Community Chaplains

CHAPLAINS IN THE WORKPLACE

2012-01-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

This video is an example of the pastoral influence that chaplains in the workplace can have. This is from Corporate Chaplains of America www.chaplain.org

BUY BREAD WITHOUT MONEY

2011-11-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

I believe that churches everywhere can make a serious impact on poverty in their community. All you need is Jesus, some fish and bread and a table.

Consider this article from the Windsor Star. I would love to chat with you about how your church can start to change the face of poverty in your city.

Shining a light on Windsor homelessness

TEDIOUS BOREDOM & SHEER TERROR

2011-10-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

I spoke with a man whose job was to drive locomotive through Northern Ontario. When asked what his job was like he said, “It is days of tedious boredom combined with moments of sheer terror.”

So why had he devoted his adult life to the rails?

Why do truckers endure the long haul and why do daycare workers put up with demanding parents and low pay?

Some work because it is a means to an end. They endure their job in order to pay the bills and put their kids through college. Still, others are engaged in their work (paid and unpaid) because they are compelled to. They have an inner sense of being in the right place. They see higher value than the task at hand.

Pastors, chaplains and community builders often have that inner sense. We name it ‘the call of God’. It may involve a ‘job’ that we do to pay the bills, but something deeper calls us to live each moment purposefully.

The call of God is a bit like the call of the sea. It may not be very specific. It may not be a call to this ocean or that ocean, or to this particular port or that one; it is more like a restless, yearning, which can only be satisfied by going to sea.[i]

A look at the men and women God called in Scripture reveals seasons of restless yearning and times of faith to take great risk. You find yourself somewhere in that continuum. Can you look at your current community and say that you are there by God’s choosing? It might be good to know that.

The qualifier that separates picking a career from responding to God’s Call is the sense that you must do this. It is your love response to the God who beckoned you to Himself.

‘It is God Who saved us and called us with a holy calling. Not according to our works, but to further His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began’ (2 Timothy 1:9).

When we struggle with contentment, challenge and uncertainty in our place of service we need to recall the First Call. The calling to be a disciple of Jesus is the highest calling that sustains you when your position becomes redundant, someone else is elected or you are unemployed.

God chooses to further His own purpose and grace through your life, in season and out.

[i] A sermon preached by John Hull on February 4^th 2007 in the Chapel of the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham, to mark the end of a residential course on the Mission of the Church in Britain. www.johnmhull.biz/SermonTheCallOfGod.doc

DIALOGUE WITH YOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

2011-10-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Ontario Election has passed, but not the issues that we need to dialogue with politicians about. Here's a good video that reminds us to keep our most vulnerable citizens on the radar.

Poverty Free Ontario from MetaMedia on Vimeo.

Ontario Election 2011- Education on Poverty Issues

2011-09-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ask your politicians how their party will address key poverty issues.

Ontario Voters - Think On These Things

2011-09-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

As the Ontario elections draw close, it is important for people of faith to vote for those who can address poverty issues.

Check out the website at www.faithtoendpoverty.ca

Also, to hear what various politicians have to say on related matters, check this link:

http://povertyfreeontario.blogspot.com/2011/09/ontario-political-party-leaders-in.html

FORGOTTEN HARVEST

2011-08-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

New Song Church is a depot for Forgotten Harvest. It is a food rescue charity that delivers fresh produce weekly for distribution to the community. This week was several hundred pounds of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. We invite you to come on Thursday afternoons from 3-5 p.m. and days following until Sunday 1 p.m.

Comments from recipients of fresh produce:

"Wow! Fresh tomatoes... I can't remember the last time I had any. I just cannot afford them."

"I took enough to share and distributed to 14 households. Thanks for letting me help others."

"I went home and made stuffed peppers for my family's supper. I had enough peppers that I was able to freeze the rest."

I personally have seen people eating peppers and cucumbers raw the way we eat apples. Thank you to the farmers and Forgotten Harvest for reducing poverty and increasing nutrition.

ISARC Faith to End Poverty - Video 1: Employment

2011-08-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

How will residents of Ontario vote this fall? Participate with faith communities in a sign blitz to let politicians know that faith responds to poverty.

More at www.faithtoendpoverty.ca

HELP ME PROMOTE MY CHRISTMAS ALBUM

2011-08-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

I have a 15 year musical relationship with 2fish, a band that features the music of Kevin Saunders and myself. We are in the final mix stage and getting ready to release our Christmas CD this fall. It is entitled 'Mystic Ramblers'. We'll be launching a new website in tandem with the album release.

This project involved several quiet miracles and provisions for the journey.

Danny Brooks is a Canadian phenom who came with guest vocals on 2 tracks. See www.dannybrooksmusic.com

Dan Cutrona provided keyboards and creative support. Dan began touring with and performing/recording with artists such as Joe Cocker, The Bee Gee’s, Billy Preston, Donna Summer, Al Green, Deniece Williams, Dion, Petula Clark, Cliff Richard and others. Dan also focused his work in the Contemporary Christian music field, working with artists such as The Archers, Amy Grant, Sandi Patti, Bryan Duncan, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy, Andrae Crouch, Kelly Willard, Keith Green, and Shelia Walsh. In the mid-‘90’s Dan, through his record label, worked within the worship community, and was blessed to do recordings and play live with Bob Fitts, Kevin Prosch, David Ruis, Delirious, Brian Doerksen, Don Potter, and Graham Kendrick.

If you're like me, I have a limited appetite for Christmas music. It's nice to listen to for a couple weeks and then it sits idle until next year. When we decided to do a Christmas CD, we set the bar high.

First, it needed to avoid the tin pan alley sound and feature songs of Christmas that do not usually get covered frequently (or at least not interpreted our way). We settled on We Three Kings, Go Tell It On The Mountain, Do You Hear What I Hear, Good King Wenceslas and Joy To The World.

Secondly, we wrote Christmas songs that contain the themes but could be played year round. I think you'll agree when you hear them.

Third, we wanted a true variety album. We wanted to tip the hat to musical styles that have influenced us without sounding like karaoke. There is a Baskins-Robbins display that dips into blue-eyed soul, rock, blues, gospel, bluegrass, reggae and middle-Eastern influences.

This one is hitting Canadian Christian bookstores this fall. Watch for it in the catalogue and in-store play.

If you write a blog, do music reviews, promote concerts or are looking for Canadian Content for radio and satellite, please contact me at revkevinrogers@hotmail.com . I would love to send you a promotional copy and talk about the project.

THE STRONG LEADERSHIP TEMPTATION

2011-08-15T05:10:00.000-07:00

It seems that we Evangelicals are enamoured with principles of leadership. We place high value on strong, natural leaders with Type A personalities.

But is this God's intention?

Read John H. Armstrong's article here:

http://johnharmstrong.typepad.com/john_h_armstrong_/2011/08/effective-leadership-looks-very-little-like-what-we-often-think.html

FAITH TO END POVERTY

2011-08-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

I was recently commissioned by PAOC to be an Ontario representative on the steering committee of Inter-faith Social Assistance Reform Coalition. Their website is found at http://www.faithtoendpoverty.ca/

The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition was born out of the hope that together a coalition of faith groups could contribute to new public policies based upon greater justice and dignity for citizens of Ontario marginalized by poverty.

The central message shared by religious communities throughout the world, inspires people of faith to respond to our neighbours in need.

ISARC values

Human Dignity. The right of all people and their communities to be treated with justice, love, compassion, and respect, and their responsibility to treat others likewise.

Mutual Responsibility. The obligation of communities to care and share with their people, ensuring that basic needs are met.

Social Equity. The right of all people to adequate access to basic resources, to full participation in the life and decision-making of their communities.

Economic Equity. The right of all people and communities to adequate access to the resources necessary for full lives, including access to worthwhile work, fair employment considerations, and our communal responsibilities to use such resources responsibly.

Fiscal Fairness. The right of all people, communities, and institutions to fair fiscal treatment and the responsibility of all to contribute fairly for the well-being of all.

Ecological Sustainability. The obligation of communities to practise responsible stewardship of the earth and its environment, so that creation might be preserved for generations to come.

The Quick Fix with Gwen and Maxi

2011-07-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

Makes me want to cry.

KEN STUPAK HONOURED

2011-06-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill is shown giving 'Volunteer of the Year' award to Ken Stupak. The banquet for volunteers was held on April 18th.

Ken is the PAOC chaplain at University of Manitoba where he has served for a couple decades.

The award was given for outstanding service and dedication. Over the past 12 years Ken volunteered 2600 hours with Victim Services.

GLIMPSES OF GRACE

2011-06-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Glimpses of Grace:

Reflections of a Prison Chaplain

By Donald Stoesz

Book can be ordered at www.donaldstoesz.com

Donald Stoesz is a Mennonite Pastor and a prison chaplain in service at the Bowden Institution (Annex).

His intention, in writing this book, was to share insights drawn from his experience, with other people working in the prison system. He has, in fact, written a book of interest to anyone who would like to know more about the nature of prisons and prisoners. Most of us have a flawed understanding of jails, drawn from movies not always noted for accuracy.

When the general public knows that a crime has been committed, it is glued to newspapers and radio until someone is arrested for the crime, and brought to court. Once the prisoner is behind bars, the populace will go on to the next hot story.

There is more to know about the losses and heartache caused by broken families and bad choices, drug use and alcohol, and this author has brought them to our attention. He does not excuse the offences of the detainees, his job is to listen, share the personal journey of the prisoner and offer whatever spiritual guidance and grace will be accepted.

The book consists of 120 vignettes, each one-page long, and covering a wide range of interactions and situations. These are well written, and interesting with names and personalities changed for privacy sake. A pertinent Bible quotation ends each page.

Stories and circumstances show that people we may think of only as “convicts,” are real people. They are, of course, people with dreams and hopes. They don’t want to be forgotten by family, and they love having visitors. They are men who wish their situation was different than it is. The reality and their responsibility in that reality is sometimes forgotten, or ignored. Some people, most often Christians, find a ministry in visiting offenders in prison. They receive training, and then take part in the community with worship and conversation. Romance has bloomed in prison, but sometimes creates problems.

Many religious groups are represented in the prison population. There are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Native Spirituality and Wiccan. There has to be understanding by staff of differing beliefs and practices.

We also read here about Disassociation and Segregation, better known as “the hole.” Some prisoners find a measure of safety in such a place, the irony of a prison within a prison.

Reverend Stoesz leads us quite gently to a better understanding, showing us that everyone he meets and counsels has his own story, his own excuses, and his own needs. Very often the circumstances of their life and upbringing have been appalling. Still their violence and bizarre behaviours demand incarceration. Very often the only thing the chaplain has to offer is sympathy, a listening ear and the love of God. Bowden Institution is “just down the road,” how little we know about these “neighbours.”

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/lifestyles/columnists/Bowden_Institution_inspires_prison_chaplain_122667759.html
Peggy Freeman is a freelance writer living in Red Deer.

INCOME LEVELS ACCORDING TO RELIGION

2011-05-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

Pew Research has released a new study that ranks income levels according to one's religion. It's interesting that Christians for the most part have lower incomes in North America than some of the other religious categories.

There is also a strong tie between education levels and income. Read the New York Times article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/magazine/is-your-religion-your-financial-destiny.html

MINISTRY LESSONS FROM A MUSLIM

2011-04-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Eboo Patel has a message for evangelical leaders.

'While holding firmly to his belief in Islam, he also affirmed church leaders. "Even though it is not my tradition and my community," Patel wrote after the conference, "I believe deeply that this type of evangelical Christianity is one of the most positive forces on Earth." '

Intrigued? Read the Christianity Today article at:

http://www.ctlibrary.com/le/2009/spring/ministrylessonsfromamuslim.html

PROSELYTIZING IN MULTI-FAITH ENVIRONMENTS

2011-04-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Church consultant and trend-watcher Ed Stetzer wrote this insightful article in Christianity Today.

If you are wondering where you fit into today's religious realities, consider this quote from the article and then jump to the link to explore some good insights into multi-faith relationships.

If anything, "God is dead" has been replaced with "God is back." Economists John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, an atheist and a Roman Catholic, wrote a fascinating book in 2008 with that title. In it they noted that while statistics about religious observance are notoriously untrustworthy, most surveys seem to indicate that the global drift toward secularism has halted. Quite a few surveys show religious belief to be on the rise. They reference one source that says that "the proportion of people attached to the world's four largest religions—Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism—rose from 67 percent in 1900 to 73 percent in 2005, and may reach 80 percent by 2025."

Full article here at http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2011/april/proselytizingmultifaith.html

NON-NEGOTIABLES IN MINISTRY

2011-02-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

“What are three non-negotiable principles upon which I base my pastoral ministry?”

Humility
Listening
Grace

The scripture says Jesus knew who he was, where he came from and where he was going. This is the foundation of humility. We cannot serve humbly if we feel the need to constantly defend and explain ourselves. Knowing that we are children of the Father and having a sense of our own history and destiny gives us the freedom to be who we truly are. Humility keeps us from getting overly self-absorbed.

The ministry of listening must be rooted in humility. If we are willing to listen to those above us and those below us, God will always have something to say through them. We must meet the challenge of listening without rushing to our agenda for that moment. If we feel that those in authority above us are unsuitable, we stop listening. If we feel that someone is below us, we are tempted to stop listening or hear what we want to find fault.

Isaiah said the Messiah would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick. That would be grace. If I do not practice grace in my ministry to others, I lose sight of what it means to be a pastor. Jesus takes a ‘bruised reed’ and binds it up. He adds support to sustain the life in that person. The one who has lost their fire is not snuffed out, but nurtured back to flame.

It is my prayer that New Song Church will embrace these qualities in greater measure. This three-fold braid makes for a strong rope. Humility, listening and grace – that ought to pull a big load.

BABY BOOMERS ARE TURNING 65

2011-01-10T06:12:00.000-08:00

John Armstrong has some good thoughts about the Baby Boomer Generation turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 Americans per day.

http://johnharmstrong.typepad.com/john_h_armstrong_/2011/01/the-longevity-revolution-the-boomer-shift-is-coming.html

ISLAM AND CHRISTIAN CHARITY

2011-01-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

John H. Armstrong raises some interesting questions about Christian hospitality to Muslims in our places of worship. You can read his article at http://johnharmstrong.typepad.com/john_h_armstrong_/2011/01/islam-and-christian-charity-how-far-should-we-go.html

MY NAME IS JESUS AND I'M AN ALCOHOLIC

2010-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

(By Harry Nigh)
www.friendsofdismas.ca

It's become a tradition at Dismas Fellowship to put on a skit at our Christmas celebration. The Christmas story always comes across in a loving though somewhat "twisted" way as some have called it. We like to have as many people involved as possible and to act like kids again.

If your memories of Christmas include your father pulling down the Christmas tree in a drunken rage, this may be the first time you've ever acted in a Christmas pageant and who cares if you're entering middle age.

This year Marie suggested we give the Dismas twist to the Huron Christmas Carol. Some of the guys at Keele got busy making angels wings and a portable moon. We bought plastic bows and arrows at the Dollar Store for the "wandering hunters (who) heard the hymn". We scrounged some fur coats for rabbit skin and then we looked for people to play the holy family.

We asked Dawn if she would be Mary and Keith to be Joseph and then we asked Joe if he would be the "radiant boy" Baby Jesus. We wanted Keith a.k.a. Joseph to carry him into the room and place him on Mary's lap with the angels and the hunters looking on.

I admit that in the picture he may look more like a corpse than a bouncing and messianic baby boy, but his entrance in Keith's sturdy arms was the hilarious high point of the play.

It was a comment though, that Joe made when we first asked him to be Baby Jesus that has stuck with me this Christmas. Without missing a beat he quipped, "My name is Jesus, and I'm an alcoholic."

Joe is full of quips but this off the cuff comment had bite. I sensed that he had struck the essential reality of Christmas.

This Christmas Day as we do every Christmas we will read from the Gospel of John "and the Word became flesh and lived among us".

We give this truth a fancy name - incarnation, "embodied in flesh", but when Joe puts it in the classic words of AA, "My name is Jesus and I'm an alcoholic", he startles me with a new picture of God's acceptance of our humanity.

Not even dying between two convicts lies outside the circle of his love.

Not even our half-baked skits can diminish its power.

SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE

2010-11-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

My friends John & Colleen Kosti are part of the church I pastor. They also run a community agency across the road called 'Spirit Of Excellence'. This video is the best demonstration of the heart they have for what they do.

Colleen is leaving in a few days to visit friends in India where they will investigate opening a Spirit Of Excellence Center.

Great to see so many familiar faces in this video.

BOB GAL @ MARKETPLACE CHAPEL

2010-10-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Bob Gal is chaplain at Marketplace Chapel, inside Edmonton Mall. You can see his website at http://www.marketplacechapel.com/

West Edmonton Mall is the largest shopping mall in North America and 5th largest in the world. It has over 28.2 million visitors annually and even has its own police precinct.

RACE TRACK CHAPLAIN - KEN CARTER

2010-10-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

I’m Ken Carter. I have been happily married to my wife Karen coming up to 45 years. (she should get a medal for that) We have 2 boys and 1 girl long with 4 grand children and 1 greatgranddaughter. We presently live in Grand Valley ON.

I have been in the horse business for most of my life. As a teenager, I galloped thoroughbreds before school, worked alongside my father with show horses while growing up. I have trained and driven harness horses. Then I became a blacksmith at Mohawk Raceway in 1967. I had been a blacksmith for 30 years prior to entering the ministry. I came to the Lord in the early 80’s. So I have been at the track both as a believer and as a non-believer.

I have been a chaplain at Mohawk Raceway in Toronto Ontario, Canada since September of 2005. Previous to that I pastored a church in Grand Valley ON. for 10 years until Les Riggs came to Canada to begin the chaplaincy program. . I always felt there was a need for a chaplain at the track. I felt I knew the needs and problems that people in the backstretch go through. During my time as a blacksmith, once I became a believer many opportunities for ministry opened in my blacksmith shop. So when the opportunity came I considered it.

I knew that if this was my own idea it would probably fail so after much prayer and putting out a number of fleeces to make sure this was of God I accepted the opportunity.

This has been a tremendous challenge in many ways but the blessings far outweigh the difficulties. To see God transform a broken life or even just put a smile on someone’s face makes it all worthwhile.

Chaplain Ken Carter

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 331, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0

Phone

Office: (905) 854-6146
Cell: (519) 942-6641

Email

info@rtchaplaincyofcanada.com

THE ROCK ON CAMPUS

2010-09-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

The Organization

The Rock on Campus is a registered charity governed by a Board of Directors that seeks to accomplish three primary objectives.

The primary goal is to provide chaplain services to students and staff on community college campuses. Chaplains seek to 'be there' for students and staff, offer friendship in confidence, listen to, pray for, provide spiritual care as requested. The Rock on Campus also provides a venue for campus ministry, allowing students the opportunity to be involved in and grow in their faith while in attendance at college. Chaplains engage students in dialogue and find ways that give students and staff permission to explore how faith makes a difference each and every day.

The Rock on Campus also engages churches in the local community by linking students to a place that they can call their spiritual home while in school. In addition, The Rock on Campus assists local faith communities in establishing and developing young adult ministry. Seminars for parents on how to prepare for the post secondary years are available for booking.

Finally, The Rock on Campus is engaged in establishing and developing campus ministry models and planting qualified chaplains on community college campuses across Ontario and Canada by involving local churches into the world of young adults and by presenting a vision for caring for young adults during their post secondary years, and providing a rationale for staying in church when they graduate.

The People

Francois Kruger is a licensed minister and currently serves as the Executive Director of The Rock on Campus based out of London, Ontario where he is the Lead Chaplain at Fanshawe College.

Francois began as a campus chaplain appointed to Fanshawe in the Fall of 1995 by Ridgeview Community Church after serving in youth ministry for seven years. Since that time, campus ministry and chaplaincy have become a vital component in the lives of hundreds of students and a 'who-to-go-to' resource to the college for its spiritual needs. Chaplaincy also offers spiritual care in a variety of situations where the professional services of clergy is required.

Francois is happily married to Sandra and has 3 daughters who are the joy of his life. He attends Forest City Bible Church in northwest London, loves to read about what's going on in contemporary culture, and is an avid Montreal Canadiens fan.

Francois can be reached at: fkruger@therockoncampus.org

Nancy Gatten is our Administrative Associate.

Nancy joined 'the Rock' in the fall of 2008 and brings a wealth of customer service experience. Currently employed full-time at Creation Bookstore in London, Ontario, Nancy will be assisting in the office of The Rock on Campus and, with a professional approach to our office activities, demonstrate exceptional care for the details of 'the Rock.'

Nancy is married to Don and has twin adult sons. Don and Nancy attend Summerside Community Church in south London.

To contact Nancy regarding any administrative matters you can reach Nancy atoffice@therockoncampus.org

Rielly McLaren joined The Rock on Campus in July of 2009. Rielly serves as the Chaplain to St Clair College in Windsor, where he is also a chaplain at St Leonard's House, and serves as the Outreach Pastor at New Song Church. He is presently working with St Clair students to create a venue for ministry as he awaits official status from college administrators.

Rielly brings to chaplaincy and campus ministry a passion for people to connect with God and is a talented musician to boot! Rielly's loves to chat and you can connect with Rielly by email atrielly@therockoncampus.org

Dan Helps: Dan joined our team September 1st 2010. Dan brings to The Rock a wealth of experience and a passion for young adults. Students at Lambton College in Sarnia will get to see Dan taking time over coffee to listen and to encourage growth in faith and providing pastoral care where needed.

Dan starts walking the halls in early September, and he can be reached by email at dan@therockoncampus.org

Conestoga College: we're talking...

Fleming College: a formal invitation has been made!!

Sheridan College: rumours of interest abound!!

To contact the organization for further information by mail, our mailing address is:

Francois Kruger, The Rock on Campus, Box 848, Granton, Ontario, N0M 1V0

Helping students journey along the road of life...

(reprinted from http://www.therockoncampus.org/5.html )

ST. LEONARD'S HOUSE

2010-09-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

From 2003 to 2008, I worked as chaplain at St. Leonard's House, Windsor. It was the first halfway house in Canada and was founded by an Anglican priest Neil Libby. Here is their story.

______________________________________________________________

“Unless our society can redeem those who go astray, we can hardly call ourselves civilized; and, anyone doing the work being undertaken in St. Leonard’s halfway houses deserves the support of all who believe in human dignity.” Stanley Knowles, M.P.

Little is known for certain of St. Leonard’s history, as his early “life,” written in the eleventh century, has no historical value whatsoever. So let’s begin with the legend that recounts a sixth century French monk named Leonard who saved the lives of both the Queen and her newborn daughter, Bertoara.

A grateful King Clovis granted Leonard a huge tract of land where he built a monastery christened Noblac. The King permitted Leonard to take prisoners under his care at Noblac, and then release them when they had proved themselves ready. St. Leonard became the patron saint of prisoners; his icon is generally represented holding broken chains in his hands.

In 1962, the first St. Leonard’s half-way home in Canada opened its doors right here in Windsor, to welcome men who had spent time behind bars and needed a safe haven to make a clean start.

A practical and determined Anglican priest named Thomas Neil Libby and his supporters shared a vision to help offenders rehabilitate in a social climate where ex-offenders were regarded as unfit and undeserving of any support.

Neil Libby (left) pioneered the halfway house movement in Canada; today there are sixteen Society homes and affiliates across the country. Yet, when the first St. Leonard’s House was proposed in Windsor, it was greeted with extraordinary resistance. Neighborhoods and local politicians rallied against the idea of housing “ex-cons.”

They waved fists in town meetings, screamed telephone threats to Board members and wrote angry letters to newspaper editors describing the dangers and risks to their wives and children, property values and business income.

All this, however, only strengthened the resolve of the founding members and convinced them of the importance of their mission.

Over 40 years later, St. Leonard’s has earned this community’s support. Situated in a modest, split-level building on Victoria Avenue in downtown Windsor, St. Leonard’s Society has intentionally kept a low profile to prevent residents from being singled out as they quietly re-build their lives.

And yet, St. Leonard’s is much more than the bricks and mortar of a building. A United Way supported agency since 1968, the society’s services are designed to give back to the community that supports its work with ex-offenders.

St. Leonard’s provides a place to live for those who have been in trouble with the law, and an opportunity to remove the stigma of being an ex-con through guidance, counseling, and understanding. St. Leonard’s also advocates reforms to the social justice system, to ensure that those who leave prison do not return to the community less able to live crime-free than when they left it.

The Society has steadily grown and responded to the changing needs of subgroups such as probationers, young men and women in conflict with the law, and those dependent on alcohol and drugs. Programs have been expanded to include life skills and job placement training, intermittent

programs, and Lifeline, which helps those who have received long-term sentences to readjust to “life on the outside.”

St. Leonard’s Society continues to be active in Correctional Services and frequently makes presentations to parliament and other provincial government groups on issues that concern the incarcerated and released offender. They also organize seminars for the public, and develop position papers on the judicial system.

The strength and heart of the society’s work rests on building genuine one-on-one friendships with the people they serve in a setting of support – a place where they are challenged to value themselves and to actively find meaning in their lives through education, employment and relationships within the community.

The St. Leonard’s Society of Canada continues its work in response to the changing social justice environment in Canada.

(reprinted from http://stleonardswindsor.com/St-Leonards/History.html )

THE COST OF 'TOUGH ON CRIME'

2010-09-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Conservative government's 'Tough On Crime' has a pricetag attached to it. While this article talks about prison expansion in Canada, I wonder what the real cost is to our national soul when we warehouse people instead of creating new solutions for rehabilitation?

Read about prison expansion here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/Federal+prison+expansions+underway+meet+expected+flood+inmates/3475185/story.html

CHAPLAIN KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

2010-09-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

We do not often think of chaplains risking their lives, but here's a story about a U.S. chaplain who was killed in the line of duty. Read about Dale Goetz's death here:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/02/chaplain-killed-in-action/

EMBRACING DEATH

2010-08-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

Our greatest prejudice is against death. It spans age, gender and race. We spend immeasurable amounts of energy fighting an event that will eventually triumph. Though it is noble not to give in easily, the most alive people I’ve ever met are those who embrace their death. They love, laugh and live more fully.

-Andy Webster, hospice chaplain in Plymouth, Michigan

STAINED GLASS CHAPLAINS

2010-08-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

This is a stained glass window in the Pentagon entitled 'Four Chaplains'.

QUOTE FROM JESUS MANIFESTO

2010-08-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Paul said that 'Jesus is head over all things for the church'. Notice, Jesus is not head over all things for the state, but for the church. All things are placed under His feet, Paul wrote, but Jesus has been appointed 'head' of 'all things' for the church.

Some have made Jesus the chaplain of the American Dream. Others have made Him the chaplain of the Democratic Party. Still others have made Him the chaplain of capitalism and Republicanism. All are equally blasphemous. But most blasphemous of all is those who would decapitate the head from its body and to render Christ irrelevant.

Jesus Manifesto, Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola pp.105, 106

WHAT CANADIAN MUSLIMS ARE SAYING

2010-08-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

A group of Canadian Muslim clerics have signed a statement condemning radical Islam. They present the case of a peace-loving Islam which is respectful of culture and diversity.

As a Canadian Christian connected to multi-faith relationships, I find their statements to be consistent with the Muslims and Imams that I have met. I applaud their efforts to live harmoniously with all people.

Canada is a good place to birth change that can have global impact.

Read the news article at:

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/24990/canadian-imams-condemn-radical-islam

WHAT YOU WOULD WANT FROM A CHRISTIAN CHAPLAIN

2010-08-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

Just how many ways can you interpret the words of Jesus in John 14:5-6, 'I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me,' ... The worst this chaplain could be convicted of is ascribing to orthodox Christian historic faith, which is what I would think you would want from a Christian chaplain.

- Quote by Richard Land, President of The Ethics And Religious Liberty Commission

CREATING COMMUNITY

2010-07-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

There are three activities that are absolutely vital in the creation of a community. The first is eating together around the same table.

The second is praying together.

And the third is celebrating together. By celebrating I mean to laugh, to fool around, to have fun, to give thanks together for life.

When we are laughing together with belly laughs we are all the same.

Jean Vanier in "Living Gently in a Violent World,"

ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS

2010-07-24T11:11:00.001-07:00

Local journalist Frances Willick wrote a piece on the neighbourhood our church ministers in. She had a front page article today in the Windsor Star. Check it out:

http://www.windsorstar.com/Drouillard+Road+Down/3316330/story.html

PRAYING PUBLICLY AT CIVIC GATHERINGS

2010-07-17T04:52:00.000-07:00

There are times when I’ve been asked to pray at a public event in the community. I consider it to be a privilege and want to pray sensitively to the audience, but direct the words to God.

As a Christian, how am I to pray in these situations?

Here’s my current list of conscientious prayer reminders:

1. Don’t show off. Jesus chided the Pharisees for using prayer as a way to brag about their spirituality. No trumpets on the street corner.

2. Keep the prayer appropriate to the request for it. Who is asking you to pray and why? In addition to the public prayer, I can always pray privately about how God wants to use me in the gathering as I meet people.

3. Pray to the God you know. In multi-faith environments, there may be an expectation that you will pray to a generic God that fits all religions. While there may be a sensitivity to all faith groups gathered, you represent your own faith group and that should be expected. Pray intelligently in words that specifically address your God and are respectful and redemptive to all present.

4. Pray and act as God’s ambassador. You are representing in these situations and it’s more important that you are humble and approach with a servant’s heart. This is not your opportunity to set the agenda of the gathering.

I was recently invited to say grace at the dedication of a new power plant producing cleaner, more efficient electricity. It was held at the reception center of Hiram Walker distillery and was stacked with community leaders, industrial magnates and politicians. I sit on a neighborhood redevelopment committee that received $300,000 from the new project to improve the environment.

Here’s the grace I prayed before the meal:

To the One who dwells in the Holy City, the Almighty Sovereign of Creation, we give thanks for this day of new beginnings and generous blessings.

May these good works and accomplishments that we celebrate be a reminder of your provision and compassion for people everywhere. May we be inspired to new acts of justice and mercy, thoughtful connections and inspired vision.

Help us to see how kindness and generosity can empower our neighbors to live with ‘Shalom’ towards one another.

For this food, for our civic officials and leaders of industry and community, we give thanks.

Amen

THE POWER OF POTLUCK PRESENCE

2010-07-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

When it comes to helping the poor, many people are moved to acts of charity and the support of justice initiatives. Ruth Wilkinson writes about a third response to the poor in ‘presence’.

She is involved in a ministry that provides potluck dinners to residents of a rundown motel in a small town.

Read her wise thoughts here:

http://sgworship.blogspot.com/2009/12/adventure.html

PAUL MCMULLEN - MINISTRY TO SENIORS

2010-07-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Paul McMullen, chaplain at the Harold and Grace Baker Centre in Toronto, ON recommends simple activities for volunteers who want to connect with residents who feel forgotten by family and friends.

“A layperson can connect with seniors simply by pushing a wheelchair, sitting down with a resident for a meal or just by listening.”

There are many ways to get involved: reading to residents, helping to write a letter, playing board games or bringing in a pet when you visit.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. A short discussion with a chaplain or staff member is all that is needed to find an appropriate activity, speaking to the resident personally. The opportunities and needs are many, even at homes that can afford an activity program. Arthritics may be left out of a craft activity. That is where one on one is so vital. Once a need is identified, volunteering doesn’t require a major time commitment, although consistency is important. If a resident knows you are coming they have something to look forward to.

Failing heath presents certain barriers, but here are some tips to follow for effective communication and participation.
Kneel down to their level if they are in a wheelchair.

Look directly at them and identify yourself. Residents want to see your face and your lips moving. They want to see you.

You need to adapt to special needs. If there is a hearing problem get closer and determine what ear is better by asking. If partially blind or totally blind touch is so important for the senior. Don’t be afraid to put your hand gently around their shoulder (remember their bones are fragile)

Touch is so important, yet they can be so fragile. A senior wants to know they are still valuable and useful. By holding their hand or putting your arm around them increases blood flow and heart hate which is very therapeutic. I sometimes give a gentle kiss on the forehead to show that they are loveable.

Some may think that dialogue may be difficult. Let the senior do the talking. I have learned that the best education learned outside of the classroom is sitting at the side of a senior.

I also recommend a gentle approach, anchored in humility. We want to see people come to the Lord or rejuvenate a relationship with Him. We must be living witnesses of the work He has done in our own lives. You need to earn the opportunity. Then you will have opportunity to present the gospel.

Ministry in long term care extends far beyond the resident. Remember that family members are also in pain. Sometime they are feeling guilty for have to put them their, even though there may not have been a choice. We need to realize that this is mom or dad’s last home before eternity. Don’t forget the staff members who look after the residents. Some get very close and when one in their care passes away it can be extremely difficult for them also.

Surprisingly, even with death and pain hovering nearby, Chaplaincy and volunteering is usually a great blessing. As for the volunteer they get more out of it, so I have heard some say, than the senior or the family member.

_____________________________________________

(originally published in Faith Today)
Available for speaking to church groups, clubs or organization regarding Ministry in Long term care.
Paul McMullen 416-743-5101 or email chaplainpm@rogers.com

FOCUS ON THE BROKEN FAMILY

2010-06-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

I was recently invited to a local high school as one of three community members for a discussion about drug abuse among high school students. Twenty-five students showed up as part of their urban school program.

“What was it like to smoke crack?” asked fifteen year old Kayla. She was a frequent pot-smoker and had tried ecstasy and several other common drugs.

Josh, an eighteen year old high school student who had recently been through rehab sat forward in his seat. With eyes bulging and teeth grinding he blurted, “It’s like nothing else. I’d take a hit and my brain would race. It was a powerful feeling of being somewhere else… being someone else. It was so strong that I would do anything to get more and use again. I’d rob people, steal old ladies purses, it turned me into a monster.”

“When and how did you start using?” Asked Mister Rollins, the urban school program facilitator.

“When I was a kid, my dad used to beat me senselessly. He threw me down the stairs. He was an alcoholic. When I was thirteen my best friend asked me to try his joint. Right away I knew that this is what I wanted.” Josh spoke with understanding gained from rehab and his friendship with Mr. Rollins.

Sixteen year old Carrie spoke up. “I was thirteen when I first smoked pot. People say that it doesn’t damage you, but it made me lazy. My marks were in the sixties and then my parents found out that I was smoking it. They confronted me and what hurt the most was my mother saying she was disappointed in me. I stopped after that and now I’m on the honour roll with marks in the nineties. I still drink at parties, but it’s under control I think.”

Carrie’s boyfriend Devon tells his story. Mom was addicted to prescription pills and dad was a cokehead. Devon remembers his dad always using drugs and having strangers in their house. Dad went out west on a job saying he would be back in a couple weeks. Two years have passed and dad never even said good-bye. With a lump in his throat Devon talked about his own pot-smoking and cocaine use.

Mr. Rollins and Ms. Morgan are in their late thirties and teachers at a local high school. They are respected by these kids. They find acceptance and love, obvious by their willingness to share drug stories in front of us strangers.
One of our group asked the students, “What could the community do to help you? What would be meaningful at this stage in your life?”

Devon spoke up. “My family has failed. If the community wants to help us, we need this group to become a new family for us. That’s what I need.” Several student voices echoed this felt need. They were not prepared to go somewhere else, but felt secure with these teachers at their school.

For two hours I sat silently listening to their stories. I wanted to cry as Alicia described her dad’s deteriorated mental state from years of hard drug use. She talked of childhood in a house full of addicts. Her own drinking was becoming problematic. I recognized that Mr. Rollins and Ms. Morgan were the closest people she had as parental figures. Her own parents were still dad and mom even though they had failed miserably.

I thought about Devon’s words. “We need this group to become a new family for us.”

These kids are the same age as my own. What would it be like as a parent to be so distracted and damaged by addiction to have your own children crying out for love elsewhere? What is it like for a young person to be so traumatized by their upbringing that they are willing to destroy their own life with substance abuse?

I am thinking about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. He defined a new family for everyone that needed to leave father, mother, sister, brother behind. He invites broken people into His family, the church. I want these broken kids to find a new family. I know that my kids will accept them. They will be welcome at our table.

But they are not going to knock at our door. We have to find them and allow our brother Jesus to work through us. Our churches need to learn how to express a deeper love that is inter-generational, non-threatening and filled with grace. The Father has a big table with room for everyone.

WORKING WITH OFFENDERS

2010-06-13T04:15:00.000-07:00

Jesus simplified theology and religion when he said that there are two great commandments which embody all of the law and prophets.

Love God with all your heart, mind and strength
Love your neighbour as yourself

From the story of the woman caught in adultery I draw several applications for how I should conduct myself in all restorative relationships.

John 8:3-12

3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

PERSONAL APPLICATIONS FROM CHRIST’S EXAMPLE:

His interpretation of the Law applied equally to all, not just to the those who were caught.
He found a way to bring mercy into the life of the offender.
The guilty offender needed an opportunity to find release from shame.
He involved the offender in restoration to society by asking her to see the acceptance and release He offered. She was able to see her freedom to grow into a new reputation.
Her opportunity for change was from the starting point of mercy and acceptance, not guilt and punishment.

URBAN CRY SCHOOL OF MISSION

2010-06-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

New Song Church has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to train and equip people who feel an impulse to work among the poor through church ministry and social agencies.

We have had a distant admiration for ministries like JPUSA, Tony Campolo, Urban Promise, New York School Of Urban Ministry, Yonge St. Mission, Evangelicals For Social Action, The Foundry in Nashville, and a handful of others.

A question for Canadians interested in moving downtown is where to get an experience that also has an academic component. Through a partnership with Global University, we are beginning a one year internship program that includes 10 Bible College courses recognized internationally by the Pentecostal Assemblies Of Canada and the Assemblies Of God.

We have a site with lots of details. Check it out and feel free to write or call me if you want to know more.

Go to: http://urbancryschoolofmission.blogspot.com

POLICE CHAPLAINCY

2010-06-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

Gerry McMillan serves as chaplain to several organizations including:

O.P.P. Chaplain for Central Region and General Headquarters (Orillia)
RCMP Chaplain Coordinator for ‘O’ Division
Royal Canadian Legion #34 Chaplain (Orillia)
Chaplain for Georgian Critical Incident Stress Management Team
President of Canadian Police Chaplain Association

(It makes me wonder what he does in his spare time).

Last year he was interviewed by the Western Catholic Reporter about his activities. It’s a good read but it is important to clarify a couple journalistic errors in the article. First, Gerry told the reporter he is no longer pastoring churches, but it comes across as if he is no longer a Pentecostal minister. That is not the case. He is a valued credential holder with P.A.O.C.

Also, the reporter got Gerry’s details wrong about the number of OPP chaplains in Ontario. There are about 10 in the province. There are 4 RCMP chaplains in Ontario.

Here’s the link:

http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2009/1102/police110209.shtml

CHURCH MULTIPLICATION

2010-05-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

Western Ontario District of PAOC believes in church multiplication. Here is a video featuring New Song Church and Lifeline Church.

2fish - PALM OF YOUR HAND

2010-05-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Kevin Saunders and I have a band called 2fish. We are also both church planters.

Our District office is putting together a video piece about church planting and multiplication. As part of that effort, they came to Windsor and recorded us doing my song 'Palm Of Your Hand'. The song will be part of their upcoming promo piece.

Here it is as a stand alone music video. It was filmed in the neighbourhood around the church I pastor.

We are available if you are looking for a band or worship leaders at your event.

Email me at revkevinrogers@hotmail.com for more details.

THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT, PROSELYTIZING JESUS

2010-05-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

If Jesus spoke to you in 2010 the way he spoke to people in his day, you would either love or hate him. It would be difficult to remain neutral if you came close to him. You would need to make a decision – follow his way or dismiss him as a cult leader.

Though revered by most religions as a great teacher, he will make all human religions squirm if they take him seriously. He defies our religious nature and understanding of all things sacred. Just when you think you have GOD figured out, Jesus will say something that blurs the rigid distinctions of dogma.

He entered the world in a specific context. He was born into Judaism, a religion with a distinct heritage and understanding of being chosen by GOD. It was a religion which understood that Jehovah demanded a passionate faithfulness to Himself. There were no other gods beside Him.

Jesus went so far as to command his followers to seek out people and convert them to his way. He taught and believed that GOD requires us to believe very specifically in Jesus as the unique gateway to God’s Kingdom.

Historically in the New Testament, the word proselyte denoted a person who had converted to Judaism. Though the word proselytism originally referred to Christianity, it is also used to refer to other religions’ attempts to convert people to their beliefs or even any attempt to convert people to another point of view, religious or not. Today, the connotations of the proselytizing are often negative and it is commonly used to describe attempts to force people to convert. It is perceived as rude, intrusive and even a violation of one’s civil rights to be a member of a certain religion.[i]

If you want to offend the sensibilities of your neighbours, start talking to them about conversion. Immediately, some will paint a caricature of the Crusades, cults and guilt-ridden sales techniques to obligate people to say a prayer to save themselves from hell.

So much of our lives are wasted battling against imaginary caricatures and perceived threats. Christian people are no different in this regard. We are quick to name the people, belief systems and values that challenge our sense of being right about everything.

[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proselytism

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH OUR FEMININE SIDE

2010-05-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

Some people think that Christianity is an enemy to feminism. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus and the early apostles elevated the position of women above that of the surrounding cultures. Men were told to love their wives sacrificially in the same way Christ loved his woman, the Church.

One of the metaphors to describe God’s view of the church is that of a bride. We are the bride of Christ. In ancient cultures of the East, a father would arrange a suitable wife for his son.

Our Father in Heaven arranged that you/we would become the Bride of His Son Jesus.

Women served as missionaries, prophets and deacons in the early days of the Church and throughout history.

Feminism began as a Christian movement to restore women to their god-given place in the church and in society. Women are not second class citizens in the Kingdom of God.

Each church has its own unique personality. We can say that it has a personhood. Scripture often refers to the church as an individual, even though it is a group of people. One of her descriptions is ‘The Bride of Christ’.

PARISH NURSING

2010-05-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

For a few years, one of our staff members ran a parish nurse ministry at the church. She has long since gotten married and moved on to other pastoral responsibilities with her husband John. Laura (Hodgins) Lankin described her ministry this way:

_______________________________________

Three years ago, a Parish Nursing ministry was born in Windsor at New Song Church by a nurse who prayed, “How can I show the love of Christ to people in a practical way?” The response was Vital Signs Health Ministries. This is not a highly visible ministry, but a much needed and appreciated by everyone who’s life is touched by a Parish Nurse.

A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse that is part of the pastoral leadership of a church. Some aspects of this ministry include hospital and home visitation, praying with the sick, referrals to community resources, health promotion, assessment and counseling. The Parish Nurses at New Song Church joined one of the parish nursing organizations called Inter-Church Health Ministries based in Oshawa for support and training. From this partnership, we learned:

*Parish Nurses are not just nurses working in a church building.

*Parish Nurses do not replace or duplicate any services already offered in the community.

*Parish Nurses do not work alone, but in collaboration with a health committee and church leadership.

Parish Nurses are specially trained to incorporate nursing care with spiritual care of the church and community.

For almost three years, I was a Parish Nurse at New Song Church. I had the privilege of finding some potentially serious health problems and referring these people to a physician before their condition became symptomatic; praying with people in often desperate situations; organizing a smoking cessation group; lice checks; and growing to know and love the people of this inner city community and church. Although most often behind the scenes here at New Song Church, Parish Nursing has become an intricate part of this church and community. My hope is that other church leaders see Parish Nursing as a practical ministry to both the church and secular community.

Laura Hodgins RN, B.TH

WHAT KIND OF WOMAN IS YOUR CHURCH?

2010-05-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Consider the ancient picture of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31. We find a woman who was well suited to the needs of her time and responded with appropriate actions and attitudes. It’s an ancient picture, but the heart of virtue is eternal and relevant to all of us today.

Let’s consider Proverbs 31’s description of a woman of character and use it as a metaphor for God’s People, as expressed in a local church. As we do let’s identify the kind of church that we want to become, the kind of virtuous church that we can root our families into. Let’s replace the ‘she’ words with ‘the church’.

A) THE CHURCH IS TRUSTWORTHY

Prov 31:10 – 31

10 A CHURCH of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 JESUS has full confidence in THE CHURCH and lacks nothing of value.

12 THE CHURCH brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

The church is a group of people called by God to be His singular love. God wants a woman He can trust. There have been groups and individuals who have brought great harm to the Name of Christ but His Bride responds in love to him by doing good works. The trustworthy church is one that has returned to its First Love. She does good to her Lord and she knows that He is happy with her.

B) THE CHURCH TAKES CARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD

Proverbs 31:

13 THE CHURCH selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14 THE CHURCH is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15 THE CHURCH gets up while it is still dark; THE CHURCH provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

16 THE CHURCH considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 THE CHURCH sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 THE CHURCH sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand THE CHURCH holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

We see the virtuous woman worked with her hands, made provision for the household, sacrificed sleep to keep things going and looked for ways to prosper. If we are to be a virtuous church, we need to overcome a welfare mentality. Hard work combined with real love and concern will make a difference between us being a poor church and a church that is prosperous. God has given us ways to prosper in every area. There is a holistic prosperity that comes to those who give their heart and their back to Jesus.

What about you? Has your love for Jesus translated into vigorous good works? Have you found ways to care for your Lord’s household? His Bride knows that she is loved and responds with her whole heart to care for His house.

C) THE CHURCH CARES FOR THE POOR

Proverbs 31:

20 THE CHURCH opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

The sin of the rich man was ignoring the beggar that sat at his gate. Christ’s woman opens her arms and gives to the

poor. We believe that when we embrace the poor we are really receiving Christ. Our husband cares deeply, shouldn’t we?

D) THE CHURCH TAKES CARE OF HERSELF

Proverbs 31:

21 When it snows, THE CHURCH has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed; THE CHURCH is clothed in fine linen and purple.

As a people we need to watch out for each other and make sure that everyone has the best we can give them. Scarlet was actually the finest clothing. We are church that wears ‘work clothes’ when we gather. We tend to dress down deliberately to not draw attention to ourselves. The Pharisees were recognized for their fancy clothes, but they were not clothed in humility. The clothing that Christ has for us is His grace.

It is not wrong for us to dress up. Feel free if you want to. The day will come in eternity when we will all be sharp-dressed by the Master Designer. For now, it is good that we focus on inward adornment, what are the inner things that are pleasing to Christ?

The attitude of the virtuous woman is one of taking care of herself. She wants to be attractive and represent her husband well. Are you taking care of yourself to please Christ?

E) THE CHURCH EARNS RESPECT IN THE WORLD

Proverbs 31:

23 JESUS is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 THE CHURCH makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 THE CHURCH is clothed with strength and dignity; THE CHURCH can laugh at the days to come.

26 THE CHURCH speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Our good works and good dealings with the world speak well of our husband Jesus. The virtuous church can have a positive outlook because Jesus has taught her how to be wise and faithful in the world. We are God’s representatives and are given authority to do His Good Works in the world.

F) THE CHURCH IS A GOOD MOTHER

Proverbs 31:

27 THE CHURCH watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH arise and call her blessed; JESUS also, and he praises her:

29 “Many ORGANIZATIONS do noble things, but THE CHURCH surpasses them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a CHURCH who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give THE CHURCH the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Church is not lazy! The fruit of her labor is a heritage of godly children. We thank God for the hard work and strong character of those who served Jesus ahead of us.

The Church of Jesus is superior to any other organization or group of people when it comes to doing noble things. There are many charming and beautiful people to catch your eye, but it’s a real head-turner when a church shows respect for the Lord.

BEING PENTECOSTAL IN A MULTI-FAITH ENVIRONMENT

2010-04-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

There was a day when I would have felt adversarial to the notion of coming to the table with people of other faiths. In my youthful zeal I would have approached such an encounter as an opportunity to magically present a Christian witness that would cause them to see Jesus in a new light and be converted.

Or, if I believed that I would be outnumbered and outsmarted I would imagine that I needed to learn more to defeat their arguments against my faith.

Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Wiccans, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Unitarians were all frighteningly mysterious to me and frankly… I did not know people of other faiths.

In my college years I briefly knew a Mormon named Paul, but he was not practicing his faith. So, basically I mostly knew people that were just like me.

From the lofty tower of ignorance and separation I lacked trust and respect for people who believed in another god. I think I was afraid that a deliberate involvement with others would somehow compromise my faith. I wanted to be true to God and avoid syncretism of any kind.

But then I was hired as a chaplain.

In approaching ministry to a diversity of belief and non-belief, I have learned to listen more, judge less and rest securely in my faith. Is it possible that my recognition as a follower of Jesus might be greater by learning to listen and be kind to people with whom I have less in common with?

Some of the flowery rhetoric around multi-faith would suggest that all religions are basically paths to the same god and we should agree that everyone is right in their own way. Let’s put all the religions in a giant blender and make a spirit-smoothie! (Yuck!). It reminds me of the time I tried to be creative at the stove and put pickles in a casserole. Some things do not belong together. They may both serve purposes and be appealing on their own, but don’t put gravy on your ice-cream.

The mature view in multi-faith relationships tends to focus not on syncretism (blending of religious ideas) but on having a respectful understanding of differences. I do not have to become a pagan to have understanding and cooperate with pagans around just causes. We can both agree that picking up litter in a park is a good thing. Or feeding the hungry… or advocating for the underdog.

As a Pentecostal, I believe that the Holy Spirit of God dwells within and reveal the heart of God to my daily life. Today, God’s Spirit reminds me that my Savior did not come to condemn the world but to save. Jesus functioned in a multi-faith environment and encouraged his followers to love neighbors with the same strength applied to loving God.

I cannot love neighbors that I have decided to be offended by. I cannot love neighbors who I have avoided over the property rights of their faith.

DINING WITH THE IMAM, JAMAICAN ANGLICAN, BAPTIST & BAVARIAN LUTHERAN

2010-04-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

In July 2009 I had lunch with a Muslim ‘imam’ (the Islamic equivalent of a pastor but with distinctions). I learned that you don’t call him an ‘iman’. That is a girl’s name.

I sit on a regional committee for the Ontario Multi-faith Council[i] . Part of my role as the chaplaincy coordinator with my church district is being a liaison to Christian chaplains in Western Ontario. The committee was gathered to interview a possible new chaplain for the Sarnia and Chatham jails. The committee is represented by several religious groups.

After our meeting we headed out for lunch being mindful of the dietary requirements of the Muslims in our midst. I shared the table with another Egyptian Muslim, a Jamaican Anglican, a Bavarian Lutheran and a Baptist. We ate a feast at Windsor Palace Restaurant[ii], a place of incredible halal food.

Beyond the small talk, we had some rich theological discussions. Ahmed (the imam) is a graduate of Al-Azhar University[iii] in Cairo, the premiere learning center for Muslim clergy.

Imam Ahmed had questions about how Christians can claim that Jesus was God when he was clearly a human being. He recognizes that Jesus was a great prophet.

I also learned that Muslims consider the imam to be a holy man. Imam Ahmed asked why so many of the key figures of the Old Testament were guilty of terrible sins. He cited Noah getting drunk, Lot getting drunk and having sex with his daughters, David with Bathsheba and so on...

Imam Ahmed expects that the prophets of God and holy men should be above reproach.

My Bavarian Lutheran friend responded well by pointing out Christians view people as being sinners in need of God’s mercy. It is this inherent fault that requires that we turn to God through Jesus to find forgiveness and to be changed. (I’m likely grossly paraphrasing what he said, but you get the idea).
Since that lunch I have thought about the challenge that adherents of any religion face when it comes to living up to their professed ideals. I know that Christians face a very real crisis when they preach one thing and find themselves living less than they should. I suspect it haunts most of humanity’s religions.

[i] www.omc.ca

[ii] www.windsorpalacerestaurant.ca
[iii] http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/cairo-al-azhar-university.htm

SUNRISE ON THE SIDEWALK SKYLINE

2010-04-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

Jazz legend Hoagy Carmichael had a song ‘Big Town Blues’. A phrase he sang paints a vivid picture.

‘I’m in a bargain basement with a sidewalk skyline.’

Children growing up in the core of urban centers may look out the window of a basement apartment and see the sidewalk. I want to invite you to be part of the sunrise on the sidewalk skyline.

Over 85% of Canadians live in urban centers in major population hubs. The gap between the haves and have-nots is a growing chasm. The rich get richer and the poor get by with less.

If Canada were the rich man in Jesus’ parable, then the urban poor are our beggar by the gate. You may not see them, though. We have great security systems, geographic barriers and locked up churches to keep the beggars out at the street.

City planners and business people work hard to create presentation on the major downtown streets.BIAs’ (Business Improvement Areas) are cooperative efforts between city hall and the local business people of a given neighbourhood. Both want to see taxpayer dollars spent to beautify and improve the face of the city. When people go downtown, they need to feel safe, visually intrigued and interested in spending their money. Sculptures, murals, architecture, and green space combine with public transit systems, traffic routes, entertainment and parking garages to give people a pleasant face on the city. To the chagrin of some city fathers the homeless, the mentally ill and the ill-equipped also show up to share the space. Police, social services and missions dot the streetscape to facilitate the neediest and the most unfortunate.

When you get behind the ‘movie set façade’ of downtown, you encounter the real ‘downtown’ where the poor live.

I pastor New Song Church, one of Windsor’s tougher neighbourhoods with its share of social challenges. My building is an old bar on a dingy street. There is more plywood on the buildings of my neighbourhood than there are windows.

When you go on the backstreets and alleys of our cities, you discover the living conditions not visible to the passerby.

In Windsor, the AIDS committee has a needle exchange program that collected 200,000 used syringes last year from drug users exchanging dirty needles for a clean kit. That is 200,000 needles that would have otherwise been dropped in alleys, parks and garbage containers.

A friend of mine who used to work for Compassion was with me when we visited a couple who lived in the neighbourhood. The living conditions were deplorable. The furnace was not working, the bathroom lacked hot water and the clutter and filth was overwhelming. My friend remarked afterward that it was worse than the poverty he had seen in third world countries, where they at least managed to keep things reasonably clean and tidy.

When you get to the real downtown, there are children like Kenny who at 10 years of age has tried crack and steals everything he can. Kenny goes with his mom in the wee hours of the night to make drug deliveries. Kenny drops by the church to drink coffee. Kenny came to camp with us and still needs Jesus.

When you go downtown, make a detour. Behind the façade you will find the real downtown. Pray for the sun to rise on the sidewalk skyline.

IN THE LIVING ROOM WITH THE LION AND THE LAMB

2010-04-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Restorative Justice (RJ) is not a program, but a way of looking at crime. It can be defined as a response to crime that focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims, holding offenders accountable for the harm they have caused, and building peace within communities.[i]

Karen was sexually abused as a child. Now in her fifties, she sat in the chair across from me and told her story. Decades had passed without resolving the tension adequately with her father. As a grown woman, she was able to instantly lock into her feelings of betrayal from a daddy forever stuck in the past.

Her new friend Wayne sat on the couch to the left listening attentively with somber reflection. He had served time in prison for abusing his own children. He had not seen his own wife or children for a few years. Here was a troubled man wanting to examine his heart to understand why he had failed so horribly.

As they recounted their experiences and asked each other the tough questions, I saw understanding grow as both discovered a landscape not marked by history and fear. Karen was able to see a picture of remorse in Wayne. He was able to see the horrible impact that another had made on Karen. Both caught sight of what their lives could become beyond the offenses.

I was transfixed as I saw two people communicate fearlessly. They were both able to sit and listen without becoming defensive. A holiness settled into the living room. For a few moments, we experienced the lion and the lamb at peace together. What if Karen had this opportunity with her own father? What if Wayne were able to be make peace with his family?

Imagine a new reality where a toddler can play with a cobra and not be bitten. Picture a wolf falling asleep next to a lamb or a lion resting by a calf. Isaiah saw a vision of a time when there would be peace between perpetrators and victims.[ii]

The trigger for changed nature is found in the arrival of the Messiah.

‘They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.’[iii]

Jesus’ mission includes restoring safety to relationships. The violent will experience a peace that removes their need to devour and destroy. The timid and defenseless will live fearlessly alongside the powerful. The presence of Jesus is transformative.

In our lives, the knowledge of the Lord does not fill the earth. But occasional glimpses and moments of knowing break through like sunlight in a wintry, overcast sky. Karen and Wayne caught a glimpse and felt the warmth of what Jesus wants to do in their lives.

There is a great place of restorative justice to be established in the community of faith. We can find that place and we can invite others to live there.

[i] Restorative Justice In Canada, p.1, http://www.crcvc.ca/docs/restjust.pdf

[ii] Isaiah 11:6-8

[iii] Isaiah 11:9

CHAPLAINCY AT VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010

2010-04-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Rev. David Wells served as the chaplaincy coordinator at Vancouver Olympics 2010. He is the General Superintendent for the Pentecostal Assemblies Of Canada.

The Vancouver Sun published an article on the service provided through chaplaincy.

Read about it at http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Canadian+Pentecostal+performs+rare+multi+faith+role+Games/2579654/story.html

TWO LOVES UNSEEN

2010-03-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

(This post is reprinted from the Weavings: Friends of Dismas Newsletter and written by chaplain Harry Nigh.)

Winterlude, 1995 and even for Ottawa it was bitterly cold. It had to be minus 28 degrees on the Rideau Canal that night. My friend and I decided to take one last skate late that night before we left for home in the morning. Except for an occasional monitor we were the only ones crazy enough to be out on that steel-cold ice.

I found myself scanning the lights of the homes and the apartment buildings as we skated along. I kept asking myself, "Could they live there ... or there ....or maybe there?"

Less than a year before I had received a liver transplant from a 42 year old man from Ottawa who had died of a brain hemorrhage. Over a period of at least 16 years an auto-immune disease had slowly destroyed my liver. Then out of the blue just before Easter, I received the call that a family had offered their loved one's organ and I was given my life back. All that we knew was that they lived in Ottawa.

It was totally emotional and unrealistic, of course - receiving a transplant is a roller-coaster of emotions, especially a gratitude that always takes me to tears - but I wondered if the family that had granted me that awful gift could be living in one of these lighted buildings. I was aware of a heart-felt closeness to them as we skated on the canal that night.

I would have loved to have met them to try to express my gratitude personally, but that was not possible. We could only send our thank you letters anonymously... and imagine who they might be.

So something resonated in me when I came across these words written to the early churches in 1 Peter 1: 8, "Although you have not seen him you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him..."

That's what I was feeling on the Canal that night. This ancient writer giving thanks for the offering of God's love in Jesus, "who emptied himself ... and became obedient to the point of death..."(Philippians 2: 7ff) was speaking the grateful language of a transplant recipient!

During his "Jesus period" Bob Dylan sang, "For all those who have eyes / and all those who have ears / It is only He who can reduce me to tears."

Many of you who walk alongside men and women coming back from prison speak of your gratitude for the people you have come to know. You tell me that in them, and in the unlikeliest of places, you have seen our Lord.

It's the profound enigma of Easter that He whom we have not seen can be known and loved for all those who have eyes and all those who have ears."

EXPECTATION AND EXPERIENCE

2010-03-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Terry Richardson was the former Director General of Chaplaincy for Corrections Service Canada with an emphasis on Restorative Justice. I’m passing along a piece he sent out last year to chaplains involved in corrections. Good thought on how our perspective changes everything.

Kevin Rogers

_______________________________________

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

One day, two men left their town and traveled to a new city. They journeyed separately. As the first approached his destination, he stopped to talk to a wise man sitting under a tree. “Tell me sir, what are the people like in this city?” he asked. The wise man replied, “What were the people like where you came from?” The traveler responded, “They were mean and greedy, looking for every opportunity to get what I had!” The wise man said, “You will find the people here like that too.”

Later, the other traveler encountered the wise man as he approached the city gates. “Tell me sir,” he also asked, “what are the people like in this city?” The reply was again, “What were the people like where you came from?” This second traveler responded, “They were warm and friendly, always wanting to reach out and help.” The wise man replied, “You will find the people here like that too.”

Two people having spent their time in the same place traveled along the same road. They arrived at the same destination, yet with such entirely different perspectives. Obviously the wise man’s question revealed more about each individual, than either where they came from or where they were heading.

The story is replayed among us. It could be about staff at an Institution, about offenders doing their time, or about the journey of life. Experience colors expectation. The past affects the future. The big question is: Do things deteriorate or improve? One traveler becomes hardened and the other blossomed. Strangely enough they both find what they look for.

What do you expect as you look ahead? What attitudes are you carrying with you? Will they drag you down or lift you up? You know your own answers.

Like the travelers with the wise man, why not approach someone for a dialog about life. God can help. Spiritual resources such as worship, prayer, reflection, conversation with a faith leader, life in a faith community assist us in getting us past the hard negative attitudes. It’s not magic, it’s a journey. It might involve deep thinking, laughing, crying, attitude adjustments … whatever reshaping of our experience is needed to reshape our expectations for life. “Asking, seeking and knocking” are involved.

It’s too bad the first traveler didn’t walk with the second. Then, he would have gotten to know someone warm and friendly, someone wanting to reach out and help. That experience itself might have opened up a new horizon for him.

Walking alongside of each other. Getting to know each other. Taking a measured risk of trust. These can be spiritual experiences: gifts from God that can lead to hope rather than frustration for the days ahead. Why not walk with someone on your journey?

THE NEW CANADA

2010-03-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

By 2031 one in four Canadians will have been born elsewhere. Canada.com has an article at

http://www.canada.com/life/Growing+foreign+born+population+forge+Canada/2666075/story.html

GRIEF'S JOY

2010-03-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

This one comes from guest blogger Connie Hale.

___________

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever”. Psalm 16:11

The pain was excruciating as I called an ambulance for my husband late one night. Tom had been suffering from stomach cramps for a few days but we thought it was just the flu. I will always remember that night because it changed our lives in a way that was inconceivable. A day later the doctor did emergency surgery and removed Tom’s colon. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and given a colostomy. The impact of hearing the word cancer was indescribable, but the devastation that cancer produces is even worse. It seems like this story should belong to someone else. How could this happen to us?

Our first visit to the cancer clinic was overwhelming for both Tom and I. We were told the horrible news that the cancer moved into his liver and lung and that he had 3 months to a year to live.

Tom started chemotherapy on and off for two years. The chemo that was administered to Tom was to try to save his ‘life’ yet in the process it began to destroy his ‘living’. Tom would be so weak and tired that he would sleep for days.

Even though cancer was trying to stop us from living we did not give in. We still tried to enjoy some good moments. When you have cancer you don’t think in terms of years, months or days. It was not the extraordinary events that were important, but it was the ordinary moments spent together that became ‘sacred’.

As the months went by Tom refused further treatment. He wanted to spend the time with family and friends, laughing and making a difference in our lives…not in a cancer clinic. He wanted to be himself. He did not want cancer to destroy who he was as a person. He was not pretending that he wasn’t going to die. Tom knew that without a miracle from God, his time was limited. He wanted to make the best of that time, making memories we could all treasure.

One dark day the telephone rang, it was the doctor. He had looked at my husband’s CAT scan again and confirmed that after living with cancer for three years it now metastasized to his brain having only 3 months to live. I hung up the phone and proceeded into the bedroom and sat at my husband’s bedside to deliver the devastating news.

Only the sound of inconsolable sobbing from two people could be heard from that room. It was the ‘terrible beautiful’ moment. Even though we had to look at death’s terrible face, the cold reality of its finality, we had a chance to take our eyes off this world and truly look eternity in the face to see His plan of salvation. With eyes filled with tears it took a lifetime to see beyond ourselves, and to look deep into the heart of God. Two people not understanding His plan…but felt loved by Him in the midst of our pain.

Tom talked about heaven about how God had a place for him. That he would get to see his mom who had died a few years before. In a half joking way, I said, “Tom wouldn’t you know it I am the ‘bible thumper’ and now it looks like you are going to get to heaven first.” Tom tenderly said, “Connie I will be waiting for you. However, I don’t think I will be getting many rewards.” I replied, “Tom ever since I became a pastor, you have stood by my side as I ministered the gospel; you will have every one of my rewards and more. You will be rewarded for being a faithful, loving, hardworking husband and father.”

For three weeks Tom battled the cancer that was now destroying his brain. He lost all movement on his one side of his body. He could no longer walk or feed himself. He said in those last days, “Connie I would really like to stay and fight but the fight is all gone in me.”

In the hospital during Tom’s last moments of life I held his hand. He struggled to open his eyes to look at me one more time and in that moment I said my last “I love you.” Tom and I professed our love to each other but marriage had forced us to prove it.

I realized today that it was a different ‘I love you’ said in that hospital room than the ‘I love you’ said so many times during our 33 years of marriage. It wasn’t the romantic ‘I love you’ said as we dated. It wasn’t the ‘promise to love you’ said at the altar. And it wasn’t the frantic ‘I love you’ of a wife running down the driveway waving good-bye, yelling out, “I love you” as my husband was hurrying off to work. It wasn’t the times of frustration with clenched teeth saying, “I still love you.” It wasn’t even the comforting ‘I love you’ of a couple who became friends. It wasn’t words said to win favor, or approval. The ‘I love you’ said in that moment became an ‘agape love’ that flowed from the Savior’s heart through me.

I had officiated my husband’s funeral with a glorious hope giving him the honor he so deserved. Many said I had great courage. But I was not courageous. Often people in the beginning mistake shock as strength. Living without Tom each day is courageous. Each day I had to say to myself, “Tom is gone and he isn’t coming back.” When I accepted the reality that I would live in this world for the rest of my life without Tom I truly began to grieve.

You can’t wait grief out or push it away; because if you do it actually grows. I had to go through this dark tunnel of grief head on. Grief is hard work. I had to focus on God’s love, and His promises or I would get lost in self-pity, despair and the distractions of this world. Effective grief work is never done alone. When I talked about Tom and my turbulent feelings with family, friends and my church family I began to understand my grief and the journey through it.

As the months followed decisions became increasingly harder to make and my emotions were on a roller coaster of highs and lows. I became confused and fearful. During the day tidal waves of grief would hit me without warning and I was left struggling to catch my breath and at night I would wail in the darkness. At night I would lay in my bed and replay the moments just before Tom died in the hospital May 15, 2009. I helplessly watched him brutally suffer when I began to pray for Jesus to be merciful and take my husband home. Within minutes of that prayer I felt Tom’s heart stop and I was relieved. I struggled with that guilt for months. In my confusion I thought feeling relieved meant I was a terrible wife.

I was on a journey of wellness…spiritually, emotionally, and physically even through my grief.

I began doing things like exercising, going for long walks with a friend, seeing a Naturopath doctor to help me with a nutritional plan. I needed to attend to my physical well being that I neglected while Tom was sick.

When I started to ask, “How can I grow through this tragedy to become a better person?” I began to see grief having a purpose. I founded Faith Kept Ministries. It is a ministry that ministers to the sick and elderly. My life was given a purpose and I felt I was following God’s plan to bring a joy to the sick and lonely by visiting and listening to them. I began teaching how to minister to the sick and the elderly in various churches. Giving to others brought joy to my grief.

I hated eating my meals alone, no one was there to talk about my day, no one to greet me when I came home and I had no one to kiss good-night. During this period of grief a crucial choice was to be made. Would I focus on my loneliness or would I focus on ‘God with me’? I needed to feel and actually experience His presence. I needed to hear His voice but at times my pain spoke so loud that I couldn’t see or feel anything else.

If I truly believed that Jesus is with me, that He loves me, and that He would help me out of this darkness then I had to choose to rejoice in that hope. Each day I would sit quietly and listen for His voice, read His word and pray. I committed my time and my heart’s desire to search for Him in the darkness of my grief. I soon discovered that even grief can have joy if we are in the presence of the Lord.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 14:10

As you read my story, maybe you are grieving some loss in your own life. Do you choose hope over despair? Do you choose joy even in your grief? There is only ‘one thing’ that will comfort you and me in our pain. It is a Saviour who loves us so much that He will never leave our side. And in that we can rejoice!

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8

Written by: Pastor Connie Hale

Faith Kept Ministries

www.faithkeptministries.com

connie@faithkeptministries.com

Author of: “Champion Over the Darkness”

PRAYER OF A GRATEFUL BUS DRIVER

2010-03-13T12:58:00.000-08:00

“I was driving my bus down the mountain early one morning. I was looking over the city, and there was no-one on my bus so I stretched out my hand and prayed. I said, ‘Lord, I would really like to be a blessing – to be used by you in some way. I just want to touch Hamilton in some small way or a large way – whatever you have in mind.”

Ken Goobie prayed this prayer as a thirty-three year veteran driver for Hamilton Street Railway. At a time when many career people are looking to coast to a finish and collect their pension, Ken was talking to God about his future.

Ken Goobie

A random workday drive was interrupted by the thought, “What can I do to give back to my employer for all these years of provision? Wouldn’t it be great if I could pass on some of my experience to new drivers before I retire?”

Later as he walked past the Director of Transit’s office, Ken remembered the prayer and decided to act on it. An impromptu meeting with the director opened with Ken suggesting, “If I came up with an idea, a plan or some kind of program to assist or help you, would you be interested?”

Assured that the director was absolutely interested, Ken moved down the hall to another administrator’s office and was met with another enthusiastic response.

A third party was approached, but it fell on deaf ears. The third man was negative about the company and did not believe anything would help. (That man later left the company). A negative response to that meeting, but in a parting gesture he threw a trade magazine at Ken.

“Maybe there is something in there that will interest you”, he added as Ken left the office.

The magazine was from the Winnipeg transit system and included an article about their mentorship program. A mentoring coordinator was featured telling how he was helping the drivers.

Thinking that this might be the right strategy, Ken called Winnipeg and spoke with the mentoring coordinator. Acquiring notes and materials, he took it back to his boss and began piecing together a mentoring program that could benefit the Hamilton drivers.

The company flew Ken to Winnipeg to be trained and research the program. Upon returning, the program was tailored for Hamilton and launched. Expecting that there could be a dozen people participating, Ken was amazed to find over forty employees sign up.

Ken was not the only one amazed. Hamilton Street Railway had a one hundred and fifty year history which included its share of labour and union tensions. The mentorship program launched with a surprising degree of positive, team-building response.

The program matches experienced employees with new hires. Through coffee meetings, they share experiences and struggles related to their public servant roles. The new employee benefits from the wisdom and knowledge of veteran drivers. The veterans make a valuable contribution back to the company that has been their provider. No participant is left feeling alone in the workplace.

Word spread to the City of Hamilton Public Works department. With over 6000 employees, they wanted to know how Ken was able to get such a positive response. Eight of their managers met with Ken and the HSR team to find out more. Among other things, they wanted to know what Ken’s motives were in launching the program.

“Look – I have been operating a bus here for thirty-four years and I would just like to say thank you out of appreciation for years of having employment. I have raised my family, I have a pension and I can retire in the near future if I want. This is just a small token to say thank you.”

One of the men from HSR told Ken later, “Ken, you know what really sold them on this idea? It was when you said, ‘I want to help out of appreciation’. That blew them out of the water because they’ve never had person come in to say thank you.”

In Ken Goobie ‘s story we see a snapshot of noble service. His attitude is exemplary and models a heart shaped by God’s love. Gratitude is a fitting motive for service.

Pastor J.H. Blair used to bring Ken as a teenager to Braeside Camp. Together they would work at cleaning up the camp in preparation for its season of ministry. During times of shared service, a servant’s heart was imparted to Ken. A lifelong friendship ensued.

A week before J.H. died, his wife Rosie called Ken to come. Ken had worked as a barber and J.H. needed a shave and a trim. Ken viewed J.H. as a great man and he loved him. It was no inconvenience to perform a small act of service for the one he loved.

In the Kingdom of God there are no insignificant servants. Each one motivated by love is able to do good work and influence those who follow. You never know what the bus driver ahead of you might be praying.

_____________

Ken Goobie

kdg@mountaincable.net

905 765 8651