cmAlliance.ca Magazine Fall 2012

All覺ance

CM

A Resource for Transforming Canada and the World

A New

Season

Begins We Still Have a Sword Rev. David Hearn on the future of the Alliance in Canada

Biblical Illiteracy Nurturing a desire to know the Scriptures

em We Will Remember Th The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

Fall 2012

Photo Courtesy Darryl Chapman

Contents Cover Photo Courtesy Darryl Chapman

Features 12

The Teeter-Totter

16

Biblical Illiteracy and the Technological Tsunami

Thoughts about finding a balance in how we use the Bible

Moving from information consumed to knowledge possessed in the digital age

22

Preaching and Biblical Literacy

26

The Church and Social Media

28

Compassion on Wheels

30

Riding Across the Country for the Inner City

Strategies to help nurture a desire to know the Scriptures Why Christians need to harness these new tools for ministry

Stories from this unique experience of raising awareness and funds

33

34

40

44

Christians Caring for Creation Giving practical expression to a biblical faith in the living God

We Still Have a Sword

Creating a new environment in which our inspiring vision can be lived out as a fresh movement of God

Working to End World Hunger Strategies to affirm the right of each person to have access to adequate food

We Will Remember Them The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

Departments Feeding Your Mind

8 Why So Many Bible Versions?

Humour

15 Signs You’re Not Reading Your Bible Enough

Now You Know

54 Rev. David Hearn — President

Personnel

50 Personnel Updates

Perspectives

6 The Great Mismatch

Quiz

11 Test Your Bible Knowledge

Resources

48 Alliance-Generated Resources

FALL 2012

RIDE 2012 Photo Gallery

Cover Photo Courtesy Darryl Chapman

Allıance

Editorial

CM

A Resource for Transforming Canada and the World

We Have Work To Do

cmAlliance.ca is the national publication of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.

H

Founder A.B. Simpson President Rev. David Hearn Editor Barrie Doyle Associate Editors Denise Lodge Gladys Thompson Design Devon J Andrew Design Inc. Consultant Peter White All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Agreement No. 40064689 ISSN: 1918-4646 All articles are copyrighted by The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada except where indicated and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Submissions Writer’s Guidelines are available at www.cmalliance.ca. Send electronic inquiries or manuscript submissions to magazine@cmacan.org.

No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material.

For more information or reprint permission: contact Gladys Thompson, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, 30 Carrier Drive, Suite 100 Toronto ON M9W 5T7 Phone: 416.674.7878 ext. 211 Fax: 416.674.0808 e-mail: magazine@cmacan.org Member of the Canadian Church Press

Distinctively Canadian Totally Alliance 4

cmAlliance.ca Fall 2012

ow many Bibles do you own?” The question was posed in a seminar recently, and responses varied from several to dozens of Bibles. A recent poll in the United States showed that while the average ownership was 3.6 copies of the Bible, fewer than 30 per cent read those Bibles every day.

LifeWay Research, the organization that conducted the poll, concluded that owning a Bible is “much more prevalent than regularly investing time in reading it.” Another study featured in Christianity Today noted that “Americans love their Bibles. So much so, that they keep them in pristine, unopened condition.”

Biblical literacy—or lack thereof—is a challenge that transcends generations.

Today, it is no different, although the version may be electronic and found on a laptop rather than in print. The questions remain. Do we read our Bibles?

How literate are we? This issue of the magazine tackles various aspects of this weighty subject.

Someone once said that today’s Christians are living on a diet of marshmallows. That’s not healthy. We have a lot of work to do.

This issue also introduces the new President of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, Rev. David Hearn, elected at General Assembly in Winnipeg, on July 6, 2012. Dave’s perspective on the future of the Alliance in Canada is clearly outlined in the article beginning on page 34. We welcome Dave Hearn—the fourth president—and express thanksgiving to God for the leadership of our three earlier presidents, Mel Sylvester, Arnold Cook and Franklin Pyles.

Assembly also focused on RIDE 2012, the Sea to Sea church planting mission.

Cyclists and motorbikes left Winnipeg immediately after Assembly, raising funds for new church plants that reach out to people in inner cities, across Canada. One group of cyclists rode from Winnipeg to Vancouver, while others rode from Windsor to Montreal. Across the country, Alliance churches held community day rides, hosted the cross-country riders and continue to boost the Ride project. Check out the photos and stories in this issue.

Barrie Doyle

Mailbox

To submit a letter, write to magazine@cmacan.org or cmAlliance.ca, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, 30 Carrier Drive, Suite 100, Toronto ON M9W 5T7. Letters may be edited for space, clarity and style.

Submissions constitute permission to use. Include your name, city and province.

Focused On Our Heritage Thank you for producing such a fine magazine as cmAlliance.ca. It is an attractive publication and should help bond the diverse and widely scattered Alliance families in Canada.

I am particularly glad that the Spring 2012 issue focused on our heritage and included Sandy Ayer’s article on preserving our denominational history. It is so important, and most of us don’t have a clue about how to do it, even if we have the inclination.

I was, however, surprised and disappointed that there was no mention of Footprints and Rebirth, two books by Canadian author, Dr. Lindsay Reynolds. These books are faithful and meticulously researched accounts of the C&MA’s history in Canada.

—F. Ruth Bailey Quality Publication I’ve just been reading the Spring 2012 issue. Truly love it.

The Alliance Trivia on page 14 was really cool. Thanks for all you do to produce this exceptional, quality publication.

Well done!!

—Brent Farquhar One of the Best When the Spring 2012 issue of the magazine arrived, I sat down and read it from cover to cover.

I agree with the others—it was so good—actually, one of the best.

—Barbara Howe

Love the Music Just a comment on the letter from B. Camper in the Fall 2011 issue of cmAlliance.ca. He made the statement, “It would be a little more bearable if it were not for the drums.”

The problem is not the drums.

The problem, if there is one, is the drummers. If they are not sensitive to the music or to the audience, then they might as well be hammering washtubs with ball-peen hammers.

I turn 70 this year and (with a few exceptions) just love the music that God is motivating musicians to write in this “post-hymn” era.

—Ken Schamuhn

So Much Good Information There is so much good information and exhortation in all the articles that touch on discipleship in the Fall 2011 issue of cmAlliance.ca.

Classy Journal I was quite dismayed though, that nowhere in all these essays are Jesus’ piercing and disquieting words You have every reason to be proud of a classy of what it takes to be one of his disciples. journal that stands right up there with the best!

I think we need to look again at what he said.

—Ray Downey —Bert Warden

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perspectives

The Great Mismatch Correcting this imbalance could go a long way to seeing more young people have a faith that lasts

By Dave Brotherton and Randy Carter

H

as it ever struck you as a little bit odd that we often unleash our least experienced pastors on the segment of our church population that is potentially the most important?

According to George Barna’s research, 64 per cent of U.S. Christians come to faith before the age of 18. Only 23 per cent come to faith after their 21st birthday.

This fact is certainly the most productive part of the church evangelistically, and these years are a crucial time for young people in terms of life choices and worldview development.

Can we really afford to have well-meaning but inexperienced pastors experimenting with students’ spiritual formation and future participation in the church?

We have both been involved in youth ministry since 1979. We

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believe that the role of youth pastor out ministry by experimenting is critically important. We personally on our most precious resource. think that children’s and youth When we started as youth pastors, pastors should be we thought it was some of the best paid, pretty simple. All trained and resourced Can we really it took was to love “specialists” in students and help afford to have the church. them to be like Jesus, well-meaning but The reality, right? That was however, is that these inexperienced pastors extremely naive. ministries are often It didn’t take experimenting with perceived as entrylong to discover that students’ spiritual level positions or the road to student as stepping stones spiritual maturity formation and to other pastoral was not a straight future participation roles. As a result, one. We did with in the church many churches our students what hire theologically youth leaders had untrained members done with us, or what of the congregation, brand new we saw other youth pastors doing.

Bible college grads or relatively It wasn’t a comprehensive, new pastors. The result is that well-thought-out and tested many inexperienced but wellstrategy. It was experimenting meaning individuals are figuring with other people’s kids, and in

A mentor can do things that a seminar or book can’t some cases, it was just keeping The beauty of in-service, onekids busy and out of trouble. on-one mentoring is that it deals Help is needed to be effective. with real-world ministry in real A senior pastor doesn’t have the time. A mentor can do things necessary time or expertise to that a seminar or book can’t. assist. Other youth pastors may be First, he or she can shepherd the just as lost. For us, it took years of young pastor’s soul. Ministry can experimentation and searching to sometimes be toxic. It can be easy formulate a strategy for healthy, to get so busy with activities that well-balanced and sustainable youth a person neglects their own soul. ministry, and many more years to When pastors leave a church, they see it implemented. leave with only their Question: How do soul and their family. If Those who are we reduce or remove the they have not taken care further down experimentation phase of those two things, they of the learning cycle? leave with nothing. A the road of Answer: Mentoring. helps care for the experience invest mentor Those who are further person’s spiritual and in those who down the road of personal development. experience invest Second, a mentor is are beginning in those who are able to work through the journey beginning the journey. the unique issues that a It is time for a youth pastor encounters new kind of children’s/youth in a particular ministry context. worker. It is time for the coach/ Books and seminars communicate mentor. This is someone who can awesome ministry strategies, come alongside our churches and but a mentor walks with them to provide personalized assistance develop, implement, evaluate and to our inexperienced workers. refine a strategy that is specific and I (Randy), was recently invited effective in the pastor’s context. A to do some of this in-depth and mentor’s experience and outside long-term mentoring and coaching perspective can help shorten or with some less experienced youth eliminate the experimental phase. pastors. At a meeting with one youth Third, a mentor who is a ministry pastor early in the process, we were veteran not only guides with years evaluating his ministry and looking of earned knowledge and valuable at some potential strategies. He experience, but also can advocate suddenly interjected, “Why didn’t for a less experienced pastor. A they teach me THIS in Bible college?” mentor becomes a translator for Unfortunately, they can’t teach people working together but living everything we need to know when in two different generational we are there. Our education is cultures. This can bridge the significant and teaches a lot more differences in perspective and than we absorb. But considering may even save someone’s job. that we are not experiencing the Can we really afford to day-to-day realities of ministry and experiment with students when people’s lives as we go through their spiritual formation and future school, it is difficult to grasp the involvement in the church are at breadth of it all or the particular risk? What would happen if every responses to specific needs. church with a young pastor were

willing to do what it takes to connect them with a ministry veteran?

Imagine the incredible results if a mentor could spend six to eight hours a month with a youth pastor talking about, strategizing and evaluating the ministry for six to ten months in the early years?

Imagine how different things would be if a youth pastor had the support and encouragement of an active veteran dedicated to their personal, spiritual and ministry development.

We envision a few seasoned youth and children’s ministry specialists across Canada spending the lion’s share of their time mentoring and coaching those who are coming behind.

We can see a mentoring movement resulting in ministries becoming effective more quickly.

We can imagine networks of youth pastors in mentoring pods meeting monthly with a mentor to evaluate, problem solve and strategize about real-life issues in real time.

We believe that this kind of program could help young pastors and the churches they serve develop healthy, well-balanced and sustainable ministries in a shorter period of time.

Let’s do what is needed to raise the likelihood of success of those working with our greatest resource, our young people, at the most important time of their lives.

Rev. Dave Brotherton is National Youth Ministry Director of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, Director of Legacy Youth Conference and Associate Professor of Youth Ministry at Ambrose University College. Randy Carter has more than 30 years experience as an Alliance Youth Pastor, speaker and consultant with Straight Talk Ministries, at www.straighttalkministries.com

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feeding your mind

Why So Many Bible Versions?

Insights to encourage more frequent reading of your chosen translation

By Larry Thiessen

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“C

.S. Lewis once said, “Odd, the way the less the Bible is read, the more it is translated.” Odd, indeed and it reflects what I think many of us feel from time to time.

I know I certainly felt that way during my tenure as a “Bible seller.”

you almost can’t read it), audio, electronic and pew versions; some come with extensive commentary notes, some are colour-coded, and some are endorsed by a wellknown Christian celebrity.

Yet, research on how many

Depending on how you slice it, there are somewhere around 100 different English translations of the Bible available today We had to continually rework the Bible section in our stores to make room for the latest version, style or category of Bible that was coming out. I have to admit that many times I had to ask myself, “Do we really need another Bible version?”

Depending on how you slice it, there are somewhere around 100 different English translations of the Bible available today.

Bookseller statistics show a kind of “top 10” that includes versions such as: New International Version (NIV), King James Version (KJV), English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), Revised Standard Version (RSV), The Message (someone has to come up with an acronym for that one) and more.

On top of that, there are countless editions within each version. A small sampling includes Bibles for teens, youth (what’s the difference between teens and youth, you may ask?), singles, couples, athletes, children.

Then you can cut it even finer, so that you can have Bibles for devotions, study and life application.

Bibles are available in large print, compact (with font so small

Christians actually read the Bible regularly shows that less than 50 per cent do, with that percentage falling every year. It makes one reflect more deeply on what C.S. Lewis observed, doesn’t it? Why do we have so many?

The cynic in us might simply say, “It’s all about sales. After all, if we can get people to buy yet one more style, one more version, one more edition, which seemingly they will, then we will make our numbers for another year.”

There is certainly some truth to this, as I can attest. Anytime a new version came out, we were almost guaranteed increased sales. However, before we camp on this as the primary reason, allow me this thought.

Perhaps one reason we have so many versions of the Bible is that the Bible is actually a very difficult book to read. Perhaps it’s time we admit this and, instead of decrying

how little we actually read it, see if we can help people understand the complexity of the Bible.

With so many different genres of literature in the Bible—history, poetry, letters, to name a few —not to mention a completely different culture, no wonder we reach for another version to help us, hoping that this one will be the one that unpacks the mystery of the Bible and gets us reading more, like we’ve been told to do.

Imagine picking up any other kind of book like this. How long would you stay reading it? Likely not long. So, while we might not want to admit that we really don’t understand the Bible, this might be the best place to start in trying to understand why we have so many versions.

I remember growing up with the King James Version. That was one of the few options back then. But in the 1970s, The Living Bible, Paraphrased was released. As a teenager in those days, I headed down to the Canadian Bible Society and purchased one, the green padded version, which was all that was available.

My interest in reading the Bible skyrocketed, and without doubt, that Bible, no matter how many “translation errors” the pundits told me it contained, increased my love for the Scriptures, and for God. I am grateful for that experience, and since those days, I have moved from one translation to the next as I found ones that made

Perhaps one reason we have so many versions of the Bible is that the Bible is actually a very difficult book to read Fall 2012

cmAlliance.ca 9

Think It’s In The Bible?

Think Again!

“God helps those who help themselves” This is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. It originated with Algernon Sidney in 1698, in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. It was popularized

by Benjamin Franklin in 1736, in Poor Richard’s Almanac. The Bible teaches the opposite—God helps those who cannot help themselves.

“To thine ownself be true” This phrase is often cited as a biblical recommendation when prompting people to follow their conscience on matters. Its origin is the Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet. In part, it states, “This above all: to thine ownself be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” Not bad advice. Just not from the Bible.

“This too shall pass” This saying is often used to help comfort people dealing with trials and difficult circumstances in life. It is not found anywhere in Scripture. One early reference is the Old English poem Deor from the late 10 th century. Romans 5 reminds the believer that suffering produces hope for the Kingdom of God.

“Moderation in all things” This phrase is not biblical; rather, it has its origin in Aristotle’s Doctrine of the Mean, as presented in his Nicomachean Ethics. People unfamiliar with the context often reason that a moderate amount of a bad thing can be experienced without penalty—an inaccurate and sometimes deadly conclusion.

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me want to continue reading.

When anyone came into our stores and asked me, “What kind of Bible should I buy?” I would always answer by asking, “What do you like to read?” I never felt that there was one version that trumped the next. The goal is to have someone actually read it.

That is also why I was so sad when a parent would come in with their teenager to buy a Bible for them. I could see that the teen wanted that “pretty coloured one,” and the parents would say, “King James, black leather, please,” as if the very heft of those words would instill biblical literacy into their child. They meant well, I know, but I often wondered how many of those expensive leather Bibles ended up more or less unused.

Now, my purpose here is not to recommend a specific version of the Bible. I will, however, give some recommendations on books that might make the Bible come alive for you.

How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth

by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart This classic, in its third edition, focuses on the historical contexts of the Bible, explaining the differences between Old Testament narratives, New Testament letters, Gospels, parables, Psalms, etc. In short, it helps us understand the variety of genres of the Bible and puts things into perspective.

It includes an excellent reference section with additional resources and commentaries.

The Scripture Principle

by Clark Pinnock and Barry Callen This is an updated version of Pinnock’s earlier work by

the same title. Be prepared to have your thinking challenged as Pinnock takes on the task of working through what “biblical authority” means for us in today’s postmodern world.

The Book of God

by Walter Wangerin As one of our most gifted storytellers, Wangerin brings the characters, places and events of the Bible to life in narrative form. This wonderful book will renew your love for the grand epic story, the Bible.

For further reading, consider Paul and Jesus, also by Wangerin.

So, do all these versions and editions improve biblical literacy? The raw data would seem to suggest, “no.”

However, if I look past the goal of biblical literacy and ask myself if easier-to-read translations helped me in my understanding of God, then my answer is a resounding “yes.” And I would think your answer is yes, too.

So, let’s get on with reading the Bible in whatever version or edition works for you. If we do that, our love for God will grow.

Read on . . .

Larry Thiessen lives in Calgary, AB and is the former manager of Christian Publications bookstores

Test Your Bible Knowledge

The following is not designed to discuss doctrine or provide in-depth teaching. It is merely a test of your knowledge of factual information about the Bible. The answers are on page 21

Questions

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

How many books are in the Bible?

How many books are in the Old Testament?

How many books are in the New Testament?

When was the Bible written?

Who directed the writing of the Bible?

Which author contributed the most books to the Old Testament?

Which author contributed the most books to the New Testament?

What is the oldest book in the Old Testament?

What is the youngest book in the Old Testament?

What is the oldest book in the New Testament?

What is the youngest book in the New Testament?

What two Old Testament books are named for women?

Who wrote the first four books of the New Testament?

Which two New Testament books were written by a doctor?

Which two New Testament writers were brothers of Christ?

What is the longest book in the Bible?

What is the shortest book in the Bible?

What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

What is the longest verse in the Bible?

What is the shortest verse in the Bible?

Which book in the Bible does not mention the word “God”?

What languages was the Bible written in?

When was the Bible first translated into English?

When was the Bible first printed?

Which two animals talked with human speech in the Bible?

Who was the first murderer in the Bible?

Which event caused God to splinter human language into many tongues?

Who were the two men in the Bible who never died but were caught up to heaven?

30. Who was the oldest man who ever lived in the Bible?

31. How many people were on Noah’s ark?

32. Whom did God command to sacrifice his only son?

33. Which Hebrew became prime minister of Egypt?

34. What Old Testament feast celebrated God’s saving

the firstborn of Israel the night they left Egypt?

35. To whom did God give the Ten Commandments?

36. Which of the twelve tribes of Israel served as priests?

37. Which city fell after the Israelites marched around it

daily for seven days?

38. For which Israelite commander did the sun stand still?

39. Who was the female judge of Israel?

40. Who was the first king of Israel?

41. Who was Israel’s most well-known and well-loved king?

42. With which woman did David commit adultery?

43. Which one of their sons succeeded David as king?

44. Which cupbearer to a foreign king rebuilt the wall

of Jerusalem?

45. Which Hebrew woman became Queen of Persia?

46. Who are the major prophets?

47. Who was the “weeping prophet”?

48. Who was thrown into the lion’s den?

49. Which chapter of an Old Testament prophet’s book

gives a detailed prophecy of the Messiah’s death

by crucifixion?

50. Which angel appeared to Mary?

51. What was Christ’s first miracle?

52. Which two people walked on water?

53. Which Roman governor sentenced Christ to death?

54. Whose tomb was Christ buried in?

55. Who was the first person to see the risen Lord?

56. Who was the greatest missionary of the New Testament?

57. On what occasion was the Holy Spirit given to

the Church?

58. Whom did the angel release from prison?

59. Which two pastors did Paul write letters to?

60. Where is the New Testament “Hall of Faith”?

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FEATURE

The

r e tt o T r e Teet

a bal a g n i d n i f a b ou t s t h g u o h T e Bible h t e s u e in how w 12

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nce

B y D av e

I

s a solid, workable knowledge of the Bible’s content disappearing from the average person in our pews? It sure seems like it, from my point of view.

I see it while working with the adult volunteers teaching in youth groups and Sunday Schools, and I see it in the students entering our college for ministry training.

So, what is the cause of this lack of biblical content knowledge? Is it a cultural thing? Is it a symptom of apathetic Christians? Is it poor parenting? Is it bad youth groups? Is it our preaching?

While I have heard all of them used as reasons for this trend, might it not be the sum of many of those things coming together?

Maybe it’s best explained by the playground teeter-totter.

Here’s what I mean: two kids on a teeter-totter bounce back and forth, up and down, balanced on a fulcrum.

(I learned that fancy word while helping my Grade 5 son with homework.)

In our day-to-day activity, when we notice there is a problem or a given scenario, we are often guilty of reacting in the opposite direction—like a teeter-totter tilted to one side, then tipping the other way. If we continue to bounce, we’re in danger of going back and forth, from one extreme to the other, just like a teeter-totter.

Sadly, I have noticed this same cycle in the way we use the Bible.

For a while, we elevate the importance of biblical knowledge and literacy. We teach content, content and more content. We train our kids to memorize the order of the books and we prioritize the memory verses. The Bible itself becomes the content of our lessons, and everybody in our church can easily flip through to find passages and fluently tell the stories.

But, over time, it seems that we always eventually flip to the other end of the teeter-totter. Our focus shifts to the behaviour, character and expectations described in the Bible’s pages. We use the Bible to teach things like

Bro t her

t on

courage, honesty, loving enemies or perseverance. The Bible’s content and biblical knowledge aren’t as important as our life, behaviour or character, and the Bible becomes a great resource.

Then, after awhile, we suddenly realize there’s a lack of biblical content knowledge, and we bounce the teetertotter back again. We are guilty of shifting from one side to the other without ever seeming to find that stability in the middle.

I feel we’ve been sitting on the plank with all our

what is the cause of this lack of biblical content knowledge? weight tilted toward the behaviour/character side for too long! I have taught many Sunday School and small group lessons from a curriculum in which the intended outcome is any one of a million topics such as “social justice.” Great studies! Fantastic action! Solid life application and focus of energy!

However, we gloss through Bible stories and their characters as a resource tool to dig out the valued application with little or no curricular regard for the content of the pages.

The result is a generation of people who know very little about the Bible itself—the content, structure, characters or overall storyline. We become people who know what God expects of us (and maybe even live it well) but who cannot find Thessalonians without turning to the table of contents.

On its own, neither end of this teeter-totter is bad! But alone, neither end is good.

We need to spend our energy finding a way to balance the plank on its fulcrum. Desperately!

We need to find that place in the middle, where both

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Think It’s In The Bible?

Think Again!

“Cleanliness is next to godliness” While there are many references in the Mosaic law to cleanliness, especially in Leviticus, there are none to which this saying can be attributed.

The first English version of this phrase comes from Francis Bacon in 1605 in his Advancement of Learning. John Wesley then changed it in a 1778 sermon to the phrase we have today.

“Money is the root of all evil” This expression stems from the biblical phrase, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). There is a big difference between the two statements. Money, of itself, is not evil, yet the love of it is the root of all kinds of evil.

“The eye is the window to the soul” The Bible does not speak of the eye being a window of the soul. However, it does represent the eye as being a lamp of the body (see Matthew 6:22). Some attribute this phrase to several writers, including Shakespeare and Milton.

“Pride comes before a fall” It is uncertain when or why Proverbs 16:18 was altered for popular consumption; the original states: “Pride goes before destruction.” This misquote is included as a line in the Beatles’ song I’m a Loser.

“Charity begins at home” This phrase is not found anywhere in the Bible. Although generally credited to Terence, the Roman comic dramatist, it is sometimes attributed to Sir Thomas Browne, who wrote the phrase in 1642.

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ends hang equally above the ground, where both are priorities, in balance.

The ability to know Scripture with depth does not have to come at the expense of the application!

Most would deny that it is an either/or choice. In fact, they might argue that scriptural knowledge should bleed application and that application will never too deeply root itself in our lives without a true depth of knowledge in Scripture. Why then, the teeter-totter?

Because something is wrong. People entering The ability to know our Bible colleges score Scripture with depth miserably low on basic Bible entrance tests. Something is does not have to out of kilter when a person come at the expense tries to share Christ with a lost friend but can’t turn to of the application an applicable verse.

Are we really reading our Bibles? Are we holding the value of this Book as highly as we would if it were forbidden? Are we hiding his Word in our hearts like the psalmist declares?

Ezra 7:10 explains why Ezra was successful and recognized in his leadership. It tells us, in order, the three things to which he devoted his life.

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. First, his devotion was to study God’s Word. Second, he was devoted to living it out and then finally, to teaching it.

Let’s recognize the problem and find the delicate balance without flopping to the other end. This isn’t a playground Let’s have no more teeter-totter.

Rev. Dave Brotherton is National Youth Ministry Director of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, Director of Legacy Youth Conference and Associate Professor of Youth Ministry at Ambrose University College

humour

Just for Laughs // Signs You’re Not Reading Your Bible Enough Here is a Top 10 List of signs that you may not be reading your Bible enough: 10. You think the “epistles” were the

wives of the “apostles.”

9. You think the minor prophets

worked underground extracting coal.

8. You think Sodom and Gomorrah

were husband and wife.

7. Your favourite Old Testament hero

is Hercules.

6.

5.

4.

You think Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were a rock band from the 1960s.

You’re frustrated when you can’t find Charlton Heston in the concordance.

You think Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are three of the 31 ice cream flavours at Baskin Robbins.

3.

2.

1.

You catch your teenager reading the Song of Solomon and demand, “Who gave you that trash?”

You tell your kids the story of “Jonah the shepherd boy and his ark of many colours.”

You think the seventh commanment is “Thou shalt not admit adultery.”

// Children’s Versions of Bible Events Don’t read these too quickly or you may miss the influence of the spelling on the statements

1. In the first book of the bible,

guinesses, God got tired of

creating the world so he took

the sabath off.

2. Adam and eve were created from

an apple tree.

3. Noah’s wife was joan of ark. Noah

built an ark and the animals came

on in pears.

4. Lots wife was a pillar of salt

during the day, but a ball of fire

during the night.

5. Moses led the jews to the red

sea where they made unleavened

bread which is bread without any ingredients.

6. The egyptians were all drowned

in the dessert.

7. The first commandment was

when eve told adam to eat

the apple.

8. Moses died before he ever

reached canada.

9. Then joshua led the hebrews in

the battle of geritol.

10. The greatest miricle in the bible is

when joshua told his son to stand

still and he obeyed him.

11. Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

12. When the three wise guys from

the east side arrived they found

jesus in the manager.

13. Jesus was born because mary had

an immaculate contraption.

14. Jesus talked about the golden rule

which says to do one to others

before they do one to you.

15. It was a miricle when jesus rose

from the dead and managed to

get the tombstone off the entrance.

16. Paul preached about holy

acrimony which is another name

for marriage.

17. Christians have only one spouse.

This is called monotony.

Collected by Professor Alexander A. Di Lella of The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

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FEATURE FEATURE

Biblical Illiteracy and the Technological Tsunami Moving from information consumed to knowledge possessed in the digital age

By Bill McAlpine

B

iblical illiteracy is not a 21st century phenomenon; it has always existed to some degree. What makes our current state of affairs in the Evangelical Church so confusing is that the present generation has benefited from unprecedented volumes of information accessed through recent technological advancements while, at the same time, is proving to be among the most biblically illiterate in decades.

I wish there were more substantial evidence to

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convince me that the technological advances our culture has been enjoying over the past several decades will help, in significant, measurable ways, to stem the pandemic of biblical illiteracy that appears to be creeping into the average Evangelical congregation.

Although there may be some benefit in taking an historical, reflective stroll in an effort to understand how we have devolved into such alarming biblical illiteracy, there would be little redemptive value in an article of

Biblical illiteracy is the result of personal choices, not technological advances or lack thereof

this length and nature in rolling out a spate of statistics to indicate just how biblically illiterate the average North American Christian really is.

Suffice it to say, we are not in good shape. It is no longer just “unchurched Harry and Mary” who can not articulate at least some fundamental knowledge of Scripture. The first step toward addressing and reversing this condition is to admit the problem exists.

Most Evangelicals love their Bibles. It has been

suggested, however, that too many of us unfortunately treat it like a collector’s item—once the wrapping is opened, the value goes down. As the results of a Gallup survey found, “Americans revere the Bible, but by and large, they don’t read it.” Without doubt, the same could be said about Canadians. Biblical illiteracy is the result of personal choices, not technological advances or lack thereof.

Clearly, there is wonderful advantage to being able to carry around multiple versions and translations of Scripture, plus a few sets of commentaries, on an apparatus that consumes less space than a thin stack of paper and weighs in at a few ounces. However, the suggestion that the mere possession of such technology will increase one’s desire to be in the Word is naive, if not woefully overly optimistic.

Initially, people may indeed read their digital Bibles more, but I wonder if that is not born more out of fascination with the latest gadgetry than a deeply rooted hunger for the truth of God’s Word. All novelty is ultimately short-lived.

There are some very positive aspects of the burgeoning tide of technology. Access to rich resources of information that are available in cyberspace has increased exponentially over the past few decades. Whether one consults sites such as Wikipedia, Bible Gateway, Sermon Spice or countless other options, the amount of helpful information is impressive, if not overwhelming.

But clearly, increased information is not the solution to biblical illiteracy in the Evangelical Church today.

We have more excellent information available than any previous generation and, no doubt, far less than the generations to come, and yet all indicators are suggesting that the average church attendee knows less Scripture than their grandparents did.

If that trend continues unabated, the present generation will know more now than their children will!

Information technology does not help Christians love the Word more; it helps us love technology more.

That said, caution must be exercised against electing to opt out by refusing to deploy any kind of technology, either at the congregational or individual level; that would hardly be the wisest course of action. Information technology is here to stay, and its scintillating appeal is

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We have more excellent information available than any previous generation, and yet all indicators are suggesting that the average church attendee knows less Scripture than their grandparents did admittedly, at times, difficult to resist.

The challenge is to remain impressed and grateful, harnessing technological advances critically and with discernment without succumbing to a radical dependence on them. Keeping them in their proper perspective is critical, albeit challenging.

Technology is not without major limitations. Will preaching from notes committed to an iPad improve a preacher’s effectiveness in the pulpit? Apart from avoiding the embarrassment of dropping one’s notes, not likely.

Only the anointing of the Spirit of God can foster such effectiveness.

Furthermore, one would be hard-pressed to convince me that PowerPoint has profoundly improved the average corporate worship experience. Has it been helpful? Of course, when effectively used, but even then, to a limited degree. It has also proven to be painfully distracting when managed unskilfully.

Some have argued, convincingly, that it allows for more demonstrative expressions of worship without the encumbrance of holding a hymn book. But has it infused a qualitative improvement in bringing worshippers into an intimacy with the risen Lord Jesus through worship? I would argue it has not, since no technology is completely capable of doing so; that, too, is something only the Holy Spirit can do.

A reasonable question to be addressed is: Has technology actually contributed to the decline in biblical literacy? In other words, are we, as the Church, less biblically literate as a result of technological advances?

Some may be inclined to agree in light of the compelling evidence that underscores the addictive nature of many technologies, from video games to social networks. But to single out information technology and phenomena such as social networking as the main contributor to the decline of biblical literacy is difficult to sustain.

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Many pastors have found great assistance in the ever-increasing volume of resources available online for sermon preparation. But I have to wonder if the abundance of homiletical and exegetical online resources has not fostered a subtle and insidious laziness among us preachers.

With such a vast array of ready-made sermon material available, the grunt work of reading a passage thirty, forty, fifty times before preaching it or taking time to memorize the passage to be preached or lingering and immersing oneself in Scripture through disciplined exegetical and hermeneutical labour has been rendered admirable, even cute, but practically unnecessary.

Good sermons cannot be hurriedly cranked out, but generally develop slowly and are the result of prayersaturated, hard, intensive, unhurried, disciplined effort. It is those kinds of good sermons that contribute to sound biblical literacy. People can tell when hard work involving heart, mind, soul and strength has been invested in a sermon. Their soul and spirit will tell them when it has not.

Though certainly helpful, sitting under excellent pulpit ministries from week to week in itself is, likewise, no

Think It’s In The Bible?

Think Again!

“God works in mysterious ways” Though not found in Scripture, this saying might have originated in the 18 th century from William Cowper’s hymn God Moves in a Mysterious Way. That God does work in ways curious and beyond the measure of our limited experience and conception is obvious.

“Spare the rod, spoil the child” Despite popular opinion, this famous saying is not found anywhere in the Bible. However, the sentiment should not be considered invalid, as there are verses that promote a similar concept, including Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13–14 and 29:15.

“The lion shall lay down with the lamb” guarantee that individuals will become more biblically literate. Such effective ministries must be undergirded by a commitment to consistent, personal nurture in the Word of God. Unfortunately, too often, we approach this whole matter with a truncated concept of what biblical literacy entails. Does being able to locate references to Adam and Eve, Moses, the Ten Commandments, David and Goliath or the Sermon on the Mount in Scripture really provide a good indicator of biblical literacy?

The more important The more important issue is not solely issue is not solely what a person knows of Scripture, but what a person knows what a person does with that knowledge.

A person may know where to find key of Scripture, but scriptural passages. So what? It is not the acquisition of biblical knowledge that what a person does should satisfy our concern for biblical with that knowledge literacy. It is the integration of that knowledge into a person’s everyday life.

Biblical literacy will be manifested most convincingly to the degree to which biblical knowledge impacts the way a person lives. Biblical literacy is meant to serve a dual purpose: to reveal Christ and make us more like Him. That kind of result is entirely beyond the capability of even the most advanced state-of-theart technology that now exists or, for that matter, ever will.

This is a commonly misquoted passage from Scripture. The imagery is developed from a different juxtaposition of animals in several verses from the writings of Isaiah. In these verses, both lions and lambs appear but are paired with other animals (see Isaiah 11:16 and 65:25).

“The Apple in the Garden of Eden” According to Genesis 2 and 3, there was fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but there is no mention of the type of fruit. The apple grew out of Christian tradition and may have been the result of artists trying to depict Adam and Eve. The allusion of the apple might also have come from the Latin word for evil, which is “malum,” while the word for apple is “malus.”

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But let’s not demonize technology as the prime source of biblical illiteracy

But let’s not demonize technology as the prime source of biblical illiteracy. Likewise, let’s not deify it as the great rescuer that will stem the tide of biblical illiteracy. Some would perhaps liken the technological advances of our day to the development of the Guttenberg printing press of the sixteenth century.

During that time, Reformers such as Martin Luther harnessed the technology of his day, capitalizing on an opportunity to make Scripture accessible to the masses in unprecedented ways. Did biblical literacy increase as a result? Without question, but only among those who

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already had the ability to read in the first place.

In the North American Church, however, the problem is not accessibility. My point is that biblical illiteracy is not a technological issue; it is a heart issue.

It is not a phenomenon that will decline with the introduction of more information, education or the latest technology.

It will only recede when we, individually, allow the Holy Spirit, in his fullness, to create a hunger in our hearts for God’s Truth, as revealed through Jesus Christ in his precious Word.

It will only recede when those of us privileged to preach and teach allow Scripture, not culture, to set the agenda for our pulpit ministries, and when we present consistently and without apology, the whole counsel of God, the full Gospel of Christ our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King!

Rev. William R. McAlpine, PhD is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University College and Seminary

Test Your Bible Knowledge

The following are the answers to the questions found on page 11

ANSWERS

1. The Bible contains 66 books.

2. There are 39 books in the Old Testament.

3. There are 27 books in the New Testament.

4. It was written over a period of 1500 years, from around

1450 BC (the time of Moses) to about AD 100 (following

the death and resurretion of Jesus Christ).

5. The Holy Spirit (see 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21).

6. Moses. He wrote the first five books of the Old

Testament, referred to as the Pentateuch.

7. The Apostle Paul wrote 14 books of the New Testament.

8. Most scholars agree that Job is the oldest book in

the Bible.

9. The book of Malachi, written about 400 BC. 10. Probably the book of James, written as early as AD 45.

11. The book of Revelation, written about AD 95.

12. Esther and Ruth.

13. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

14. Luke and Acts (see 2 Timothy 4:11 and Colossians 4:14).

15. James and Jude (see Matthew 13:55).

16. The longest book is the Psalms.

17. The shortest book is 2 John.

18. The longest chapter is Psalm 119.

19. The shortest chapter is Psalm 117.

20. The longest verse is Esther 8:9.

21. The shortest verse is John 11:35.

22. The book of Esther.

23. The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek.

24. In 1382, by John Wycliffe.

25. According to most scholars, in 1456, by Johannes

Guttenberg, the inventor of movable type and the

printing press. The Bible was the first book he printed.

26. The serpent in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1–3)

and Balaam’s donkey (see Numbers 22:28).

27. Cain, who killed his brother Abel (see Genesis 4:8).

28. The building of the Tower of Babel (see Genesis 11).

29. Enoch (see Genesis 5:22–24) and Elijah

(see 2 Kings 2:11).

30. Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old

(see Genesis 5:27).

31. Eight people: Noah and his wife, his three sons

and their wives (see Genesis 7:13).

32. Abraham (see Genesis 22:2).

33. Joseph (see Genesis 41:41).

34. Passover (see Exodus 12:27).

35. Moses (see Exodus 20).

36. Levites (see Deuteronomy 10:8).

37. Jericho (see Joshua 6:20).

38. Joshua (see Joshua 10).

39. Deborah (see Judges 4:4).

40. Saul (see 1 Samuel 13:1).

41. David (see 1 Chronicles 29:28).

42. Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11).

43. Solomon (see 2 Samuel 12:24).

44. Nehemiah (see Nehemiah 2:5).

45. Esther (see Esther 2:17).

46. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

47. Jeremiah.

48. Daniel (see Daniel 6).

49. Isaiah 53 50. Gabriel (see Luke 1:26).

51. He turned water into wine at the wedding

at Cana (see John 2:11).

52. Jesus and Peter (see Matthew 14:29).

53. Pontius Pilate (see Matthew 27:26).

54. Joseph of Arimathea (see Matthew 27:57–60).

55. Mary Magdalene (see John 20:16).

56. Paul (see Acts).

57. Pentecost (see Acts 2:1–4).

58. Peter (see Acts 12).

59. Timothy and Titus.

60. Hebrews 11.

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FEATURE

Preaching and Biblical Literacy Strategies to help nurture a desire to know the Scriptures

By Gordon T. Smith

P

reachers are well aware that most of those who attend church services on a typical weekend do not know their Bibles well. We can bemoan this; and certainly, we should ask why this is the case.

But in these reflections, I want to ask a different question—not the why question but another question: given that this is the situation, how might we preach when we open the Word with those who do not know their Bibles very well, or perhaps do not know them at all?

How can we preach so that, through our preaching, we nurture a desire to know the Scriptures and then also foster biblical literacy?

More needs to happen outside of formal worship to foster this literacy, including group Bible study and courses that help new Christians learn how to read the Bible for themselves. Further, the whole of the worship event can foster biblical literacy, not just the preaching.

Why not pray through the whole of the book of the Psalms, for example, over the course of a threeyear cycle, so that the congregation is introduced to this magnificent prayer book and can see and feel how it can inform their personal prayers? Why not restore to our worship the reading of, at least, an Old Testament passage and a New Testament passage, again as another means to give time and space to the Scriptures in our worship?

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Perhaps consider the use of the common lectionary, for example. I know that this resource is associated with mainline churches, but there is no reason that Alliance churches could not use this ancient and potentially fruitful means to foster biblical literacy.

Thus, there is more to fostering biblical literacy than just preaching. But here I want to focus specifically on this dimension of the ministry of the Church and ask, how can our preaching foster biblical literacy for old and young, new Christian and more mature Christian?

In response, I offer three suggestions.

First, consider preaching in a cycle such that every year you preach at least one sermon series from the Old Testament, one from the Epistles and one series from the Gospels. Over the course of three to five years, then, your congregation would have been drawn into the Old Testament prophets and then also, perhaps, the book of Genesis or Deuteronomy.

In the Epistles, they would surely have heard the Word preached from the writings of Paul and at least one other epistle writer. And, in this approach, the congregation would have spent time in each of the four Gospels. We preach the whole counsel of God by preaching texts from the whole spectrum of the biblical witness.

Second, preach a text very specifically within its

We preach the whole counsel of God by preaching texts from the whole spectrum of the biblical witness

Think It’s In The Bible?

Think Again!

“The Three Wise Men” Nowhere in Scripture are we told there were three wise men or magi.

Matthew 2:1–11 is the only place they are mentioned, but no number is given. Traditionally, only three have been mentioned because three gifts were presented to the infant Jesus. In reality, there could have been any number of magi visiting Christ. Also, they did not visit Jesus in the manger. Rather, they found him as a young child in a house.

Further confusing the situation is the famous hymn, We Three Kings, written by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857, and often sung during the advent season. Though this wellcherished song refers to the three “kings,” there is no evidence that supports that these magi were in fact kings.

“The Seven Deadly Sins” The seven are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. Although there are sins in Scripture that God condemns, they are not found in the Bible in any such grouping. While Proverbs 6:16–19 identifies six things the Lord hates, plus a seventh he detests, the first evidence of the list of seven deadly sins is from a monk in the fourth century. His list was revised by Pope Gregory I in 590 and then popularized by Dante in The Divine Comedy.

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biblical context. Thus, for example, I recently preached Hebrews 4:14–16, and I chose to preach these three verses not in isolation from the rest of the book of Hebrews but as a representative of the whole message of the book of Hebrews.

The text opens with a reference to the Ascension and so I highlighted this by speaking of how the Ascension is central to the message of the book of Hebrews.

If you are preaching John 15:4, you simply must speak of this extraordinary call —“abide in me as I abide in you”— in the light of how the whole of the Gospel of John sets this up. This does not need to be a whole biblical theology from the book of John; in a few passing comments and observations, as a preacher, you can demonstrate how the book of John or the book of Hebrews is an integrated whole, even as you draw your hearers into one brief text within that particular book of the Bible.

Here is where a few verses projected via PowerPoint on a screen might, inadvertently, undercut our vision for biblical literacy. We are in danger of treating the Bible as a text that can be mined for truth nuggets to support the theme for our sermon.

However, if the Bible is not written as brief nuggets of truth but as epistles, psalms, Gospels and narratives, then it only makes sense that we preach it with a high regard for how it was written — for, precisely, how the Spirit of God brought it into being.

And third, it is so very important that we preach in a way that locates our particular text within the grand narrative of God’s redemptive work.

Just as each book of the Bible is an integrated whole, even so, the Bible is an integrated whole.

This magisterial story of God’s work Many people who as Creator and Redeemer begins in the book of Genesis, and the magnificent have shown up finale is, of course, the book of Revelation. Every text in between is not for worship know placed arbitrarily but either anticipates the incarnation of the Son of God or very, very little looks back to and only makes sense in light of the life, death and resurrection about the Bible of Jesus.

Each text is then preached in light of the reign of Christ, with the most dynamic reference point being, of course, the witness of the Gospels, which is why I am suggesting that we preach from at least one of the Gospels, at least once a year.

And if you are preaching the Old Testament prophets, the Babylonian exile is clearly a defining point of reference for these spokespersons for God. If preaching Habakkuk, we are clearly anticipating the exile, if preaching Jeremiah, we have a text that is obviously written to a people “in exile.” We preach these books of the Bible in light of the broader work and purposes of God with his people.

This last point is so very important, for, as we must stress, our primary objective is not biblical literacy. Rather, the purpose or intent of preaching is that the Church would meet Christ and know Christ through the Word, the Word preached and, in meeting Christ, be drawn into the Kingdom purposes of Christ in the Church and in the world.

So, biblical literacy is not an end, but a means to an end: to know Christ and see, appreciate and enter into the purposes of God in the world. And thus, this third point is so very important: each text preached is a window into the grand work of God, in Christ, as Creator and Redeemer.

. . . many churches have intentionally designed their group Bible study times to coordinate with the text that is being preached on Sunday

In all of this, of course, we assume little. Many people who have shown up for worship know very, very little about the Bible. Without being patronizing or overly pedantic, your opportunity to preach is also a potential occasion on which to provide a basic guide to the text of Scripture that is being preached. Provide page numbers, if there is a pew Bible, without assuming that folks can find, with ease, the book of 1 Samuel. And we all need help trying to find Philemon!

If you are preaching a Psalm, then perhaps include some passing comments on poetry as Scripture and on what it means to read poetry. If you are preaching from the prophets, then you might choose to highlight what it means to read the oracles of these spokespersons for God. And if you are preaching Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians, it only strengthens the ministry of the Word to mention that, indeed, this text was written by the Apostle Paul to a particular people at a particular time. The deep particularity of his epistles provides your hearers with a deeper appreciation of how they function today as Scripture, as God’s Word for the people of God. As you foster biblical literacy in your preaching, you will find, of course, that you increasingly have informed and intelligent listeners. When you come to a Psalm, they will know the Psalms; when you preach the parables, they know these parables. So your preaching should, selfevidently, be a proclamation of this text.

The fact that the people of God are biblically literate and know that there are diverse interpretations of the book of Revelation, for example, keeps us on our toes and fosters for all of us a greater capacity to hear God and grow in wisdom and thus, in faith, hope and love.

Rather than being threatened by a biblically literate congregation, this should animate us to preach well, to

foster and encourage biblical literacy but also to play into this strength, to know the joy of preaching to a congregation that knows the Scriptures well.

Also, I might mention that many churches have intentionally designed their group Bible study times to coordinate with the text that is being preached on Sunday.

They have found great value in group reflection that considers the text that has been preached, perhaps reading together the text that is scheduled for this coming Sunday but mainly choosing to discuss and deliberate on the text after it has been preached, as a way to foster an even deeper engagement with the Scriptures.

Some church groups discuss the text at length before it is preached, some afterwards. I prefer that they read the text and perhaps no more beforehand so that the preacher’s reading and proclamation of the text is fresh and immediate for this hour in the life of the people of God. Finally, something else must be stressed. One of the key ways in which we foster biblical literacy through our preaching is that those of us who preach come to the ministry of the Word with an obvious love of and respect for the Scriptures. Without being overly self-referential, we show how our own reading of the text has encouraged and informed our life and work and relationships.

Along the way, we speak of the value of Bible reading, meditation and study for our own lives, not as preachers so much but as fellow pilgrims, as those who long to know, love and serve Jesus. And we never stop being students of the Scriptures, always eager to grow in our own capacity to appreciate the depth and rich complexity of the Word.

Dr. Gordon T. Smith is President of Ambrose University College and Seminary

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FEATURE

The Church and Social Media Why Christians need to harness these new tools for ministry

W

e are in the midst of the greatest communication shift since the advent of the printing press. With the growing popularity of social media, the digital world is entering an exciting period. We are seeing social media technologies used to meet social and political needs, empower civil society and raise citizen awareness and activism.

A great example of this is the Arab Spring, the name given to the revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world. Beginning on December 18, 2010, we have witnessed rulers forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Civil uprisings have erupted in Bahrain and Syria, and protests have broken out in 12 other countries across the Middle East and North Africa.

These activities have been driven, in large part, by the effective use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, textmessaging, email, video) to organize, communicate and raise awareness in the face of state attempts at repression and Internet censorship.

Yet, there are concerns about social media making people stupid in terms of the degradation of the English language, literacy, math skills, etc. Some argue that the

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By Craig Custeau

dumbing-down of society started long ago, perhaps with television, and that YouTube and Twitter have only served to make things worse.

Others feel that seeing everything in sound bites, short video clips or 140 characters (Twitter) is reducing our attention span, that we are training our brains to be incapable of extended focus and concentration, or that our brains will no longer be able to ponder, meditate and/or contemplate text or thought. Are grammar and spelling being affected as we work within the confines of character limits, so that “your” or “you’re” are now “ur,” and “too” or “to” are “2”?

Grammy Award-winning musician and singersongwriter John Mayer began to recognize the effects Twitter was having on him and decided to delete his account. At a Berklee Performance Center clinic for aspiring musicians in July 2011, he had this to say: “The tweets are getting shorter, but the songs are still four minutes long. You’re coming up with 140-character zingers, and the song is still four minutes long . . . I realized about a year ago that I couldn’t have a complete thought anymore. And I was a tweetaholic. I had four million Twitter followers, and I was always writing on

it. And I stopped using Twitter as an outlet and I started using Twitter as the instrument to riff on, and it started to make my mind smaller and smaller and smaller. And I couldn’t write a song.”

As a response to Mayer, prominent pastor John Piper used his blog to state his position on Twitter.

“Mayer said, ‘I couldn’t have a complete thought anymore.’ To me, this is almost the opposite of what happens. But that may depend on what we aim to do with Twitter.

“Two aims drive my writing of tweets. One is theological and the other is aesthetic. I aim to say important theological things. And I aim to say them in a compelling way. Whether I succeed is not mine to judge.

“This means that tweets do not diminish my ability to have a complete thought, they demand it. That’s what a tweet is—a thought that is complete enough to press some God-focused truth into someone’s consciousness.

“This kind of tweeting does not distract from thinking.

It demands thinking. A peculiar kind of thinking— thinking that is capacious, concise and compelling.”

On a mass scale, the idea that people are using Twitter in order to demand or provide a complete thought is arguable. However, there will always be people who will move against the grain of the apparent degradation of mass communications and will use Twitter to demand a complete thought, people who will be open to thinking, pondering and contemplating. Piper is hoping to reach these people and is wise to leverage social media to do so.

The same cannot be said for the majority of pastors. Most churches and ministries want to reach younger audiences.

Unfortunately, many of Maybe it will them are still unsure if require a new the expense (time and money) of a website generation of is effective. If they pastors who are do have a website, it is done with poor familiar with execution and little to these tools no maintenance. This is in spite of countless online resources that can be easily leveraged at low cost.

It should be seen as a danger if not knowing technology is a rationale for not communicating through these media. Rather than owning and leading with these communication tools, some are reluctant to even consider them. They then wonder why masses are not tuning in to church.

Maybe it will require a new generation of pastors who are familiar with these tools. Perhaps we need to make digital technology a requirement during seminary. Maybe one day we’ll go so far as to say that being tech-savvy is a core competency of the position of pastor.

There is nothing new about stating that the world

is rapidly changing. Yet it is worth repeating, because many churches are being left behind in this new world of communications.

The church used to be the cornerstone of a village, community or neighbourhood. Today, many churches are playing the waiting game, until they either fade away or are forced to merge with other non-growing churches and/or denominations. We can easily recite various causes for that, but whatever the case, mass society is moving into a fully-integrated digital world, and the church is falling further behind.

Barring any Orwellian policies, or should I say, in order to prevent any Orwellian policies, social media is here to stay. Christians need to take a stand within digital media before we succumb to further marginalization. People’s souls are at stake.

Craig Custeau is Vice-President, Business Development, Gateseven Media Group, Inc.

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RIDE 2012 Photo Gallery RIDE 2012 seeks to raise awareness of the needs of our inner-city church plants across Canada and provide the financial resources required to deliver compassion and justice to people living in the inner city.

Cyclists and motorcyclists left Winnipeg immediately following General Assembly.

One group of cyclists rode from Winnipeg to Vancouver, while other groups rode from Windsor to Montreal.

Across the country, Alliance churches have held community day rides, hosted the cross-country riders, and continue to boost the Ride project.

Photos Courtesy Janus Steyn

FEATURE

Riding Across the Country for the Inner City Stories from this unique experience of raising awareness and funds

Compiled by Denise Lodge

S

trong headwinds, flat tires, broken spokes, sore muscles, sunburns, pot holes, crumbling roads and days of extreme heat were some of the challenges faced by the participants in RIDE 2012.

After a day of cycling 160 kilometres in 40-degree weather, sleeping that evening in a cabin with no air conditioning or cross breeze was a challenge for one rider.

He says, “I slept like a baby, up every hour for a short cry.”

But still, they persevered.

The common cause of reaching people in the inner city united them. They met riders from other Alliance churches from across Canada and heard their stories. It was also encouraging to see so many people in churches along the routes partnering with them and providing food and lodging to keep their expenses down, so that money raised could support inner-city ministries in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

Here are several of their stories from this unique experience.

Matt Campbell Matt Campbell loves cycling and church planting.

So when Franklin Pyles, former President of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA),

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Photo Courtesy Janus Steyn

asked him to take on the role of National Director of RIDE 2012, he gladly accepted.

Matt says he rode “for the joy of riding with a group of people for a great cause. I enjoyed connecting with churches across the country and seeing people cheer on the team.”

He tells the story of a car pulling over ahead of his team on the Trans-Canada highway in the middle of Saskatchewan. “As we rode closer, we were not sure if he was going to chew us for being cyclists or if he was just stopped,” Matt shares. “As we came up, we saw that he had his hand out the window with a $20 bill. He simply wanted to give us $20.

“Celebrating the birthday of the oldest rider on the team, as she finished cycling the route from Calgary to Kelowna,” was also exciting.

“It was her 83rd birthday.”

But his most memorable time was “riding the final day through Vancouver and stepping into the Pacific Ocean.”

Matt Campbell

Shauna Archer

Shauna Archer When the RIDE 2012 promotional material came out, Shauna Archer was mildly interested. She loved the idea of riding for a cause, but without a road bike and unsure of her fitness level, she dismissed the idea. However, God began to stir in her heart that this cause of justice was his cause, and Shauna decided that the obstacles to

joining were only excuses.

Shauna registered to ride, bought a bike and signed up for spin classes. When spring hit Saskatchewan, Shauna got out on the streets and highways and quickly discovered that she loves biking. A passion for the Ride began to grow.

At Assembly, Shauna met Trista Parry, pastor of The River Church in downtown Vancouver. She was inspired

by Trista’s story.

“On the morning of July 9,” Shauna says, “it felt surreal to don my bike jersey and shorts for the real Ride from Winnipeg to Regina.

“RIDE 2012 was an exceptional experience, personally.”

Shauna prays that “it has blessed our family of churches in ways we could never have imagined.”

Wayne and Arden Kerr Wayne Kerr has pastored with the C&MA in Canada for 44 years; he has been at Rexdale Alliance, in Ontario, for 22 years. Arden Kerr of St. Thomas, Ont. is Wayne’s grandson.

Wayne says, “Last year, I rode for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. I had to raise $2,500 to ride, plus my registration fee. Finding a cure for cancer is an excellent cause. I felt that if I could help to discover a cure to hopefully prolong a person’s life, then I could raise money to share the life-changing message of Christ. We have the answer/cure in Jesus. We only need the resources to reach those in the inner city.

“We were like bookends on the Windsor to Toronto segment. I was the oldest rider (68) on this team and Arden was the second youngest (17). I was impressed by how well he did with less preparation than I had.”

Arden shares, Wayne and Arden Kerr

“After I went on a missions trip to Peru, I was looking for another chance to make a difference in the world. When my grandpa invited me to join him, everything sort of fell into place. I enjoyed the whole time because I had the chance to be with my grandpa and got to enjoy family time on the move. The biggest challenge that I had was being able to keep up with him; my grandpa liked to go exceedingly fast. By mid-week, I told myself I would just have to keep up with him because that is one of the main reasons I went on the trip.”

Wayne concluded, “Doing this one-week, 700kilometre Ride with my grandson was an experience that we will remember and talk about for the rest of our lives.

Knowing that it was for an eternal cause and sharing prayer times for these inner-city ministries will not be forgotten.”

Lisa Tullo When Lisa Tullo heard about the Ride project, she knew she wanted to be a part of something ambitious that would help many people at once.

Lisa Tullo She became more determined to ride when she was told that she would not be able to participate because of her physical state.

Lisa has carpal tunnel syndrome in her right wrist, she suffers from asthma, and she has arthritis in her lower back. By participating in RIDE 2012, Lisa learned three valuable lessons: “I’m not physically fit, I hate hills, and I can do anything with God’s help.”

Kevin Chan Kevin Chan started the ride for personal reasons; he had begun cycling three years earlier, but had only been able to ride intermittently due to responsibilities as a father of four young children. He says that RIDE 2012 was a “good excuse” to spend an extended period of time on long daily rides.

Kevin Chan Kevin says that his perception changed when the team rolled into Primera Iglesia Alianza Hispana (PIAH) (First Hispanic Alliance Church), in Toronto. He was no longer riding for himself, but for Pastor Eynar, Pastor Hernando, the people of PIAH and Community Spanish Alliance and the people for

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whom they have been praying and We are a family of churches, and it was whom they will reach with the Good News of Jesus. great to see how churches, both small Kevin met some wonderful people and built lasting friendships. and large, banded together to receive, He was moved by the generosity of the churches that hosted and fed the feed and take care of the riders riders and by the warm hearts of the individuals who opened their homes to accommodate and support them.

“RIDE 2012 is a declaration,” he says. “We will offer our bodies, our time and our can push himself a lot harder than he thought. resources to advance the mission of making Christ Best of all, Marcus “found churches reaching out known. We stand united. We are the Alliance.” and making connections with each other, in spite of geographical, ethnic, linguistic and other differences, all Cheryl Walsh for the common cause of reaching people and expanding As part of the support team for the route from Windsor to Christ’s Kingdom.” The experience was “truly a blessing Montreal, Cheryl Walsh says, “I learned a great deal about to everyone involved.” what it takes to get on a bicycle six days in a row and ride for 100 kilometres Doug Cameron or more every Doug Cameron is not a bike rider and would not consider day.” himself “to be in great shape,” so when it was mentioned According that people would ride for a week or more and ride for 150 to Cheryl, “the kilometres a day, he thought, “this is not for me.” riders were a true Yet, Doug wanted to be involved and participate; he inspiration to the became part of the support team and drove a 14-foot cubic support crew”; she van from Windsor to Montreal. affirms that “their “The days were long, and every day involved loading perseverance, the truck with everyone’s gear and then unloading at the drive and physical, next stop.” Despite Cheryl Walsh with a group of mental and these challenges, community riders spiritual strength” Doug says that were unlike “it was a blast anything that she had seen. Cheryl was motivated to get to interact and out of bed every day at 5 a.m. to offer support to those participate with riding to make a difference. the riders.”

She believes that RIDE 2012 “raised awareness of Doug shares justice and compassion across Canada and in the districts that “all of the and cities in which we work, live and play.” riders were super; none of them Doug Cameron, in red shirt, on a meal Marcus Verbrugge grumbled along break with riders Marcus Verbrugge was one of 20 riders representing 13 the way. They churches who cycled from Windsor to Niagara Falls to were all so excited to be a part of this endeavour; even Toronto as part of though the task was quite strenuous, it was a lot of fun, as RIDE 2012. people rode and encouraged each other.”

“For seven For Doug, “the best part of RIDE 2012 was the days,” he says, “in participation and interaction between the churches along many respects, we the route. We are a family of churches, and it was great to were on mission.” see how churches, both small and large, banded together While focusing to receive, feed and take care of the riders. The love, on the purpose support and fellowship felt from our Alliance churches of the ride, were incredible.”

Marcus gained Denise Lodge is Social Media & Print Coordinator for the confidence of Marcus Verbrugge, second from The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada knowing that he right, with team members

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FEATURE

Giving practical expression to a biblical faith in the living God

Christians Caring for Creation

By Denise Lodge

Rick Faw, who grew up in Christian and Missionary Alliance churches in Abbotsford, B.C., is Education Director of A Rocha, a unique group inspiring people to care for God’s world. cmAlliance.ca recently spoke with Faw concerning the biblical basis for earthkeeping and about how to approach the call to care for creation. (Editor)

T

he work of A Rocha is comprehensive.

Inspired by God’s love, A Rocha engages in scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation projects.

They don’t simply talk about creation care. They live it. At the A Rocha Brooksdale Environmental Centre in Surrey, B.C., guests, volunteers and interns are invited to work alongside A Rocha in community gardens and other expressions of creation care.

A Rocha is grounded in faith, which allows them to tackle problems with joy. “God’s work is the reason for our hope,” says Faw, who sees earthkeeping as watershed discipleship. He asks, “How would knowing the ecology of my place change how I follow Jesus?”

Faw describes his role of Education Director as dealing with the “why” of earthkeeping. This allows him to ask, “Is earthkeeping biblical?”

“The Bible states that God cares about what he made. It also says to love what God loves.

“Genesis 1 emphasizes the authority bestowed upon the only creatures made in God’s image,” he says (see Genesis 1:26–27). “But what is the nature of our authority?

“Genesis 2:15 says, ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.’ ‘To work’ is from the Hebrew word abad, the verb used in Joshua 24:15: ‘But as for me and my household, we will serve (abad) the LORD.’ “‘Take care of it’ comes from the Hebrew word shamar, the same verb used in Numbers 6:24–26: ‘The LORD bless you and keep (shamar) you . . . ’” Faw sees human authority over the earth as “service

that enables the flourishing of those under our authority.

“Creation care is not a checklist. It is discipleship.”

When faced with the state of the earth, what can we do?

“Cultivate wonder. The world around us is astonishing.

It remains so for those with eyes to see. Children have experienced this, captivated by a spider, blade of grass or flower. As adults, we can lose wonder; cultivate it.”

A Rocha focuses on place, believing that “if everyone cares about his or her place, our [shared] place would be different; caring about places cultivates better habitats.”

Faw recommends starting simple. Try parking further from buildings, creating time to walk in local weather for two minutes. “By biking and walking,” says Faw, “we not only reduce carbon, but also feel the topography of our place.”

He recognizes that the Creation subject of earthkeeping can feel care is not a heavy, and that this avenue of following Jesus can regress into checklist. It is discipleship a burdensome to-do list.

“Sometimes, when faced with the list of needs, we do nothing, because it is overwhelming, or we believe we must do everything, because it is important.

“As with any other part of character-building and sanctification,” he says, “it is not all up to me.

“Let’s ask, ‘What is the Holy Spirit calling me to do in my life today?’” Faw is confident that the Holy Spirit will answer. “The Holy Spirit can crack open the imagination and create possibilities.

“Do what he says. Be prepared to follow. Submit to his leading; the Spirit empowers. God changes us.”

To learn more about A Rocha and creation care, visit www.arocha.ca.

Denise Lodge is Social Media & Print Coordinator for The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

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FEATURE

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Rev. David Hearn was elected President of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada at General Assembly in Winnipeg, on July 6, 2012. A self-described “environmental visionary,” Hearn seeks to create an atmosphere in which local churches are passionate agents of transformation locally and globally. The following are excerpts from his nomination speech delivered earlier on election day. View his entire presentation at www.vimeo.com/channels/ generalassembly/47727128 (Editor)

We Still Have A Sword Creating a new environment in which our inspiring vision can be lived out as a fresh movement of God

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Photo Courtesy Darryl Chapman

F

irst Samuel 14 describes a defining moment in Simpson went on the history of Israel. The Philistines had them to write: “I know no by the throat, and only the intervention of almighty God movement that has so would deliver them. But God was only going to act in an glorious a message to give environment of radical and audacious faith. to people Saul, the King of Israel, looks at the today­—a sword in his hand and, in resignation, says, So on the day message of “We only have one sword.” He takes his of the battle salvation; small, fear-filled army and camps in the not a soldier aofmessage outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate deeper, tree. They were immobilized, defeated and with Saul and fuller, discouraged. victorious The landscape of North America is filled Jonathan had life; a with monuments to great movements of message a sword or God that could not resist the pull of the of Christ pomegranate tree. The energy once used to spear in his sufficient be on mission for God is now completely for the body hand; only consumed in keeping the organization and the Saul and his breathing. They are immobilized, anemic temporal and stagnant. Every great movement is in son Jonathan needs of danger of the same fate.

Christians; had them But there was another sword in Israel. a message of It belonged to Jonathan. He looks at his the blessed – 1 Samuel 13:22 sword, raises it to the sky and boldly hope that he declares: We still have a sword. We serve is coming; a the living God, the Creator of the universe, and we will message that is steeped in not resign but rather rise up with renewed hope, passion the Holy Spirit. and vision.

“A message that leads With radical faith, he proclaims: “Perhaps the Lord men and women to seek will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from the fullness of the Spirit saving, whether by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). He without exaggeration, then turns to his young armour-bearer and says, “Come without fanaticism, on, let’s go!” without unscripturalness I believe this is a call to our Alliance family today. We of any kind—all that power need to be the “Come on, let’s go Alliance.” A “go-first,” can be and yet all with the faith-filled, courageous movement. spirit of a sound mind.

I know no message so complete, so tested and so Need for a New Environment fitted for these times as Fresh outcomes can result from changed that which God has given environmental conditions to us.”

As I pondered I am convinced that the Alliance in Canada still has these statements, I was a sword. God has given us an inspiring vision prayer, reminded of the words a longing with all our hearts to be “a movement of of Dallas Willard, who churches transformed by Christ, transforming Canada affirmed, “Our God is a and the world.” sentimental God . . . what We do not need a new vision but we do need a he has done in the past he new environment in which to live out this vision. An would love to do again.” environment of hope, innovation, passion and boldness!

I find myself waking up This was the environment envisioned by A.B. Simpson in the morning praying when he wrote: “The mission of the Alliance has ever to God on behalf of our been extremely simple. It is to make the Lord Jesus Christ family of churches around real, and encourage his people to receive him in all his the world—“Do it again! fullness, and give him speedily to the lost world.”

Do it again!”

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An environment where God-given dreams, visions and passions can be unleashed with lifetransforming power

Foundations of a New Environment

Three distinctive characteristics that provide a solid foundation for this new environment My passion is to see a new environment emerge in the C&MA, an environment that encourages our family of churches in Canada and around the world to be a Christ-Centred, Spirit-Empowered and Mission-Focused movement. My passion is to see an environment where God-given dreams, visions and passions can be unleashed with life-transforming power.

Christ-Centred One of the great dangers of a denomination with a long history is that we can end up with an organization that functions well but acutely minimizes the power of Christ, which alone can transform an organization into an unstoppable movement.

Simpson and our early Alliance leaders understood this well. The Fourfold Gospel was Simpson’s attempt to present a full and rich Christology that would inform and empower everything else the Alliance was about.

Christ our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King established the Alliance’s theological ground rules that set the stage for a movement of God. I am convinced that our churches, with a new boldness, must proclaim a full Gospel centred on the power, person and presence of Jesus Christ. When people attend our churches, the central focus of our existence should be no mystery.

Simpson believed in the total sufficiency of Christ for every believer to fulfill all God’s expectations. Christ must be exalted above all else! If you want to see water turned into wine, you need to make sure he is invited to the party!

Spirit-Empowered At the very core of our Alliance heritage was the firm belief that it is “Christ in us, the hope of Glory.” In other words, our ministry effectiveness is in direct relationship to the Spirit’s control over our lives.

Simpson declared, “When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can no longer live for yourself . . . you want to give your life away in service and sacrifice, the same way Jesus Christ gave his life away.” I am convinced that the death-nail for the consumerism that is devastating our churches is a dynamic and unapologetic call to the surrendered life.

Simpson saw the deeper life as recognizing the indwelling Christ transforming his life through the Holy Spirit by substituting his strength, his holiness, his joy, his love, his faith, his power, for all his worthlessness, helplessness and nothingness, and making it an actual living fact!

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The Environment for a Movement

Five unique environmental factors that serve to stimulate transformation and sustain a movement

Built into our Alliance DNA is a call to compassion and justice

This is our hope for the future if we are really serious about becoming a movement again. It will not be in new models or some amazing, innovative governance structure; rather, it will be in a new and radical call for our people to enter into the “deeper life.”

Mission-Focused Out of a Christ-Centred and Spirit-Empowered environment will emerge an unquenchable passion to be on mission with God. From the very call of Abraham in Genesis 12, God has invited his people to be on mission with him. We have been blessed to be a blessing to the nations.

Lesslie Newbigin states, “Jesus’ words, ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you,’ defines the very being of the Church as mission.” In other words, mission is not the activity of the Church, it is the identity of the Church.

In Canada, only about 15 per cent of non-believers will attend a church if they are invited. So we need to have attractive church ministries with good programs and dynamic preaching. But if that is all we do, we will miss 85 per cent of those in Canada who will not be reached in this way.

The church in which I grew up put all their evangelistic energy into one big event known as the “Singing Christmas Tree.” Each year, people came from the community, and many prayed to receive Christ. But the truth is that they are not coming anymore. I stood in front of my home church and challenged them to “get out of the tree and into the community!”

Simpson passionately taught that “we are all Missionaries, every one of us, with a commission and a trust just as definite as those we send overseas.”

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A Risk-taking Environment If every Alliance church is to engage in a multiplication venture every five years, it will require a holy boldness, daring innovation and an audacious faith.

Simpson had a “Go-First” attitude when reaching the “hard places” of society! He believed that the Church needed to have a strategy for reaching cities. He affirmed, “The cities of this world control their life. And so God would have us preach the Gospel, working from the centre to the circumference.”

In June of 2011, I was able to be in Vietnam for the celebration of 100 years of ministry. It was exhilarating to be with one of the largest parts of our church movement in the world. This incredible movement of God began in the heart of Simpson, who declared that Indochina was the neglected mission field of the world.

He connected with Robert Jaffray, and together, they selected several couples who would be sent into strategic areas of Vietnam to bring the Gospel of Christ. Jaffray sailed into port with a young missionary couple, and they were placed in a small boat with all their worldly possessions.

Jaffray prayed a blessing over them and then sent them to shore, where many gave their lives for the cause of Christ. One hundred years later, a legacy of over 1.2 million believers gives testimony to the power of radical faith and holy boldness.

I believe it is time once again for that kind of passion and sacrifice to grip us! It is time to “get in the boat” and move toward the “hard places” in Canada and around the world to be witnesses to the transforming power of God. A Compassionate Environment One of the early Alliance slogans was “The whole Gospel for the whole man to the whole world.” Simpson identified those in need as the drunkard, the prostitute, the convict, the new immigrant, and the multitude “struggling in the dark underworld of poverty.” Built into our Alliance DNA is a call to compassion and justice. This is not just the new cool focus that everyone needs to embrace; it is at the heart of the Gospel.

Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work as a volunteer in one of B.C.’s federal prisons. One of the inmates with whom I work, Paddy, has been in prison for 26 years. The last time he was released, he immediately attempted to rob a liquor store with a meat cleaver. It was only two blocks from a police station. I asked him what he was thinking, and he confessed that he did not know how to live life outside of prison.

Paddy has now given his life to Jesus. I was there when he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He has since led his girlfriend to Christ. He gets out in two years and wants to develop a ministry for other inmates. He asked me recently if we might be able to work together.

This is why we do what we do! This is the heart of the Alliance. We must engage in the most desperate places of society as the incarnational presence of Christ.

An Inclusive Environment We will never reach our cities for Christ in isolation. We must join with other like-minded movements of believers to see the fullness of God’s Kingdom revealed.

On a regular basis, in my role as a District Superintendent, I am privileged to meet with more than 10 other denominational leaders in our province. Together, we represent in excess of 650 churches. We talk openly and honestly about reaching the cities of our province and sharing our resources and strategies to advance the Kingdom of God. Recently, we entered into a partnership with the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada to plant a church in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. What a thrilling adventure; two denominations are more concerned about reaching lost people for Jesus than about who gets the credit.

There is a new day of denominational partnerships emerging to take our cities back for Christ. Simpson affirmed, “I want to enjoy the broadest fellowship possible myself, and I want my people to receive the benefit of the ministry of all God’s gifted servants, regardless of whether they agree with me in everything or not.”

It is time for the Alliance to lead the way in Canada and around the world in breaking down the walls that separate us and embrace our common passion to be on mission with God. An Empowering Environment The environment in which movements flourish is created by leaders who embrace the priesthood of all believers and are willing to unleash the energy that God has infused into his people. In other words, our future must be driven by inspired and passion-filled members in our local churches. The local church is where the action is, and the structures we embrace must focus on empowering our local churches to be agents of transformation in their communities.

Alliance leadership must put on a “yes face” when it comes to new and innovative ways of being on mission with God. We have a new generation of leaders who bring fresh ideas and creative models for advancing the Kingdom of God. We must not quench this spirit of passion and imagination but rather be wind beneath its wings!

A Supernatural Environment Everything about the early years of the Alliance was steeped in the supernatural working of God. Simpson declared, “The Christian and Missionary Alliance stands for an absolute faith in supernatural things and a supernatural God.” I want

to call us back to that reality once again. The danger is that the longer a movement exists, the easier it can be to rely on past successes or well-developed structures and to be less dependent on the radical intervention of a supernatural God. I love the way that Hudson Taylor expressed it, when he stated, “We are a supernatural people, born again by a supernatural birth, kept by a supernatural power, sustained on a supernatural food, taught by a supernatural Teacher from a supernatural Book, and led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victories.”

Oh, how my heart longs for our family of faith to be so desperate for God’s supernatural power that we will settle for nothing less in our lives or ministries. The Alliance must not be explainable apart from the mighty hand of God at work in and through us.

Into the Future as a Movement Stirring up the passion and fire of Jesus and unleashing the supernatural power of God

I frequently get asked the question, “Does the Alliance denomination in Canada still have a future?” In other words, “Will we survive?” I appreciate the sentiment but firmly believe it is the wrong question. The moment we start trying to answer the question of preservation we have sealed our fate.

The question is not “Will we survive?” but rather, “Is the passion and fire of Jesus still alive in us?” Do we still wake up in the morning declaring to God, “Wherever, whenever and whatever you ask me to do, our answer in advance is ‘Yes’?” Do we still possess the unquenchable drive to go to the uttermost parts of the world, to the unreached peoples of the globe, to see our cities transformed by Christ?

Are we willing to allow Jesus to break up our selfishness, stagnancy and conservatism and let loose within us an unstoppable spirit of love and daring holy boldness . . . to bring back the freshness, the self-sacrifice and a new unleashing of the supernatural power of God? If this is the cry of our hearts, then whether we are a denomination or not is irrelevant, because then, my friends, we will be a movement!

A movement is hard to define, but when you are in one, it is impossible to deny!

A movement is like leaning into a great vision with all your strength and energy and then all of a sudden feeling an irresistible pull, a mystical tug into something far greater than you could have ever imagined. We are not a movement yet, but I am feeling the tug of the Spirit.

May the prayer of Simpson be ours once again. “Above all, let us cry mightily to him for the Word of power and the breath of Life that alone can change this ‘valley of dry bones’ into an exceedingly great army of living souls and soldiers of the Cross. And we shall find that there are resources enough amongst us, if touched by his consecrating power, to save the city, to save the world.”

Now is our time! This is our moment! We still have a sword!

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FEATURE FEATURE

Working to End World Hunger 40

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Strategies to affirm the right of each person to have access to adequate food

By Denise Lodge

A

world without hunger is the vision of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) is a partnership of 15 Canadian churches and church-based agencies working together to end global hunger by meeting immediate food needs, reducing malnutrition and achieving sustainable food security.

On behalf of its members, CFGB influences national and international policies that contribute to ending global hunger and increase the engagement of Canadians in efforts to achieve this goal.

The Foodgrains Bank supports three types of projects.

Firstly, it provides food assistance to people with immediate food needs and who are facing hunger as a result of emergencies such as drought, flooding, poverty and conflict. An example of this is the provision of funds to purchase food locally during a famine.

More than 18 Secondly, it works with communities million people to improve food face food security through better shortages due agricultural techniques and livelihoods so that to drought people can provide food for themselves and and late and their families in the erratic rains longer term. Examples of these projects include conservation farming, community gardens and seed banks.

Thirdly, it helps families and communities improve their nutrition. Examples include nutrition education, water and sanitation projects and the provision of clean drinking water to combat diseases.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA) was one of the five founding members when the CFGB was established in May 1983.

Since its inception, the work of the Foodgrains Bank has benefited tremendously from the financial support it receives from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Because of this partnership, CFGB’s 15 members are able to leverage donations on a four-to-one basis for food assistance in the developing world, up to $25 million annually.

Funds designated to the C&MA account through the CFGB are eligible to receive up to a $4-to-$1 match from these CIDA funds. That means that every $25 donated to the C&MA account could become $125 with CIDA’s assistance.

Benefits of Involvement Joanne Beach, Director of Alliance Justice and Compassion, is a member of CFGB’s Board of Directors.

She says that among the benefits of CFGB involvement, as opposed to operating alone, are CIDA’s matching dollars and the opportunities to partner with other church agencies in food-related responses.

When donating to CFGB, your contribution can be credited to the C&MA account. The Justice and Compassion office of The Christian and Missionary Alliance determines how those funds, and any CIDA matching funds, will be programmed.

When the Alliance receives requests for food from its overseas personnel and partners, it reviews each request to ensure that the food and support provided will improve the lives of the people receiving the assistance in both the short and long terms.

Once planning is completed (including details to ensure safe and reliable delivery), C&MA personnel or partners on the ground arrange the purchase, transportation and distribution of the food.

“In a country where we are blessed with so much,” Beach says, “it is a good spiritual discipline to go with less in order to donate to causes that provide food for hungry people. It is a discipline of sacrifice and generosity,” she says. It may mean foregoing a daily luxury, such as buying a coffee, but the benefits of feeding people more than compensate for the sacrifice.

Food Crisis in Sahel Currently, there is a food crisis in the Sahel region in West Africa. More than 18 million people face food shortages due to drought and late and erratic rains that have crippled harvests. CFGB is responding to this emergency through its member agencies and their partners. CFGB has committed $10 million to projects in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. These projects will reach more than 278,000 people in need.

The C&MA’s response to the famine in Sahel is in Niger, where it is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse.

One of the benefits of food security projects is that they involve local people. In this situation, local leaders in Niger have partnered with C&MA teams to plan and engage in grain distribution.

Food security programs also involve the training of local farmers, yielding long-term solutions to food shortage and nutrition issues. C&MA and partnering teams train local people to do the training in the future, encouraging a sustainable plan for accessing food.

The C&MA is in the midst of a three-year food security

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project in northwest Niger.

The C&MA has added a sevenmonth food aid project in the famine-stricken Ourno area; 2,600 households representing more than 18,000 people have been impacted. The C&MA has Ending also started a follow-up threeworld year food security project in the same villages. The C&MA hunger is is also engaged in two ongoing a valuable projects in East Africa.

The C&MA team in Niger and is also in the fourth year of important their school feeding project at the Niger Vocational Training mission Centre. The objective of the school feeding program was to have the same number of girls and boys in school.

One of the greatest outcomes of this program has been the increase in the number of girls who are now attending school.

School attendance has grown from 75 students in one year to more than 220 students.

Now, with the feeding program, the number of girls attending school has gone from almost none to 50 per cent of the students. In regions where a girl’s education is not a priority, it is a privilege to be a part of increasing girls’ involvement.

Another example of a food security project in which the C&MA is involved, in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, incorporates a method of micro-economy that does not rely upon external wealth.

Women pool their own money and loan to each other; this is a sustainable way to empower women to purchase nutritious food. This community-managed model of microfinance is particularly useful for people who have no access to a financial institution.

The C&MA is looking to expand its work through CFGB into the Caribbean Sun region in the near future, under the leadership of Curtis Doell.

Getting Involved How can we help? What can we do? “Let’s live in a posture of gratefulness and giving,” invites Beach. “We can choose to live simply and respond by donating.”

She recommends some practical ways to become

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involved. “Firstly, become aware.” Has this article captured your interest?

Has reading about food aid stirred something in your heart? Go to the website now!

Foodgrainsbank.ca provides excellent information about food aid, hunger and their approach. It also provides a compilation of resources. Read, grow, learn and share.

Another practical way to help is to begin growing projects. Even if you live in an urban setting, there are opportunities to grow and give. Some local churches, for instance, sell produce and the harvest of community gardens on their land and send the proceeds to CFGB. If you have never gardened and have limited interest in the field, consider starting with only tomatoes or a small carrot crop. This type of urban community project not only yields delicious food and funds, but also is an inclusive way to inform people about hunger.

People in more rural settings also have valuable gifts to contribute. For example, some farmers growing grain delegate a portion of the land and its proceeds for CFGB; others delegate two of their 100 cattle for food aid.

Some people make jam, others can and stew tomatoes. Another strategy for raising funds is hosting a dinner with produce that you have grown yourself. Think of other fun ways to gather, focus on hunger and provide food for people.

We can all contribute something.

Ending world hunger is a valuable and important mission, and our relationship with CFGB has been and continues to be an effective strategy that impacts the lives of thousands of valuable children, men and women around the globe.

To learn more about CFGB and make a donation to the C&MA account, visit www.foodgrainsbank.ca.

Denise Lodge is Social Media & Print Coordinator for The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

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FEATURE

We Will Remember Them The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

By Barrie Doyle

They gave their lives and their futures so that we may have our freedom and live in peace

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The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

By Barrie Doyle

T

his poetic, symbolic time in 1918 was chosen for the signed armistice to come into effect, thereby bringing an end to the First World War and hostilities between the Allies (including Britain and its empire, France and the United States) and Germany.

By the 1920s, this time had evolved into Armistice Day and, following the end of the Second World War, had further developed into what is now known as Remembrance Day—a day, according to the government of Canada, “of remembrance for the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.”

More than 1.5 million Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may have our freedom and live in peace.

Alliance churches across Canada pay particular tribute to the Canadian Forces and their members, usually on the Sunday closest to November 11. This year, Remembrance Day falls on Sunday, giving special opportunity to celebrate the day.

Typically, our churches mark the occasion with prayer, singing of the national anthem and a minute of silence. More and more, however, we are becoming aware of the need to recognize and remember, particularly as we see casualties return home from Afghanistan to moving repatriation services and the mournful drive from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to Toronto via the Highway of Heroes.

Alliance chaplain Capt. Alan Nikkel suggests that churches take a deeper look at their Remembrance Day commemorations.

Capt. Nikkel, a Minister-at-Large, served six months as part of the Canadian Army’s deployment in Afghanistan (see cmAlliance.ca, Fall 2011: Dispatches from a War Zone). He recommends reading the Act of Remembrance and lighting a Candle of Remembrance during the service.

In addition, he calls on local Alliance churches to reach out to the military and their dependents in their areas. “Many of our churches are located in proximity to a reserve unit,” he says, “and many reservists are open to coming and sharing some of the experiences with ‘church people.’”

This is particularly true of those reservists who have served overseas in a war zone or peacekeeping mission. While some might be quite capable of presentations, Capt. Nikkel suggests interviewing them as part of the service.

For reservists, he suggests asking questions probing their motivations, roles and highlights of their overseas service. For regular force members, he proposes asking them about the challenges they faced and the extent of support they received from their home communities.

All of this is designed to heighten awareness of the sacrifices made and still to be made by those serving in the Canadian Forces and make Remembrance Day a special, solemn occasion.

Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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Act of Remembrance When Capt. Nikkel was a pastor, he used to invite his entire regiment to their church service each year.

“We always had them show up in their dress uniforms.”

Although, this year, Response: We will remember them. many such Forces members will be engaged in community Remembrance Day activities at the same time as church services, “with some effort, pastors should be able to find a soldier who is willing to share his or her experiences in the military.”

Other Alliance churches have extended this to members who have served in the past. The Church of the Living Hope, in Winnipeg, reaches out to veterans of Canadian and Filipino armed forces in the congregation—particularly those who served in the Second World War—and invites them to stand while special prayers of thanksgiving are offered.

This year, says Pastor Fred Sebastian, “we will announce to the community that we are holding a special Remembrance Day service, and all veterans who fought will be invited to attend the service. We will honour them by hosting a special lunch and providing them with gifts, including a New Testament.” While the service starts at 10:30 a.m., the congregation will pause precisely at 11 a.m. for a minute of silence.

Heritage Park Alliance Church in Windsor, Ont., uses the Sunday to honour those congregation members who have served. They include special PowerPoint productions featuring church family members and their relatives who served in the Forces.

The church also uses the occasion to reach out to those who work with the local fire department and police services. This year, the church plans to include dramatic presentations to bring additional focus to Remembrance Day. Sometimes, churches and pastors reach out beyond their home church. Pastor Grant McDowell in Leduc, Alta., plans to be involved in the community-wide Remembrance Day services. “I serve as Padre for the local Legion branch, and I will be leading the annual service for the community.” This service draws approximately 1,000 people annually.

A special and moving part of any Remembrance Day service is a bugler or trumpeter playing the Last Post, followed by a minute of silence and Reveille (also known as The Rouse) and the Lament, played by a bagpiper.

For churches that do not have musicians able to play these special numbers, Capt. Nikkel suggests downloading them as MP3 files from the Royal Canadian Legion website (www.legion.ca/Music/Music_e.cfm).

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

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Variations of Remembrance Day, some under different names, are held annually around the world. The symbolism of November 11 was not lost on those who initiated it following the First World War, and it has only increased in significance in the years since, as we have come to realize that the “war to end all wars” was hardly that.

Sacrifice. Devotion to duty. Service on behalf of others.

Attributes rooted in the Christian message. Attributes shared by the generations of Canadians who have served our country and the world during times of war, military conflict and peace.

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we will remember them.

Barrie Doyle, APR, author of the book The Media and the Message, is Director of Communications, The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada

National Anthem – O Canada O Canada!

Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Chorus: God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.

Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.

How dear to us thy broad domain, From East to Western Sea, Thou land of hope for all who toil!

Thou True North, strong and free!

Chorus: O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies, May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise, To keep thee steadfast through the years, From East to Western Sea, Our own beloved native land!

Our True North, strong and free!

Chorus: Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer, Hold our Dominion in thy loving care; Help us to find, O God, in thee A lasting, rich reward, As waiting for the Better Day, We ever stand on guard.

Words of Remembrance Most of us here this morning have not experienced a mortar attack. We have not found ourselves in the middle between two warring factions.

We have not experienced the suffering, pain and hardship that war can bring, and for that we are grateful and we give thanks.

We may be too young to remember those who gave their lives in the course of the Great War, the Second World War or the Korean conflict.

We may not know any peacekeepers who have died in the course of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

But we can give thanks that their deaths were not meaningless.

We can give thanks for our freedom — a freedom their lives purchased and guaranteed for us.

We can give thanks for our freedom to worship, to speak, to believe, to choose.

Option A: I invite you to stand and give thanks as we listen to the Last Post, an anthem of remembrance.

It will be followed by a minute of silence and then Reveille, a call to a new day and new beginnings.

Option B: I invite you to stand and join me in a minute of silence.

Candle of Remembrance

Remembrance Day Order of Service Canadian Forces chaplain, Capt. Alan Nikkel suggests the following order of service for those churches wishing to commemorate Remembrance Day. n

Prelude Family Matters/Announcements n Call to Worship n National Anthem (all verses) (see sidebar) n Prayer of Invocation/Pastoral Prayer n Scripture Reading n

Soldier’s Perspective: An interview with a soldier who recently served in Afghanistan; a peacekeeper’s story; a veteran’s story. Each share his or her experience.

n

Reading Words of Remembrance (see sidebar) n Lighting the Candle of Remembrance (see sidebar) n Last Post n Minute of Silence n The Lament (piper) n Reveille n Prayer of Thanksgiving

Worship Expression n Scripture: Romans 5: 1–8

n He is our Peace

n Abide with Me

n Scripture: John 3:16–18

n His Love

n You are my Wholeness

n

Message: Leaving a Legacy Presentation of Tithes and Offerings n Worship Expression n Benediction n Postlude n

The psalmist wrote: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1) We build lighthouses to guide and warn ships.

Airports have search lights to guide planes. A street lamp on an empty and desolate country road welcomes the commuter home. Light illuminates and reveals. It can guide, direct and give hope.

And so, we light this candle to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made on our behalf by those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom; we light it for those who gave their lives in the fight against the darkness and tyranny of evil so that we might have light, life and hope!

Light candle.

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resources

Alliance-Generated Resources

Bruised Knuckles and Other Lessons in Faith: Reflections on Reality from a Mentor’s Heart

Please God, Let There Be Another Boom: Faith and Hope at Work in Lean Times and Good Times

Accreditation Helps: An Introduction to the Theology of The Christian and Missionary Alliance

Missional God, Missional Church: Hope for Re-Evangelizing the West

by Grant McDowell // Written from the perspective of someone who has invested more than three decades in mentoring others, this guide challenges the belief that faith is for those who disconnect from reality.

by Grant McDowell // Do you welcome taking your faith to work as much as you would welcome driving a truck through your living room? Please God, Let There Be Another Boom is a helpful guide, showing foundations for integrating faith with work and exploring the practical impact of faith at work.

by Ben Elliott // What is Alliance theology? Why does it matter? Ben Elliott, an ordained Canadian Alliance pastor and International Worker, wants to answer these kinds of questions.

He has prepared this book to help you understand Alliance theology. Rooted in Scripture and informed by the history of the C&MA, Accreditation Helps presents Alliance thought in plain and engaging language, explaining ideas such as “the Trinity” and “healing in the atonement” in ways that are genuinely understandable for contemporary readers.

by Ross Hastings // With the reality of broadscale secularization in the West and the attendant cloud of insignificance hanging over the Church, is there any hope for the re-evangelization of the West?

Thirty-one reflections describe principles that will help readers manage anger, deal with disappointment, slow down, respond to conflict, take a new look at church, forgive, pray and grow emotionally and spiritually healthier.

Bruised Knuckles and Other Lessons in Faith will help young adults sorting out their values, parents facing questions from their children, grandparents wanting to stay in touch with a new generation, mentors guiding friends or clients, believers and skeptics hurting from painful encounters with religious people and anyone wondering how to mature in any of these critical areas.

Available in paperback or as an ebook at bookstore. westbowpress.com, amazon. com, chapters.indigo.ca, barnesandnoble.com.

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If you wonder what your faith has to do with your job, you will find hope and encouragement in these chapters. After pouring solid footings for faith at work, the author presents 10 important areas where workers balance belief with business. These areas include authority, relationships at work, verbal witness, pay and its problems, rest, meaning at work, prayer at work and more!

Available in paperback or as an ebook at bookstore.westbowpress. com, amazon.com, chapters.indigo.ca, barnesandnoble.com.

Especially written for licensing and ordination candidates and their mentors, this is an excellent resource for anyone interested in joining in the discussion about what it means to be a part of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada at the beginning of the 21st century.

Available in paperback at amazon.ca or your local Christian bookstore.

In this comprehensive theology of mission, Ross Hastings (former senior pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church, Surrey, B.C.) directs the fretful gaze of the Church to the trinitarian commission of John 20. There, we find Jesus granting peace to his disciples by breathing his Spirit on them. He formed them into his community of shalom.

Hastings also tackles the dual challenges of isolation from and accommodation to the surrounding culture, corrects numerous dichotomies that hinder the Church and opens possibilities for renewal of faithful effort as we join in Christ’s mission.

Available in paperback at your local Christian bookstore.

ORDER YOUR 2013 DEvOtiOnal DaY plannER nOW!

ONLY $9.89 + tax

Confessions of a Not-So-Average Girl

by Donna Lea Dyck // Winner of a 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Award of Merit for General Readership, this book is an easy read for pre-teens and teenagers. It chronicles the true story of growing up in an alcoholic home and all the struggles that go with it. Written with humour and honesty, Donna shares how she met Jesus and invited him into the middle of the mess of her life.

Rev. Colin McCartney, founder of UrbanPromise Toronto says, “Wow, what a book! Donna is thoroughly versed in the world of adolescence. Her own story of painful life experiences, sprinkled with the hope of Christ and the overall healing of Jesus, is powerfully told.”

Donna and her husband, Bill, have been serving as lead pastoral couple at Toronto Alliance Church for 18 years.

Donna is available for speaking engagements; contact her at donna@notsoaveragegirl.com Available from Winning Kids Inc., 1-877-455-3555, winningkidsinc.ca or your local Christian bookstore.

Not Beyond Our Reach: Children Living with Alcoholism and Divorce

by Melodie Bissell with Donna Dyck // This book is a great read for youth leaders and educators; it unveils the world of at-risk children who feel “not-so-average.”

Not Beyond Our Reach provides an understanding of why some children and youth are not responsive to your teaching and applications; it deepens your knowledge of the DNA of at-risk youth and children.

It brings clarity to reaching and teaching at-risk youth effectively and equips educators, ministers and youth sponsors with a leader’s guide to be used in conjunction with Confessions of a Not-So-Average Girl.

As President of Winning Kids Inc., Melodie has also co-authored Plan to Protect® and travels extensively as a speaker and trainer. Contact her at mbissell@winningkidsinc.ca Available from Winning Kids Inc., 1-877-455-3555, winningkidsinc.ca or your local Christian bookstore.

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personnel updates

Personnel Updates

The following personnel changes are as reported by the district offices for the period from February 1 to July 31, 2012 (deaths from January 1 to June 30, 2012).

New Workers n Blair, Joshua, Executive Pastor, Heritage Park Alliance Church, Windsor, ON n Brockman, Robert, Worship Pastor, Georgetown Alliance Church, ON n Cheeseman, Andrew, English Pastor, K/W Chinese Alliance Church, Waterloo, ON n Choi, Mei, Family and Children’s Ministry Director, Westwood Alliance Church, Coquitlam, BC n Chow, Wai Fung, Senior Pastor, Halifax Chinese Alliance Church, NS n Delamont, Caleb, Pastor of Worship Arts, First Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Doyle, Doug, Lead Pastor, Fort McMurray Alliance Church, AB n Fehr, Tom, Lead Pastor, Rocky Mountain Alliance Church, Golden, BC n Gashyna, Kevin, Children’s Ministry Director, Winnipeg Chinese Alliance Church, MB n Gerrard, Rev. Aaron, Church Planter, Gateway Church, Caledonia, ON n Gomez, Tyler, Youth Ministry, Penticton Alliance Church, BC n Guo, Jason Qing, Congregational Pastor for Mandarin Ministry, Calgary Chinese Alliance Church, AB n Harder, Chris, Senior Pastor, Williams Lake Alliance Church, BC n Herbert, Ben, Youth and Worship Director, Gateway Brantford Church, Caledonia, ON

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Hutchinson, Anna, Children’s and Family Ministries Pastor, Chilliwack Alliance Church, BC n Inrig, Rob, Minister-at-Large, Transitional Pastor, BC n Klauke, Sarah, Pastor of Children and Family Ministries, Summit Community Alliance Church, Richmond Hill, ON n Lam, Calvin, Lead Pastor, Hamilton Vietnamese Alliance Church, ON n Lam, Gabriel, Pastor of Children’s and English Ministries, Ottawa Mandarin Alliance Church, ON n Lee, Jessica, Pastor of Cantonese Ministry, Burnaby Alliance Church, BC n Lim, Kevin, Leadership Coach, Eastern Canadian District Office, Whitby, ON n MacIntyre, Conrad, Pastor of Youth and Worship, Tsawwassen Alliance Church, Delta, BC n Miska, Arianne, Associate Pastor of Family and Children’s Ministry, Rexdale Alliance Church, ON n Moffatt, Mike, Associate Pastor, Martensville Alliance Church, SK n Myhre, Sherry, Director of Children’s Ministries, Circle Drive Alliance Church, Saskatoon, SK n Nordstrom, Clayton, Senior Pastor, Devon Alliance Church, AB n Norton, Simeon, Senior Pastor, Virden Alliance Church, MB n Parumalla, Chris, Associate Pastor, Rexdale Alliance Church, ON n Piquette, Keith, Senior Pastor, Muir Lake Community Church, Stony Plain, AB n

Rima, Sam, Pastor of Family Ministry and Leadership Development, Tenth Avenue Alliance Church, Vancouver, BC n Scarpuzzi, Jonathan, Youth Pastor, Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Stewart, Shona, Outreach Pastor, Cornerstone Alliance Church, Winnipeg, MB n Su, Norman Tao, Senior Pastor, London Mandarin Alliance Church, ON n Trigg, Kyle, Pastor of Student Ministries, Vernon Alliance Church, BC n Truong, Thich, Associate Pastor, Rockyview Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Tsui, Tommy, English Pastor, Hamilton Grace Mandarin Alliance Church, ON n Veer, Kyle, Pastor of Worship, Maple Ridge Alliance Church, BC n Veley, Nathan, Youth Pastor, Cobourg Alliance Church, ON n Woodburn, Paul, Senior Pastor, Tillsonburg Alliance Church, ON n Yoon, Paul, Interim English Pastor, K/W Vietnamese Alliance Church, Waterloo, ON n

Field Assignment n Cambodia: Kim Bui, Compassion Ministry, in July. n Guinea: Lizette Lavoie, Church Ministry, in June. n Guinea: Joze and Jocelyn Reverente, Church Ministry, in July. n Japan: Don and Carol Love,

personnel Church Ministry, in July.

Mexico: Andrew and Claudia Martens, Church Ministry, in July. n Mexico: Nathan and Sandra Kliewer, Church Ministry, in June. n Taiwan: Lorne and Kathy-Lu White, Church Ministry, in June. n

Concluding or Retiring from the Field: n Friesen, Perry and Lynda concluded their service with Global Ministries July 1, after 17 years of faithful service in Russia.

Home Assignment On Five-Month Home Assignment: n Indonesia: Mary McElhone, in July.

On Nine-Month Home Assignment: n Guinea: Dan and Melodie Ibsen, in April. n Indonesia: Lois Belsey, in June.

On One-Year Home Assignment: Indonesia: Ben and Kari Elliott, in June. n Mexico: Lisa Clarke, in June. n Mexico: Pablo and Silvina Papavero, in June. n Netherlands: Anne Louie, in June. n Niger: Kristi Hopf, in June. n Niger: Paul and Chantelle McIver, in June. n Taiwan: Thu and Hanh Nguyen, in March. n Thailand: Derek and Bonnie Burnett, in June. n

Personnel Changes Arseneau, Steeve, Unassigned n Brglez, Brian, Alliance Chaplain, Stony Mountain Institution, Winnipeg, MB n Bruce, Barry, Interim Associate Pastor for Filipino Ministries, Living Hope Alliance Church, Regina, SK n Chu, Joseph, Unassigned n Chan, Wilson, Former Worker n Cyr, Joel, Unassigned n Delamont, Brian, Unassigned n Derksen, Nick, Unassigned n Defries, Joel, Unassigned n Duimel, Michelle, Unassigned n

Dykstra, Brandon, Former Worker Enns, Jake, Worker Emeritus n Esau, Dan, Senior Pastor, Rosetown Alliance Church, SK n Escamilla, Pedro, Unassigned n Fairholm, Dan, Unassigned n Farmer, Drake, Associate Pastor, Gateway Alliance Church, Edmonton, AB n Faulkner, Miles, Former Worker n Glidden, Kirsten, Unassigned n Gonzalez Garcia, Bruno, Unassigned n Gray, John, On-Loan n Gray, Jan, Unassigned n Harrison, Joe, Unassigned n Hoos, Janelle, No credentials n Houghton, Robin, Former Worker n Hrychiw, Deborah, Former Worker n Huebner, Harry, Worker Emeritus n Ip, James, Unassigned n Johnston, Laurence, Associate Pastor, Penticton Alliance Church, BC n Jones, Raymond, Pastor of Care Ministries, Heritage Park Alliance Church, Windsor, ON n Kang, David, Assistant Pastor, First Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Kwok, Keith, Former Worker n Knott, Mike, Unassigned n Lemky, Chris, Former Worker n Leung, Rosa, Assistant Pastor, Scarborough Chinese Alliance Church, ON n Ling, James, Unassigned n MacArthur, Lloyd, Unassigned n Mance, Charlie, Unassigned n Marlatt, Cyril, Unassigned n McLean, Steve, Senior Pastor, Bonnyville Fellowship Alliance Church, AB n Millard, Christie, Former Worker n Morrison, Kimberley, Unassigned n Murray, Iain, Youth and Young Adult Pastor, First Alliance Church, Scarborough, ON n Oakman, Clint, Unassigned n Olson, Anthony, Pastor of Technical Arts, Kamloops Alliance Church, BC n Palsky, Bruce, Interim Pastor, Linden Alliance Church, AB n Paton, Wade, Associate Pastor, Sherwood Park n n

Alliance Church, AB Pederson, Dwayne, Unassigned n Persson, Eric, Worker Emeritus n Peters, Theo, Unassigned n Reimer, Josh, No credentials n Rist, Bernd, Unassigned n Roffey, Jason, Unassigned n Russell, Doug, Director of Pastoral Services, Moose Jaw Alliance Church, SK n Ruten, Woodrow, Unassigned n Sauer, Niki, Former Worker n Sellers, Rowena, Leave of Absence n Sammut, Tony, Pastor of Discipleship, Upper Room Community Church, Vaughan, ON n Siu, Rev. George, Unassigned n Smith, Rev. Dr. Gordon T., President, Ambrose University College, AB n St. John, Christian, Unassigned n Suh, Inho, Unassigned n Toon, Stephen, Chief Musician and Artist-in-Residence, Timbers Community Church, Prince George, BC n Truong, Neil, Young Adults Pastor, Beulah Alliance Church, Edmonton, AB n Tuck, Ryan, Associate Pastor, Deer Park Alliance Church, Red Deer, AB n Veitch, Shawn, Ministerat-Large, ON n Weisbrod, Sarah, No credentials n Wong, Manjohn, Associate Pastor English Ministry, Toronto Alliance Church, ON n Wong, Ming, Unassigned n Yang, Andy Yuemin, Senior Pastor, East Toronto Mandarin Alliance Church, ON n Zimmerman, Jeff, Former Worker n

Ambrose Faculty n Charter, Dr. Miriam, Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies n Goossen, Dr. Jonathan, Assistant Professor of English n Kaye, Julie, Assistant Professor of Sociology n Nolan, Dr. Carrie, Assistant Professor of Education n Toffelmire, Colin, Assistant Professor of Old Testament

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Ordinations n Adkins, Rev. Phil, Strathmore Alliance Church, AB n Black, Rev. Joel, Winnipeg Chinese Alliance Church, MB n Cheuk, Rev. Hayes, South Edmonton Alliance Church, AB n Cowman, Rev. Kirk, Living Hope Alliance Church, Regina, SK n Demoline, Rev. Andrew, Burnaby Alliance Church, BC n Fisher, Rev. Ken, Southridge Community Church,

Lloydminster, AB Kedge, Rev. Jim, Moose Jaw Alliance Church, SK n Kliewer, Rev. Nathan, International Worker, Mexico City n Kroeker, Rev. Stephen, Tsawwassen Alliance Church, Delta, BC n Rigby, Rev. Joshua, Valleyview Alliance Church, AB n Rios, Rev. Jeremy, New Hope Alliance Church, Surrey, BC n Stroud, Rev. Terry, Devon n

Alliance Church, AB Wang, Rev. Ryan, South Gate Alliance Church, Calgary, AB n Williams, Rev. Brad, Arviat Alliance Church, NU n Yarbrough, Rev. Benjamin (Bear), Westgate Alliance Church, Saskatoon, SK n

New Churches n Vancouver, BC: The River Community Church (RIDE church plant)

With the Lord Deaths from January 1 to June 30, 2012

Baker, Jill, May 17, 2012 Jill served with the Alliance for 30 years in Kindersley, Regina and Prince Albert, SK, alongside her husband, Rev. Ron Baker. Jill is survived by her husband, Ron, their son, Tim, and daughter, Allison Opseth.

Theological Seminary, Nyack, NY. Don is survived by his wife, Deloris (Dee), daughters, Cindy Lippold and Lisa VanLeeuwen, and son, Jeffrey Donald.

n

Braun, Dr. Fred, June 24, 2012 Dr. Fred Braun ministered as Assistant Pastor at Mission Creek Alliance Church, in BC, for five years, from 1995-2000. Fred is survived by his wife, Anne, and sons, Doug, Bart and Edwin.

n

Bubna, Dr. Don, September 24, 2011 Dr. Bubna served with the Alliance for 45 years in the United States and Canada. Places of service included Pacific Beach, CA; Salem, OR; Peace Portal Alliance Church, White Rock, BC; Canadian Theological Seminary, Regina, SK and Alliance

n

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Catto, Rev. Harold, April 30, 2012 Rev. Catto served with the Alliance for 52 years. Harold began his ministry in 1949 in Hamilton, ON and in 1952, moved to Irian Jaya, where he served as an International Worker until 1975. From 1975 to 1979, he served as a Missionaryin-Residence in the Eastern and Central Canadian Districts and, in 1979, returned to Indonesia until 1985. From 1986 to 1992, Harold served as Missionary-in-Residence in the Canadian Pacific District.

He moved back to Ontario, where, from 1994 to 2002, he served in Owen Sound. Rev. Catto is survived by his sons, Rob and Bill and daughter, Mary-Lou Cook.

n

Edwardson, Rev. Paul, March 14, 2012 Rev. Edwardson served with the Alliance for 60 years. Paul began his ministry in 1948 and pastored in Trail, Vancouver and Chilliwack, BC. In 1956, he became a Global and National Evangelist. In 1957, Paul opened Hawaii for the Alliance as an International Worker and then pastored Kapahulu Bible Church. Paul served in 15 ministries all around the world, including Tenth Avenue Alliance Church, in Vancouver, BC; First Alliance Church, in Toronto, ON and Church Planting Director in the Midwest District, before retiring. Paul was the second in four generations of Alliance pastors. Raised in his dad’s rescue mission, Paul gained a Spirit-filled, insatiable passion to evangelize lost people. Paul, at the age of 30, with his wife, June, sold everything they owned to travel the world and

n

personnel preach in 26 countries. Carrying the torch of revival, thousands met God, and lives were changed forever. Over the next 50 years, Paul was a great visionary, evangelist, pastor, encourager, spiritual entrepreneur, counsellor, coach, friend, dad and a great grandpa.

That passion for souls was evident to all he came across until he went home to be with Jesus! Paul is survived by his son, Rev. Dale.

Klassen, Rev. Brian, October 21, 2011 Rev. Klassen served as Assistant Pastor at Fort Nelson Alliance Church, in BC, from 1981 to

n

1986. Brian is survived by his wife, Sandra, son, Matthew, and daughter, Elizabeth Krait.

Pratt, Rev. F. James, April 19, 2012 James served with the Alliance for 37 years, beginning in 1961, as a Senior Pastor at Valleyview Alliance Church, AB. In 1962, he became an International Worker in Thailand. Rev. Pratt took on the role as Director of Far East Broadcasting Canada in 1979, located in Vancouver, BC. From 1988 to 1998, James served as Senior Pastor of Maple Park Alliance Church, in Quesnel, BC.

James is survived by his wife, Doris, and daughters, Betty Lou Smith, Heather Deguire and Sandy Mix.

n

Terry, Dr. James H., August 5, 2011 Dr. Terry served with the Alliance for three years at the Canadian Theological Seminary, in Regina, SK. He served as the Director of the Doctorate of Ministry Program, as Associate Dean for Extension Education and as Associate Professor. James is survived by his wife, June, and daughter, Rebecca Williford.

n

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

– Jeremiah 17:8

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your you now church know

Rev. David Hearn — President A glimpse into the life of the newly elected leader of the Alliance in Canada

By Denise Lodge Photo Courtesy Darryl Chapman

F

un, engaging, warm and passionate, David Hearn loves people.

In his free time, he likes to read, play guitar, run and spend time with his family.

Eric Liddell, portrayed in Chariots of Fire, said, “When I run, I feel his pleasure.” Hearn says that when he runs, he “feels God’s presence.”

When he runs, he prays; the cry of his heart is, “O, Jesus, fill me again.”

One of his favourite ways to spend his free time is being with his family; every member of the family, including his grandchildren, goes on long bicycle rides together.

“I love to laugh. Part of the Hearn culture is storytelling. When the family gathers, we tell stories.”

Hearn says that Agnes, his wife, is his “best friend.”

“The first thing that attracted me to her was her smile; she has a way of lighting up a room.” He says he has never met a person “more loyal, committed and fun to be around than Agnes.”

Hearn has a vitality that engages and embraces individuals and communities. Yet, his life has not been without trials. His biggest challenge was losing his father, Rev. William Hearn, his “hero.”

Throughout David’s life, his father told him, “If you’re going to die, die with your boots on. Die doing what

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God called you to do, living out your the Bible to hear what the Spirit of vision.”

God is saying to him.

William passed away in a prayer Secondly, he has been reading meeting, with the Bible on his lap, the work of A.B. Simpson. reading from Ephesians 6. He died Simpson’s words have helped him doing with he loved to do. David to understand what trust has been says, “There are times when I wish given to the C&MA. I could call him up and ask, ‘What Another is by coming to work early would you do?’” and walking around the building, His current challenges, asking God to set his agenda in his words, are for the day. “incredibly overwhelming.” One of his He asks God to “give The “Yet,” he says, “I have Christian and Missionary favourite felt God giving me a very Alliance in Canada an ways to clear mandate every day: atmosphere of health and spend his ‘You are not the vine; you incredible freedom and are the branch. The greatest free time is boldness”; he prays that “the gift you can give to this National Ministry Centre, being with denomination is to remain as a team, will model what intimately connected to it means to be people filled his family Jesus.’” with the Holy Spirit.”

The most challenging Hearn sees himself as part of his job is helping “a diverse a servant; “It’s who I am. I love to family of faith embrace diversity as a serve.” gift and as part of the way in which In terms of leadership, he God enables us to be incredibly promises four things: Firstly, to listen effective in the mission he has called to people; he says that “when we us on.” listen, we value.” Secondly, “to lead, The favourite part of his job to make the hard decisions.” is “seeing people empowered, Thirdly, to develop a culture blessed and encouraged, witnessing in which we are always learning. someone’s eyes light up and Finally, to create “an environment imagination expand.” The desire of his where people feel loved and safe.” heart is to “see people accomplish for Denise Lodge is Social Media & Print God what they think is not possible.”

Coordinator for The Christian and How does Hearn spend time with Missionary Alliance in Canada God? “Firstly, in the Word.” He reads

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