Church

A number of people around me are weary.  Weary in well doing.  Weary in just doing!

Tonight a committee met to discuss our educational direction.  Our church has dedicated workers, but too few.  And yet, often the vision of a new outreach, or a significant impact can reform and excite us.  We tried to think outside the box.  Even to just understand the confines of the box.

We are still weary.  But hopefully in a week’s time, when we meet again, we will know the box better.  And perhaps have enough of a view of the horizon we can sail into the sunset (love the use of cliche and metaphor — they combine well to make up an understandable picture!).

Each day brings new experiences.  One experience is just waking with breath flowing into your lungs.  I heard of someone today, a relation of a friend, who breathed their last breath.  So, I’m thankful.

Another experience is being able to walk around the block.  And today, as my wife and I traversed the block, I sensed enough strength to go another.  That is an added bonus.  And a sign that these knees of mine are healing.  Perhaps this week I’ll progress so that another block will be tranversed.  The day may arrive when I can walk the whole town.

But, it’s all one step at a time.  That’s where I started today, and where I’ll start tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day . . .

Along with 45 others, I ate.  Then I heard about food.

Those who have, and those who don’t.  In Kindersley we do have people who find no food in the pantry.  Their rent, the gas for the car, the prescriptions add up.  And nothing is left.  So they come, many humiliated that they must ask.

The foodbank gives, and hopes to find ways in which they can address the greater issues. Richard Sevigny and Barbe Dunn both presented the needs.  Now the question is, what further can we do as the community of Kindersley?  Will we see those who are in need?  Will we find ways to address those needs? Are our efforts to date sufficient?  How much more needs to be done?

The president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada puts out an occasional pastoral letter.  Most deal with the trends in the church, as he sees them.  The latest is on "The Future Church".

Probably the most interesting question he addresses is "Questions Three:  If the youth of today become the board of elders of tomorrow (way past ten years from now), how will they change the church?"

A lot of interesting answers in this part of the letter.  Things like letting the church be messy, being humble, grassroots.  A redefinition of success —  the church more as an alternate society than being relevant — since relevant seems to mean being like the rest of our culture.

One statement of interest — "Music will continue to be important.  One leader said that gyms will not be as important for the next church as recording studios."