At Lifecentre this week we took a poll asking “Do you feel Media (television, music, movies, internet) are a major influence on your life?” The results of our poll were: 62% YES 38% NO

Our North American culture is greatly influenced by the media. Whether you believe you are affected or not, TV, magazines, movies, facebook, advertising or simply walking through the mall, we are constantly sent messages that have an effect on us.

These messages have the same underlying goal, they remind us that we are not enough. That, coupled with our obsessive need to compare ourselves with one another and you have a recipe for a pretty messed up world view.

So what do we do? Maybe we should move to a remote part of the world and detach from it all? Or maybe we should cancel our internet and cable, homeschool our kids and stay in our homes as much as possible?

Even these kind of extreme measures would not solve the real problem. The Bible tells us that sin comes from desires that lie within us. That means that even if we were the only ones on the planet, sin would still be a struggle. We see that played out in the first couple ever created. Adam and Eve were tempted, but their DESIRE to be like God caused them to sin.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world– the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

This scripture cuts to the core of the issue we as Christians face when it comes to the media or any other things in life that influence us away from God and towards something temporal that will never satisfy. God loves us so much and He knows that there is nothing this world can offer us that can satisfy us the way He can. He urges us not to LOVE anything in the world because is cannot satisfy.

There is joy in many things the world has to offer but if any of those things becomes something we LOVE, something we LOVE more than God, something we can’t live without or are not able or willing to give up, then the true and pure LOVE of the Father is not in us.

What the media offers us can be summed up in these 3 phrases: The media plays to the desires of our flesh, the desires of our eyes and the pride of life. These are our temptations, the places where we get sucked in every time.

God urges us to remember that these pleasures are fleeting, they are temporary. Seeking beauty, money, extreme health, status, stuff, recognition, acceptance or intelligence will not bring us the life and fulfillment we hope it would. Pure joy is only found in doing the will of God. He wants first place in our lives, seek Him first and His righteousness.

Many people see God as such a buzz-kill, always trying to take away the things in life we take pleasure in. That is exactly what our enemy would love for us to believe about God. When in fact God sent HIS SON into the world so that we could have life, and life more abundantly than anything that these temporal pleasures bring. He came to give us LIFE EVERLASTING that means we must deny ourselves the temporal pleasures that seduce us into a love affair, and away from the LOVER of our soul.

When God has HIS rightful place in our lives HE frees us to enjoy many pleasures this world has to offer. Things like money, beauty, health or stuff are just blessings we are free to enjoy when our fulfillment, worth and satisfaction is rooted in Christ.

A fresh start does not mean that everything is perfect. It never is nor will be in any organization. It doesn’t mean that you have all things exactly where they should be. What it does mean is that there is clarity on a few essentials. Each Campus has a core group of people who understand the vision and are committed to the strategy and philosophy of how we are moving forward to reach a desired goal. When a fresh start is upon us the agreement to move forward has trumped the pain of staying in the same place.

The focus shifts from us to serving a lost and broken world.
There remains no us and them and it is simply us, together.
When things go poorly, or we don’t reach our desired objective, the focus is on solving the problem not scuttling the vision.

The transition phase of Lifecentre is important but it doesn’t need to be overly drawn out. In fact, the shorter the better. At all Lifecentre Campuses we are now going to turn our attention to moving forward. It is our heartfelt desire that everyone make the journey with us. If you can not, we understand. There are many excellent churches in Ottawa where you could plant and serve. If you can not, but need more time, that we also understand. All we ask is that you do not gossip, tear down or harm with your attitude or words. As leaders, this might mean you take some time on the sidelines until you can fully buy into the vision and heart of how we are doing church together.

There is a single vision, values and philosophy of ministry that unapologetically guides each Campus. There are principles and systems that do not need to be reinvented, as they are proven and reliable. Yet each Campus, in this fresh season, will birth and lead ways that are uniquely meaningful and effective in their context. This is not only encouraged but desired.

Lets commit to give all our guests, your family and friends, both saved and soon to be saved, a gift this Christmas. When they come through the doors of our Campuses, let them experience a fresh start. If the stumbling block to their coming to Christ, is Christ Himself, that is understood and one we make no apologizes for. Jesus Christ is the Head of His church!! If the stumbling block is us… that must be unacceptable to all of us!

You are the greatest church to love and lead. We know this season has not been easy and we thank you for your heart, thoughts, prayer and patience. We are… better together.

Growing Again,

Pastors Jason, Jay and Michel

As long as I have been in the church this has always been a “Hot Topic” question.

Let me start by making a bold statement for you,

Drinking is not a sin.

In my study of the Bible, nowhere I have I been able to find a verse, passage of scripture that lets us know that drinking is a sin or not allowed.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, God told Israel that they could,

“exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice” (Deuteronomy 14:24-26).

This does not mean that they can get drunk but alcohol in moderation is permissible, just as Paul told Timothy to drink “a little wine” (note that Paul said a little) for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23).

Solomon wrote that God provided blessings for His people writing,

“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts” (Psalms 104:14-15).

He also wrote,

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).

Let me follow up that statement with this though,

Getting drunk is a sin.

Being drunk is a sin and we can see that all throughout Scripture.

Ephesians 5:18 is a clear call for us not to be drunk.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lets us know that being drunk can keep us from inheriting the kingdom of God.

Romans 13:13 has another warning about drunkenness:

“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.”

Surely if alcohol was a sin, Paul would not have recommended it to Timothy who was a pastor. There is some medical evidence that a little wine is helpful, not only to the stomach, but for the body in general, however anything in excess is nothing but trouble. Solomon wrote,

“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:10).

Here, Solomon mentions strong drink being a “brawler” and I have seen first hand working as a door man in a club the effects of alcohol and being drunk leading to all out brawls.

There are lots of things that each of us can think of where we have seen being drunk not ending well for people. Drunk drivers who frequently kill innocent victims on the highways, people becoming addicted to alcohol to escape hurts and heartaches and even people overdosing on alcohol leading them to death.

I do not believe the Scriptures are against drinking but speak loud and clear about drunkenness being a sin.

I think when it comes to drinking we need to look at scriptures like

“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

I don’t think the Bible is against drinking but it does tell us to be wise. There are a lot of things that we are able to do but might not be the best things to do.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 that the way we exercise our freedom should not cause anyone else to stumble.

Those are great words of advice to live by for all we do in our life.

I know the debate will continue for years to come. People will be on both sides of the fence many for it and many against it.

This I know, people don’t set out to become alcoholics, or get behind the wheel of a car and cause death. I know people don’t set out to drink themselves into a comatose state but it happens.

So I think the question to ask is not whether we should or shouldn’t drink but to quote Andy Stanley,

“What is the wise thing to do”?

As we move onto the next step, I first have a confession. In the three-phrase process of transition and change, this is the step I enjoy the least and often want to rush through in the shortest time possible. This phase is called… the nowhere zone. Some actually call it the tunnel of chaos. It is in this phase where we magnify the past, minimize the future and disdain the present. If you have ever gone through a renovation, there is always a moment, while living in the mess where the future seems so far away and you wonder if you’ve made a good decision.

This is a critical step in the process. This is where it appears as though little is taking place but where you are actually solving the problems of tomorrow. The temptation in this season is to a) desire to go back, or b) become disillusioned as “this” isn’t what we signed up for. This is real and understandable. As is the truth that while this may be the state of many things in our Campuses, this isn’t our final destination but another step in the process.

For each Campus this is a time where we are implementing and reviewing systems; seeing if we have the right people in the right places to move forward. It isn’t very glamorous but if we don’t do it well, it will become quite evident in the months to come.

Exodus paints this picture perfectly. As Moses led the children of Israel to the promise land, they journeyed through the nowhere zone. Here is the big takeaway. Moses wasn’t perfect in his leadership and with the people’s grumbling and murmuring they thought they were helping but in the end they hurt the process. What didn’t change was the destination. Sadly, not everyone saw the promised land. This is a critical step in the process. Together we must continue to be faithful to where God has called us to as a one church, in three locations.

As leaders, we don’t believe for a moment we do everything right. We are learning, growing and will continually walk in humility. We also would request the same from each of you. Our mistakes or missteps do not mean the vision was wrong, it is just part, albeit unpleasant at times, in the process to Growing People With Jesus and Others.

We will get there. The choice is yours whether we get there…with you.

You are the greatest church to love and lead.

Growing Again,

Pastor Jason

Now that’s a “cut to the quick” kinda question isn’t it? The type of question that usually makes us scoff or roll our eyes. Heaven? Yes! Hell? I don’t know or I hope not!

From what most of us have heard or imagined, it is just too scary to think about it. Unquenchable fire in the presence of Satan and demons… really??? But it is just the kind of question we all need to ask ourselves because of the teachings of one very unique man, Jesus Christ.

One day He asked His disciples a similar challenging question, “Who do men say I am?” He wanted to know what people in general were saying about Him. It was a very safe first question because it didn’t require them to expose their personal beliefs. Then He asked them a second question, one that was laser personal, “Who do you say I am?”

Jesus always makes what He teaches personal which is why we either love Him or hate Him. His teachings on heaven are readily embraced and celebrated. Everyone wants to go to heaven and almost everyone thinks they will go there when they die. But will they?

He also talked about a literal hell and that part of His teaching we really struggle with.

How is a literal hell even possible when Jesus revealed God as loving, kind and forgiving? Look at all the good things people do who don’t even believe in Jesus. How could there be a place called hell where our family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers or even we ourselves might end up?

One day Jesus said these sobering words… “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Fear God? Why? He’s just about love isn’t He?

Have you ever heard any of these definitions of hell from friends or family?

An eternal place away from the presence of God and everything we love… where people drink the wine of God’s wrath and endure constant torment in eternal restlessness… where the wicked are not annihilated or put out of existence at death… a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth representing terrible suffering… the ancients called it ghenna from the rubbish that burned constantly just outside the gates of Jerusalem… a fire that is not quenched… or hades which means the gates or realm of the dead… Abraham saw it as an unbridgeable gulf between the righteous and the wicked… a place of irreversible punishment created for the devil and his angels… sadly, also for people who reject God’s only provision for forgiveness of sin… or, people go to hell because they fail to love and obey God’s truth found in the person of Jesus.

You might have had one of these general responses to the first question.

How about the second question, “What do you believe about hell?”

The answer to that question is what He is looking for…your answer determines the path your life is on concerning heaven or a literal hell.

Additional resources you may want to look at:

MOVIE
http://www.hellboundthemovie.com/

BOOKS
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler

Last week we introduced Leading Change at Lifecentre by discussing the opportunity to Grow Orleans, Kanata and Blackburn with Jesus and Others. This is a change and transition season…not a destination.

To assist us in moving forward, let’s pick up on William Bridges, a change expert’s first point to transition well. To move forward, something has to end. This is true in all of our lives. When I assumed leadership of Lifecentre, though my father and I continued to work together, his Senior Pastoral leadership of Lifecentre had to relented for me to be released to lead. He is an incredibly gracious, patient and helpful person that people deeply respect and love. The one thing that he has never done in the seven years since the transition is to undermine or somehow scuttle my leadership. I could be given a title, but the real transition to move forward took great humility. It is a gift that Pastor Barry gave to me that was and continues to be a tremendous gift to my life and was key to the health of Lifecentre.

The Apostle Paul illustrated this principle in Philippians 3:13-15 this way: I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. If there was anyone, outside of Jesus who should have been able to rest on their laurels, it was the Apostle Paul. In Christ, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, he planted churches, saw explosive growth, withstood persecution and witnessed the supernatural intervention of heaven.

The Scriptures clearly tell us what we need to do to move forward, in maturity, and that is to honour the past but focus and press forward to what lies ahead.

As we move forward at all our Campuses, if we are to effectively serve a lost and broken world we must forget what lies behind. Something has to end. This doesn’t mean we do not appreciate, respect or have fond memories. It simply means moving forward with an attitude of pressing to create a culture of honour. by fixing our eyes forward.

In Orleans, Blackburn, or Kanata what do you personally need to stop? This isn’t a long season of transition. We are moving forward. This week lets allow God to move on all our hearts as together we process what needs to come to an end so we can effectively reach a lost and broken world.

You are the greatest church to love and lead.

Growing Again,

Pastor Jason

At Lifecentre, we are highlighting a variety of topics for our brand new Grey Matter series. We value the thoughts and opinions of our members and this week we want to look at the highly debated topics of abortion and euthanasia. On October 14th we polled our congregation and asked the following questions:

1. Are you pro-life?
2. Are you pro-choice?
3. Do you believe in euthanasia?

Of the cards completed, 84% were pro-life, 16% pro-choice with 18% believing in euthanasia and 82% against it. If you did not participate in our poll and would still like to voice your opinion, please do so below.

The heart of the questions posed is to get to our root belief system on the value of human life, more importantly, at which point is a life considered “human”. At the other end of the spectrum, should we be able to take action to end the life of someone who is suffering with or without their consent.

Allowing a person to die of natural causes is not euthanasia. I, like many of you, have been at the bedside of an ailing loved one on life support due to natural causes. The advancements in our medical technology are phenomenal as it gives time for loved ones to say good-bye and allows natural death to occur in a controlled environment. A century ago this would not have been the case. Our medical advancements can also greatly sustain a life suffering with debilitating diseases and give them a better quality of life. It is important to note that in Canada, we have the right to refuse medical treatment, even life-saving treatment, so respecting the person’s decision is a basic right. That is not euthanasia. Euthanasia is an action, which directly and intentionally causes or hastens the death of another in order to put an end to a person’s suffering, with or without the person’s consent.

Abortion and euthanasia are eerily similar in my opinion. The difference in the minds of many, and according to Canada’s legislative definition, is that one is human and one is not. The sanctity of life is a core principle in Canadian society and in the life of a follower of Christ.

Psalm 139:13 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

We believe life begins at conception and that our days are numbered. God holds each life in His hands.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die.

Margaret Somerville, Founding Director of the Faculty of Law’s Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law at McGill University is quoted as saying;

“The proper goal of medicine and physicians is to kill the pain. It is explicitly not their role to kill the patient with the pain, to become society’s executioners which is what euthanasia entails, no matter how merciful or compassionate our reasons.”

Although the circumstances surrounding the conception of a child may vary, we believe that there is no such thing as an unwanted child. If the same pressures to terminate a life were placed on a “born baby” who was conceived through incest or rape or if there were extenuating family pressures, cultural preferences the answer would be absolutely no. Why then do we use these same reasons to justify the ending of a life because it is in the womb? If a child cannot be parented by its birth parents for the myriad of reasons they may have, then adoption is a viable and beautiful option. As an adoptive mother, adoption consultant and advocate, I am forever grateful that my daughter’s birth mother chose life for her unborn baby, as difficult as it was. As I work with young women and men and help them with their adoption choice, although painfully difficult, there is a peace that ultimately comes in the decision they made. These precious adopted children are among the minority as Ontario has the highest abortion rates in Canada. To see the care our society has for our “endangered species” and our environment, although justified, and contrast that with the lack of concern for the children that are being aborted is mind-boggling. These adopted children are real. They have names, families who adore them and incredible destinies because their birth parents chose life. To witness the joy on an adoptive parents face as they hold their miracle baby is something I wish each woman contemplating abortion could see. Her perceived “mistake” is someone else’s “miracle”.

The church can make an impact in our society not by holding a picket sign but by walking with young women and men through the most difficult time in their lives. God’s call for followers of Christ is to love others as we love ourselves. We have been mandated to care for the vulnerable in our society. One of our core values at Lifecentre is to serve a lost and broken world. Life is messy and as followers of Christ, we must follow His example and get right into the messes of life with people. Do we have all the answers, absolutely not, but we know the One who does.

Canada’s legislative definition of a human being is found in subsection 223(1) of the Criminal Code. The subsection sets out that

“a child becomes a human being when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the body of its mother, whether or not it has breathed, it has independent circulation; or the navel string is severed.”

Canada does not recognize the child as human until it has fully emerged from the birth canal and therefore a child can be aborted up to nine months less a breath. Please re-read that sentence! Sadly, most Canadians are unaware of our existing abortion laws or lack there of in Canada. It is time for Canadians and followers of Christ to determine when a life is human, and according to scripture, that is at the moment of conception. We are so thankful for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada who seeks to advocate and intervene before the courts and provides public policy research to lawmakers. They advocate on behalf of children in law and public policy and I have had the privilege of working with them on a variety of adoption initiatives. We must be a voice for those who have no voice.

It is vital for this generation to understand that contrary to what is told to us about our reproductive choice by mainstream media, abortion negatively affects women. It is not a simple medical procedure but one that profoundly affects the lives of women, physically and emotionally, for the rest of their lives. First Place Options, another organization Lifecentre partners with, provides on-going post-abortion support to women. The understanding and love provided to women to see them find health and wholeness is absolutely profound. Thousands of women over the years have found loving arms to surround them during their darkest hour.

The Supreme Court has recognized that Canadian society is “based upon respect for the intrinsic value of human life and on the inherent dignity of every human being.” From birth until death, we live in community and are interdependent on one another and have a measure of responsibility for one another. Our actions, and how we live our lives, affect others. Another core value at Lifecentre is we build genuine community. We must, as followers of Christ, demonstrate genuine community in all seasons of our life. Mother Teresa said,

“The greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, having no one. I have come more and more to realize that being unwanted is the worst disease that an human being can ever experience.”

We must be prepared to offer more then mere words in response to those who are in a hopeless situation in their lives. If you are a woman who has had an abortion, we offer you love and support. Through God’s mercy and forgiveness, you can forgive yourself and accept His forgiveness. Please reach out to us if you want counseling and support. We are here.

As you ponder these issues, we encourage you to personalize them before you comment. Think to yourself, what would I do if my teenager told me she was pregnant? What if I found myself facing an unwanted pregnancy? How would I respond if a loved one asked me to end their suffering? Quite often we are forced to make decisions of this magnitude under traumatic situations before we have formulated an informed decision. We do encourage you to leave your comments and we do understand that views will vary. Talk with your family, friends and Lifegroup about these issues. Search the scriptures, pray and ask God to give you a Biblical worldview in regards to abortion and euthanasia. If we truly reflect Christ in our lives, we will take action to show that God suffers with the suffering and offers hope to those who are in despair. We will value the sanctity of life and steward it wisely.

Luke 10:2 (ESV)
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Today at Lifecentre we are ministering to hundreds more than we were at this point in time last year. Each Sunday no less than 1,300+ kids, students and adults are coming through the doors of one of our campuses. As a team and church we are thrilled with all that God is doing at Lifecentre.

This answer to prayer comes with challenges as well. Each Campus is going through both change and transition. Kanata is working hard to get systems and everyone on board to what God is doing. Orleans has nice-size holes in key ministry areas from those who are now serving at other campuses. Blackburn has launched an additional service and has increased their teaching team. Each change upsets friends, schedules, routines and makes things different.

Having gone through both change and transition many times over, we can agree with the findings of William Bridges when he defines change as situational and transition as a three-phase process. Staring with an ending, moving on to what feels like a neutral zone or nowhere and finally landing at a fresh beginning. Change is an event. Change has occurred at Lifecentre. Transition is how we feel or process change.This is the stage we now find ourselves situated in at all our locations.

To assist this process we are setting a transition timeline at Lifecentre. Starting today, Monday October 15th and concluding on Sunday, November 11th we are going to process change together. Specifically, each Monday, right here on social media, we will address one critical landmine that needs to be avoided so together we can move forward. Each Pastor is available, at each Campus on Sunday to help you understand the “why” behind “what” we are doing. If necessary and helpful, we will host a Transition Sunday where the top questions will be addressed by a panel consisting of the Campus Pastors from each location.

• God is moving, and we must move with Him.
• Today we are ministering to hundreds more than last year at this time.
• We have six services meeting in three locations each week.

The opportunity to Grow Orleans, Kanata and Blackburn with Jesus and Others is right in front of us. This is an important time for everyone, but we can’t stay here indefinitely. To everything there is a season. This is change and transition season. After November 11th, we turn our attention to the Christmas season and all that God desires to do at each Campus.

You are the greatest church to love and lead.

Growing Again,

Pastors Jason, Jay, & Michel