Good evening everyone. As you know, I’m here before you, the members of Southridge, because I’m seeking to serve on the board of elders for another 3 years. As I reflect on the last six years and hopefully look forward to the next 3, several thoughts/feelings/convictions come to the forefront.
As most of you know, 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. The short version is that I’m currently in remission, retired from work at 56 years of age -- yes, I know, I suck: please don’t hate me -- and feeling great. And very recently Doris and I became grandparents for the first time.
In my re-up interview, I told those in attendance that because of my current reality, I have the time and mental space to serve like never before. For me, being thankful for everyday is no longer a cliche; it’s very real.
The second thing I’d like to share is what I’d call transfer. In my former life both as a teacher and an educational consultant, we learned that if a student can transfer a concept, skill and/or strategy from one subject to another, that the learning becomes more powerful. For example, if a 16 year old student can learn what velocity, inertia and impact mean in grade 11 physics and transfer this learning to driver’s ed, this would be a good thing and his/her parents would also appreciate this. Now to my point: what I learned toward the end of my career is that 2 qualities that are essential to both teacher and student learning are humility and curiosity. These ideas certainly transfer to us as Christians and specifically to our little corner of Christendom here at Southridge.
Much of our trajectory in love beyond belief has been premised on being humble enough to know that we don’t know everything and holding the tension of studying hard to show ourselves approved unto God and being humble and curious enough to continue learning. These qualities and this tension are driving forces of your board of elders as we grapple with difficult, complex issues and try to make the most God honouring decisions in directing our church.
And lastly: love beyond belief. If you’re starting to get sick of the phrase, “love beyond belief” that’s too bad for you. It’s not going away. “Love beyond belief.” There, I just said it 3 times.
When I was 25, I knew everything. I was the opposite of humble and curious. Now, over a quarter of a century later, I’m more aware of what I don’t know than what I do know. Here’s what I do know. Two things: first, I’m absolutely convinced that God loves us and that therefore we should love ourselves, each other and our neighbours (especially those who have been pushed to the margins of society). The other thing I’m convinced of as a 56 yr-old wanna-be elder for the next 3 years, is the centrality of the cross. The cross of Jesus is the symbol and the reality of the formerly mentioned God’s love.
It’s these 2 driving forces/realities that I believe lead me as an individual and govern us as as a church both in our direction and our posture in the future.
Thank you for your consideration in reaffirming me as an elder.
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