This fall, our church is learning together about the different ways that God has made all us and the important role each of us play in the world. We are using teaching from a part of the Bible called the book of Ephesians as we talk about this. It reads: “It was (Jesus) who gave…
“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…
