Category: Mountain Standard News

Too often we feel that the work of God is in our human hands…our responsibility. Too often we limit the work of God by imagining only as far as our own actions and budget can take us. It is true that everything needs to be done ‘decently and in order’, but we need to be careful not to tie God’s hands (as if that was even possible!)

As believers we know that God intervenes in our human experience. God intervened in history when He sent Jesus to us and when the tomb was opened. In our own lives, if you are reading this, you likely experienced the direct touch of God when the Holy Spirit came into you and confirmed that you are a child of God. If that was not your personal experience when you received Christ, hopefully you have had those moments since childhood where you have known the Holy Spirit’s presence. That presence is literally God’s guarantee of His work in you and acceptance of you.

God’s intervention in our lives is so often unseen by anyone else. That is true of so many acts of God done in our heart. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience/forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When God plants this fruit in our heart, where we even want those items to take over our actions, that is an invisible work of God in us.

Mary and Joseph saw the work of God like no other humans. They knew the whole story that few others could accept while they were in the manger adoring this newborn King. They had heard from angels—in their own private moments—what their minds might have hesitated to accept. This private moment for them was real…and that private moment has and will affect life today and in the future.

May God move you in your private moments, and not-so-private moments, to yield to and worship this King! This act is not only about Christmas, but it is about living in a world that our human hands cannot fix.

Your co-worker,  Dennis

Connecting with our Brothers and Sisters from the Congo

In Edmonton, we are working with a worship community of individuals that come from the Congo. They worship in their native language, but are an exuberant and welcoming congregation which has been meeting for about two years. On November 2^nd it was my privilege to assist the church in a memorial service for the ninety-nine-year-old grandfather of Pastor Guillaume Munyakuri. On this particular Saturday, the church gathering was about sixty caring Congolese individuals. The story of murder in East Congo was not an unusual one for this crowd as many attending had also lost family members in a similar way in the past. News of the house burning and the initial scattered bits of information left the family short on the exact details. For a while, the pastor thought his cousin had died too—but he had managed to escape. Please pray for this worshipping community as they support one another here and seek to effect positive change back home. The Gospel can bond people together like nothing else can even when separated by oceans.  – Dennis Stone

Fun Times at the Fishing Retreat

In September the CBWC Peace River ministerial cluster was invited to lodging at Jasper Park Baptist Church for a few days on a fishing retreat. This group spent some time sharing casually, sitting on boats and enjoying food together. The scenery was phenomenal on Maligne Lake. The moose count was around a dozen or so. In our case, the two fish caught did not multiply, but maybe next time! It was a privilege for me to spend time with them. -Dennis Stone

In the picture from left to right: Herman Friesen – prison chaplain, Michael Hayes – Fort St John, Everett Budd – Peace River, Josh Goetz – Charlie Lake, Peter Ma – Grande Prairie, Nathan Friedt – Peace River, but recently moved to a pastorate in New Zealand. 

Visiting Brownfield Baptist Church

CBWC Gathering at High River

This year, at the CBWC Gathering at High River, our Ordination Examination Council approved the following to proceed:

• Pam Reichenbach, Strathcona Baptist, for ordination
• Anna Braun, First Baptist Church Lethbridge, for ordination
• Mikel Laurie, Highlands Baptist, for ordination
• Sam Kim, Bonavista Baptist, for recognition of prior ordination

Pictured above is the congregants at Highlands Baptist singing a humourous song to their new ordinand. At that particular service the guest speaker was Mikel’s father. As I met Mikel’s dad, he introduced himself as Wayne, and I gushed out that his name would be easy for me to remember as that is my middle name—then he told me his first name was Dennis. That has never happened to me before.  –Dennis Stone

International Conference for World Evangelism

It was a privilege for me to take part briefly in an international conference hosted in Edmonton by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism with a specific focus on the Sikh community. People were there from around the world to hear about ministry to this community often neglected by the church. One fact shared was that about 40 per cent of truck drivers in California are Sikh—which was just one of the fascinating details shared that evening.  – Dennis Stone

Prayer Request

This Fall sees the return of snowy and icy roads. Please remember to pray for those needing to drive for the sake of ministry, such as your own Regional Minister!

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email the BCY office: msregion@cbwc.ca

Leadership Tugs 

Many of us taught officially and unofficially a leader must lead.  In other words, stick your neck out, speak out, set a path for others to follow, plan, plot and set your objectives.  The structure of authority most of us were born into involved obeying parents, obeying teachers, and obeying bosses.  This bred a desire in many of us to reach that goal of climbing the ladder – being able to be rulers.  Part of that fits Jesus economy, but part of it does not.

Jesus took another position when he taught His disciples in Matthew 20:25-26, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.”  At this point Jesus emphasizes the greater importance of taking the role of a servant.

I was reading in a book by fellow Canadian Len Hjalmarson (Broken Furtures) that leadership should be less about progress and more about process.  The process to which he alludes includes listening to the community.  Listening and teaching people to listen will ultimately mean more engagement and involvement.  This posture may be helpful in being a better servant-leader, but there is an even deeper element we must wrestle with to be better disciples.

That deeper element is to let the Spirit of God investigate our heart for the pride that may be rooted there.  If we are in any position of leadership there is the tug to prove oneself worthy of the role, the tug to make something of one’s opportunity, the tug to be seen as prosperous in the job, the tug to be esteemed by others, or even the tug to show oneself one’s own worthiness through obvious accomplishments.

Somehow in life we get lost and we can forget the phrase in Philippians that Jesus ‘made Himself nothing’.  (Okay, those of you with your Greek lexicons out, just put them away for a minute … I know this emphasis can go too far.)   Jesus faced all the same tugs/temptations, He wrestled with the opportunity to show Himself for who He was before His time.  For the true Christian servant, all of us need to take a step back from the ‘tugs’ of life and realize the temptation is often for something to happen ‘now’ … and for the ‘how it looks to others’ perspective.  Faithfulness reveals itself over time.

God calls us to know Him, to faithful service, to be obedient and to have a heart of service, no matter what things look like to others.  I think we will be surprised who in fact hears the ‘well done, good and faithful servant’.  It may be the single parent down the street, or the quiet elderly couple who need walkers to get around, or the believer who is also a Walmart greeter.  Our sense of what it means to be successful needs to get separated from that subtle pull of pride deep within us.

Let’s take steps to be better servants by accurately assessing and dealing with the pride that is deep within us.

Your co-worker, Dennis

Happenings & News

From the desk of Dennis Stone: August 2019

Here are some quick updates for our CBWC ministers of the region.  Most of us feel as though we start our year in September, so this piece is meant to keep you up to date.  The comments below are my own.

“THE GATHERING” AT HIGH RIVER BAPTIST IN MAY

This event was very well-received by delegates attending. Pastors Scott Fisk and Michael Lorusso and the whole crew at HRBC were highly hospitable and helpful in every aspect. The sessions were well-attended and all business was handled respectfully.

Regional Celebrations: 

• OEC recommended Pam Reichenbach, Mikel Laurie and Anna Braun for ordination.
• OEC granted Sam Kim from Bonavista Baptist ‘Recognition of Prior Ordination’
• New churches welcomed at HRBC meetings included Filipino Community Christian Church – Calgary and Greenhills Christian Fellowship – Calgary
• FBC Peace River celebrated 100 years in early August

PROPOSED UPCOMING MINISTERIAL CLUSTER MEETINGS:

Sept 10 – Edmonton Cluster at Braemar

Sept 15-17 – Peace Cluster in Jasper

Sept 19 – Central Cluster – TBA

Oct 1 – Edmonton Cluster at Braemar

Oct 10 – Southern Alberta Cluster

Oct 17 – Calgary Cluster at FBC

UPCOMING CBWC STAFF AND BOARD:

Sept 5-7 – Staff retreat

Sept 25-26 – Staff/MCC meeting

Sept 27-28 – CBWC Board meeting

OTHER NEWS:

• New Mountain Standard Regional Advisory Group for 2019-2021:  Randy Loewen – Yellowknife (Moderator), Sandra Goetz – Charlie Lake, Mark Archibald – Lethbridge, Bill Christieson – Calgary, Brad Penner – Red Deer, Kathy Brown – Edmonton
• New CBWC Board members for 2019-2021 from the Mountain Standard Region: Sam Breakey (President) – Edmonton, Herb Ziegler (VP of Finance) – Sherwood Park, Randy Loewen, Brad Penner, and Sandra Goetz
• Our OEC examiners from the Mountain Standard Region this year were Brad Penner, Randy Loewen, Juli Wells, and Harriet Mitchell.
• Our church in Pincher Creek is working on a merger with another church, to be effective for 2020.
• Our Brownfield Church is using its own unique brand of “Rural Light Ministries” to assist Nanton Baptist with services through the use of technology. Other rural churches are interested.  (Click on “Donate” at www.cbwc.ca to contribute to this ministry).
• A former CBWC Executive Minister and pastor among us, Doug Moffat, passed away on May 2^nd.  His son Andy is one of our pastors at FBC Olds. Doug will be missed and remembered.
• Our new Mountain Standard Region’s ministers since the 2017 CBWC Gathering where listed and shared at the HRBC assembly. They are as follows: Natalie Wong, Crescent Heights Baptist, Calgary; Leah Seguin, Braemar Baptist Church, Edmonton; Heather Hiebert, Community Baptist, Cold Lake; Ken Bender, McLaurin Memorial Baptist, Edmonton; Hovig Bajanian, Evangelical Baptist, Edmonton; Sarah Wipf, Westview Baptist, Calgary; Aaron Cranton, Strathcona Baptist, Edmonton; Nathan Harris, Brownfield Baptist; Dawn Stiles, First Baptist, Edmonton; Brandon Parsons, First Baptist, Red Deer; Tash Ingram, Westview Baptist, Calgary; Clinton Pigeau, Trinity Baptist, Sherwood Park; Kaleb Penner, McLaurin Baptist, Grande Prairie; Joseph Steeves, Faith Community Baptist, Claresholm; Joshua Goetz, Charlie Lake Community, Charlie Lake;   Sebastian Dykstra, Altadore Baptist, Calgary; Kent Dixon, Braemar Baptist, Edmonton; Ron Ford, Battle Lake Community Baptist; Wilbert Adolphe, Bonnie Doon Baptist, Edmonton.

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email the Mountain Standard office: msregion@cbwc.ca

Most Learned; Most Judgmental 

The season is here where we remember the resurrection. In my view the best theologian on this subject, apart from Jesus during His earthly ministry, was Martha. At one point we have her telling Jesus about the resurrection (John 11:24). She is disappointed Jesus was late in responding to Lazarus’ sickness—too late, was her conclusion. Relying on what she knew, she was judgmental. In her mind Jesus should have been there sooner, hope was lost, a life was now gone!

Now there are great advantages of gaining knowledge. I am extremely thankful for the privilege of sitting under good teaching on many topics in my life, including an awesome amount of Biblical training through the years. I can add to that the preaching and teaching I’ve received. On one level I’m ready to argue theology until the cows come home, armed with resources to “give an answer to anyone.” Now, that stance can make me feel comfortable and smug because I know the answers. I also know now how churches “should” operate, how preaching “should” be done, and how others “should” behave. Unfortunately, if I let those “shoulds” get in the way, I can become hindered in further learning, argumentative, critical of others in their ministry, distant in relationships, too fast to speak and too slow to listen.

This winter I have audited a course on Islam at King’s University College with a teacher who is a moderate Shia Imam. I have mostly sat silent, learning about an area previously unfamiliar to me. It has involved middle Eastern history, the development of Islamic thought, and a sense of what is more normal for Muslim people. (Sure there are fanatics, but Christians have had many of their own over the years.) The class has not changed my theology at all, but I have been amazed how ignorant I have been. I was previously loaded up with stereotypes that would have kept me from speaking to Muslim people. Unexpectedly I’ve learned much about myself in the midst of this class. Now, I hope I can enter a better conversation with these people in my own neighbourhood. I think I could commend many pieces of their practices and beliefs without coming across as overly biased and judgmental. An actual, meaningful conversation can now take place. There is still lots I don’t know about Islam, but much of my irrational fear has disappeared.

Our own learning can keep us from truly listening to others. This might be from our own children, our spouse, our employers, or another pastor/teacher. Recent studies by Ambrose’s Joel Thiessen show that Christians are known by average Canadians as judgmental. People often close us out because of their stereotypes, but I’ve had my own through the years.

Can I change how the average Canadian sees me? Can I be known instead by my love, my grace, and my listening ears? I trust I can do this while showing an unwavering faith in the Resurrection of Jesus and His current work in me.

Your continually learning co-worker, Dennis

P.S.: Celebrate the Risen Jesus!

Happenings in the Mountain Standard Region

(Click to open gallery)

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email our editor Zoë: zducklow@cbwc.ca or the Mountain Standard office: msregion@cbwc.ca

Mountain Standard Regional Administrative Associate Changes

Kathy and Sue

Sue has been excellent in her role, diligent with the plethora of responsibilities of the office, able to work on her own, and responsive both to the requests of our churches and the numerous ones that came from me. She has been a creative writer and has set up systems that will continue long after she leaves us. We wish her well in her new work, now joining an ever-growing list of chaplains serving in the public sphere but supplied and supported by the CBWC.

A new hire was found rather quickly in order to facilitate some crossover time with Sue.  Our new Administrative Associate is Kathleen (Kathy) Brown. Kathy has a Bachelor of Applied Information Systems & Technology degree from NAIT, a Masters of Divinity from Taylor Seminary, and is also in the chaplaincy training track. She has worked in business and in church ministries as well. One recent role she held was in the area of employment counselling. We welcome Kathy to the team of those serving the churches and ministers of the CBWC!

Please pray for Sue and for Kathy as these new adjustments are sure to be challenging for a season.

-Dennis Stone

Faith Community Baptist Church in Claresholm -Induction of Joseph Steeves

Jeffrey Cardejon of FCCC

Recent Mountain Standard Region Issues

• Our Banff Pastors Conference was well received by all who attended. Our region brings the most attendants.
• A church grieves over the suicide of one of their young people.
• A rural church wrestles with the prospect of having satellite churches with other rural CBWC churches.
• A few churches are wrestling with growth… lack of building, parking and staffing.
• A few pastors are considering transitions.
• Pincher Creek, Awaken, Fort Saskatchewan, and Braemar are seeking full-time lead pastors.
• Longview Bible Fellowship and Filipino Community Christian Church of Calgary are continuing through latter stages of recognition as churches within the CBWC.
• Technical issues: a phone reset, internet bandwidth, etc.
• Credentialing, orientation, and ordination processing for pastors.

Stained glass cross at Leduc Community Baptist Church

Settlement Report

• CBWC: Shelby Gregg stepped down from her position as Administrative Associate at the end of December.
• John Estabrooks will be the interim minister at Awaken, Calgary.

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email our editor Zoë: zducklow@cbwc.ca or the Heartland office: heartland@cbwc.ca

A Dying Church Reborn

It was back in April 2016 when our Bonnie Doon Baptist Church in Edmonton decided to end services and pass their building on to the CBWC. The pastor and much of their small congregation were in their eighties at that point in time. A quick study shows the church’s rich 104-year history and recalls the influence of many highly regarded CBWC pastors and ministers in its wake. At the last meeting of the church, they appointed Dennis Stone, Sam Breakey, and Sue Hunter as trustees of the church.

The church building is situated in the French section of Edmonton. With a developing Haitian church in the area, there was a French-speaking congregation in need of a building, without the financial resources to obtain one. The CBWC does not wish to lose its inner city buildings because once they are gone, they are truly gone. Therefore, the CBWC board agreed to take a loan against the value of the building in order to make some necessary repairs. The CBWC would then rent the building out at a reasonable rate to the Haitian church and possibly another CBWC church plant in order to repay the loan. To date, the building has received a new roof, new windows, drainage work, and interior paint. Further repairs will mean new steps, new carpet, improved parking, and more.

Another significant step has also been completed. This new Haitian congregation has adopted the constitution of the existing Bonnie Doon Church. On September 8th Dennis, Sam, and Sue witnessed the church bring 52 new people into membership. The congregation is Haitian and French speaking. That night they appointed deacons and other officers to take over the functions of the church. They also appointed a new pastor, Jonas Seide (pronounced “saw-ee-de”). Dennis, Sue, and Sam were also voted out of their trustee positions as new ones were appointed.

Now this church on a Sunday morning has vibrant music, numerous kids, and excitement about the way forward. It is a church plant that has not had to take the tedious steps required to gain recognition by the CRA. It is now, in fact, part of the continuing story that is Bonnie Doon Baptist Church. Praise be to God!

Photos

This September, Clinton Pigeau started as Trinity Baptist’s new Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults in Sherwood Park, AB.

Dennis and Sue packed up their worldly belongings … well, the ones they had in their old office anyway… and moved to the Taylor Seminary campus as of July 1, 2018. Come visit Dennis in his new office!

Ministerial meetings: Central Cluster, Edmonton and Calgary

Settlement Report

To see open positions, visit our Careers page: https://cbwc.ca/careers/

This regional newsletter is published quarterly within the CBWC’s monthly newsletter, Making Connections. Have a story idea? Want to tell us how great we’re doing? Or how terribly? Email our editor Zoë: zducklow@cbwc.ca or the BCY office: bcarea@cbwc.ca