Almost three decades ago, someone in the church took me off to the side and told me they had a message for me. What was told to me that day has come to mind a few times over the years, but I did not have a clear understanding of it until recently. You see, at the time, I was very new to the ministry and was on track to become a licensed minister in our local church and was rather naive about how things worked in ministry. I truly believed that everyone had one focus in the faith community, and we were all on the exact same page when it came to doing church.
Here is a bit of background to set the stage. My grandparents and relatives helped to build the church in Calgary, my parents were married in that same church, and I attended that church since before I was born. Eventually, our family ended up at a different church in Edmonton and, over time, we ended up attending occasionally with my grandparents. I want to make this perfectly clear; I was raised up with Christian values through my parents and they are/were (my father has since gone on to be with the Lord) strong Christians. Regardless of how I acted at times growing up, I never lost sight of my Saviour and am ever so thankful that He watched over me through my stupid years.
To make a long story short, one day on my way to work, I felt convicted deep in my soul to change my ways and take up the calling that I had acknowledged decades before. You see, I told my Grandma MacDonald that one day I was going to be a minister and, low and behold, it happened a mere twenty-three years later. Funny thing about this story is that I was on my way to work, driving on the Deerfoot in an old mustang and when I came around the corner, the sun shone through my dirty windshield and I was temporarily blinded and I pulled off the road to not only calm down (rush hour on the Deerfoot and unable to see is enough to rattle anyone), but to also clean off my windshield and that is when I felt the call to ministry, again. The message; you have done it your way long enough; it's time to take up my calling.
So back to the message at the church. This person mentioned two things to me and had I fully understood what they meant, I may have run away screaming. The first message was this; you and your ministry will be a catalyst for change. The second message was that my calling was very much like that of Paul (Saul). I had no clue what these meant, like I said, I was very new to ministry, but I have come to find out a few things. When it comes to change, there will be some feathers that get ruffled. There are those who do not want change and are quite comfortable in maintaining the status quo. I have written of these many times over the years but have come to an understanding that change is going to be tough. There are going to be many who will do their very best to discredit and malign, but in the end, so long as the truth is told and the focus is on the Kingdom, then who can do me harm? In the book of Psalm chapter 118 verse 6 it says “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Part two to this is with regards to a ministry similar to Paul’s. At the time, I did not have the knowledge to understand what that fully meant but over time, I have come to be more aware of what it would mean for my life and my spiritual journey. Paul was beat up, ridiculed, teased, imprisoned and through it all trained future leaders, helped churches deal with the issues of the day and encouraged them to keep on keeping on. When Peter the Apostle refused to associate with the Gentiles, Paul pushed back against the manmade rules and supported the primary focus; love and grace over all and for all. You see, when we get to Glory, I am certain there is not going to be a board assembled checking to see if those who arrive have been properly circumcised or if they had mixed their fabrics on their clothing. The message is simple, do you acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and have you asked Him for forgiveness? This is the transparent truth, and it is what I will preach and teach until I give up my final breath.
I invite you to follow these writings over the next few weeks as I prepare to retire from the pastorate in Sundre and step into another roll that Natalie and I feel led to embark upon. I will unpack the rest of the story but for this week, we will hear another wonderful message from our community pastor, Eryn Bergen-Austin. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
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