I’m excited to be turning this new page in our life as a congregation and my life as a pastor. Like a baby learning to walk, our first steps may be done with trembling and uncertainty but with time and practice—and probably a few pratfalls—we will find our legs.

This past Sunday (August 13) was an inspiring and humbling moment for me. It was incredible to see so many of you up on the stage with me and hearing you proclaiming decisively with energy and conviction your own personal declaration, “I’m crossing the line; I will spend the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory.!” (For those of you who were not there, please read below the full text of the declaration we made. Are you ready to declare the same yourself as a member of Kelowna Christian Reformed Church?)

I’ve been struck by what Bill Hybels says, “The local church is the hope of the world.” That’s you and me! We are the local church here in Glenmore, and we are its hope! Increasingly that’s the conviction those of us on the Visioning Team are coming to. God’s intention is that we are his gift of hope and help and new life to the growing community around us in Glenmore. 

We are exploring and assessing practical ways that we can do that through the coming months of the Fall season. For example, we are already host-partners for the North Glenmore Community Carnival.  But we are looking at other ways that we can build bridges and serve Christ in our community, like having a ‘LOVE GLENMORE’ event, creating graffiti clean-up teams, hosting a ‘Child Escape School’ and ‘Smart and Safe Seniors’ seminars, recrafting our existing ministries like the Boys and Girls Clubs to be much more consciously community oriented. Do YOU have an idea or suggestion; we’d love to hear it! Pass it on to one of the members of the Visioning Team (Pastor John, Pastor Trevor, Gerry B. or Bill A.)

Welcome to the future! That’s where we are standing today—on the edge of a bright and exciting future as God’s church.

My Personal Declaration

- adapted from Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Declaration

Today I am stepping across the line. I’m finished with wavering; I’ve made my choice, and my decision is irrevocable.  I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now! I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his promises, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his  love, and communicate his Word. 

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home waiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, —petty thinking, —trivial talking,   —thoughtless doing, —useless regretting, —hurtful resenting, —or faithless worrying.

Instead I will celebrate God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership  of his family. 

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, —“we” over “me,” —character over comfort, —service over status, —and people over possessions, position, and pleasures.   I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got.  I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today. 

I won’t be captivated by culture, —manipulated by critics, —motivated by praise, —frustrated by problems,  —debilitated by temptation, —or intimidated by the devil.

 I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not on the sidelines or those running beside me.

 When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide.

 I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace.   I’m Spirit-led, —purpose driven, —and mission-focused;  so I cannot be bought, —I will not be compromised, —and I will not quit until I finish the race.

I’m resolved to be a trophy of God’s amazing grace;      so I’ll be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything God entrusts to me.