tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82656042009-07-16T07:50:31.846-06:00May you see the face of Jesus in everyone you meet. And may everyone you meet see the face of Jesus in you.Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.comBlogger1002125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-10804424512535771932009-07-16T07:34:00.002-06:002009-07-16T07:50:31.856-06:00

In the parts one and two, I complained about Frost's and Hirsch's shallow theology and extolled the examples they offered. Evangelicals can be like that; poor theology with excellent practice. Mainline churches have it the other way. Solid theology with poor practice. In fact, we mainliners tend to look down our noses at churches who are actually effective at making disciples of Jesus, and who

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-15055150601734048802009-07-12T11:44:00.000-06:002009-07-12T11:45:47.883-06:00

Back in May, National Bishop Susan Johnson and a group of other national church leaders flew up to Ft.McMurray to take a look at the oil sands. She was part of the Kairos delegation (Kairos being the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, an umbrella organization for various church groups to engage social issues from a gospel perspective. Good Shepherd is a member of Kairos. Corrine Jerke is

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-31855232091486024192009-07-10T17:49:00.001-06:002009-07-10T17:51:28.275-06:00

Since when does CBC claim copyright on YouTube (if you clicked on the video on an earlier post you know what I'm talking about)? Here's a raw version of the video. Censorship sucks:

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-81988096657905396752009-07-10T11:55:00.001-06:002009-07-10T17:46:48.057-06:00

Real world examples are what makes these books good reads. Especially if you're someone who thinks that churches need to think much more creatively in how to effectively do mission. Even with poor theology as the backdrop, Frost and Hirsch excel in digging up stories of faith communities acting creatively, pushing boundaries of what it means to be “church.” Even redefining evangelism.Exiles by

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-31223260499050642472009-07-09T09:37:00.003-06:002009-07-09T09:39:52.154-06:00

Our Five-Year-Old: Daddy, your belly's shrinking.Me: It is?OFYO: Yeah, you're getting thinner!Me: I am?OFYO: I better say bye-bye to your belly, (patting me on the belly) "Bye-bye, belly."My Belly: Bye Bye

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-4160139865763579562009-07-09T08:26:00.004-06:002009-07-10T17:32:00.008-06:00

A few months ago I was invited to join “Viral Bloggers” (VB). A group of bloggers who are supposed to blog about some books. Since I'm always open to free books, I agreed. I liked this format better than getting books from publishers or PR firms who stop sending books if you write a bad review (which I learned the hard way). VB just want me to write about the books. They want to get a

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-8813974118105689812009-07-08T12:05:00.011-06:002009-07-10T17:48:57.908-06:00

As a clergyperson, and especially as a Christian who takes the sacrament with great seriousness, I'd find it troubling if ANYONE came to communion without the intention of receiving Jesus' body and blood, and put the wafer in his/her pocket. So, this isn't a partisan jab. Why would Harper come up for communion if he didn't want to receive the sacrament? Did he think that NOT coming up would be

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-63722488195406312982009-07-05T07:27:00.000-06:002009-07-05T07:28:30.554-06:00

“Jesus ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.”What do YOU pack when you go on a trip? Are you that person who drags a 6-piece Samsonite luggage set through the airport, carrying everything from a hair-dryer, to formal wear, to 3 sets of swim attire?Or do you throw a few odds and

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-17020477661019931392009-07-03T08:03:00.013-06:002009-07-06T07:23:45.469-06:00

On the way home from convention, I was thinking about how hard it is to be a Christian. Not because an unbelieving world hates us (they don't. At least, not really), or because our numbers are dwindling.I find it hard to be a Christian because of other Christians. We fight a lot. When Christians fight, it feels like the outcome has eternal significance. We talk about life, God, the meaning of

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-65986444594670776022009-07-01T21:27:00.000-06:002009-07-01T21:28:20.046-06:00

One of the only countries that defines itself by what it is NOT:

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-18841254345984416012009-06-30T15:12:00.001-06:002009-06-30T15:13:56.365-06:00

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-46993592113198894492009-06-30T13:09:00.007-06:002009-06-30T15:00:12.519-06:00

I got an unsolicited advance review copy of Donald Miller’s new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Apparently I’m supposed to blog about it. Of course, I will. The title intrigues me. Look for a review in the next couple of weeks.But I’ll be upfront. I didn’t like his first book Blue Like Jazz. I know it’s almost heretical to admit that, and I have to turn in my po-mo, hipster credentials

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-28656479945621664102009-06-30T12:47:00.001-06:002009-06-30T12:47:58.652-06:00

Dear Good Shepherd Family,After Vacation Bible School is over, we’re going to try something different with our sanctuary. We’re going to try facing the west wall as we worship, simply as an experiment. This will NOT be a permanent change, but a trial to see how we can more effectively use our worship space.Right now, in our shoe-box formation, people sitting at the back of the church have

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-26452836257153301452009-06-28T12:42:00.001-06:002009-06-28T12:42:48.009-06:00

Final item of business was worship. The convention gathered in a wide circle as we prayed and sang together. I particularly appreciated Bp. Mike Pryse’s challenging and hopeful sermon, calling us to follow the undomesticated Jesus of the bible. Then Bp. Susan led us as we shared holy communion together as a family. One thing about these gatherings is that we get to have the sacrament everyday. A

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-66663772521682882462009-06-27T09:57:00.001-06:002009-06-27T09:57:42.620-06:00

“Why is it that when someone goes to the microphone to gripe about something, they’re usually from Alberta?”Good question. It was asked last night. And as an Albertan I find that troubling because I see the truth of it. It’s not as if people shouldn’t say what they need to say. But I don’t understand the confrontational posture.Session went late last night. Lots of discussion on the resolution

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-75400508495722465302009-06-26T19:19:00.004-06:002009-06-28T11:56:46.252-06:00

Sheila Hamilton has been elected as VP. I have no idea who she is (I didn't vote her since I couldn't pick her out of a line-up). But I guess other people can since she received 45 votes on the first ballot.After chatting with folks from the east about who she is and what she's like, it looks as if she'll do an excellent job. Whew!Here's a bio of her's I found.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-72176768765628279552009-06-26T12:23:00.004-06:002009-06-28T01:28:00.243-06:00

I rarely weep during bible studies. But I came pretty close this morningThe Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land gave an impassioned bible study on being a religious minority in a politically volatile land. He says that Canadian Lutherans are also a religious minority, which means we can learn from each other. I think he’s right. But I think

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-33899896105622336932009-06-26T11:48:00.003-06:002009-06-28T09:07:16.585-06:00

Last night Anglican Primate Fred Hiltz led a bible study for the convention on Luke 4: 16-21. He broke it down into 3 parts: Continuity, Hope, and Partnership. Then he asked that we reflect on these questions:“Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk 4:21) Discuss some signs of hope whereby you see this scripture fulfilled in your local context: - your parish- your synodFrom

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-60325027849403152592009-06-26T10:25:00.004-06:002009-06-26T10:30:35.649-06:00

Morning Eucharist was good. Bp. Elaine Sauer from Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario preached a fine sermon with a wonderful story about a small, 12 person, church doing effective ministry - without a pastor. Who would’ve thunk it?The music was great. Especially the choral backgrounds. VERY well written. Actually, ALL the convention music has been fantastic. Refreshing change. Right now the stewards

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-8909774930305407162009-06-25T19:06:00.002-06:002009-06-25T19:08:08.973-06:00

For these interested, here's the convention webcast (and who WOULDN'T be interested?). Now you can keep an eye on me.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-20888942585724567382009-06-25T18:57:00.001-06:002009-06-25T18:59:38.128-06:00

After Bishop Susan’s report I think I have a better sense of where she’s taking our church. She outlined the five pillars of National Church Council’s strategic plan:Effective Partnerships Focused Framework Compassionate Justice Diverse Faces Spirited Discipleship.While this looks good, and it sets a clear direction for our church, I wonder how this will filter “down” to the congregation. At LCGS

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-27717836288644963172009-06-25T13:55:00.004-06:002009-06-25T14:06:03.405-06:00

I had written a post on this, but this sums up what's happening in Iran better than I ever could:It seems to me that these brave young men and women have picked up their hand-held cameras to shoot those shaky shots, looking in their streets and alleys for their Martin Luther King. They are well aware of Mir Hossein Moussavi’s flaws, past and present. But like the color of green, the very figure

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-78508255425038444882009-06-25T11:20:00.003-06:002009-06-25T11:25:26.398-06:00

Four years ago, at ABT synod convention, before the meeting even started, a retired pastor went to the microphone and denounced the agenda as “pelagianism.” Today, I feel like standing up at the microphone to denounce the agenda, not as pelagianism, but something far worse: being boring and irrelevant to our church’s needs. Flipping through the convention’s Bulletin of Reports, and it looks like

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-21555817518883502662009-06-24T09:12:00.004-06:002009-06-24T12:30:14.136-06:00

Off to National Convention (*sigh*). I used to really enjoy these things. And there are parts of it I’m looking forward to. Mainly catching up with friends and seeing someone I connected with in Mexico a year ago. Plus, it’s in Vancouver. How bad can it be?But these gatherings can be both boring as watching golf on TV and as needlessly acrimonious as Don Cherry spouting off on politics during

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-75600151613040525122009-06-21T23:16:00.000-06:002009-06-21T23:17:49.403-06:00

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”A good question, don't you think?. Perhaps the ONLY question. That wasn't the first time it was asked. And it definitely wasn't the last. It's the question that haunts us. It's a question that maybe even haunts God.“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”It's a question that all of us ask. Or WILL ask. It's a charmed life that doesn't need

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10049966051667764746powe2550@yahoo.com0