Oh, Canada!

Well, I have learned something from yesterday's speaker. Canadian Missions are progressive! While people working in American Missions are stressed about taking government money, we, along with Europeans, have been doing it for years. In fact, some of us are already making inroads in cooperating with the local government social service agencies.

Take Hope Mission in Edmonton, for instance. The city GAVE them an ambulance, and requested that they run a ministry of picking up people who are intoxicated and need a place to crash for the night. They now run this ministry out of their "Intox" Shelter.

Yesterday's afternoon topic was affordable housing and revitalizing neighbourhoods. It was very thought provoking. But while American Missions are still struggling with being an "arm of the church" and not a church, some of us Canadians have started community chapel ministries.

For the last couple of months we have run the Good News Chapel and Souls Harbour Chapel. The latter is more of an outreach, less of a fellowship. Services are Sunday night at 6:30 pm. The church seats 70 people and we have a part time Chaplain, Bill Bridal, who runs evening and midweek services. One board member and one staff member have committed to being the core group and tithing to help make ends meet. They are dreaming up ways to invite the community to church and be able to lead many to Christ.

The Good News Chapel is a little different, in that it's services are Sunday morning and we are definitely a church plant. We are using the term "chapel" because we are not trying to replace churches that already exist in Regina, nor are we trying to "sheep steal." That being said, some have been "sent" from other congregations, either on loan, or for good.

Sherry Mebs, our Worship Leader, is on loan for one year from Westhill Park Baptist. Murray Hack has been sent from Argyle Road Baptist. Melanie Hack (nee Van Herk) has been sent from Faith Baptist. Jack and Paula Katzberg (Jack is one of our Chaplains) have been sent from Heritage Alliance Church.

We have a core group of people who have committed to attending and tithing to make the Good News Chapel work!

It is really wonderful to see support of other churches by way of providing our special music. I have to say that for a church plant, we are very spoiled! We have a baby grand piano, a double bass, a flute, and hopefully soon, a violinist. Our music is beautiful!

Our church seats over 700, but only 40 attend. Half of them are residents from our Mens and Womens LifeChange Program, but already we are finding they are remaining in our chapel once they move on or graduate. This is a good sign!

One of our goals is to be a church for every race and social status. You come, you're a member! Your colour or heritage doesn't matter. We want you to feel comfortable whether you are very poor, or very rich. (Don't think it's possible? Read up on Emma Whittemore.) Just as in Heaven, there should be none of these distinctions in a church.

Our spring project is neighbourhood visitation. And this is where yesterday's session comes in. We were taught by Bob Lupton that community churches have become commuter churches, and that people rarely worship in their own neighbourhood anymore. And even if they do, they aren't reaching out to their neighbours.

In order to have a successful church ministry, one that benefits the neighbourhood, one that is focused on reconciliation and has redemptive impact, we have to plant roots in the community. To do this, we need to invite the community to attend!! They are going to be the ones that make this church make sense.

Some good friends of mine have a pastor that makes an effort to do this on a regular basis. We also had a pastor who did this back in our Winnipeg church. So, along with commuters, a good base right from the community is also welcome and part of the family.

What is our primary goal as Christians? Scripture says it is to love God, and to love our neighbour. In today's society we do NOT love our neighbour. If we did, the Rescue Mission wouldn't be necessary.

So, how do you make a church relevant in today's society and the community? BE PRESENT. That's right. Think about ways you can truly impact those around you. Not some one time seeker sensitive event. But take a good hard look at the modern paradigms and see why they may or may not be working.

I was speaking to a friend of mine, and she said she had been frustrated by children's programs that assume kids have food to eat at home. Growing up in an impoverished home, being part of the foster care system, and having witnessed domestic and sexual violence, she is definitely a survivor. She also said that while they are feeding the children candy and pop, they are also not bothering having them memorize a Bible verse.

Poor children are not idiots!! They have the capacity to learn and memorize Scripture!! It is truly nutritious food for the soul.

And so, we continue to "make concessions" which end up ostracizing people with, as Bob Lupton put it, "veiled comments which insultingly reveal our prejudices."

The residents of North Central Regina do not want to go to church where they feel like second class citizens!

And so, we have begun a few things... but starting slowly and carefully is the key. One of the things that is NOT working in the local churches is having activities every night of the week. It either makes people feel guilty, or they can't attend due to lack of finances.

Another friend of mine has been frustrated by church activities that cost money. You can't be truly a part of this family if you can't afford to dress up for the fancy banquet or pay for the retreat.

Here's a few things we are doing to combat these trends. First off, music. Anyone can enjoy the beauty of classical instruments. And so we are thankful for the blessing of music at Good News. Normally reserved for "uppity" churches or the symphony, we enjoy a multitude of talent every Sunday and it truly lifts us upwards.

Secondly, we have a potluck every Sunday after church. Everyone can bring something to a potluck, even if it's a bag of buns! The Mission cooks a large casserole for the residents who come to church. It's been a fantastic way to truly get to know one another, avoiding the rush to our own home or restaurants after service. It is practising fellowship in it's truest sense.

Rebuilding community is a difficult call. Moving to an inner city home, or attending an inner city church has no prestige with the world. But it DOES have merit with our Father, who sees us and will reward us for following His greatest commandment in a most literal sense.