Helping people to find Christ

On a snowy Thursday night the youth group Bible study continued the journey through the Desire of Ages.  Amidst questions, praises for answered prayers and time of praying for others, we had read on the story of first disciples encountering Jesus (Gospel of John 1:37-50), Andrew finding Peter, Philip finding Nathanael, and bringing them to Christ, without arguments, simply with an invitation “Come and See!”

An inspired commentary moved me to share it with you as a reminder of our personal responsibility to lead people to Christ. (Quotations are from the Desire of Ages, p.141)

These examples should teach us the importance of personal effort, of making direct appeals to our kindred, friends, and neighbors. There are those who for a lifetime have professed to be acquainted with Christ, yet who have never made a personal effort to bring even one soul to the Saviour. They leave all the work for the minister. He may be well qualified for his calling, but he cannot do that which God has left for the members of the church.

There are many who need the ministration of loving Christian hearts. Many have gone down to ruin who might have been saved if their neighbors, common men and women, had put forth personal effort for them. Many are waiting to be personally addressed. In the very family, the neighborhood, the town, where we live, there is work for us to do as missionaries for Christ. If we are Christians, this work will be our delight. No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart.

 All who are consecrated to God will be channels of light. God makes them His agents to communicate to others the riches of His grace. His promise is, "I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26.

Please reflect on this.  Do not leave all the work of evangelism to the minister – I cannot do it alone.  You all are ministers.  We remind that to our church through the bulletin – this is a place where everyone is gifted for service!  If you do not lead people to Christ, they may never hear the Gospel.  If you really met Christ, you cannot help but share Him with others!

Family talk

Many were blessed this week visiting different homes hosting the Week of Prayer.  The desire to start small groups is great!  And I had to assure a few that in the new year our top priority, even if we have to put on hold some programs, is to build community of care.

As the church grows larger in numbers so is the need to come closer together, to connect.  Church growth specialists point out that with growth in size comes the necessity to connect inside even more.  Worldwide Adventist community membership is over 18 million and with unbaptized children, and extended family members it’s over 30 million.  In such a large church there are differences of opinions, and often the disagreements are expressed not in the Spirit of Christ.

Earlier this week the North American Division leaders met for the annual council, and an interesting document was issued: a Statement on Civil Discourse.  In other words, a set of guidelines on how to talk to each other, a reminder of how to keep a conversation in community without rupturing relationships in the Body of Christ.

“1) We resolve to encourage expressions of disagreement that are honest and open based upon a sincere desire to arrive at truth as expressed in Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy;
2) We resolve to first communicate with those with whom we disagree and listen non-judgmentally to their positions so that we can represent those positions accurately before critiquing them;
3) We resolve to avoid the use of sarcasm, cartoons, anecdotes, parody or any other form of insinuation to diminish the reputation or personhood of others;
4) We resolve to refrain from sponsoring or countenancing online or offline dialogue that vilifies or depreciates the good name of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in general or the reputations of its individual members in particular

We, therefore, resolve to avoid participating in, or being party to, all forms of unhealthy and demeaning discourse. Our aim is to govern our communication according to the high standards of Christian conduct found in the guidelines this statement so that God may be glorified in all we say and do.”

North American Church president Dan Jackson asked that we seek “higher ground” during these challenging times.  I invite you to take this reminder to heart, and in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself or herself, and do nothing in selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3).  Eugene Peterson’s “Message paraphrase puts it this way (verses1-4)  If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Change is the air. What to expect?

Earlier this week, Monday, citizens went to cast their vote for change.  London Free press run an article the very next morning highlighting that 11 out of 14 war councillors are new and 7 out of 15 City Council members are under 40, and the mayor-elect is 41, so far the youngest council among Ontario cities!

That is a sweeping change!  Only three incumbent councillors are returning: Bill Armstrong (Ward 2) Paul Hubert (8) and Harold Usher (12).  A “representative” of old politics, Joe Swan, with 28 years of public service, had only about 4% vote!  He said in the LFP interview that it is evident that Londoneers are dissatisfied with the past politics.  About 93% of voters voted for change! 

Jared Zaifman (Ward 14) is the youngest of the group at 27.  28-year-old Mo Salih is London’s second-ever black Councillor; Harold Usher, who was re-elected on Monday, was the first in 2000.

The new mayor, Matt Brown says that the top priority is unity, for the City Council to be working together.  Fresh ideas are expected, yet the outgoing “old guard” is concerned, that the new generation has no idea, there are fears of not knowing what to expect.

Mississauga got the new mayor in 36 years, also a young person.  So did Windsor, Woodstock, Brampton, Toronto.  Some are concerned that with many newly elected being Liberals it would be move “left” instead of forward.

As we prepare for the Cultural Diversity celebration Sabbath on December 6, together with congratulations, I had sent invitations to the Mayor and Councillors of wards 1, 3, 12, & 14 to join us for service.  It is our spiritual duty to pray for our leaders, to pray for those who agree to serve and lead the community.  Many have young children, and it is our hope that the new attention will be given to family values and parenting, that an added care will be given to children services.  As one journalist said “Swapping grandparents for parents would affect the budget.”

Mo Salih experienced racism while campaigning door to door.  Together with Harold Usher they represent the 16% of black community living in London.  There are expectations for more cultural awareness and appreciation.  As the new City Council will take office on December 1, please pray that God’s will would be done in our city.

Also, consider our congregation, and pray that more young adults and youth would also be passionate about leading, serving, using community resources we have to impact our neighbourhoods and families for God’s Kingdom.  Young adults should not be “missing in action” at our church, and taking responsibilities and lead. And above all, let’s listen to our young people, let’s keep the dialogue open, so we are relevant to their needs, that we may offer mentoring and discipleship they need.