From Friday until Sunday afternoon, myself and one of my leaders in Awana attended the Commander College 101 seminars, near Chillwack.

Abstract: If you’re an Awana Commander, I highly recommend it.  Great teaching, great application, great networking.  Downside: Information overload.

The event was held at Camp Stillwood, a really nice retreat/camp destination in the Columbia Valley, up behind Cultus Lake.  I’ve been there several times before for Men’s retreats with Cedar Grove Baptist Church, but this one was slightly longer, so more enjoyable.

The main speaker was Dr. Greg Carlson, who has been involved with Awana for decades along with his wife, Donna.  He wrote the book that Awana promotes, “Rock-Solid Teacher“.  The local Awana missionaries, Harvey and Lil Fehr also spoke.  All four of them, along with one of the local Awana commanders, Karen Quan, were quite good - engaging and passionate about their subject matter.

The material covered was very in-depth, about the philsophy of children’s ministry, the importance of presenting the gospel to children, the importance of protecting the children from abuse, and many other subjects.  It certainly gave me a much better vision for children’s ministry.  I found myself renewed with enthusiasm for doing my job well and serving the children, their families, and the leaders I am leading.

I don’t have a lot to complain about.  However, I will raise a couple of beefs.  First, in their lesson on child protection, they used a short video, a series of monologues which were meant to express forcefully the ravages of an abuse situation - how it impacts the church, the family, the abused, and the community.  However, at its end, the video pinned the blame for not reaching the lost of the community on the failings of the club to keep an abuser from abusing.  This is an unfair framework.  To suggest that because the church is rocked by this trauma, they stopped evangelizing the community, so people died in their sin, never hearing the gospel, that this is the church’s or the Awana Commander’s fault?  That is way too much.  People die in their sin not because someone fails to tell them about the gospel, but because they have heard the gospel, and have no excuse for their ignorance of God.  If they didn’t hear it from that church, then it came to them in another form, and they rejected it.

Another issue I had was with the intensity of the weekend.  There were so many sessions, and there was little time to reflect and process what was learned.  On the plus side, I have never experienced a conference with such a vested interest in retention for the attendees.  They built into the program all kinds of opportunities to note down takeaways and direct application.  At the end of the process they even had us write letters to ourselves highlighting the most important things we don’t want to forget from the conference.  However, I would have relished more time for reflection on the content I was downloading, if for no other reason than to think through some of the issues I have in particular and how their information changes how I see them.  I mean, from breakfast through to bedtime on Saturday, we were going for 12 hours straight!  That is intense for a learning experience.

I have written a lot above about what I didn’t like, but read that last paragraph again.  This was a very good weekend and I got a lot more out of it than the last conference I attended.  I attribute that to the organization and effectiveness of the speakers.  And the Word of God was the beginning and the end of their subject.

I just got an email from the forge network in Canada, that they are bringing Craig Van Gelder to Surrey to speak.  I am quite excited.  I’ve read a couple of his books and a few articles of his, and they have invariably been well thought-out and reasonable.  He seems to be on the leading edge of missional thought.

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
9:00am till 3:30pm
Southside Community Church
RP Campus
12642 - 100 Ave
Surrey, BC

She is worth far more than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

Just this weekend I was reminded about how wonderfully gifted my wife is.  She is a counsellor, leader, organizer, coordinator, so many wonderful gifts that will be critical to our success as a pastoral couple.  At times I almost feel overshadowed at how effortless she makes these things seem.

This morning I was thanking God for her while walking the dog, and I thought about how God has gifted me as a leader as well.  We’re not the same.  And in some ways, I would have to say that she is much more charismatic - people give her leadership automatically - than I am.  While it would be easier to plant a church if I was that way too, instead of embroiling myself in sinful jealousy, I found my heart moving in a completely different direction.  I just found myself praying that I would offer no appeal that way.  That I would be invisible, that I would just be the kind of leader that points the way to Jesus.  If the church we begin is thought of as a house of God, and oh yeah, that guy Shane talks on Sundays, I would be satisfied.

So thanks, God, for my wife, and let me simply point the way to you.

Long post title.  Heh.

So, a few days ago, you read here that I was convicted about begging God for money all the time.  Yesterday on my morning prayer/dog walk I prayed that God would use me that day at work.  Lo and behold, a conversation about the Al-Qaeda issuing a statement likening President-elect Obama to a “House Negro” twisted into a brief discussion about racism in Arabic cultures, and from thence to a discussion about whether or not all religions are based on punishment avoidance.

This gave us a fantastic jumping off point to talk about the difference between a a capricious god who demands “submission”, and a loving God who sacrificed his Son to restore us to our proper relationship with him as his children.  It gave me a chance to teach about a heavenly father who loves us and gave us the freedom to choose to love or not love him, knowing the pain that it would cause him when we do not choose him.  But more than that, loving even those who hate him so much that he will ultimately give them what they want, even though he knows that they will not like it.  Like the Israelites crying out to God for a king, even after God explained that they would not like the choice, many in this world scream at God, “Go away”, not understanding what that really means.  I explained that hell is a place where God is not - that’s what makes it hell.  And when you die, God isn’t “punishing you” by sending you to hell, he is, in love, allowing you to choose eternal separation from him.  He loves you so much he will not force you to be with him if you spent your life wanting to be away from him.

They (my two atheist friends) still at the end did not grasp this difference - they still viewed separation from God as a punishment inflicted on them for not choosing God.  But I can’t change their hearts - only God can.  They can think about that and I can pray that they realize how childish that view is - though it is systemic of our political systems these days - that you can make a poor choice, but not suffer the consequences because a “loving” government would protect you from your own stuidity and obstinacy.  Apparently, they apply that same understanding to God - that he should allow us to indulge and then when we face the consequences, protect us from them.  He does do this, but he only gives us one life to come to him, and choose to repent.

But what I got out of the conversation was when one of them challenged me with the question, “what happens if you’re wrong?  You will have missed out on all the fun you could have had in this life.”  I said to him, “What will I have missed?”  The things that I have given up for Christ are sin - and I challenged him to find one sin in the Bible that does not either hurt myself or others around me.  He tried to some up with something but the best he could do was suggest that sins that only affect yourself are ok.  And I just said, “Why would it be fun to hurt myself?  I don’t feel I am missing that at all.”  Perhaps that part of the conversation was the most important part.  I really feel blessed to serve Jesus today because of that conversation.  I have given up nothing to serve Jesus.  What fun is it to hurt myself or others?

If, at the end of my life, I find out this is all a fallacy (I know it isn’t, but hey, we’ll pretend there is an outside chance), I will not feel like I missed a thing, because I know that I will have spent my life doing good for people and myself.  There will not be a moment of regret that I didn’t cause someone else pain for my own momentary pleasure.  And it is sad that my friends are so lost that they still see someone else’s pain as their gain.

So I decided to move off Mark Driscoll today and see if I could find some other sermons online. I googled John Piper, I’ve heard he’s a pretty good preacher. I found this:

As I watched it, I began to thank God that I didn’t teach that or believe that. But then God brought to my mind my prayers lately, and how much I’ve been begging of him for myself, my family, my needs, me me me. I don’t believe that I have earned blessing from God because of my faith in him, but I sure do act like it to a degree. I repent of that right now: of not begging God for others’ sake more than myself. For not thinking of others more than myself. Of thinking even subconciously that God is here to make my life easier.

I need him. And as the Mercy Me song says, “If that’s what it takes to praise you, then Jesus, bring the rain.”

Here’s a bunch of quick thoughts.  I realize I have been a little sporadic lately.  Here’s what’s been shaking.

• Cheryl’s 30 as of yesterday!  She’s finally old!  Yay (because now I don’t feel so old)!  Or Boo (because I know nobody really likes to grow up too much)!
• I can only say that because she is unbelievably hot and nobody would guess her age.  Heh.
• Been watching Mark Driscoll’s latest sermon series.  Interesting.  I’d like to say that I am only watching it to learn other pastor’s preaching techniques and approaches, but I was also curious how he’d tackle the material in front of thousands of parishioners.  Turns out he’s pretty deft, which would explain that whole massive-mega-multi-campus church thing.  (Watch for forthcoming post on this subject)
• Been a little discouraged lately, like things are a bit out of control.  The word “conflicted” doesn’t begin to describe how I am feeling.  On the bright side, guys can compartmentalize, so I do get to turn it off for huge parts of the day, but when I am not concentrating on anything else, the feeling comes back.  I know it is coming from having way too much on the go.  I have to knock some things out.
• Been reading Austin City Life’s “Partners” document.  That has challenged me to think about the system Phil uses at Community of Hope and think about what I would do differently.  Lots to be said there.  (Watch for forthcoming post on this subject.)
• Been down with bronchitis (viral) for almost a week now.  I don’t think I’ve ever had bronchitis before.  Today was the first day in 5 days I have been able to sing in the car to my iPod.  That was a long time without singing.

That’s it for my quick update.  More on a couple of these soon!

I was reading in Isaiah this morning.  This verse stuck out at me as needing consideration on this, a very important day for the whole world as the United States of America elects a new president.

For all of you out there who, like me, looks forward to a time when people aren’t left with a choice between the lesser of two evils, consider this hope to come, from Isaiah 32:1-5:

1Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,
and princes will rule in justice.
2 Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
a shelter from the storm,
like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will give attention.
4The heart of the hasty will understand and know,
and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly.
5 The fool will no more be called noble,
nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.

Man, it just seemed like nothing went right yesterday.

I thought I was on top of things in the moment I got up.  Lots of time.  Daylight Savings and all.  I head downstairs at about 6:30am, take care of a few things, and “Waaah!”  Baby is awake (he usually sleeps in until 8am or so).

Spend the next half hour cleaning him up, changing his outfit, apply cream for the nasty rash he has right now, and attempting to feed him.  Then the other boys all get up.  I still manage to get out the door to take the dog for a walk, with 25 minutes to spare and the baby stapped to my back (Mommy was into her bathroom prep time).  I get back, and lo and behold, the boys are not ready.  Rush rush, cram them all in the van, get to church with about 1 minute to spare.

(First prayer skipped - breakfast)

Church goes fine actually.   Everything that happened at church was smooth.  My Discover Hope class went well, good discussion (with only one or two brain cramps).  The sermon was fun - Adam had the unenviable task of explaining Daniel chapter 7.

We leave church and the kids are hungry, but Cheryl wants to take them shopping.  Not my favourite activity, but shopping must be done from time to time.  We hit the Talize for some slightly used pants for the boys, then Wal-Mart for some nice shirts for them.  I figure we can do a cheap lunch at McD’s as I wasn’t hungry.  I tried to use McD’s as an incentive for behaviour, but Aydan is defiant, or forgetful, and by the time we get done with shopping, he has lost his drink, his fries and his sandwich.  When we sit down to eat and he realizes that nothing is for him, I finally see him react.  He gets it.  He goes very quiet and sad.  After a few minutes, I decide that he’s been remorseful, so I share my fries and drink with him.

(skipped prayer at lunch, too)

By the time shopping is over, I am getting edgy and I don’t know why.  What my subconcious knew that my concious didn’t was that we had a ton of stuff planned for Awana, but hadn’t prepared at all.  The list went on and on - November Newsletter, coffee and milk, cups, treats, all needed to be prepared in addition to the normal setup routine.   We had no indication as to how many children to expect to our “bring a friend” night.

By the time we got home, I was focused on the newsletter, but at the same time there was much else to do.  Housecleaning, making supper, picking games (because I was covering for our games director who was away) were all burdening me.  I managed to churn it out then I realized I would have to leave early to get it printed at the church office.  Then I get a call from one of our leaders, who couldn’t make it.  That’s two down.

I attempt to get out the door early but I wind up loading the gear for my wife as well.  We feed the boys pizza pockets, and I head out the door after some less than pleasant words with Cheryl, over codifying the points we give out for Awana clubbers as an incentive.  I was thinking it should be an easy task to delegate, but she felt totally unprepared to come up with anything.  We were both wrong, which is what happens 90% of the time we butt heads.

I get to the club and start setting up on time miraculously - I am there at 5:30.  I fix tape in the gym, then I notice that nobody is here but Shane.  5:45, still nobody.  Not even my wife.  Ed and his family show.  That’s good.  Mitchell is around - I guess he always was but I didn’t see him.  Adam and Susie show up.  It’s 5:52 when I finally see most of my leaders, and my wife pulls up with the gear.

Prayer before starting Awana skipped.  We should have loaded the kids into their seats in the sanctuary ten minutes ago.

I survey the land - we have two cubbies (normally our largest club).  Our T&T’ers, who I expected to bring the most friends - not a single new clubber.  No new parents at all.  Wow.

At the flag ceremony I don’t even bring up the lack of friends, and hence, no bonus rewards for clubbers.  But I am still way off my game.  I start the Awana song before we even do O Canada.  The kids call me on it.  I give a lecture on rewards and get some Awana bucks into the hands of the T&T Director. The Sparks director rolls in about 3/4 of the way through the flag ceremony.  Though I feel on the edge of snapping, I decide to err on the side of grace, since the guy had a migraine all day, despite all the lateness shown by pretty much everybody around me.  I can’t really be that upset - though I am on time this week, I have been tardy myself a fair amount and haven’t set a good example.

Relieved, I slink out to the foyer, where I start working up a points structure so we can actually figure out which team is winning.  By the time that is done, I have about 20 minutes to pick games.  I start flipping through the book, looking for games without beanbags as ours went missing about 3 weeks ago and haven’t turned up.  Every single game involves either food or beanbags!  Gah!  I finally find 3 games and with all of 3 minutes to spare, I head into the gym.

Short staffed, short patience, short wits.  Short of peace, short of fruit.  But the victory was I got through the day in one piece, and learned once again the importance of prayer.

What an amazing week.

Things are happening for our little clan, behind the scenes right now.  I can’t talk too much about it because much is still up in the air, but expect to hear about some significant steps coming in the next little while.  This dream of church planting is solidifying.  Even recently, it’s been a hazy object on the horizon, hard to distinguish through haze and geography between here and there.  Sometimes we have even asked ourselves if that objective in the distance wasn’t a mirage.

But it’s looking a whole lot more real.

And it’s getting realer.

Heh.  New word.

I had some very nice feedback by two men I respect after I preached yesterday.  It was constructive and I appreciated it a lot.

But the most important feedback I had was from my wife.  She said, “In my eyes, you became a pastor today.”

Nothing else matters.  If she believes in me and God is with me, I can do anything.