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Apr 03, 2009
I just finished watching a documentary called, "One Size Fits All?" on Fringe churches across Canada. I was really excited when I came across the DVD because it's so rare to find a uniquely Canadian production on church.
Sometimes, to our detriment, churches in Canada tend to consume all the products, services, and stats, from the US. Although there is room to exchange information across the border, we still have look long and hard on how communities can be leaders in a uniquely Canadian context.
'One Size Fits All?' essentially looks at non-traditional church communities getting into the nitty gritty messy details of communities. Some really cool stories about leaders across the country taking a gospel message and making it known in their particular context. From theaters, to gardens, to coffee shops, almost every urban center in Canada has a form of 'missional church'.
However, despite floating across the country, the producer skipped a province--ours. Continue reading »
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Apr 02, 2009
Haven't posted anything new for a few days largely due to some server problems. They appear to be fixed so hopefully it's clear sailing.
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Mar 25, 2009
The anti-abortionists are back at U of C for their once a semester offensive attempt to horrify people into becoming pro-life. You'll remember some of them were actually arrested back in November over their row with university administration.
You have to feel for the U of C students that are a part of this propaganda machine. The Christian right fuel the morality debate, of which abortion is top of the list. The students caught in the cross-fire may be kicked out of school and worst, exist with a criminal record. That's tough for something that's so ineffective and representative of a very American religious right. Continue reading »
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Mar 25, 2009
It seems like I've been using the word inaugural quite often lately! Just a heads up that the inaugural podcast is coming within DAYYSSSS. Yes you should be that excited....
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Mar 24, 2009
Apparently I missed a good fight, at least that's what the media would have me believe. In a country that contains apathetic people who identify primarily with their cultural background over nationalism, getting people to protest is one of the hardest gatherings to pull off.
This past Saturday one of the larger activist rallies connected to mark a day of anti-racism. They were eventually met by a bumbling group of clandestine Aryan Guard members and other hapless white supremacist.
I have two comments: 1) I can't believe we still deal with white supremacy in Canada, 2) I can't believe how poorly the media covered the event getting numerous facts very wrong. Continue reading »
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Mar 23, 2009
I commented in this post about the correlation church attendance in our city and the downturn in the economy. I compared two hypothetical churches, one boasting an increase in attendance, the other mobilizing themselves to help the those hit hardest in their community (but not necessarily bent on their numbers).
I actually did hear the comments from some pastors who were talking about their growing church attendance since October, hence my response. I had to also ask the question: why? Continue reading »
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Mar 21, 2009
Today marked the first leaders dialogue on things missional. I didn't have an 'agenda' for the conversation, rather, I was open to let the discussion take its own course.
We had a great time chatting with some pints over a couple of hours essentially conspiring ways to be catalysts in our communities to join God in his redemption plan.
Those who joined the conversation included:
Some additional thoughts we covered: Continue reading »
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Mar 17, 2009
The title sums it up--the futility of lent. Many Christians participate in Lent--the season of 50 days prior to Easter. The very basic idea is you have an orgy of fun on Mardi Gras, get rid of all the meat in your house, then fast for 50 days by giving up something in an effort to experience some form of sacrifice akin to Christ on the cross.
I'm not entirely convinced we have the right idea. So in the effort of good nature and participation I decided to give up beer for Lent, but only to point out its futility (not of Lent, but of our perspective on it). You see I gave up beer, but drank more more gin in its place. Continue reading »
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Mar 11, 2009
I had to update this because iMonk's post (the articles referred to in this post) were combined and placed on some of the most popular web sites online (including the Drudge Report). You can find the summation of his articles here, and of course the Canadian version I wrote at another web site here. Back to the original article.
-- For most evangelicals the return of Christ could happen at any moment. We don't know exactly when (well some think it's tied to the state of Israel, I don't,) but what we do know is that it's imminent. There is a growing sentiment that what's even more imminent is the collapse of the evangelical church (and related denominations in Calgary including Christian & Missionary Alliance, Associated Gospel Churches, non-denominations like Center Street, various Baptist churches, etc.) Continue reading »
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Mar 09, 2009
A handful of Calgary Transit buses now sport supposedly 'witty' remarks attacking religion. The ads have been cropping up in major cities worldwide and now Calgary gets to enter the debate. The ads certainly spark discussion but what are they trying to accomplish?
Are atheists trying to point out the futility of religion with remarks such as: "there probably is no God so stop worrying and enjoy your life"?
I don't get it, although admittedly I'm on the 'inside' looking out. But since when is God the source of worry? Firstly, the vast majority of Canadians--something like over 90%--are in some way spiritual in nature. I suppose you can be atheist and spiritual, actually no, that would make you agnostic. Secondly, the notion of God and the community that exists on earth (many religions for that matter) tends to reduce worry not increase it. Continue reading »
