Dear RumBloggers,

Here is a list of recent developments in my ministry department since the church amalgamation. There have been some new and exciting ministry opportunities that have emerged amidst our new church’s adjustments, challenges and changes. I really like the staff, board and congregation of Westminster Chapel. I am believe that I am gradually adapting to the new environment and settling into my new role and responsibilities successfully. Thank for all the support along the journey. Keep praying for us all to be a church that make a gospel-impact on the people of Toronto.

Community Outreach:

Record breaking food donation from one neighbour household.

58 boxes were delivered by 25+ people to 44 households on 11 local streets.

People in our church did a great job serving God together by blessing our neighbours in Jesus’ name through:

1. Habitat For Humanity Build Day and Home Dedication Services. Read a previous post on one local event here: http://wp.me/pWjMU-Bq

2. Roncesvalles Polish Festival Outreach Tent Days.

3. Food & Clothing Bank Work and Donations.

4. Toronto Star “Santa Claus Fund” Christmas Gift Box Deliveries.

5. Prayer Walk Teams.

6. In December, SIM Canada and Westminster Chapel secured an MOU for the Chang’s “Culture Connexions” vision to serve the Church through cultivating intercultural character and ethics as foundational to Kingdom living, valuing the reciprocal blessing of intercultural relationship, and envisioning God-inspired blessing among diverse neighbours and communities.

7. In January, I plan to attend and recruit people to the relaxed and informative “Searching For Truth” course. This is good chance for skeptics, spiritual seekers or new believers to explore the basics of Christianity. It is led by my colleagues Joe Boot and Scott Masson at 9 Hewitt Ave on Tuesday evenings at 7pm and a meal is provided.

Institutional Chaplaincy:

Thankfully, God has opened a door for me to have ongoing Christian services in new areas. Pray for me to make good relationships with everybody so I can know how to best serve spiritual needs among the following people:

1. Correctional Service of Canada at the Keele Centre (300 Keele St. at Annette) and possibly elsewhere too.

Rev. Harry Nigh and Rick Arsenault have a lot of experience and will train me to serve well in this context. I first got involved with prison ministry in Kingston during the recent Grey Cup week festivities. Athletes In Action Canada and Prison Fellowship Canada arranged events with the CSC Chaplains to bring CFL players to speak with inmates. During these visits, we spoke to inmates at three prisons and twice to athletes at Queens University.

2. Toronto Blue Jays organization through Baseball Chapel.

With the support and training of experienced staff like Kevin Edelbrock, I looking forward with humble confidence to this service opportunity! The team has 13 home Sundays (April through August) in which they need a chapel service (a 15-minute mini-sermon / devotional). The Sunday games are at 1pm. I’ll be at the park a few hours before game time to set up chapel, see ball park staff, front office people, players & coaches, do chapel (one for the visiting team, one for the home team and then dropping by to see the umpires). Sometimes there are 3 guys in attendance, sometimes there are 15 or more. The Jays have a lot of new faces so I’ll be building it from the ground up. As well, I’ll strongly encourage a mid-week Bible study of some type for the players and one-on-one meetings with the guys.
There is also an oversight role to this as well, and some travel. As a Major League Chaplain, I’ll be overseeing each of the 7 minor league teams. I’ll visit two minor league teams per year to see the chaplain in action. As well, I’ll stay in touch with the others and you would be a resource to them. I already met and enjoyed a lunch with Chaplain Joe Ciffa in Buffalo, the Jays’ AAA team. I am looking forward to a conference with Baseball Chapel in Dallas (Feb 10) and building relationships during Spring Training in Dunedin (March 3, 10, 17). I will know more about who wants/needs what and who I can rely on to assist me as time passes and trust develops. Trust-building takes time and communication over periods of trial and error. I may need help from my church with things like discipleship support for interested Spanish speakers as well as all the interested women and children. You can read more about the ministry at their website or in the PDF document: BaseballChapelPresentation

For the fame of Jesus’ name,

Adam

Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 25:34-40

I have chosen 12/12/12 as the perfect time to plant/publish my 12 Sacred Seeds writing project at www.12sacredseeds.com . It will be a separate site from this and I will continue to use this one for regular posts and updates. Read it over and comment during this reflective time of year. This time of year naturally opens up opportunities for us to reflect on our values and beliefs. What do you believe about sacred things? When I talk to friends and neighbours around Toronto, I hear their personal statements of spiritual conviction.  Recently, I shared a paper containing a personal statement of my spiritual convictions.  Before that, I presented an expanded version of each “sacred seed” as 12 talks for the inspiration and education of my congregation. After sharing it with all of them, I thought it may be good stewardship to post it on the web for your use rather than just file it away in a drawer or under a pile.  I am posting some of the content  here as a way of reaching out to people who are reflecting on their sacred beliefs with a desire to understand what a Christian, like me, believes.  This writing project is called 12 sacred seeds because it contains 12 potent ideas that when planted in your mind and nutured in community have the power to grow you a fruitful life!

Sacred Seed 1: The Bible http://wp.me/p1iVne-4P 

Sacred Seed 2: Blessed Trinity http://wp.me/p1iVne-4R

Sacred Seed 3: God, The Father http://wp.me/p1iVne-4T 

Sacred Seed 4: Jesus Christ http://wp.me/p1iVne-4U 

Sacred Seed 5: The Holy Spirit http://wp.me/p1iVne-4W 

Sacred Seed 6: Satan http://wp.me/p1iVne-4Z

Sacred Seed 7: Humanity http://wp.me/p1iVne-51

Sacred Seed 8: Salvation http://wp.me/p1iVne-53 

Sacred Seed 9: The Church http://wp.me/p1iVne-55 

Sacred Seed 10: Symbols of the Gospel http://wp.me/p1iVne-57 

Sacred Seed 11: Future Things http://wp.me/p1iVne-5a 

Sacred Seed 12: The Church and State, Civil Government and Religious Liberty http://wp.me/p1iVne-5h 

Related articles

• Sacred Seed 11: Future Things (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 9: The Church (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 10: Symbols of the Gospel (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 3: God, The Father (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 4: Jesus Christ (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 12: The Church and State, Civil Government and Religious Liberty (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 8: Salvation (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 2: Blessed Trinity (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 1: The Bible (12sacredseeds.com)
• Sacred Seed 5: The Holy Spirit (12sacredseeds.com)

1. Recent Ordination

On Monday night, my Ordination was approved by a FEB Ordination Council and then enacted by High Park Baptist Church leadership.  I am thankful to supporters and praising God upon this ministry milestone of Ordination.  It is an honour to be formally and fully set apart for the Baptist ministry in Canada among our FEB association’s many amazing Pastors, Chaplains and Missionaries!

This is me in the process of reading and defending my formal statements of personal conversion, ministry calling and theological convictions to the council of FEB Pastors at 9 Hewitt Avenue for about 3 hours.

The difference that ordination makes is both objective and subjective: ability to officiate marriages in Ontario; ascribed the Reverend title (Rev.); access to discounted golf at some golf courses on Mondays; meaningful peer recognition and affirmation of my calling.  It is somewhat comparable to a lawyer passing their bar exam or a thesis defence for an academic.  Ordination is a meaningful ministry milestone for which I thank God.  Rev. Dr. Darryl Dash gave a memorable charge to me from 1 Timothy 1:12-17.

2. New Ministry Role

I am grateful to have learned so much as I have served the Lord as Lead Pastor at High Park Baptist Church from 2008-2012.  I am grateful and motivated for the opportunity to continue serving the Lord among the newly merged community of his people called Westminster Chapel at High Park (WC@HP), which I started on October 1, 2012.  My new role at WC@HP is Pastor of Community Outreach and Institutional Chaplaincy.  Click here is my staff profile on the Westminster Chapel website. Take some time to read about the church by exploring the website.  In the “Institutional Chaplaincy” efforts of my new role, I am “asking, seeking and knocking” for “open doors” of ministry with the following groups.  Please pray for contacts, discernment,  wisdom and favour in exploring service to/with:

1. Clergy of all religions.
2. Political Agencies, Parties and Leaders.
3. Secular Business Leadership through BIAs and direct visits.
4. Hospitals and Health Centres (UHN, CAMH, etc).
5. Schools, Universities & Libraries.
6. Police, Fire, EMS and Canadian Forces.
7. Other NGOs. (Habitat For Humanity, etc)

Many initial indicators of the church amalgamation all point towards beneficial results for the faithful “flocks” and the broader community because two churches choose creative partnership through crisis.  Come by and experience worship among us one of these autumn Sundays at 10:30am!  I hope that the newly merged churches can carry out more for the Gospel as one new community together than we could as two independent communities.  I am enjoying the teammates in the staff and the opportunity to specialize in an area of passion and gifting!  During the transition, I have been praying the following Biblical benedictions as pastoral “wish-hopes” for all people who are interested, impacted and involved in the positive changes:

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:5-7

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13

“May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” – Romans 15:33

Thanks for reading my reflections on my new ministry role and recent Ordination in this edition of the RumBlog.

Blessings,
Adam aka Reverend Rumball, Pastor of Community Outreach and Institutional Chaplaincy.

We chose not to BBQ burgers, but order pizza for the wet, willing workers.

A special highlight for me was meeting & welcoming the partner family to the neighbourhood with a hug.

I learned that I am pretty handy with a hammer stapler (depicted below).

I used a few puns to keep morale high.

I was happy to see some 20-30 community activists and neighbours our to build with the family.

The team photos were a lot of fun!

Special thanks to Enloe Wilson for inviting High Park Baptist Church to be a part of this special community build day!

OYEE!!

Related articles

• Let’s build a home and hope in Roncesvalles together with Habitat For Humanity (adamrumball.com)

Build a home in Roncesvalles and hope in a family!

On Saturday, Sept. 8, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Habitat for Humanity Toronto will host a Roncesvalles Community Build day at 96 Ritchie Ave. – and you are invited!  Only a 5 minutes walk from our church building (400m)is a great opportunity for you to get involved in meaningful community service project.  Community outreach is important plus it feels good to build something meaningful together! Join me at this and share this opportunity with your network in Toronto. Click here for the Ritchie Build Day Invite PDF.

Important and Urgent sign-up details: All  those interested in participating should RSVP to Habitat for Humanity Toronto’s ewilson@torontohabitat.ca or 416-755-7353 ext. 242. Please note: Volunteer spots are limited, so RSVP soon!

The organization invites local residents, businesses and faith groups to come swing a hammer along with the family who will live there, greeting them to the neighbourhood in a festive day of construction, camaraderie and…  a cookout!

High Park Baptist Church will barbeque at noon for the event. Food and beverages will be provided by Loblaws, also the site’s land donor. We need 5 people to help grill and up to 15 builders.

Community Build participation is free and no build experience is necessary. Habitat Toronto will provide all necessary training, as well as tooling and construction apparel. Habitat Toronto regrets it cannot accommodate build volunteers younger than 16. Youth, however, are invited to assist with a fundraising lemonade/bake sale during the event, proceeds of which would help fund the Ritchie build.

Let’s build something great together on September 8,

Enloe and Adam

Related Article: 96 Ritchie Ground Breaking Day with Gord Perks.

The 5Ws of reporting are traditionally known as who, what, when, where and why. Those are super-important Ws to consider  in reporting the facts of a story, but they are not what the ones I have in mind. We used a different 5Ws to improve our leadership communication at HPBC: worship, wins, walls, wants and warts. I want to publish these 5Ws as a tribute to all the present and past members of the HPBC Ministry Leadership Council (MLC) and the strategic plan we agreed to accomplish together.  Dear MLC, I think we got some meaningful things done towards the church ratified mandate and this tool helped us talk it through together towards a higher impact!

The story of the 5Ws goes like this.  As part of our strategic plan implementation at HPBC, we established the Ministry Leadership Council (MLC).  The MLC is like a church parliament composed of church department leaders.  I wanted this group to become a Higher Impact Team (HIT) at HPBC to operationalize the goals of our strategic plan through their task forces.  Each servant-leader on the MLC was a directly responsible individual (DRI) for reporting to and from their department at this forum.  Complex meetings like this needed leadership to communicate important mission information in an efficient and high trust format. The tool that I provided in order to enhance team communication is the powerful “5Ws” communication template. The 5Ws helped the MLC of DRIs at HPBC become a HIT.  I hope it helps your team too. Here you go:

WORSHIP: Remember God by prayerfully reflecting on a Biblical passage.  This information fosters humility, motivation, vitality and unity.

WINS: Celebrate success by reporting a few successful stories. This information fosters motivation and public speaking skills.

WALLS: Identify barriers to success by reporting a few frustrating facts.  This information fosters empathy and collaboration.

WANTS: Seek support in success by requesting a few helping hands. This information fosters trust and collaboration.

WARTS: Admit weakness with a few personal flaws. This information fosters humility and trust.

The 5Ws can make your team into a HIT - Higher Impact Team.   We did not get everything done that we wanted to on the plan.  We did not achieve our 15 mission goals entirely.  We did get some meaningful things done and increased the quality of communication across within and across our ministry departments.  I believe that joyful mission results were improved to the degree we practiced faith (Worship), celebrated success (Wins), identified barriers (Walls), sought collaboration (Wants) and admitted weakness (Warts).

Will the “5Ws” help your church or organizational leadership team build impact and trust this fall?  Start by providing the template in advance and asking everyone on the team to use 5 minutes to speak about their 5Ws.  If they do, then you will see the trust, collaboration and measurable results increase!  I believe teams improve through talking about worship, wins, walls, wants and warts.

The view from on top of Santis Mountain. This was my first ever mountain ascent.

I had high expectations of Switzerland. It has exceeded my expectations for rejuvenating experiences in every way. Calvin and Zwingli’s churches were inspirational and impressive.  The landscapes of buildings and mountains, lakes and rivers, towns and villages, vineyards and rolling hills were all very lush and  tranquil.  Many thanks to my host family for generously facilitating  many memorable events.

The plan for this sabbatical month of July is touring beautiful and historic European cities using a Eurail Global Pass. You may know that from talking with me or from reading my last post on Italy. Well that plan is going well, so far. Observing the beautiful landscapes, visiting church history sites plus strolling through urban centres has been both invigorating and devotional. Here is some detail about my sabbatical experiences in Switzerland from July 8-16.

Swiss Landscape Sites: Geneva, Zurich, Luzern, Stein am Rhine, Saint Gallon, Fraunfeld, etc.

Landscapes I saw included:

1. The Alps.  I arrived by train from Milan through Chiasso to Zürich during a sunny afternoon.  The Swiss rail system is the perfect way to see the stunning landscapes of the Swiss Alps. They have dramatically steep mountains slashing into broad blue lakes.  The Alps are very different mountains ranges than our Canadian Rockies, which appear broadly wide, but less sharply vertical.
2. Mount Säntis (2500m) ascent by cable car.  This was my first mountain ascent and is pictured above from a photos that day.  I also pet two cows at the bottom of the hill.  They had loud cowbells.
3. Rhinefalls: Europe’s biggest waterfall and flows at 600m3/second.
4. Stählibuckturm.
5. Scenic driving tours through many Swiss Cantons including Appenzell, Shaffhausen, Thurgau, Zurich, Luzern, Saint Gallen.  Each of the 25 Canton’s has distinctive architectural features in their homes and fascinating histories, like the peaceful separation of Catholics and Protestant citizens in Appenzell.
6. Day trip to Luzern.  We walked the city, took nice photos, had a peaceful lakeside lunch with a view of the mountains, the KKL building’s impressive roof, the covered bridge and the lovely old hotels.  Luzern is such a charming town. I also enjoyed seeing the two Catholic churches, the glacier museum and the Lion monument (Löwendenkmal) to the fallen soldier’s of the Swiss Guard.
7. One day, we took a day trip into the forest to help build a roof over a brookside cabin’s fireplace and then enjoyed  long, relaxing lunch of fine Swiss hospitality in the sunshine.  The joy of eating together after this forest building project will remain as a special memory.

Geneva and Zurich have beautiful landscapes too, but my first focus in those cities was to explore the church history sites of Calvin and Zwingli.

Swiss Church History Sites: John Calvin in Geneva.

One day, I made a 4hr train trip to the lovely lakeside city of Geneva to see Church History sites of the Reformation including John Calvin’s church called Geneva Cathedral (St-Pierre), Geneva, the Reformation Monument, The Reformation Museum and Auditoire de Calvin, Geneva.  All 4 are within 5 minutes walk.  3 of them are in buildings that are nearly touching each other.  The Reformation Museum was very educational and had many engaging displays. As a city, Geneva has nice waterfront walkways and a tall and narrow fountain.  French was commonly spoken, which is nice for a Canadian to hear.  I travelled, by train, through Lausanne. This is where the World Evangelization Conference was held.  Check out more on what Sacred Destinations reports about Geneva and Church history.

Swiss Church History Sites: Ulrich Zwingli in Zürich.

In  Zürich, I saw church history sites of the Reformation  including Yülrich Zwingli’s church called Grossmünster, plus Fraumünster and St. Peterskirche. The city has many nice walking areas including the University, Neirdorf and the River walk into Bellevue.

What comes after Switzerland?

After Switzerland, I plan to see Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Kracow, Berlin (Wittenburg), Brügges and Amsterdam before returning on August 2nd to Toronto. Many of the Church history sites that I plan to visit in each place are described and photographed in the website www.sacred-destinations.com. They organize entries by destination city and country.  For example, I want to see Wittenburg and the Bible Museum.

May God bless you all with faith, hope and love in Christ.

See you in August.

Peace,

Adam

Related articles

• Zurich and Zwingli: The people’s priest in Zurich and his contribution to the Reformation. (atwistedcrownofthorns.com)
• Why John Calvin refused to model government after the kingdom of God or of Israel (matthewtuininga.wordpress.com)
• The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism for Kids (reformedreader.wordpress.com)
• Zwingli’s Daily Schedule (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
• Zurich and Zwingli: The people’s priest in Zurich and his contribution to the Reformation. (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
• The Reformation Week Conference in Germany and Switzerland. (atwistedcrownofthorns.com)
•  http://www.christianity.com/ChurchHistory/11629963/
• http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/theologians/calvin.html
• http://christianity.about.com/od/presbyteriandenomination/a/John-Calvin.htm
• http://www.reformationtours.com/site/490868/page/629487
• Switzerland 101: What You Need to Know About The Country of Switzerland, Along with a Recipe for Mailaenderli for Lagniappe (trifter.com)
• Sabbatical Impressions from Italy: Hearing the Pope in Rome and other fun stuff. (adamrumball.com)

June 30-July 8: Rome, Florence, Venice and Trieste.

Italy has fountains, public squares, museums, churches, heat, stylish people and delicious food, like the buffalo mozzarella and tomato pizzas.

Venice was nice, but too touristy for my taste. However, I enjoyed the strolls through narrow streets and day trips for swimming at Lido and Trieste.  I had a peaceful dinner by myself on the grand canal one night and watched the romantic gondolas go by, along with water taxis and public transit boats.  I bought a T-shirt from the Venice site of the Hard Rock Cafe, which is near St. Mark’s Basilica and square.  I found it fun and unique that gondolas could pull up in front and drop you off at this Hard Rock Cafe.  If Venice was a slight disappointment, then Florence was a nice surprise.

Florence’s museums, such as the Uffizi, are amazing. The David, by Michelangelo, was impressive. I will never forget the 15 minute description and interpretation given to us by our tour guide as we viewed the magnificent form.  The highlight of my time in Florence was a bicycle tour that our group took from 9-11pm over the river’s many bridges during a full moon. Florence is the Renaissance-textile capital, but Rome is the historical-religious centre.

In Rome, the highlight for me was being in the front row to hear the Pope address the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.  I had just exited the tour of the immaculate St. Peter’s Basilica tour and then walked into the front row of the audience who had gathered to hear his last speech of the summer (before he went into summer residence for 2 months).  He spoke at 12:20pm on Sunday July 1.  Attending such a religious event at the Vatican was a fun way to spend my 2012 Canada Day.  What impressed me most about hearing the Pope read a Latin blessings and then translate it into many languages from his little window was the responsiveness of the crowd.  They shouted adulation  to the Pope such as “Long live Papa” and “We love you Papa”. He waved his hands gently and, I assume, affection for the people. It was like being front row centre at a U2 concert when Bono is connecting with the crowd and singing “Where the Streets have no name“.  It was electric with spiritual emotion.  Now, I am not a Roman Catholic Christian, but I did shed a single tear at the affection displayed between the man and his international flock.  It reminded me of Jesus Christ and his love for the Global Church, which we become a part of by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. A sad aside is that because of all the excitement of the Pope-moment, I forgot to see the Sistine Chapel before I left the sovereign territory of the Vatican City.

I was also impressed by the Pantheon.

Look for my next post on the Sabbatical time in Switzerland.  Thanks for reading.  See you soon.

Related articles

• Our day in Venice – Venice, Italy (travelpod.com)
• Florence to Venice including Verona – Verona, Italy (travelpod.com)
• Ah Venezia – Venice, Italy (travelpod.com)

I need to finish my Ordination Paper. This is a written statement of what I believe about major categories of theology. It is a requirement for ordination as a Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Pastor (FEB)Pastor. Ordination, to me, is a really special process of the local church blessing me with the subjective affirmation of being a called and competent minister as well as a legal credential from our religious order for acting as an agent of the Ontario government during weddings. Once the paper is done, a council will evaluate me on everything and hopefully set a date for an Ordination Service in late June. I have seen a few ordination services in the last years and they are special events! Once I have a date, I will invite you to celebrate God’s goodness at HPBC! Please pray for the meaningful culmination of this beautiful and challenging process.

This summer, I look forward with hope to my Ordination, Conferences and a Sabbatical so I am ready to embrace my role in the exciting stuff God has planned for many people during this coming fall ministry season in the Parkdale-High Park neighbourhoods and the precious city of Toronto!

Related articles

• My Present, Personal, Pastoral Perspective on HPBC Possibilities. (adamrumball.com)
• My Sabbatical Adventure (gobeyondblog.com)
• High Park + Westminster? 7 pictures of prospective ministry partners praying together. (adamrumball.com)
• I’m Taking A Sabbatical From My Blog (stevensawyer.wordpress.com)
• Pastor’s Conference 2012 (tgcatlanticcanada.com)

During personal distress of work changes, moving house, relational conflict, physical and mental illness it is comforting to know that God the Father (Matthew 6) will soothe our souls with his love, as a mother nurses and protects her children.  Mother’s can relate to this imagery.  The Bible uses the analogy of motherhood to describe God the Father’s love for us during distress so we learn about the character of God and motherhood.

Here are 4 passages that I shared with the church on Mother’s Day:

1. Psalm 131:2. David’s soul was like a weened child in prayer relationship with God.
2. Isaiah 66:7-12. God promises the hope of satisfying abundance for his distressed people like a child who is nursed, carried n Mom’s hip and bounced on her knee. Read the imagery of verse 11-12!
3. Matthew 23:37-39. Jesus longs to protect and shelter God’s people, as a mother hen gather’s her chicks.  Now Jesus is not a hen, but it is an analogy of God’s the Father’s motherly heart through the ministry of God the Son.
4. 1 Thessalonians 2:7. God’s ministry to the church, through the Apostle Paul, was like the motherly gentleness of a nursing mother. In verse 11-12 of the same chapter, Paul’s ministry is balanced by the characterization of fatherly guidance.

On Mother’s Day, my Mom was present for the sermon and we went out for brunch at a nostalgic restaurant.  In both settings, I was grateful to have the opportunity to thank my Mom for her love over the years. She has given me the experiences over time that enables me to better understand this side of God’s character.  Good mothers glorify God’s character in words and deeds! Thanks for your comfort over the years Mom.

If you are reading this and wonder whether God’s arms of love are open for you to receive his love, then you need only to look to Jesus on the cross.  There he spread his arms wide for all to see that God’s love is available to any who come to him and seek refuge there. He quiets the greatest distress of sin’s guilt through making an atoning sacrifice for us.  What a comfort to know he died and rose again for me.  Jesus’ arms are open wide for us.  Will we find solace there?  I hope and pray that the motherly love of God the Father becomes a deep comfort to your soul during your distress.

Related articles

• God’s Motherly Love (artofsabbath.wordpress.com)
• God – our Father and Mother (chrisjacksononline.net)
• Mother’s Day (deaconcast.com)

Funerals are important times to aid the processes of grieving and teaching.

I tried to be brief (7-10 mins not my normal 45-55min) and clear to benefit the audience and occasion.

I started by suggesting that on this occasion, they may be wondering, “What will happen to me after I die?”

I stated that my intention was to explaining the Christian hope as the resurrection of believers to eternal life with God, modelled by Jesus himself and offered to them.

I read and explained John 11:25-27:

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:22-23

…knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. – 2 Corinthians 4:14

Do you believe this? Martha and I do. I hope the whole congregation and all of you do too!

Do you know what will happen to you after you die? I hope you share the Christian hope of resurrection to eternal life!

Cheming and Marion led HPBC in a great outreach day!

Today was a great day of stepping out in faith to bless our neighbourhood through service and conversation then reflecting on the experiences as a group. Cheming is our Food and Clothing Bank Director. Marion is our Intercultural Initiaves Director. They are a dynamic ministry couple whom God has used to help churches overcome barriers in the way of them fulfilling their God-given desire in reaching out. They have been residents of this local Roncesvalles area for over 28 years!

Schedule of Activities:

10am-12pm: 9 people walked 2 out of 4 planned prayer routes around our neighbourhoods. The goal was to lovingly connect with our neighbours through conversation, service and general visual observation. We prayed for neighbours we met as we picked up garbage and prayer walked the planned routes. It was fun to be active outside together for a good goal!

12-1pm: When we returned to the church, we swaped stories and initial impressions over lunch. My mom and I picked up lunch from Village Bakery, one local donor of food to our Food and Clothing Bank. It was nice to eat with the people who had just reached out together. There was a sense of team solidarity as we shared meal after serving together in the cold spring weather.

1-3pm: 15 people joined the discussion time to de-brief the experience and discuss personal “burdens and barriers” to personally extending Christ’s freeing love to the spiritually hungry. We reflected on biblical passages, personal stories and guided reflection questions. The numerous questions and passages could be blog posts in and of themselves.

My personal highlights were 1. my direct conversations with numerous neighbours on Dundas and in Sorauren Park as well as 2. knowing that our church was stepping out in faith together in order to bless our neighbours. I believe we pleased God with these steps of love and faith together.

Tomorrow 10:30am: Join us at 1030am tomorrow for an outreach training message from John 4 followed by more discussion groups afterwards.

This was a soul-satisfying day of integrity for me and many others because we extended Christ’s freeing love to the spiritually hungry.

May God give us many more resources and opportunities do impact lives in High Park neighbourhoods.

An electoral map of our neighbourhoods.

4 prayer walk route maps plus garbage bags and gloves to pick up garbage.

9 High Parkers planning our 4 prayer walk routes. This means asking God's spiritual and practical blessing on people we see in our 'hoods.

Picking up garbage and chatting with neighbours behind the Sorauren Dog Park, near the train track fence.

Marion leading us in discussion and reflection on our individual and group learning experiences of the day.

Cheming is telling a personal story about overcoming barriers to friendships.

Group discussions about personal barriers and burdens to reaching out.

Related articles

• When and How to Pray for Spiritual Strength from Ephesians 3:14-21. The POP method. (adamrumball.com)

Dear RumBloggers,

As I have posted on previously, High Park Baptist Church (HPBC) is exploring options, including a merquisition with Westminster Chapel (WC). Norm and I made up the combo-term “merquisition”.

Here is a photoblog update on what it looked like as the boards and staffs of HPBC and WC bowed their heads in reverence for Jesus and spoke their hearts to the Father in the unity and power of the Holy Spirit.   The event included name tags for a meet and greet, building tour for vision casting and deeply meaningful prayer together (as pictured below).  Initial impressions from tonight’s event were strong and positive. The purpose was to explore the possibility of merging churches for greater gospel impact here in Toronto, centred at 9 Hewitt Ave.  In due course, this may prove to have be an important event is a historic process of merging two faith families in to one blended family.  There are many pros and cons. Many opportunities and challenges to be realistically assessed and prayerfully discerned.  If there are circumstances that could be negotiated in which we can be better for God together than we could be apart, then super.  If not, we want to perceive that ahead of time. Change is part of growth! Pray for us we reflect and seek God’s vision together. There were observational comments made that indicate perception of natural chemistry, good will, sincere faith and dynamic hope.

This process is teaching me leadership lessons about unity.  One is that it is important to have united, respectful and honest communication among all interested parties, at appropriate levels and times in the process.  Reflective conversation (with God and each other) helps maximize the collaborative power of respect and reduces destructive conflict potential.  The sentiment is represented by what Dr. David Robinson prayed last night from Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers (AND SISTERS) dwell in unity!”.

Related articles

• My Present, Personal, Pastoral Perspective on HPBC Possibilities. (adamrumball.com)
• Exciting News on Future Possibilities for High Park Baptist Church. (adamrumball.com)
• Early Spring in High Park (hangkit.wordpress.com)
• High Park Zoo could be saved by last-minute mystery donation (thestar.com)
• 2 Pictures of HPBC and WC leaders praying together (highparkbaptist.org)

What is important to us? Our church views this intersection and building to be central to our identity. We desire for God to fill this building through our personal evangelism and outreach to the area. We desire to disciple those whom God brings our way. We have ministry departments that reflect our sensitivity to our environment’s demographics. We are a loyal and kind people, like a family. The long term members and central staff (paid and unpaid) are highly esteemed and very involved in the decisions we make on important matters. We know these present decisions are to be made with great reverence for our past and future. We want continuity and comfort, yet are willing to step out in faith if it is the will of God. God is clear in Scripture that our greatest joy comes from stepping out in faith and trusting his promises.  We can experience great things, which he has planned to have happen if we work in the Spirit for the fame of his name.

At present, I believe the leaders and congregation may be leaning towards a merger with Westminster Chapel’s mission, staff, resources and congregation. Having said that, we have only begun to explore and there is much research to be done.  To use a hockey analogy: that is not a final score, but a report after the first period of play. Discernment experiences remain for us (board, staff, members, congregation) to be had before we can bring you a motion to formally and legal negotiate an action plan on an option. Please continue to uphold in prayer the long term, best interests of the Lord Jesus’ Kingdom, our precious congregation, the unique city of Toronto and these lovely local neighbours.  Change is a sign of health, but it will bring personal price to be paid. God’s dream for us will involve discomfort, like trying to cross your arms a different way. It will not be easy or automatic.  Faith adventures never are.  We need to count the costs and weigh the options then make a decision in faith for his fame. It will be very exciting to walk by faith together into the future God has in mind! As always, we need God’s wisdom for decision making. We need wisdom from God to know what he wants us to do so that we can walk by faith into his dreams for us, our church and our city so that the nations and generations to come may be blessed by the gospel ministry we are entrusted with.

Our Mission, Values and Goals are clear.  Together, we now seek God’s vision for how it will look and the resources to accomplish what he has already called us to do and be.  Will it be a developer or a partner or we just get a revival internally?  Only God knows, so we ask him to lead us in unity into his preferred future.

Related articles

• Exciting News on Future Possibilities for High Park Baptist Church. (adamrumball.com)
• Join us in seeking God’s wisdom for our church’s future possibilities (highparkbaptist.org)

My retreat in Dallas was delightful!  Sporting events and concert, seminary retreat and research, sun burns in 80 degrees heat and soul-comfort-food in southern hospitality!  I went with my good friend Brian, who had a conference for the Canadian branch of Compassion International in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  While he was at his Compassion conference, I took in classes and chapels at Dallas Theological Seminary.  The teaching, the weather, the food, the people: they all worked together to refresh my mind.  In the evenings we took in sporting events and Texan foods. Here are some pics, reflections and video from one chapel.

1. Upgraded Spiritual Retreat at Dallas Theological Seminary.

I took in an upgraded serving of excellent teaching through the classes and chapels at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS).  I thank God for the opportunity to listen to and talk with Dr. Bock, Dr. Bingham, Dr. Warren as well as many current and prospective students (Patrick, Jonathan and Jessica, et al.) and staff (Marnie, Josiah, Emily, et al.).  At Friday’s chapel, Chuck Swindoll talked about the importance of cultivating close friendships to survive the loneliness and sorrow of success.  Please watch the embedded video link below.  Many of Chuck’s ideas apply to my life and might do to yours as well.  I appreciate the loyal love of my family, close friends and a few fellow Christians on mission.  You know who you are! I am so thankful to friends who have double my joy and divided my grief.  Brian was a great friend to me during this week.  We had many great talks.  Thanks Brian! I am thankful to my best friend, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for my sin and rose again to give me eternal life now and forever.  I trust him as my rock and refuge during despair and lament seasons of the past and future.  Jesus is the ultimate friend.

Click here for Swindoll on Friendship: http://media.dts.edu/i/?MediaItemID=bce7b454-89ec-41d3-9368-d76aca64cfeb

2.  Upgraded Sporting Events at American Airlines Centre and Cowboy Stadium.

One of the themes of our trip was upgrades. We got upgraded seats at the Dallas Mavericks game (18 rows back from the court) and Stars’ game.  Upgraded seats to the Rodeo at Cowboy Stadium so that we were close enough to get dirt kicked on us by the bulls.  We got upgraded field passes for the Dierks Bentley concert. We got an upgraded hotel room.  We got an upgraded rental car.  Everything is upgraded bigger in Texas!  I hope this won’t be “Dallas” time I get to the Lone Star State. Yehaw, that was refreshing fun!

You are faint-hearted from sufferings of serving the Lord (Ephesians 3:13).

The darkness of doubt closes in on your emotions.

You feel powerless to change circumstances.

How do you pray for strength? Here is the POP method I invented.

1. Pick it. Select a passage on prayer or a topic you are experiencing.  You can find these using the tools found in the back of most translations or from experience with previous readings that you have recorded.  For example, look at a passage I preached on recently: Ephesians 3:14-21 copied below from the English Standard Version.
2. Observe it. Read it with an eye for attributes of the Triune God (Father, Son, Spirit) and the promises in the passages.
3. Pray it. Ask that those promises become actualized and those attributes are recognized in your life.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength (Ephesians 3:14-21)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

What response does that beautiful prayer evoke from your soul?

Here are some responses of mine.  Please pray them for me too, in support of God’s work in me and others.

• Heavenly Father, I know you hear me as I kneel and pray.
• Heavenly Father, help me comprehend of the expansive love of Christ, which is like an ocean, enveloping me.
• Christ, teach me your love for me so that your way of love can overflow from my heart.
• Holy Spirit, fill me and empower me.
• Heavenly Father, strengthen me by the Holy Spirit, in my inner being because this is consistent with your rich glory.
• Heavenly Father, root me and ground me in Christ’s love so I can be filled to your fullness of character.
• Heavenly Father, I believe that you are abundantly able to do more than we can ask, dream, think, plan or imagine.
• Heavenly Father, use Christ in me as an instrument of your glory in the church for generations.
• Triune God, give me spiritual strength to know your love and power at work in me when I am discouraged, faint-hearted, doubting or powerless.

Next time you need spiritual strength POP a passage on prayer, like Ephesians 3:14-21!

Related articles

• Here’s a Prayer That Will Change Your Day – Ephesians 3:16-21 (dianneguthmuller.com)
• Women in the Word Wednesday ~ Ephesians week 2 (bonesinmyheart.wordpress.com)
• Praying through Ephesians 3 (veritasmizzou.wordpress.com)
• Praying “Enough” (beamuses.com)

This past Sunday I talked about “calling”.  In Christianity, the word is used often, but requires definition.  The root word is the same root as voice.  We get vocation from the root word. I define a calling as a distinct and personal divine invitation to redemptive faith action that couldn’t be clearer if it was a text message or phone call.  I asked the congregation if they have discerned what God was calling them to do?  I explained the Apostle Paul’s calling to reveal the mystery of God in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unreached Gentiles. Read about it in Ephesians 3:1-2 & 7-10.  One piece of supporting material I used was from John Polhill‘s chapter in Preparing for Christian Ministry called “Towards a Biblical View of Call”.  It it he lists 6 types of call after the general call to salvation.

The Call: Some Biblical Examples – by John Polhill

1. The Dramatic Call: Exodus 3:1-6, Isaiah 6:1-8, Ezekiel 1, Acts 22:6-21, Luke 1:26-38
2. The Reluctant Call: Jeremiah 20:7-10, 14-18, Jonah, Exodus 4:1-17, Isaiah 6:6-7, 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
3. The Family-Influenced Call: 1 Samuel 1-3, Luke 1:5-23 & 67-80; Mark 3:21, John 7:5
4. The Community Call: 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:5, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 & 14:32
5. The Redefined Call: Acts 6:1-6
6. The Misdirected Call: Mark 5:1-20

Do you know what God is calling you to do?  When he invites you to join him, go for it.  Jesus said, “Follow Me!” first salvation and then into ministry.  I hope you hear his voice invite you to join him in a special role of redemptive action.  May you experience joy and fruitfulness in your calling.  May God use you as a custom made tool in his kingdom work.

• What is your calling?
• How did/will you discern it?
• Has it developed over time?
• Have you ever prayed, asking God to call you into ministry?
• Ask someone about your calling!

Related articles

• A Call to Ministry (hillsbiblechurch.org)
• My Top 10 personal devotional themes with Bible verses from 2011 plus a prayer verse for 2012. (adamrumball.com)

What are the new opportunities at High Park?

Well, recent facts from my workplace circumstances have the potential to impact this city of Toronto and local neighbourhoods of Parkdale-High Park for generations and on into eternity. It is an exciting time to be a leader seeking to move people onto God’s agenda!

Please read, share, pray and advocate.  Thank you.

HPBC’s Mandate to Prayerfully Explore All Future Vision Possibilities.

Related articles

• 1 Mission, 4 Values, 15 Goals: Laying our strategic plan tracks at High Park Baptist Church (adamrumball.com)

Jan 14 Toronto Star Article: http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/nfl/article/1115341–denver-broncos-tim-tebow-inspires-toronto-pastor

15 Things I like about Tebow: http://adamrumball.com/2012/01/11/15-things-i-like-about-tim-tebow-ideas-for-torontonians-about-faith-life-workplace-and-celebrities/

Jan 15th Tebow Talk: http://www.highparkbaptist.org/?p=1173

Mentions:

India Times: http://oneclick.indiatimes.com/article/03XB87k80ze4c

Black Christian News: http://www.blackchristiannews.com/canada/2012/01/toronto-pastor-inspired-by-tim-tebow-will-preach-courage-challenge-on-sunday.html