The post-denominational era
I’ve been looking at statistics lately for an article I’ve been writing for a magazine coming out later this spring. According to the 2001 census reports, over a quarter million fewer Canadians identify the United Church as their denomination of choice. Over the same time period, the number of Canadians stating they have no religious affiliation increased by one and a half million.
The United Church of Canada is not the only denomination to see such a dramatic decline. The second largest protestant denomination in Canada, the Anglican Church, lost 152,000 members or adherents in the same time span.
But one and a half million. read more…
“When In Doubt” – Sermon, April 11, 2010
“When In Doubt”
John 20:19-31
After Easter, I’m sure many of you felt a bit of a let down. Like Christmas, there is this build-up to the big weekend. We prepare ourselves for Good Friday, then on Sunday morning there is the great celebration.
Then we go home.
Things go back to normal. Right now, there really isn’t anything big to look forward to in the church year until after summer rolls on in. read more…
“Open Wide” – Sermon, Easter Sunday, 2010
“Open Wide”
John 20:1-18
When you got up this morning, what did you do? Probably the same thing you did yesterday morning, right? You might have slept in a little bit today, or maybe you got up a little earlier than usual because of children or you went to the sunrise service. But once you were up, you probably have a little routine that you do.
Was there anything special you did today, on Easter. Anything in your routine that recognizes, or pays homage to Jesus? read more…
“There or Not?” – Sermon, March 28, 2010
“There or Not?”
Luke 19:28-40
Growing up I made regular trips to Cape Breton. Family vacation when I was small, my grade 6 school trip was to Baddeck and Louisburg, in my teens I was here pretty much every year for basketball. And then, of course, I met Bev in university and made trips even more regularly after that!
There is one trip that comes to mind from my teens. In 1991 I came here with my high school basketball team, as we did all three years. But that year we came to play in the Coal Bowl in New Waterford. read more…
“Lavish Love: The Prodigal Father” – Sermon March 14, 2010
“Lavish Love: The Prodigal Father”
Luke 15:1-3,11-32
There comes a time in every young adult’s life when they make the big decision that it is time to strike out own your own. For some, it’s after high school, for others it might be after university, and for others it might be even later.
There are a number of reasons why we make this choice in our lives. One could be we’re ready to start our new career, a new life, maybe even in another part of the world. Another reason could be we’re ready to start a new life with someone else, by getting married, starting our own family. Or maybe we’re just tired of living by someone else’s rules and want to live by our own rules.
The reasons, and motives behind them are broad and unique to every person. read more…