This past two weeks we have had two families (one from NY and one from PA) come for a visit. We also had a friend come from Klemtu. It seemed only natural to incorporate them into our ministry. What follows in this and the next blog are a small picture of what we all did together.
Deb, Mary and Chuck from New YorkOn Friday, July 18, Chuck, Deb and Mary flew into Seattle. Chuck and Deb are long time friends of Karen and myself and Chuck pastors one of our supporting churches. Saturday I left with them to visit Campbell River. The main purpose was to visit Campbell River Native Christian Fellowship (CRNCF) and encourage Pastor Brody. Along the way we took a tour of the reserves in the area, visited some families, took in a church service and held a home service for Eleanor, our 94 year old elder who was instrumental in helping found CRNCF. We also found time to do some sight seeing as well.
In addition we took Brody and his wife, Allison out to lunch on Sunday. Willard and Gloria also came to lunch. They are a couple in the Fellowship with a wonderful gift of visiting and encouraging people. It was a profitable time as Chuck and Deb got to see a small slice of Native ministry and church life. It tends to be more loosely organized and casual than the typical non-native church in North America. On this Sunday, 10:30 church started at about 10:45 or there abouts.
Campbell River Native Christian Fellowship
I was thinking this morning about how different the pastoral situation is for typical North American (NA) churches and typical First Nations (FN) churches. In a typical NA church, when they need a pastor, through various avenues word is spread that the position is open. Various candidates will apply and a committee will sift through the sometimes lengthy list of applicants. One candidate's experience is too short or another candidate doesn't have the right education background or not enough. Still another candidate doesn't seem to have the right gifts and so on. Maybe one is too old or too young. Eventually the committee narrows down to one person who comes and puts himself on display for the congregation to approve or disapprove of. Hopefully through the process there is a good blend of a new pastor and existing congregation.
Pastor Brody and his wife Allison
In the FN church, things are different. Often times Fellowships exist but there are no long list of candidates looking to fill the position of pastor. In fact, no short list exists either. There is generally no one necessarily looking to fill that position. So the Fellowship prays and looks and wonders. Maybe they can find one person who is willing, maybe not. Often times, we are working with pastors with far less training and experience in FN churches (but not always). They are just as godly and committed to service for the Lord. Their hopes and dreams are worthy as are those of the FN Fellowships'. Collectively, they don't have the pool of resources available that the average NA church and pastor has.
Chuck, Deb, Mary and I visited Campbell River to encourage one such pastor, Brody. I expressed to Brody my gratitude for his willingness to pastor the young Fellowship there. He grew up in Campbell River but comes most recently from a youth ministry in Nanaimo, about 2 hours south of Campbell River. Brody and his wife Allison have had an effective ministry in Campbell River. A highlight was a few weeks ago when he baptised three generations of Christians from the same family. His plans are to stay until September. If God leads him elsewhere, CRNCF will begin all over again praying, looking and wondering, "Is there a godly man out there to lead our Fellowship?"
Brody baptizing three generations of Christians
Pastors Scott and Chuck encouraging Pastor Brody
Scott with Eleanor after we held a home church service for her
Gloria and Willard enjoyed lunch with us all!
PS- After and exhausting 2 days, we all returned home at about 10pm Sunday night. Our friends from PA were there and we began a full week of activities and ministry in the Vancouver area. More on that in the next blog.
