The recent crash of a Lufthansa jet has caused many experts to question the aspect of confidentiality when it comes to the mental health of their pilots. As a chaplain I find this a very interesting and necessary discussion and one that has no easy answers.
The co-pilot of this flight that crashed into the French Alps, was by all reports, suffering from depression. He had been to doctors and presumably a psychiatrist as recently as this week. So the question that many are asking is a simple one: why did Lufthansa not know about this man's condition? The Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians, includes a section about confidentiality. These doctors who had been treating this pilot would appear to have taken this oath seriously and not divulged this information to the man's employer. There is speculation that the pilot might have lied about his profession and as such, the doctors had no idea of the danger he potentially posed to others.
For the sake of this argument, let's assume the doctors did know that this man was a pilot, flying 35, 000 feet in the air with as many as 150 passengers. Where does confidentially end and common sense take over?
As a chaplain, one of the most crucial aspects of our profession, is the ability to maintain confidentiality when someone confides in us. In that sense we are no different than physicians. As chaplains however, we make it clear that if we feel the individual confiding in us is a threat to others or himself, we will report it. It is sometimes a difficult decision to make if it may cost someone their job or even worse. As a chaplain I have another recourse and that is to refer the person to a medical professional, before deciding what actions to take. The idea being: more than one opinion.
I have dealt with individuals who seemed to be dealing with depression and found that the situation didn't meet the criteria for clinical depression. Some however, if I felt I could not help effectively, I passed on to someone who could based on their training. In this process however, confidentiality was maintained until it was determined if there was a risk to others. Of course, depression isn't the only condition that needs monitoring in a work place. As a chaplain the range of issues can range from marital problems to addiction to the potential of domestic violence. Each of these can affect the performance of an employee in the workplace and always has the potential of endangering the lives of those around them.
As the life of this pilot becomes clearer, there can be a danger of over reacting. PTSD is an issue that first responders and military personnel struggle with daily. The minute confidentiality is threatened, these individuals will be forced to continue to suffer in silence. All the efforts to make it easier for these folks to get the help they need, will be compromised should confidentiality be removed in the process. To me, common sense needs to come into play. Some will say that depression is easy to recognize but that is certainly not the case unless you are looking for it. There are signs to look for and there are several helpful tips to be found on how to do that. Just google the words "depression test" if you are interested. Be careful with this because symptoms can sometimes be attributed to lack of sleep or something quite harmless.
Lufthansa may very well face huge lawsuits due to this crash but it may depend on what they knew. Is it possible the doctors might be held liable for not informing Lufthansa? This has already caused several airlines who didn't already have the policy, to change protocol and now always have 2 pilots or a pilot and crew member in the cockpit.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
PTSD and Chaplains
I have been reading articles and attending conferences over the past few years on the topic of PTSD. I have occasionally sent off letters to those who have organized these conferences and written the articles, with the hope that perhaps one of them will consider my suggestion when it comes to getting help for sufferers of PTSD.
I was a pastor for 14 years and a missionary for 2 years. Since then my attention has turned to chaplaincy and working with those outside the church community. While I was a pastor, I was also a police chaplain for a few years. I did regular ride-alongs in Toronto and have had training in CISM, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and dealing with Family & Work Violence. As a pastor I dealt with situations where a large family lost their home to fire and where a young child died when the father accidentally caused his death. As a chaplain with the police, I counselled a cop that several years earlier had been the first officer at a call where a fellow officer lay dying: he had never received counselling of any kind 7 years later.
This blog is not intended to point fingers at anyone but my hope is that someone who has the ability to make things happen, will seriously consider my thoughts.
First Responders deal with horrific scenes on a regular basis but the accumulation of these events, sometimes just one or two, are known to cause PTSD. I am not an expert on the subject so that is not the angle that I am writing from. My thoughts centre around those suffering from PTSD in silence, that are afraid to seek out help. The question that I am asking is simple: are the experts really doing everything they can to help?
Although things have gradually improved in upper management, there is still the battle that rages throughout the ranks of first responders. There is still a stigma attached despite the best efforts of organizations like Tema Conter: the lingering thought of how one will be perceived if they reveal a struggle with PTSD?
Most would agree that every and any tool should be used to help these men and women and yet there is a hesitation when it comes to the spiritual side of things. Psychologists and peer counselling are vital to the recovery process but how do we get these individuals to that stage? I believe the issue of confidentiality plays a huge role in this process but I also believe the Employee Assistance Program can't be the only resource being utilized. Having worked with cops, I know that there is still a distrust associated with most EAP's. It may very well be totally unfounded but it remains. In my opinion there needs to be a buffer or a conduit between the first responder and the professional help they need. This is where I believe chaplains need to be equipped to serve in a more meaningful way than is offered today in most Police, Fire and EMS stations.
Confidentiality is the basis of chaplaincy. The idea being that a first responder should be able to approach any chaplain with any issue they face in life, including PTSD, and not fear that management will find out. With EAP, that is not always a guarantee, at least in the eyes of those seeking help. Whether you agree with this assessment or not is not the point: if it is even a possibility, what is management doing to deal with it? What is the EAP doing to make it easier for those suffering from PTSD to come to them?
Let me put some meat on these bones that I have thrown out there. The role of a chaplain has often been more ceremonial than anything else. They pray at graduations and retirement parties and do the occasional ride-along. There may be one chaplain for a service of 500 men and women and then a few "multi-faith" chaplains that seldom build relationships and trust with those they "chaplain". However, what if these various services hired several chaplains for first responders. They can even be volunteer chaplains but men and women that would be given access to first responders on a daily basis. These chaplains would need to be better trained to identify PTSD but more importantly, they need to be chaplains and not preachers. It is about building trust so those suffering from PTSD or other issues, feel totally safe approaching the chaplain.
This is where the process begins but does not end.
It would be made very clear to all first responders that management will never be told individual names of those seeking help. Management would receive regular reports that indicate numbers only, but no names. This would alleviate two potential problems: the first responder will be directed to the EAP or other agency and management will have numbers to justify the continued assistance and confidentiality provided to first responders.
I believe this should be made available to past and present members of any service. We know that there are many men and women suffering from PTSD that have retired. They should obviously not be forgotten should they reach out for help.
Again, I am not an expert on PTSD but I do believe this is a tool that is not being used properly today. I hope that the right people read this and that action is taken.
I was a pastor for 14 years and a missionary for 2 years. Since then my attention has turned to chaplaincy and working with those outside the church community. While I was a pastor, I was also a police chaplain for a few years. I did regular ride-alongs in Toronto and have had training in CISM, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and dealing with Family & Work Violence. As a pastor I dealt with situations where a large family lost their home to fire and where a young child died when the father accidentally caused his death. As a chaplain with the police, I counselled a cop that several years earlier had been the first officer at a call where a fellow officer lay dying: he had never received counselling of any kind 7 years later.
This blog is not intended to point fingers at anyone but my hope is that someone who has the ability to make things happen, will seriously consider my thoughts.
First Responders deal with horrific scenes on a regular basis but the accumulation of these events, sometimes just one or two, are known to cause PTSD. I am not an expert on the subject so that is not the angle that I am writing from. My thoughts centre around those suffering from PTSD in silence, that are afraid to seek out help. The question that I am asking is simple: are the experts really doing everything they can to help?
Although things have gradually improved in upper management, there is still the battle that rages throughout the ranks of first responders. There is still a stigma attached despite the best efforts of organizations like Tema Conter: the lingering thought of how one will be perceived if they reveal a struggle with PTSD?
Most would agree that every and any tool should be used to help these men and women and yet there is a hesitation when it comes to the spiritual side of things. Psychologists and peer counselling are vital to the recovery process but how do we get these individuals to that stage? I believe the issue of confidentiality plays a huge role in this process but I also believe the Employee Assistance Program can't be the only resource being utilized. Having worked with cops, I know that there is still a distrust associated with most EAP's. It may very well be totally unfounded but it remains. In my opinion there needs to be a buffer or a conduit between the first responder and the professional help they need. This is where I believe chaplains need to be equipped to serve in a more meaningful way than is offered today in most Police, Fire and EMS stations.
Confidentiality is the basis of chaplaincy. The idea being that a first responder should be able to approach any chaplain with any issue they face in life, including PTSD, and not fear that management will find out. With EAP, that is not always a guarantee, at least in the eyes of those seeking help. Whether you agree with this assessment or not is not the point: if it is even a possibility, what is management doing to deal with it? What is the EAP doing to make it easier for those suffering from PTSD to come to them?
Let me put some meat on these bones that I have thrown out there. The role of a chaplain has often been more ceremonial than anything else. They pray at graduations and retirement parties and do the occasional ride-along. There may be one chaplain for a service of 500 men and women and then a few "multi-faith" chaplains that seldom build relationships and trust with those they "chaplain". However, what if these various services hired several chaplains for first responders. They can even be volunteer chaplains but men and women that would be given access to first responders on a daily basis. These chaplains would need to be better trained to identify PTSD but more importantly, they need to be chaplains and not preachers. It is about building trust so those suffering from PTSD or other issues, feel totally safe approaching the chaplain.
This is where the process begins but does not end.
It would be made very clear to all first responders that management will never be told individual names of those seeking help. Management would receive regular reports that indicate numbers only, but no names. This would alleviate two potential problems: the first responder will be directed to the EAP or other agency and management will have numbers to justify the continued assistance and confidentiality provided to first responders.
I believe this should be made available to past and present members of any service. We know that there are many men and women suffering from PTSD that have retired. They should obviously not be forgotten should they reach out for help.
Again, I am not an expert on PTSD but I do believe this is a tool that is not being used properly today. I hope that the right people read this and that action is taken.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Book on Corporate Chaplaincy
After our recent breakfasts where we introduced both business owners and clergy to the idea of corporate chaplaincy, I felt we gained some traction in the marketplace. In this blog I want to put some "meat on the bones" and define more clearly what a workplace chaplain does. If you are a chaplain in a hospital or with the police or in a school, you might see some parallels but you will also see a difference. A hospital chaplain would not necessarily make a good workplace chaplain. An evangelist would not necessarily make a good chaplain. A member of a local church looking to "grow" their church would definitely not make a good workplace chaplain.
There are some church leaders that can see past their own denominational programs and initiatives but sadly (to me at least) they are few and far between. Some church leaders might even see this as something their church should become involved in as an "evangelistic tool". That is not what workplace chaplaincy is all about.
Let me begin by giving you a snapshot of a typical day in the life of this chaplain. I get paid by All Weather Windows to work 20 hours a week at our Mississauga plant. When I go in, I spend time walking around the plant and office area. I greet employees where I might get a few handshakes and a few fist to fist greetings. I acknowledge each employee with a wave, a smile and occasionally a few words. That initial walk through is primarily to let employees know that I am in. My office is right in the manufacturing part of our facility so I am visible. In the office I check emails and follow-up with issues from the previous day. I will meet with management from time to time but most of my time is spent with the employees. Too much time with management causes employees to back off because they think you are sharing personal information about them. That is despite the fact everything said to me is confidential. When I share anything with management it is minus names and it seldom occurs.
I will do a walk through at least 3 or 4 times a day. I linger a bit longer with some folks who might want to briefly discuss something with me. Those somethings range from things like immigration issues, marital problems, addiction problems, interpersonal tensions between employees, health related problems, and so on. As the chaplain I hear complaints about supervisors and about management and I report those in my monthly report that goes to management. Ownership and management understand and insist, that I never divulge the name of those who come to me. If I did, I would lose my job.
As the day goes on, I will occasionally make phone calls to agencies or to our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP). I will refer employees to other professionals if I feel I cannot adequately help the employee or family member who is seeking assistance. The odd time I will accompany an employee to the hospital in case of emergency and visit if they are admitted. I will officiate for weddings and funerals when asked to do so.
The key aspect of workplace chaplaincy is my ability to gain the trust of the employees. Our workplace has over 100 employees and they come from various cultural backgrounds. With time I have learned some things that are unique to each culture and that helps me to more effectively respond to the needs that arise.
I hope you have noticed the one thing I do not do as a former pastor and missionary: I do not preach at people! I do not try and get them to join my church! As Christian leaders hear this part, many tune out. In other words, if you are not about saving souls, I am not interested. That translates into: if this doesn't lead to people joining my church, I am not interested. Many of you might even agree with that sentiment. Let me try to "renew your mind".
I am a Christian who was a former pastor. All the employees know this truth. When they have spiritual questions, they come to me. I am then free to speak openly about my faith. I am a Christian presence in the marketplace that is accepted by Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Atheists and others. I have built relationships with these folks because I am honest with them and I have no hidden agenda. What I also know is that God opens doors when we make ourselves available to Him. If you think the best way to do that in your workplace is to put your largest Bible on your desk, then feel free to do so. I believe chaplaincy works much better.
I could come on here telling a lot of stories but some of those employees are reading this blog so I will protect their privacy. There are plenty of other things I do during those 20 hours a week, like leading the wellness program. Like introducing corporate chaplaincy to other business owners and clergy. Like identifying those of you who might consider being a workplace chaplain.
I know there are pastors out there who no longer want to pastor. I know how you feel. Contact me if you are interested in learning more. Perhaps you are a member in a church and feel some kind of calling on your life to ministry but there is nothing that grabs your heart. Maybe you are a business owner who wants to know more. Happy, healthy employees improves the productivity of any business. We have the statistics to prove chaplaincy works.
There are some church leaders that can see past their own denominational programs and initiatives but sadly (to me at least) they are few and far between. Some church leaders might even see this as something their church should become involved in as an "evangelistic tool". That is not what workplace chaplaincy is all about.
Let me begin by giving you a snapshot of a typical day in the life of this chaplain. I get paid by All Weather Windows to work 20 hours a week at our Mississauga plant. When I go in, I spend time walking around the plant and office area. I greet employees where I might get a few handshakes and a few fist to fist greetings. I acknowledge each employee with a wave, a smile and occasionally a few words. That initial walk through is primarily to let employees know that I am in. My office is right in the manufacturing part of our facility so I am visible. In the office I check emails and follow-up with issues from the previous day. I will meet with management from time to time but most of my time is spent with the employees. Too much time with management causes employees to back off because they think you are sharing personal information about them. That is despite the fact everything said to me is confidential. When I share anything with management it is minus names and it seldom occurs.
I will do a walk through at least 3 or 4 times a day. I linger a bit longer with some folks who might want to briefly discuss something with me. Those somethings range from things like immigration issues, marital problems, addiction problems, interpersonal tensions between employees, health related problems, and so on. As the chaplain I hear complaints about supervisors and about management and I report those in my monthly report that goes to management. Ownership and management understand and insist, that I never divulge the name of those who come to me. If I did, I would lose my job.
As the day goes on, I will occasionally make phone calls to agencies or to our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP). I will refer employees to other professionals if I feel I cannot adequately help the employee or family member who is seeking assistance. The odd time I will accompany an employee to the hospital in case of emergency and visit if they are admitted. I will officiate for weddings and funerals when asked to do so.
The key aspect of workplace chaplaincy is my ability to gain the trust of the employees. Our workplace has over 100 employees and they come from various cultural backgrounds. With time I have learned some things that are unique to each culture and that helps me to more effectively respond to the needs that arise.
I hope you have noticed the one thing I do not do as a former pastor and missionary: I do not preach at people! I do not try and get them to join my church! As Christian leaders hear this part, many tune out. In other words, if you are not about saving souls, I am not interested. That translates into: if this doesn't lead to people joining my church, I am not interested. Many of you might even agree with that sentiment. Let me try to "renew your mind".
I am a Christian who was a former pastor. All the employees know this truth. When they have spiritual questions, they come to me. I am then free to speak openly about my faith. I am a Christian presence in the marketplace that is accepted by Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Atheists and others. I have built relationships with these folks because I am honest with them and I have no hidden agenda. What I also know is that God opens doors when we make ourselves available to Him. If you think the best way to do that in your workplace is to put your largest Bible on your desk, then feel free to do so. I believe chaplaincy works much better.
I could come on here telling a lot of stories but some of those employees are reading this blog so I will protect their privacy. There are plenty of other things I do during those 20 hours a week, like leading the wellness program. Like introducing corporate chaplaincy to other business owners and clergy. Like identifying those of you who might consider being a workplace chaplain.
I know there are pastors out there who no longer want to pastor. I know how you feel. Contact me if you are interested in learning more. Perhaps you are a member in a church and feel some kind of calling on your life to ministry but there is nothing that grabs your heart. Maybe you are a business owner who wants to know more. Happy, healthy employees improves the productivity of any business. We have the statistics to prove chaplaincy works.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Did Somebody Knock?
Many of you have seen me on Facebook and Linkedin the past 2 weeks
promoting 2 events at the end of this month. I personally feel there is
an open door to the Christian community that is called Workplace
Chaplains. By the lack of response to these invitations I would guess
many of you don't feel too excited about this prospective open door.
In fact, it almost seems like the secular world is more interested in this than my Christian friends. Consider for a second where I have been a chaplain: with the Toronto Police Service and presently at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Probably less than 5% of the people working in these locations are what I would call church-going Christians. I work at a company 20 hours a week as a chaplain where the ratio is probably even less than that. I am a chaplain to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Atheists and others who are not Christians.
Then we come to clergy and Christian business leaders. A little slap on the wrist is called for if not a wake-up call. It reminds me of a story in Acts 12. A group of believers are gathered fervently praying for Peter to be released from prison when there is a knock at the door of the gate. The answer to their prayers is standing at the door and they don't believe it is really Peter. It is both hilarious and sad at the same time.
The Church has always wanted to be a witness in the workplace. Some think the best way to do this is by putting the largest Bible we have on our desk and thus look as religious as possible. A sure way to attract people to ask questions. Maybe not! The other option is to make sure nobody knows you are a believer and that way everyone will still like you. Come on, you know it's true. So as we try to introduce clergy and Christian business leaders to workplace chaplaincy the response seems to be one of two things: we will ignore the invite and hope Hillar goes away or a claim that they already know all about workplace chaplaincy. Guess what...I am one of the few (if not only) paid workplace chaplains in the GTA. So how exactly do these folks know what I do?
On Wednesday, October 30th at Carruthers Creek Golf Club in Ajax and Thursday, October 31st at Quality Suites Inn in Oakville, Marketplace Chaplains Canada will be hosting a buffet breakfast for those interested in learning more about this topic. The cost is $15/person but you need to register by this Wednesday. Talk to your pastor or contact a business owner and invite them to come along. You can phone me directly at 416.560.9508 or email me at halkok@allweatherwindows.com.
In fact, it almost seems like the secular world is more interested in this than my Christian friends. Consider for a second where I have been a chaplain: with the Toronto Police Service and presently at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Probably less than 5% of the people working in these locations are what I would call church-going Christians. I work at a company 20 hours a week as a chaplain where the ratio is probably even less than that. I am a chaplain to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Atheists and others who are not Christians.
Then we come to clergy and Christian business leaders. A little slap on the wrist is called for if not a wake-up call. It reminds me of a story in Acts 12. A group of believers are gathered fervently praying for Peter to be released from prison when there is a knock at the door of the gate. The answer to their prayers is standing at the door and they don't believe it is really Peter. It is both hilarious and sad at the same time.
The Church has always wanted to be a witness in the workplace. Some think the best way to do this is by putting the largest Bible we have on our desk and thus look as religious as possible. A sure way to attract people to ask questions. Maybe not! The other option is to make sure nobody knows you are a believer and that way everyone will still like you. Come on, you know it's true. So as we try to introduce clergy and Christian business leaders to workplace chaplaincy the response seems to be one of two things: we will ignore the invite and hope Hillar goes away or a claim that they already know all about workplace chaplaincy. Guess what...I am one of the few (if not only) paid workplace chaplains in the GTA. So how exactly do these folks know what I do?
On Wednesday, October 30th at Carruthers Creek Golf Club in Ajax and Thursday, October 31st at Quality Suites Inn in Oakville, Marketplace Chaplains Canada will be hosting a buffet breakfast for those interested in learning more about this topic. The cost is $15/person but you need to register by this Wednesday. Talk to your pastor or contact a business owner and invite them to come along. You can phone me directly at 416.560.9508 or email me at halkok@allweatherwindows.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Decline of the Church
A friend of mine recently asked the question: why is the church declining? The answer I would have given 10 years ago would have sounded very spiritual. We aren't praying enough, witnessing enough and we have the wrong type of church government. Anyone of these things might be valid to some measure but it has more to do with us missing a very important part of our calling. We are called to be salt and light. Instead we are often seen by the world as clanging cymbals. We might do all the right things on Sunday morning in church (not really) and then live our lives with very little salt and light.
That may sound a bit harsh to some of you but we impress nobody with our style of church government, our prayer meetings and our going door to door. In the US, Evangelical Christians are embarrassing themselves by their attacks on President Obama, even to the point of sounding quite racist. The clanging is becoming quite deafening! The world does not see Jesus in us very often but rather various forms of religion, which Jesus said quite clearly, he was not happy with.
This blog is entitled "Marketplace Christianity". I have just completed 1 year as a workplace chaplain and during that year I have changed my view on how to be salt and light to the unchurched. One of the main things is the elimination of judging others. By others I mean those who have no relationship with Jesus Christ. Rather than wanting those folks to see the power of the Holy Spirit, I want them to see Jesus through my words and actions. I personally believe they will see the Holy Spirit but not because we drag them to revival meetings where the latest (famous to us and not them) evangelist is ministering. I kind of get a chuckle how many of us have such a high regard for our sound doctrine, theology and knowledge of the "Missional Church". All good things but how does the fact we attend 5 conferences a year or read another 5 Christian books actually impact the lives of people we work and live around?
Some of you are probably doing everything I am suggesting so please continue doing what you're doing. The passage of scripture that has taken on new meaning to me in this past year is one that should be familiar to all of us. Sowing seeds and the watering that follows. Sowing and reaping where the reaping quite likely will not be done by the ones sowing. Now doesn't that fly in the face of individual church growth? We want the fruit of our "labour" to end up in our church and not in the church down the street. Step back a bit and ask: what do we mean by labour? Thirty years ago and probably even today in many circles, it means inviting people to church, Christian concerts, revival meetings, Alpha courses, et cetera. May I suggest that it looks a lot simpler than all that.
How about all of us born-again Christians simply showing kindness, love and compassion? How about listening to our work colleagues and neighbours instead of praying for opportunities to lead them to the Lord? Guess what, the Lord is more interested in getting them saved than you and I but perhaps we need to change the way we think God wants to use us. What I am suggesting here are not "one-off" moments but rather life styles that show Jesus not just when we want someone to attend a church event. I don't mean to be cynical but I have been there and have taught this stuff from the pulpit myself and it simply doesn't work in this day.
Even setting up our church services to be "user friendly" misses the point. We are still trying to be something for an hour or two each Sunday that we aren't necessarily the rest of the week. We put on a show but very few are buying it when Monday they hear about a pastor killing his wife or a pastor running off with the church secretary. Those one on one relationships however are much more real, even with our flaws. Let them see how we work through difficult situations within our families. Let them experience our caring when they face life's challenges; caring that doesn't just happen because we see an opportunity to get someone saved or into our church. Being opportunistic is one of the greatest sins of the church in my opinion. We often take advantage of people in times of great anxiety and we hide behind the shield of "leading them to the Lord". If we are consistent in our witness (love and kindness) then the opportunities to share our faith will come naturally during those difficult times.
I could write on and on about this but hopefully you get my point. The decline of the church which my friend speaks about is easy enough to change or stop but it takes all of us being Jesus to those around us. Your circle of friends, family and acquaintances in this season of your life are not a coincidence. They have been presented to you by God and God thinks you are able to take up the challenge of being Jesus to these folks.
That may sound a bit harsh to some of you but we impress nobody with our style of church government, our prayer meetings and our going door to door. In the US, Evangelical Christians are embarrassing themselves by their attacks on President Obama, even to the point of sounding quite racist. The clanging is becoming quite deafening! The world does not see Jesus in us very often but rather various forms of religion, which Jesus said quite clearly, he was not happy with.
This blog is entitled "Marketplace Christianity". I have just completed 1 year as a workplace chaplain and during that year I have changed my view on how to be salt and light to the unchurched. One of the main things is the elimination of judging others. By others I mean those who have no relationship with Jesus Christ. Rather than wanting those folks to see the power of the Holy Spirit, I want them to see Jesus through my words and actions. I personally believe they will see the Holy Spirit but not because we drag them to revival meetings where the latest (famous to us and not them) evangelist is ministering. I kind of get a chuckle how many of us have such a high regard for our sound doctrine, theology and knowledge of the "Missional Church". All good things but how does the fact we attend 5 conferences a year or read another 5 Christian books actually impact the lives of people we work and live around?
Some of you are probably doing everything I am suggesting so please continue doing what you're doing. The passage of scripture that has taken on new meaning to me in this past year is one that should be familiar to all of us. Sowing seeds and the watering that follows. Sowing and reaping where the reaping quite likely will not be done by the ones sowing. Now doesn't that fly in the face of individual church growth? We want the fruit of our "labour" to end up in our church and not in the church down the street. Step back a bit and ask: what do we mean by labour? Thirty years ago and probably even today in many circles, it means inviting people to church, Christian concerts, revival meetings, Alpha courses, et cetera. May I suggest that it looks a lot simpler than all that.
How about all of us born-again Christians simply showing kindness, love and compassion? How about listening to our work colleagues and neighbours instead of praying for opportunities to lead them to the Lord? Guess what, the Lord is more interested in getting them saved than you and I but perhaps we need to change the way we think God wants to use us. What I am suggesting here are not "one-off" moments but rather life styles that show Jesus not just when we want someone to attend a church event. I don't mean to be cynical but I have been there and have taught this stuff from the pulpit myself and it simply doesn't work in this day.
Even setting up our church services to be "user friendly" misses the point. We are still trying to be something for an hour or two each Sunday that we aren't necessarily the rest of the week. We put on a show but very few are buying it when Monday they hear about a pastor killing his wife or a pastor running off with the church secretary. Those one on one relationships however are much more real, even with our flaws. Let them see how we work through difficult situations within our families. Let them experience our caring when they face life's challenges; caring that doesn't just happen because we see an opportunity to get someone saved or into our church. Being opportunistic is one of the greatest sins of the church in my opinion. We often take advantage of people in times of great anxiety and we hide behind the shield of "leading them to the Lord". If we are consistent in our witness (love and kindness) then the opportunities to share our faith will come naturally during those difficult times.
I could write on and on about this but hopefully you get my point. The decline of the church which my friend speaks about is easy enough to change or stop but it takes all of us being Jesus to those around us. Your circle of friends, family and acquaintances in this season of your life are not a coincidence. They have been presented to you by God and God thinks you are able to take up the challenge of being Jesus to these folks.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Past, present and future
2011 has been an interesting year that was full of surprises. As the year began I was fully involved with my Wedding Officiant business but little else. Then came the call that would launch me into a role that I didn't even know existed. As the year has progressed, Corporate Chaplaincy has become a key part of who I am. The last 12 months have also reminded me to be thankful for those God brings into my life, many of whom I didn't even know when the year began.
Many of us like to reflect on New Years Eve to the year that was. Some will tell you that we should not look back and only to what is ahead and as I have stated many times before, that is counsel that I do not necessarily agree with. If I do not look back I forget about all that God has done for me and that He owes me nothing. That might sound harsh but it is the truth. Jesus did everything for us when He died on the cross for us.
When I reflect on my year I am reminded that much of the "good" that happened, had nothing to do with my prayers, my behaviour, my tithing or my attendance at church services. In fact if the "good" had depended on any of those things, my life would be a mess today. I don't say that with pride obviously and yet it reveals the grace of God. I spoke earlier of the call that came out of nowhere and it had nothing to do with me reading my Bible for 1/2 hour each day or praying for 1 hour. Old Testament thinking would have us believe that I "got" because I did all the right things as a Christian. It is also not dependent on me knowing theology. Having said all that, there is a BIG BUT!
Tim Tebow is a celebrity football player in the US. He is a celebrity not because he is the best quarterback in the league but rather because he expresses his faith on the football field. Atheists and humanists are attacking the man with such vigor that even some non-believers are puzzled by the attacks on the man's character. There are many pro athletes in recent months that have been charged with major criminal offenses that have been basically ignored by the media and fellow athletes. The problem for Tebow is quite simple: he is not shy about letting people know about his faith in Jesus Christ. He has been labelled by the media as the "most polarizing figure in sports". He is polarizing because he doesn't fit the mold and for no other reason. He acts the way he does because he wants everyone to know his success can only be attributed to the Lord.
I throw this story in for a reason. As believers living in 2012, what are we doing with our faith? The grace we have been shown by the Lord should cause us to shine before all men. If God's grace is seen as a license to sin, we have missed it. We are alive on this planet, regardless of where you live, to be ambassadors for Christ. If the fruit of our walk with the Lord brings dishonour to Him, we are abusing the grace offered to us. We don't "do" to get; we "do" because of what Christ has already done for us. That is why we never forget our past and why we live in the present and we are sure of our future.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Many of us like to reflect on New Years Eve to the year that was. Some will tell you that we should not look back and only to what is ahead and as I have stated many times before, that is counsel that I do not necessarily agree with. If I do not look back I forget about all that God has done for me and that He owes me nothing. That might sound harsh but it is the truth. Jesus did everything for us when He died on the cross for us.
When I reflect on my year I am reminded that much of the "good" that happened, had nothing to do with my prayers, my behaviour, my tithing or my attendance at church services. In fact if the "good" had depended on any of those things, my life would be a mess today. I don't say that with pride obviously and yet it reveals the grace of God. I spoke earlier of the call that came out of nowhere and it had nothing to do with me reading my Bible for 1/2 hour each day or praying for 1 hour. Old Testament thinking would have us believe that I "got" because I did all the right things as a Christian. It is also not dependent on me knowing theology. Having said all that, there is a BIG BUT!
Tim Tebow is a celebrity football player in the US. He is a celebrity not because he is the best quarterback in the league but rather because he expresses his faith on the football field. Atheists and humanists are attacking the man with such vigor that even some non-believers are puzzled by the attacks on the man's character. There are many pro athletes in recent months that have been charged with major criminal offenses that have been basically ignored by the media and fellow athletes. The problem for Tebow is quite simple: he is not shy about letting people know about his faith in Jesus Christ. He has been labelled by the media as the "most polarizing figure in sports". He is polarizing because he doesn't fit the mold and for no other reason. He acts the way he does because he wants everyone to know his success can only be attributed to the Lord.
I throw this story in for a reason. As believers living in 2012, what are we doing with our faith? The grace we have been shown by the Lord should cause us to shine before all men. If God's grace is seen as a license to sin, we have missed it. We are alive on this planet, regardless of where you live, to be ambassadors for Christ. If the fruit of our walk with the Lord brings dishonour to Him, we are abusing the grace offered to us. We don't "do" to get; we "do" because of what Christ has already done for us. That is why we never forget our past and why we live in the present and we are sure of our future.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Remembrance Day
History is something that has always fascinated me. On this day as we remember those who have fought and died for Canada, I would like to give a different perspective of WW2 that many of you are not familiar with. It centers around the tiny nation of Estonia but actually involves Canada and many of the countries that today remember.
I was reminded of something most of us have long forgotten and it has to do with the "allies" that fought against Hitler. I saw an old poster from early WW2 and the flags of the allies were displayed at the top of this poster. There were just four flags, indicating that the US was not yet in the war. The allies were England, Canada, Russia and China. In 1941, despite a pact agreed upon by Hitler and Stalin, Hitler attacked Estonia and kicked out the Russian army. For Estonians who had suffered for over a year at the hands of the Russians, this was seen as liberation. Some of you will probably read this and be offended but perhaps an explanation will clear that up.
In June of 1941, Stalin ordered the elimination of all Estonians that were well educated, businessmen and land owners. My grandfather and two uncles were forcibly removed from their home and never seen again. Russian soldiers tortured, raped and killed Estonian women for no reason other than to entertain themselves. These then were Canada's "allies" in 1941. This scene was repeated in other countries as well but unfortunately Hitler was portrayed as the only enemy to freedom. History books for years, told us very little of what Stalin did during WW2. The fact is, he ordered the murder of many more people, including his own citizens, than Hitler did. Consider how repugnant Hitler is to all of us and yet Stalin and the USSR have never been held to the same scrutiny.
The belief is that Winston Churchill understood the evil Stalin represented but his hands were tied by other allies that saw Hitler as a greater threat to the world. There is no doubt that Hitler was a mad man that needed to be stopped but the compromise of the west needs to be honestly discussed. The USSR was never required to compensate families who lost husbands and sons and their entire belongings, including large parcels of land, businesses and homes. With the fall of Communism in Russia, some of the property was recovered but restitution has never come. Unlike Germans who genuinely changed and admitted the evil caused by the Nazi regime, Russia has steadfastly refused to admit anything. What may be even more troubling is that the "allies" have not demanded restitution for those that suffered. That would include my family.
As a Christian I believe in forgiving those that have hurt me. However, criminals should always be brought to justice according to the laws of any nation. WW2 was just the beginning of the atrocities perpetrated by Stalin and Russia. A friend recently told of a university in the US that erected a statue of Stalin and many could not understand why there was an uproar about this. Can you imagine a US university erecting a statue of Hitler? Yet this is what many of us have faced as we have tried to expose the evil surrounding Russia for over 50 years. The other troubling thing in all this is that Russia today, including Putin, absolutely refuse to admit any wrong doing during WW2. They maintain that Russian soldiers were welcomed in as liberators in 1940 and then 1944 by Estonians. Funny that no Estonians see it quite that way, except of course the handful of Communist sympathizers of the day. Consider for a moment what happened to the Nazi sympathizers in places like France, Italy and Holland.
Take a look at the link below to get some perspective of what Communism was all about.
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/282296/checkpoint-charlie-museum-thor-halvorssen
I was reminded of something most of us have long forgotten and it has to do with the "allies" that fought against Hitler. I saw an old poster from early WW2 and the flags of the allies were displayed at the top of this poster. There were just four flags, indicating that the US was not yet in the war. The allies were England, Canada, Russia and China. In 1941, despite a pact agreed upon by Hitler and Stalin, Hitler attacked Estonia and kicked out the Russian army. For Estonians who had suffered for over a year at the hands of the Russians, this was seen as liberation. Some of you will probably read this and be offended but perhaps an explanation will clear that up.
In June of 1941, Stalin ordered the elimination of all Estonians that were well educated, businessmen and land owners. My grandfather and two uncles were forcibly removed from their home and never seen again. Russian soldiers tortured, raped and killed Estonian women for no reason other than to entertain themselves. These then were Canada's "allies" in 1941. This scene was repeated in other countries as well but unfortunately Hitler was portrayed as the only enemy to freedom. History books for years, told us very little of what Stalin did during WW2. The fact is, he ordered the murder of many more people, including his own citizens, than Hitler did. Consider how repugnant Hitler is to all of us and yet Stalin and the USSR have never been held to the same scrutiny.
The belief is that Winston Churchill understood the evil Stalin represented but his hands were tied by other allies that saw Hitler as a greater threat to the world. There is no doubt that Hitler was a mad man that needed to be stopped but the compromise of the west needs to be honestly discussed. The USSR was never required to compensate families who lost husbands and sons and their entire belongings, including large parcels of land, businesses and homes. With the fall of Communism in Russia, some of the property was recovered but restitution has never come. Unlike Germans who genuinely changed and admitted the evil caused by the Nazi regime, Russia has steadfastly refused to admit anything. What may be even more troubling is that the "allies" have not demanded restitution for those that suffered. That would include my family.
As a Christian I believe in forgiving those that have hurt me. However, criminals should always be brought to justice according to the laws of any nation. WW2 was just the beginning of the atrocities perpetrated by Stalin and Russia. A friend recently told of a university in the US that erected a statue of Stalin and many could not understand why there was an uproar about this. Can you imagine a US university erecting a statue of Hitler? Yet this is what many of us have faced as we have tried to expose the evil surrounding Russia for over 50 years. The other troubling thing in all this is that Russia today, including Putin, absolutely refuse to admit any wrong doing during WW2. They maintain that Russian soldiers were welcomed in as liberators in 1940 and then 1944 by Estonians. Funny that no Estonians see it quite that way, except of course the handful of Communist sympathizers of the day. Consider for a moment what happened to the Nazi sympathizers in places like France, Italy and Holland.
Take a look at the link below to get some perspective of what Communism was all about.
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/282296/checkpoint-charlie-museum-thor-halvorssen
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