On Sabbatical, Re-Awakening Mike's Blog

 

It's been over two years since I last posted on this blog. After my father passed away in June 2021, these last couple of years have represented for me a time of grieving the loss of two parents who set so much of the foundation for me regarding the man I am today (I lost mom in Sept. 2020). Truth of the matter is I haven't been very active on my blog for nearly a decade now; that's how long I've lived and served in Vancouver, BC. However, just recently I went on my first sabbatical in fifteen years (I know, long overdue and not a great example to younger pastors who should be seeking that their churches give them sabbaticals every 5-7 years). But alas, here I am on sabbatical again and what is more, this blog was started back in 2008 for the purpose of keeping my then church, Grace Chapel, up to speed on my sabbatical undertakings, while away.

So the blog has been awakened again as I go on my first sabbatical in my ten years at Grace Vancouver Church (GVC), for the same purpose to keep Grace Van up to speed on my sabbatical undertakings. I suppose I have much to say and reflect upon after ten years of ministry at GVC and in Canada, but begin with the four-chapter story of the Bible depicted in the image above, indeed a very simple explanation of the Good News of Jesus' Kingdom, and what it has come to accomplish in this world, that of redemption and restoration from a fallen creation, that came about as a result of the rebellion of our first parents long ago from that place of joyful communion with their Creator-King, instead insisting on their wish to be their own kings.

In my ten years doing ministry in one of the most secular cities on the planet, I have at times and through seasons grown greatly fatigued and yet, in what has been a difficult city to sow seeds of the Gospel, actually I've often found some of my greatest encouragements to come from outside the church, from among "nonbelievers." I remember in one of the most difficult seasons in church ministry I've had in nearly a quarter-century of serving as a pastor of Jesus' church, my atheist friend and gym owner posted on the gym's Facebook page, "This is our beloved Pastor Mike. There is not one bad bone in this guy's body." I saw that message in the midst of a number of people leaving the church, out of a belief that there were many bad bones in my body! As I was hurt deeply by Jesus' Church, at the same time, my atheist friend ministered greatly to me in a great time of need. Yet before we play any "gotcha" games with why the Church isn't worth serving, understand this is the reality of life in Jesus' Church, especially if one has an undying love for the Bride of Christ and would do anything to see Her brought to completion and perfection. Isn't this what the Apostle Paul says Jesus did for His Bride the Church? (Eph. 5:26ff.) What is more in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans, we are told that all of creation groans under the weight of the curse of Adam's sin. Plus, Jesus says that God's good gifts are everywhere, even among the "unjust" (Matt. 5:45). The prophet Jeremiah tells us to seek the welfare of the city into which we as God's people have been sent into "exile" and pray for it; insofar as the city flourishes, there also we will find our own welfare and blessing (Jer. 29:7). The Church is being perfected, but before her completion, there is much ministry to be done in a place like Vancouver. As we do so being committed to the Bride of Christ, we will find many graces along the way as we seek to bring others into the knowledge of our Saviour. We serve and are blessed- it is really that simple in many ways. And where we find Christians behaving badly and nonbelievers behaving honourably,... well, to be honest, there is nothing new under the sun and none of this should throw us off so as to question whether in fact the Gospel is true. The Good News of God's Kingdom has arrived into the world and we see God's mercy and grace to all humankind in all of it. As human history follows the lines of the Biblical story (see the image above), so we have the great hope that while things are not always as they once were and should be (Creation and Fall),... as we labour in faithfulness, such things will arrive at their intended places of destination (God's people in and outside the church will be Redeemed) and human history will move towards its consummation, to a place of full Restoration, when every tear will be wiped away. 

Funny thing is as I go onto sabbatical, I actually find myself in a time of refreshment and strength, which wasn't the case when I planned it with our Session, i.e. elders, over a year ago. There are many reasons for this, but the big ones are: 1) the kindness and mercy of God and 2) the power of remaining rooted in Jesus' Church, Grace Vancouver Church, through times of thick and thin. At GVC, there is a togetherness, unity of spirit and purpose that is much greater than what I experienced in my first 5-7 years here. It might have been that the pandemic was clarifying for us. I say that in humility, but also with knowledge and insight as I left a vibrant and a church powerful in unity ten years ago in Nebraska. Today I see Grace Chapel only growing deeper and stronger in that vibrancy and power. As I pray for my former church, so I pray in a similar way for the one I now serve. To me, it all comes down to God's people learning how to serve the Mission of God, rather than personal agendas. Now, that is easier said than done as we all have a sense of eternity set in our hearts and want for our lives to count for Jesus. We want to use our gifts to serve His Kingdom and to have an impact for what He is doing in the world. The trick becomes how we learn whether or not we are serving a Divine agenda or a human agenda, and that is no small task as, despite light coming into the world, the Apostle John said that "men loved darkness because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). Therefore, I learned some years ago that, despite our greatest zeal for Jesus' Kingdom and to see His mission move forward in the world, unless we learn to do it in submission to His authority in the Word as well as to those He ordains to lead His Church, then our strivings as well-intended as they might be, turn out to be fruitless and vain.

At the heart of my thoughts now having served Jesus' Church for a number of years is this, and I've asked the question time and time again, "who loves the Church?" Now, I've heard Christians give lip service to this question time and time again, but when the pressures and trials come,... despite all the lip service, "we love the church, we really do!" the truth of the matter is more often than not, we do not,... at least not as much as we love ourselves. What does it mean to live by the power and authority of His Word and in submission to the covenant membership vows we take to support one another and to the "government and discipline" of the church, i.e. to church leadership? Until Christians learn to enjoy that secret sauce of mission, the Church will not move forward on its mission (John 13:35). We at Grace Van are more well-poised to do this than I believe we have been in our 23-year-history. Yes, I know I've only been here for 10 of those years. Either way, I am thrilled to be on that journey with Jesus' Beloved Grace Van.

Well, my sabbatical started off well Sunday evening enjoying a glass of Irish whiskey with Pastor Ted Ng of Faith Community Christian Church. The gathering is usually larger, but the two other pastors could not make it that evening. This "Kitsilano" pastors group is one of two that I participate in for mutual strengthening of the Body of Christ, the other being a "Fairview" pastors' group, both groups including a total of four pastoral colleagues. Monday evening I started my first Krav Maga class at Impact Fitness which is located near the church at Burrard and Broadway. Krav Maga is a form of Israeli martial arts built on teaching folks self-defence in real world situations. The first class was basically a great workout with a very friendly group of about twelve others as well as a kind and professional instructor named Bernie. In addition to doing my Crossfit 3xs per week, I'm now signed up for Monday nights to do Krav Maga. On Tuesday I signed up for electric guitar lessons at Rufus Guitar, not too far from my house. I'm signed up to do guitar lessons every Tuesday afternoon. I chose the long-haired rocker teacher who I'm told will teach me how to "shred." What can I say? I'm a product of the hard rock and metal bands of the 80s. Tonight (on Wednesday), I'm looking forward to meeting up with our Westside Community Group to study the Word and then on Saturday morning I have my first reading group for two hours with a handful of participants (likely seven or eight) going through a book study on Christopher Watkin's 600-page book called Biblical Critical Theory. I'm looking forward to Saturday morning, though our group has given itself the month of May to determine whether we are truly "in" or not; after all, the study is a large undertaking. 

I am still trying to figure out which church to visit for this first Sunday of sabbatical. I'm thinking one of the "bigger" ones to start my round of visitations to churches- I'm already jealous I won't be at Soup and Bread lunch at GVC on Sunday; where there is food and I am missing out, I tend to sniff out (I can smell the aromas of the soups now, haha).

Well, thank you for all your prayers and interest in this sabbatical journey. Blessings and I hope to see you soon.

Mike