This is a hard topic to address as it challenges our preconceptions. My pray is that it would allow us to see what God might be doing and how it might be different than we would have thought. Again, it isn’t an either/or. We need new methods to prepare young men and women from Canada to serve in the church (I am working really hard at this and am a huge proponent of it), but God also seems to be drawing people to Canada in unpredicted numbers to be trained in our seminaries; men and women with their families who feel called to serve in Canada. Maybe God is bringing the nations to Canada not just to be reached but to also be part of the reaching.

Thanks, Larry. Systemic and substantive change is always difficult. It always take more time and effort than one thinks. Blessings, friend!

After 45 years at this, can’t help but notice how most of our changes are more window dressing than substance. We change names, labels, and images, but are we really connecting? As much as I like “He Gets Us”, is it really much different from the “Why” campaign of the ‘80’s & ‘90’s?

In a recent article, Andy Johnson, theologian & NT commentator, is talking about the Roman empire’s “imperial drive toward cultural homogeneity that make ruling diverse peoples easier” (Journal of Theological Interpretation 15 [2] 2021, p. 260). The last part of your blog reminds me why embracing diversity in ministry is such a tough call. Ministry in the 2nd decade of the 21st C is nuanced & complex, hence hard (1 Cor 15:10). Are we working hard at the right things? Homogeneity, monolithic ministry, and unilateral decisions are so much easier.