Last Sunday (September 20) was a momentous day for three Vancouver churches. All closed their doors, but each will retain a presence, though in quite distinct ways. Bethlehem Lutheran Pastor Fred Rink led a decommissioning service for Bethlehem Lutheran Church,…
Frank Stirk has written a book that should be read by anyone who believes – or would like to believe – that the church can have a positive future in this city. He has carefully chronicled how the church is…
Usually I look forward a week or two in this Around Town column, pointing out some interesting events coming down the pike. This time I’ll start with one that won’t take place for another year – but it’s three days…
“Church leaders intuitively know that ‘business as usual’ will not result in the awakening we long for. Multiply will stoke the fires of church renewal and multiplication that many are dreaming of. Come expectant. Come prayerfully.” That is the invitation from…
When Dennis Wilkinson found himself on a Vancouver West End bench sharing the whole gospel story with a Jew and a Muslim friend together he knew his philosophy of church planting was rooting. He saw hospitality was at the heart…
Reality Church Vancouver, a plant of Westside Church, had hoped to launch in mid-2008. But they needed a place to rent, and for six months every site they approached that seemed the least bit promising turned them down. Then in…
By my reckoning, Christian authors in the Metro Vancouver area have published at least 25 books this year. I’ll look at some of the (broadly) Bible-related books this week, then over the next couple of weeks consider fiction/arts and what…
Three downtown pastors welcomed their fellow pastor Norm Funk and Westside Church to the neighbourhood this morning, during Westside’s first service at The Centre. Darrell Johnson (First Baptist), Dave Koop (Coastal) and Nelson Boschman (Artisan) were all on hand to…