing.
Which is cool, and reassuring.
That's all. Good night.

Take a Step, pt. 2

2010-05-31T15:45:00.000-04:00

Connections find ourselves at a fork in the road:
One direction is to pursue a partnership with This option means we
At Christmas YOU gave Connections a great boost of confidence by giving to a fund to open a Ministry Centre.
We've been looking at properties and crunching numbers every since.

Now we find ourselves at a fork in the road:
One direction is to pursue a partnership with Bibles For Missions Thrift Stores. This option means we sub-lease office space at the store for a Connections Office. There are a lot of uncertainties around this move. It's not even certain that BFM would will want to sublease to a church! But this much is clear- a store will open up in London, and folks from Connections will be involved.

The other direction is to move forward with our own ministry centre. This would not be a new space for worship, but a place to do ministry throughout the week. This way we focus on our growing needs and our presence in the community. We still like the idea of doing or own "subleasing" to a ministry partners.

There are pros and cons with both directions, and I can see either working.
So I'm asking that everyone who cares about Connections to commit this to prayer.
Pray for the Stewardship Team; pray that a property will open up; pray that we will sense the Spirit's blessing in this process.

But do us this favor: don't bother telling us what you think we should do.
If, in prayer, you believe we should pursue a partnership with BFM, then offer to get on the Steering Team, and help make it happen.
If, in prayer, you believe we should open our own ministry centre, then offer to help us find, renovate and operate this space!

Opinions won't help us make this decision, and we can't go in both directions.
Your prayers, and if you feel led, your help, is what will help clarify the direction we take.

And like I keep telling myself: it's not our first step, it' snot our last step.
It's just another step in our mission for this next season of ministry.

Time to Take a Step

2010-05-28T11:19:00.000-04:00

This is not really a "blog post," whatever that is.
It's a plea.

For 5 months now, all of 2010, a few of us have been looking at properties for a ministry centre for Connections. Not a new worship site. We love the theatre.
We're looking for a place to hang out hats, be in the community, run some existing programs, start a bunch of new ones, and call home. A few offices, a small group meeting room, a medium size space for some events, a nursery for all the babies, maybe some extra space to sub-lease to independently employed persons who want to partner with us.

I don't think I am under any delusions that a ministry centre will suddenly make our church explode with growth and solve all our issues of limitations.

But it will certain help, as we are feeling very limited.

Our band needs a place to call their own and rehearse as often as they wish.
Our youth could really benefit from a neutral meeting place to form their own identity.
Our volunteer teams need a better space to train and prepare.
Our administration has no central place of operation.
We have an open door to create a partnership with the Children's Aid Society to provide education and support for families in North London.

Until this year I really did not want an "office."
I wanted Connections to meet in the public square for worship,
home for fellowship,
and then to get out into the community to "be the church."

I felt that having a ministry centre too soon would simply be a drain on resources, a drain on our vision to live missionally among our neighbours, and would reinforce the misunderstanding that the church is the people of God, not the building that we use.

But now that I want it, I really want it.

So this is my plea:
Pray that if this is the time for this step in the mission of Connections, that God will open a door in the northwest corner of London. Somewhere accessible, but it doesn't have to be in a high cost prime real estate area.
I'm not asking that someone knock on my door and hand me the keys to a building.
(But I wouldn't say no if someone did!)
I am asking, after a lot of prayer, a lot looking, to look at a space and get that "feeling."
That gut feeling of the Spirit when you have to confidence to say, "This is it."

Are Emergent Christians going to hell?

2010-05-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

A friend recently wrote to aske me this question: What is the emergent/emerging church and why do some people think they are going to hell?

Since she asked, and since I figure others might be wondering, here is my super-brief reply:

The conversation about "emerging" churches started in the 90's.* Everyone was getting along when all they talked about worship styles and slammed traditional churches. It was easy to get along when all they talked about was what they were not.

Then they started talking about actual beliefs. Then everyone realized they actually held many different theological positions. These differences were not just questions of style and cosmetics, but very different doctrinal beliefs.

If I have my terminology and story right, the term "emergent" became most closely associated with folks that believed the church was actually going through a reformation whereby it would emerge as something very different on the other side. Less of a style change, a n more of an actual metamorphosis. And of course, they believed that what would emerge be better (the new an improved church!) Perhaps the most most divisive doctrine has been alternative positions on Justification.

That is when I, and many others, picked up a new term: missional. While this is still being discussed, it's not really being debated. Missional churches stand in agreement that the church, and the people that constitute her being, are the method, the means, and the matter of God's mission.

This is why we wrote out statement of beliefs as follows:
"We are an interconnected community of Orthodox, Reformed, Missional, Evangelical, Authentic Christ-followers." I explain each of those terms briefly at http://www.connectionschurch.ca/about/beliefs/

If you want to watch a video, here's Mark Driscoll describing the various "emerge" camps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcbnGXSYxuI

* While this conversation was going on I was blissfully working my way through seminary. I ended up being ordained into the PCUSA, thinking all along that while this was a mainline church in decline, that there was a faithful remnant. What I discovered was that while this was true, the denomination was so inwardly focused on it's own issues and hemorrhaging membership, that it was incapable as an institution to move forward in ministry/mission. I did not expect the denomination to arrive at any consensus on theology, or at least a consensus that I agreed with. But what pushed me away, the straw that broke the camels back, was an inability to actually engage in missions that engaged communities, grew churches and converted unbelievers. Where I did find that group was with Christian Reformed Home Missions. This body actually plants church with the "mind-set" that new churches are actually doing cross-cultural mission work in a post-Christian North America.

The Divine Comedy

2010-05-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

We talked about hell on Sunday.

This is one of the worst, and most damaging, misrepresentations of God and the bible:
when we portray God sitting in front of the world, with this nefarious grin, wringing his hands, gleefully condemning people to hell.

The story told in the bible is actually very different. The bible portrays people with the nefarious grin, thinking mostly of themselves, hording wealth, abusing power, conspiring to do evil, or just turning their back on most of the evil that transpires in the world.

In other words, the bible is brutally honest when it comes to it's portrayal of people.

But the bible gives the reason for this state of humanity. The bible says that left on our own we have already chosen the path to hell, the path away form God. That we have condemned ourselves (Romans 3:23).

That's the bad news.

What's the good news?

God has intervened not with judgment, but with grace. It is actually God who refuses to simply let people condemn ourselves. Instead of sitting by an doing nothing, he comes crashing into earth, in flesh, and gives offers us a way out- through himself. He died on the cross, he paid the price for our sin, he tastes death on our behalf. Then he conquers sin and offers victory over death in his resurrection. And he invites us to take part in this resurrection life.

So Jesus intervenes in the lives of men women who have chosen hell. He calls us to himself. Jesus said to his disciples, "You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last."

Dante called it "The Divine Comedy." Remember there are two basic stories in life- tragedy, and comedy. Without God's intervention life is tragedy. Life is leads us down the path of hell and destruction. Life isn’t always fair. The good die young and the wicked do proper. Horrible things occur, and life seems to just go on.

What makes a comedy? When somehow things work out in the end. The prince chooses the peasant girl, the turtle wins the race, or in the bible, God saves us from ourselves.

God saves us from ourselves, and when we get that, we just have to laugh with joy.

Judgment will happen, the bible is also clear on that. And just like salvation is God's business, so will be the judgment. Until that time, we are simple called to share the "joke."

God has provided a way off the path of destruction, a way back into a relationship with himself, and way to eternity with him. When we get it, we can't help by share it.

Everything Matters

2010-05-18T08:38:00.001-04:00

"It is precisely of the eternity outside time that everything in time becomes valuable and important and meaningful. Therefore, Christianity makes it of urgent importance that everything we do here should be rightly related to what we eternally are. 'Eternal life' is the sole sanction for the values of this life."
~ Dorothy Sayers

An artist named Pierce Pettis composed a beautiful album called "Everything Matters." On a snowy night one winter we watched him perform to a crowd of about 20 in a cafe in Wenham Massachusetts.
The whole album is a collection of songs stating that everything we do in life do matters- to God, to others, to ourselves.

It is perhaps the greatest misconception of the afterlife as described in the bible, or misinterpretation, to think that it de-values the present life.
The biblical story composes an an album of life where everything matters.
The thoughts, actions and relationships that we initiate in this world echo throughout eternity.
How we live, how we love, how we serve, how we shop, everything, it all matters.

Heaven means that human life, from the smallest act of worship or service, to the greatest acts of benevolence to humanity, all matters to God.

Reflection's on 13 Years

2010-05-17T13:32:00.000-04:00

In no particular order, here are random thoughts on marriage on my 13th anniversary:

My wife is HOT!
We get married because we think we're in love; but it's in marriage that we discover what it really means to love.
My wife is SO FINE!
They say that the way to man's heart is through his stomach. That's partly true. Robin is the best cook! It is SO IMPORTANT to have meals together as a couple and as a family.
Don't you wish your girlfriend was HOT like my wife?
I have stronger feelings of romantic love for Robin after 3 kids and thirteen years of marriage. (Yes, this is alluding to the other way to man's heart.)
It has been in moments of marriage that I actually love another person (Robin) more than myself. It is in these moments that I get a small taste of the kind of love that God has for us, and that God hopes for us to extent to one another.
I'm searching for a word that best describes Robin. Oh yeah, HOT!
Marriage has been God's grace to teach me about His love.
Marriage is "Sacramental." I'm not Catholic, but it is in the sanctity of my marriage that I am continually learning what it means to remain faithful to one to whom I've given my life, to think of this other first, to put her needs before my own, to lay down my life every moment of every day.
After 13 years of marriage the experiences of my life do not seem real unless shared with Robin. Food is better with her. Movies are funnier with her. Thoughts are not complete until shared with her. It's weird.
Robin does WAY better without me than I do without her. She had NO IDEA what she was getting into when I decided to "leave and cleave."
I still have no idea what Robin's primary "Love Language" is. So I just try to cover all the bases.
I know what my love language is (See points 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8). This is not to say that quality time is not a close second.
In marriage we don't cease to see another person's flaws. Rather, marriage allows us to focus on what is best and beautiful in another person, which is, the image of God. This is, again, a foretaste of how God sees us in Jesus, and how we will one day see everyone in heaven.

After 13 years it's now difficult for me to imagine life without Robin. Somehow it even seems like she has seeped into my childhood memories. Not in some stupid "magical" way, like she was always there. But that now, as I look back even on my own life, I look back through the eyes of my marriage. This is what it means to become as one flesh. Everything, past and future, is filtered through the present. And I a presently one with Robin.

She is flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bones.
She is my woman.
I am her man.
And as I said to her 13 years ago,

"I George, will take you Robin, to be my wife. And I promise, before God and His people, to be your faithful husband, to have and to hold, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for as long as we both shall live. I will love you and give my life for you, just as Christ loved the church and give up his life for her. This is my solemn vow."