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One of the trends that church watchers are seeing:  The solo preacher is being replaced by the team of teachers.

I sort of see this in the way of retail.

The preacher is like the sales person.  In many ways they have a product.  The application at the end of a sermon is always towards buying into the product.  That might be salvation, morality, spirituality, wholeness, . . . whatever.  We used to say the altar call was the end of the sermon.

The teacher is like the service technician.  When all is said and done, they come along and make sure that all gets said and done.  In a day and age when discipleship is being featured in churches, there is no wonder that teachers are becoming more prominent in church services than preachers.  We now would say the climax of understanding is the end of the sermon.

Of course, as my younger brother would dispute:  Is there really a difference between the preacher and the teacher? 

Yes, if you take my definitions. 

How would you see the changing face of “preaching” in the church? 

The ending is really a beginning.

Richard and Hope Reichert are internatoinal workers with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  They move into full retirement this fall.

In 1975 they began church work.  At a little place called Luseland, just up the road less than an hour!  Then they toured South and Central America in mission work for the last 34 years.  Their thoughts on this time are captured in yesterday’s service audio found at http://www.sermoncloud.com/kindersley-alliance/richard-and-hope-reichert-thanksgiving-tour/

I’m not sure I have had the opportunity to be one of the stops on a retirement tour!  The idea is great and I’m excited for the next phase in their life.  I desire to be like Richard and Hope as I move towards retirement.  Their goal is to continue to minister in whatever capacity they find themselves. 

May God bless the Reicherts in these coming years.  May the fruit of their mentorship and training of others increase fruit for the kingdom of God.  May God grant health and their heart’s desire in these coming years.

Thank you – Richard and Hope!!

In light of continuity!

Yes, it is cold here.  The Big Chill has arrived.  Just looked at our temperature and it is -36.  Close to that magic -40 which, in my lifetime’s experience, is the point at which all things should just stop!

Of course, now we have windchill – ours reads -48.  Others in the province are at -51.  23 record temperature/windchills on this day in Saskatchewan.  That may rise as the day goes on.

So, what to do?

Well, my wife is off to a painting job – thankfully just a few minutes away.  I will probably venture out at some point and pick up needed files and information.  Otherwise communication will be through in the internet and phone.

How does this affect the day?  Well, one thing is that you subconsciously figure this in as a “day off”.  All the plans that might have been are now set aside.  Some can be done, others will have to wait.

So, I’m not headed out the door (at least right away).  Instead, I’m inside enjoying a furnace that works!

Our weekend has been forecasted for some time.  A chilling -41 was originally forecasted.  We have moved up a few degrees, but still looks cold!

The interesting thing is that people now plan ahead – we have seen one meeting cancelled already because the drive for the major participant would be difficult.

In Saskatchewan we have hardy people.  We tend to go no matter what.  But I have noticed these past few years that we are a little more cautious. 

I believe part of that comes from a more precise definition of what cold is.  Used to be we would merely look at the temperature.  Cold was cold.  When you hit -40 you expect things to shut down.

Then we move to wind chill.  We now knew how it felt, not just how cold it was.

And now we are defining that even further.  Other factors will become a part of the feeling of the day.  Perhaps humidity, sunshine and other things.

By the end of the day – as we begin to see how bad things are – we may never go outside.

Of course, I’m saying that as I prepare to leave for work with a wind chill warning in place.   And here is my saying, based on getting older:  “I remember when we ate icicles before we went to school, and spat in the wind and our breath froze!!!”