Scripture Reading: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are … Read More
Volunteer Church-based Community Caregivers: A Call for Chaplains to Lead and Empower
Before I was called to serve as a Chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) I served first as a pastoral care pastor and then as a senior pastor in a number of Alliance churches. At each of those churches we valued and enabled lay pastoral caregivers to serve within … Read More
The Spiritual Discipline of Physical Health
Are you so focused on helping others that you ignore your own health? Our deep desire to serve God makes this common, almost expected. When we ignore our physical health, it diminishes the value of stewarding what God has created and entrusted to us. Eventually, poor health negatively impacts how … Read More
John 2: 13-25
Scripture Reading: When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both … Read More
Rising Yeast
The mandate God gave Kathy Klassen when she started her role as Director of Relational & Spiritual Vitality two and a half years ago was that of yeast needing to be kneaded through the whole loaf (Matthew 13:33)—the loaf being the Eastern Canadian District (ECD). Yeast represented the Kingdom of … Read More
Tenth Church UBC Pt Grey
While September is not officially the start of a new year, it certainly is the start of a new season for students across our nation. We know that as our high school students graduate and make their way to colleges and universities there is usually a significant shift in their … Read More
John 2:1-12
Scripture Reading: On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” … Read More
Healthy Agnosticism
A few days ago, I sat by a grave marker that is now over 30 years old. The inscription is faded, but you can still make out the name, Daniel James Hearn. Our son was born very preterm at 28 weeks and only lived 30 hours. I remember holding him … Read More
Alpha in Thailand
Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21). This is the power of a movement—it can start out with a small group of believers who passionately follow Christ’s example; no matter the difficulties and persecution and teach others to … Read More
Jesus Everything: A Church-planting Professor Discovers the Fourfold Gospel
As a theologian professionally training pastors for the past sixteen years, it is always a blessing when you personally discover something new that helps you understand Jesus more fully. As a pastor leading God’s people in worship every week, it is a welcome surprise to learn a new way of … Read More