I love being part of the local church
by admin on September 20, 2010
I love being part of a local church.
The local church is not a perfect place . . . it’s a place where imperfect people find community and support for all seasons of life – and especially for the season when crisis comes (and it will visit all of us!). That’s why the patterns we establish when everything is ‘normal’ are so critical – those rhythms will help guide us as we move through the storms of people doing people stuff, and other calamities beyond our control.
I got a rare gift this weekend – a chance to spend this past weekend with Mark Buchanan and some of the worship community of New Life Community Baptist; a vibrant and wonderful local church on Vancouver Island. I learned about some of the struggles that the leaders of this amazing church are going through . . . and it made me realize again; even the best of local churches go through struggles as they pastor people. The gift of the local church is that we don’t go through those struggles alone, and if we chose to treat each other with the same grace we need, we receive gifts along the way that sustain us in our journey. I see in Mark the hallmarks of a faithful and fruitful shepherd (who has served this community for 15 years!); one who loves God with his whole heart, loves people, and does everything he can to help the people under his care know the truth that will set them free. Listening to him preach this morning I was energized once again by the truth and allegory in the gospel of John. I have always been drawn to this gospel – probably more than any other – and Mark’s words provided some of the ‘aha’ of why this gospel has always moved me.
As part of my role of being the guest worship leader, I was able to share 3 of the songs from Level Ground as part of the gathering this morning. I used ‘Welcome to the place of level ground’ as the 2nd song (after opening with ‘The River’) and then after the offering we did ‘The Jesus Way’ and then before Mark’s message (a stunningly powerful message on John 2 – Turning the water to wine) I sang ‘Enter the rest of God’ I thought it would be fitting to sing this song over this Duncan congregation – because Mark’s book ‘The Rest of God’ has been deeply impacting to me. It seems to me that this book will become a modern classic on how to recover the Sabbath rest for us moderns who seem to have lost touch with the need to rest deeply once a week . . . and maybe even more challenging for those of us whose lives are connected to serving the church and Sunday is a work day.
So now that I am on the other side of the release of LEVEL GROUND I realized again who these songs are for. They’re for faithful people like the people in New Life Community Baptist Church. They’re for people like Allan & Lynda; Conor & Loni and other friends that I have met here in Duncan who believe in the reality of the local church and are ready to serve willingly and support their pastor through the ups and downs of local church life. I thank God for them – and for all churches like New Life all over this nation of ours.
Brian Doerksen
Starbucks at the intersection of Beverly Road and the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan B.C. Sunday Sep 19, 5:30 PM
5 comments
Dear Brian and the church.
I have just had the privelege to see and hear “Level Ground”. I explain why privilage – I am in Slovakia so to get your stuff here from Canada is an adventure (Marc Push could tell you about it). Brian and all the others I say YES, YES, YES to the Level Ground project. Why it is unique for me? Because it is normal life – it is about normal church. How rare is something like this in these days. You are not afraid to share the life you have – not in the show, but share it as brother. I am not going to comment the music and professional side of the project – as it is HD quality as usual from you, but I want to say a few words about the space where everything happened. I have been leading a small catholic fellowship of missionaries for 20 years and for me Level ground is the home, is the place where the most important things happen. I was so encouraged by what I saw yesterday. The fact I could see the same people working with you for years is for me like the oil of joy. It is really rare to see the faithfulness today and people are changings places and friendships so easily. For me this is the church, the place where we are getting older but still together worshiping the Lord. Seeing your father Brian behing your back is very prophetic picture for me. I know guys you are very busy with your family lives – so I am, but seeing you worship with your wifes gives me a hope for the future of the Church.
So gratitude from my heart to you brothers
Gratitude even greater to your spouses
gratitude as well to your children
for your have laid all on the altar to seek His Kingdom.
with much love
Bohus
River of Life missionary fellowship
Podolinec, Slovakia
by Bohus Zivcak on October 7, 2010 at 7:43 am. #
Awesome post. Too often we spend our time criticizing the church, without remembering that the church is good, beautiful, and excellent—in the midst of its trials, not just in its rosy moments. The way God transforms us by the power of His good news, by the work of the Spirit in our hearts, is nowhere more evident than in good local churches that are faithful in trials.
Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder.
by Chris Krycho on October 15, 2010 at 10:44 pm. #
I just finished listening to and watching “I Believe” and was just stunned. I would love to get the song on cd. so I could listen to it while I drive.
I am trying to get it shown at our church which is Presbyterian.
We are in the panhandle of Florida.
Thank you for such wonderful words and music to such magnificent scenes.
Patricia
by Patricia Mauldin on October 17, 2010 at 9:04 pm. #
I have been inspired by your content here…keep it up! Thanks for your ministry and the authenticity of your personal life. When you got up to share or sing a song there was a depth I am not used to seeing in the worship community. Thank you for being a worship leader that the broken hearted can relate to.
by Cyle Lewis on November 8, 2010 at 2:45 am. #
Hey Brian!
I just want to personally say, THANK YOU, for your ministry. Since the last Seminars 4 Worship conference here in Boston, Ma the Lord has used you to inspire me in so many ways. The presence of the Lord feel fresh on me during those 2 days and I learned so much about myself and what God has called me to be. I led worship this morning at my church and the Lord put on my heart to introduce the congregation to your song “welcome to the place of level ground”. Our pastor has been preaching through Mathew Chapter 8-9 on the miraculous, compassionate savior who heals people without distinction. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”!. Your song is a beautiful portrait, masterpiece of you will, of what the cross of Christ really is for all! its great to see that you are so active in traveling and being used of God in other local church’s. Please pray for me that God would give me strength, humility and wisdom as I grow into the worship leader position at my local church! – Thank you!
by Eric Glover on November 14, 2010 at 7:33 pm. #