daily life as life goes on . . .

In the interplay of words and redefinition that is constantly happening - Am I a social conservative or a social liberal? A social conservative looks at the past definitions of a society and seeks to conserve them.  A social liberal seeks to have a greater latitude – a sense of liberation. Here’s an example.  Marriage is currently defined in Canada fairly broadly.  There are opposite sex marriages and same sex marriages. Is someone now a social conservative if they define marriage narrowly as between a man and a woman?  Or are they are social conservative if they define marriage much more broadly? In Canada, the socially liberal would be those who define marriage as between a man and a woman. A social conservative will defend same-sex marriage as marriage. Or so it seems to me.

“Even those with expectant hope and without a great deal of fear or guilt . . .” That’s a statement I have put to myself these last few months.  As I have researched and written about the local church I attend (Kindersley Alliance Church - KAC), I have realized this is also my life story.  Quite literally for the years of my pastoring KAC.  Figuratively, in the way all good stories reflect truth to the reader. I believe that this church has great hope for the future and a few skeletons from the past. Dry bones rattle.  When they do we either close the coffin unceremoniously – and put a few more nails in the lid.  OR, we examine the body – not to bring it back to life – but to see how a revival of life for the living can be found in the bones of the dead. More on that story in weeks to come!

I finally have a first draft of the first volume of the Kindersley Alliance Church history – 1938 – 2018.  I’m thinking the title will be “Living 20/20, Kindersley Alliance Church in perspective:  The Reference Volume.” Far from a finished product, at least the basics are there.  The dates and adventures.  The pastors and the people.  The foibles and the fantastic. I must admit, there is a certain muscle memory that comes from reviewing your history (I say “your” because I was born into the church, my dad and his dad had connections to the church, I pastored the church, I’m retired here).  Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh, sometimes my stomach churns. I came across unknown facts to me – the first church baptism was held at my grandfather’s farm.  My uncle, Bruce, was president of the youth group shortly after World War II.  Another uncle, Robert, was the first wedding in the first church built and owned by Kindersley Alliance Tabernacle.  My father was church treasurer from 1950-1955.  And, I served as Assistant Pastor from 1976-1980.  I returned in 2005 as senior pastor.  I retired here. There was the day I was told my preaching was not good enough.  There was the day, almost 40 years after the fact, that a “youth” told me they had learned from me that you are always a leader, no matter where you are – so lead like Jesus.  There was the day I officiated a couple’s wedding, and two decades later, the day I  officiated their son’s wedding. And the stories go on. My history, our history, and as I look into this coming year of 2020 with 20/20 . . . I sense this is also His-tory. 

I watched the snow today. Its not going. Anywhere. Soon. Meanwhile, inside our house, flowers are blooming.