Only love

On Halloween of 1991, I was visited by the Holy Spirit who convinced me that Christ had given his life for me and that I could trust him with mine.

I joined a local church that quickly became my new family. At that time, I was on a great quest to belong. I had just left Sherbrooke, where my dreams of one day belonging to the local biker group disappeared with the move.

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What if I don't want to follow?

The brothers, Simon and Andrew, were attending to their family business when Jesus, according to the Gospel of Mark, walked up to them and said, “Come follow me.” Countless sermons have been preached and commentaries written on the willingness of these brothers to submit to the invitation of Jesus. They went willingly. They went immediately. From pulpits and Bible studies we have encouraged would be disciples to submit in the same way – if Jesus asks, we go. However, is it possible that within these portrayals of Simon and Andrew, the evangelical church has encouraged passivity among those who follow?

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Chaplains of dignity

Planting a church in a poor neighborhood requires surrender. You must give up your pride and look for what God is already doing in the neighbourhood. God is at work before and after you arrive. Do not be so arrogant as to think that you have the solution. You are not a church planter. Christ is the planter. You are tools in his hands. It is Christ who calls his church and establishes it. You are a catalyst for what Christ is already doing in the neighborhood. The crossing guard directs, protects people and controls traffic so that all are safe. The chaplain teaches, instructs and coaches the individual on both the spiritual and personal aspects of life.

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