“Why didn’t anyone call me?” I have heard this question more times than I can count in my 14 years as a pastor. I’ve heard this question from people who were part of our church anywhere from 3 weeks to 30 years. I have heard this question from people who show up at our church,…
Tomorrow, my precious first born turns twelve years old, and there is a whole lot of me with a whole lot of feelings about it. Of course I find myself thinking about all the things I miss about having a younger child. I miss kids books and bedtime snuggles and how excited Josiah used to…
I’m at the “count-down-how-many-sermons-I-preach-until-vacation” time of the year. It’s also the “give a little cheer when I cross something off the bulletin” time of the year. And the “I can’t do that until I get back from vacation” time of the year. And the “I refuse to buy more groceries when we are leaving soon…
It started when I was pregnant. I knew that when I had a baby, it was going to change the way I did my job as a pastor. I didn’t anticipate how much even being pregnant would impact the way I did ministry, mostly because I was very sick my entire pregnancy. I had to…
This year during lent, I decided to preach a series that I called “Woe to Us.” Lent is the season in the Church that leads up to Easter, and it is traditionally a time that Christians use to reflect on their need for Christ. This lent, it felt fitting to preach about the ways that…
It’s one of my favourite times of year – Easter planning time! A number of years ago, we decided that we wanted Easter to be the most memorable day of the year at MHBC, one that is remembered as a true day of celebration. (Also, I am sort a “go big or go home” sort…
What I find myself asking is: “How many more times do I message them?” Maybe they don’t want to hear from me… Maybe I am making them feel overwhelmed, or guilty… Maybe they are just busy and I’m doing more harm than good… And. I want them to know I’ve missed them… I don’t want…
I have learned not to get de-railed on a Sunday morning when someone walks out after they realize I am the pastor of the church. Once a woman showed up a few minutes before the service and explained she was new to the city, wanted to find a church, etc. She was very excited because…
I did your job once and remember it well. I was 22 when I started and had energy like I could only wish for now. I was willing to do anything to give my youth a good time, even if that meant climbing on the church roof to watch fireworks on Canada Day or suggesting…
I totally love Christmas, but let me cut right to the chase: Christmas can be emotionally draining, physically exhausting and financially stressful. It is a time that we can feel pulled in every direction, even by people that we care about. That’s why I think we all need reminders that there is space for “no”…
Leanne Friesen 