Around Town: Blessed are the Undone, VST Compassion, St. John’s, First Baptist

Deconstruction is a hot topic, on the mind of many church people. So an upcoming event should be offer a good opportunity to think through a few of the related issues.

Angelic Reitsma Bick, co-author of Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada will be at First Christian Reformed Church of Vancouver June 5 as part of her Blessed are the Undone book tour. the gathering offers “conversations about faith deconstruction and hope in Canada”:

Join us for an interactive presentation that will include data and stories from Blessed are the Undone, invite examples from Vancouver and end with suggestions for ‘reconstruction-friendly’ postures in an era of deconstruction. 

Please note that this event requires registration and there is a cost of $15 each.

The event is sponsored by New Leaf Press and Resonate Global Mission, along with two local groups, the Centre for Missional Leadership and the Reflector Project.

New Leaf describes the book in this way:

Canadian Christians frustrated with the Church have come ‘Undone’ and are leaving politely, almost apologetically, in what this book dubs a Quiet Deconstruction. Blessed are the Undone asks: what aspects of faith are being questioned, and why?

Weaving in church history, cultural analysis and their personal stories, Bick and Schuurman use canoe camping to illustrate the twists and turns of the spiritual journey. Whether you feel like you’re up the creek without a paddle when it comes to faith, or if people you love have lost their bearings, this book is for you.

Comments about the book have generally been positive:

• James K.A. Smith, professor of philosophy, Calvin University, author of Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism? and How (Not) to Be Secular: “For the reader who is open to listening and learning, Schuurman and Reitsma Bick offer a systematic, thoughtful, gracious and nuanced presentation and analysis of these stories – they are ‘for’ meaningful Christian community, restoration and witness in the world. Importantly, they gift the reader with hope-filled possibilities for individuals and Christian communities moving forward.”

• Joel Thiessen, Professor of Sociology, Department Chair, Social Sciences (Behavioural Science, Psychology), Ambrose University, Director, Flourishing Congregations Institute: “Whether you are deconstructed, deconverted or have never doubted your faith, this book is a must-read if you believe there is hope for the church to become an agent of healing in Canada.”

Some are less enthusiastic:

• Elmer John Thiessen, a retired philosopher, reviewed the book in Faith Today: “In the end, I believe this is what Bick and Schuurman have in mind, not a complete demolition but reformation that is always looking to improve what we have inherited. It is unfortunate that they have chosen to focus on deconstruction and paint such a negative view of evangelicalism.”

So, there should be some lively discussion during the upcoming evening.

Last week (May 14) the other author of Blessed are the Undone spoke to a gathering at Hope Community Church in Surrey. Peter Schuurman presented some thoughts on his book and on deconstruction generally, along with Todd Statham.

Both Shuurman and Statham stressed that it is vitally important to really listen to people who are struggling with their faith. Schuurman also said it is helpful to be “a non-anxious presence,” and that “apologies may go over better than apologetics.”

More to come on the topic, I hope, after I’ve also attended the June 5 gathering.

Compassion at VST

A “multi-faith, multidisciplinary conference for academics and activists” will take place at the Vancouver School of Theology next week. Compassion: Mutual Care in Troubled Times will be held May 27 – 29:

Compassion can bridge social divisions, uplift people in distress, inspire collective action and create resilient communities. It is the ability to recognize, empathize with and respond to others.

For many spiritual communities, compassion is both a core practice and an essential idea. Spiritual traditions say compassion affirms the connectedness of all being, grounds an imperative to care or is an essential divine trait.

Kicking off the conference will be a free lecture, open to the public (and online). Dr. Terri Elizabeth Givens, a Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia and the author of Radical Empathy: Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides, will speak on Radical Integrity in Leadership: Empathy in Action., Tuesday evening.

Among the presentations during the conference:

• Compassionate Cities Panel & Workshop with Marilyn Turkovich & Friends, Executive Director, Charter for Compassion;
• Spiritual Practices for Compassionate Capacity with The Interfaith Amigos: Imam Jamal Rahman, Pastor Don Mackenzie, Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan;
• Spirit of Ubuntu with Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah.

To see the full conference line-up and to register go here.

Big day

Both St. John’s Vancouver and First Baptist Church are having a big day this Sunday (May 25).

• St. John’s Vancouver

Rev. Canon David Short has been leading St. John’s Vancouver for many years, but this Sunday he will preach for the final time as Rector at all three services:

After the 10 am and 6 pm services, we’ll have special receptions at the church to celebrate David and Bronwyn to mark this day together. We gather to celebrate God’s faithful ministry to us through David and Bronwyn, and to encourage and care for each other at this time of transition and farewell.

The church meets at 5350 Baillie Street (at 37th Avenue).

Sue Careless interviewed Short recently; the post appeared on The Anglican Planet April 2. The introduction began:

In the early 1990s, the Rev’d David Short came to Canada to study under J.I. Packer at Regent College in Vancouver. He and his wife Bronwyn planned to return to Australia with their two young sons after David received his masters.

Instead, in 1993 he accepted the role of rector of St John’s Shaughnessy in Vancouver, following in the footsteps of the remarkable evangelical preacher, the Rev’d Harry Robinson.

But 2002 proved to be a momentous year as the Diocese of New Westminster and the St John’s Shaughnessy congregation were at the epicentre of some tectonic shifts in the Anglican Communion. Their diocese, which was theologically liberal, became the first Anglican diocese in the world to formally authorize the blessing of same-sex unions.

Following years of legal proceedings, St. John’s Vancouver voted to leave the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) and, with others, formed the Anglican Network in Canada, now known as the Anglican Diocese of Canada (ADC). The church continues to meet at the Seventh-Day Adventist church

Here is a portion of the interview:

TAP: Harry Robinson and J.I. Packer were both huge mentors to you. Can you tell us a little about how each man influenced you?

DS: Harry was like a father to me. A gentle giant, entirely unafraid. His preaching was creative, fiery, always centred on Christ – a remarkable pastor whom God used widely.

Jim represented the evangelicalism I came from. He was a churchman and would do whatever his Rector asked. During the crisis he was a great strength and encouragement. I think the lasting favourite memory for me is praying with Jim – his prayers were deep, humble, childlike and filled with a sense of heaven.

TAP: You have been a key leader in ADC but you never let your name stand for election as bishop. Why was that?

DS: I am convinced that the real work of God takes place in the parish, in the regular preaching, pastoring and praying with people across different generations. And the Lord has wired me more for preaching and training rather than the role of a bishop.

Go here for the rest of the (much longer) interview.

• First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church moved back into its church building earlier this month after years away during major redevelopment (as I described here).

Now they are ready to host a Commissioning and Celebration Service this Sunday, 2:30 – 4 pm:

Come celebrate with us as we give thanks for all God has done, step into a new season together, and lift up the mission ahead – not just for our church, but for our wider community.

This is more than just a service – it’s a kind of grand opening celebration, and you are very welcome to invite family, friends, and anyone who would love to be part of this moment. We’re excited to be joined by local pastors, ministry partners and friends from other churches.

Important Note: There will be no 10 am morning service on May 25. 

Drew Melton, Lead Pastor – Preaching and Vision wrote an article for May issue of Making Connections (the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada newsletter), in which he pointed out how much the church values its place in the city:

One hundred and thirty-eight years ago, on March 16, 1887, a group of Baptists gathered to found the very first Baptist church in the fledgling city of Vancouver. Naturally, they called it First Baptist Church of Vancouver. It was scarcely a year younger than the city itself, which was formally incorporated on April 6, 1886.

One hundred and fourteen years ago, First Baptist Church commemorated the opening of a beautiful Gothic Revival-style church building at the corner of Nelson Street and Burrard Street in the heart of downtown Vancouver. At that time, it was the city’s largest religious building, with a sanctuary that had capacity for 900.  

Fifteen years ago, First Baptist Church began dreaming about how to faithfully steward their place and resources in order to continue to participate in the work God was doing and would continue to do in Vancouver. That dreaming led to the implementation of a project called ‘Heart for the City.’

The Heart for the City project combined several elements of First Baptist’s missional vision, including a development agreement that resulted in a restoration and seismic upgrade of the church’s heritage buildings, an expansion of the church’s community and ministry space, a new seven-storey condo building and a new 57-storey tower known as The Butterfly.

The ‘heart’ of this project was to ensure the safety and longevity of First Baptist’s historic building for generations to come and to meet some of the city of Vancouver’s expressed needs around housing and social services.  

Go here to read the full article, which includes the seven key features of the project.

Events & Jobs

Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.

May 2025

Clothed in Glory: Learning to Embody Christ – May 22, 2025 - June 12, 2025 at All Day
Meeting – May 22, 2025 - June 7, 2025 at All Day
Day of Renewal: Church Leadership British Columbia – May 22, 2025 at 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Northwest's New Chapter: Online Brand Launch & Town Hall – May 22, 2025 at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Returning to the Highest Chief: Life After Residential School – Book Launch with Mary Jane Joe – May 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Preaching in a New Key: A Conversation About Preaching in Vancouver – May 23, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Western Youth Summit – May 24, 2025 at 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Monthly Community Dinner – May 24, 2025 at 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Freedom Young Adults Beach Bonfire – May 24, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
David Short's Farewell Sermon and Receptions at St. John's Vancouver – May 25, 2025 at All Day
First Baptist Church: Commissioning and Celebration Service – May 25, 2025 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Jazz Vespers with Linda Szentes and Jazzlinks – May 25, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Bez Gospel Choir Spring Concert: Look Up! – May 25, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Vancouver Oratorio Society Spring Concert: The Great I Am – May 25, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm
Pacific Life Bible College Spring Preview Day – May 26, 2025 at 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
First United 140th Anniversary Golf Tournament – May 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Denis Alexander: Evolution: A Story of Chance? Or a Story of Purpose? – May 26, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Compassion: Thoughtful, Engaged & Generous – May 27, 2025 - May 29, 2025 at 12:00 am
Dr. Terri Givens: Radical Integrity in Leadership – Empathy in Action – May 27, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Event for Christian Singles – May 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Communities of Hope Book Launch and Conversation – May 28, 2025 at 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Nightshift Charity Golf Classic – May 28, 2025 at 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Science & Theology: Ross Hastings & Denis Alexander – May 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Business by the Book: James Taylor – May 28, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Journey Home Community: The Welcome Table – Annual Spring Gala – May 29, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Girls Night Out: Living Life to the Fullest Tour – May 29, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation – May 30, 2025 - June 1, 2025 at All Day
The Paperboys (Trio) – May 30, 2025 at 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Connection Point 2025: A Night of Worship & Community – May 30, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Free Gospel Folk Concert: Lee Legare, Sing Together, Jordan Barr – May 30, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Parenting Conference: Sowing to the Spirit – May 31, 2025 at 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
United Voices Choir: Rejoice! Handel Coronation Anthems & Dixit Dominus – May 31, 2025 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
My Favourite Hymns: Concert & Art Show – May 31, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
HOME (Hub Open Mic Evening) – May 31, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Jun 2025

Meant for More: A Home of Hope Story – June 1, 2025 at 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Meant for More: A Home of Hope Story – June 1, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
United Voices Choir: Rejoice! Handel Coronation Anthems & Dixit Dominus – June 1, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Bible Studies Q&A: Aubrey E. Buster & Madison N. Pierce – June 4, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Blessed are the Undone: a workshop on leadership and blessing in the face of changing Christian faith – June 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Aubrey E. Buster: Daniel 12 & the Hope of Glory – June 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Free & Empowered Conference with Doug and Teri Balzer – June 5, 2025 - June 7, 2025 at 12:00 am
Networking & Conversation About Disability – June 5, 2025 at 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Blessed are the Undone: Conversations about Faith Deconstruction and Hope in Canada – June 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
AC Summer School – June 6, 2025 - June 8, 2025 at All Day
We are Family – June 7, 2025 at 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
TLR Kickstart Weekend, with Jordan Barr & team – June 7, 2025 - June 8, 2025 at 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
March for Jesus: Jesus Christ Our Only Hope – June 7, 2025 at 12:30 pm - 11:30 pm
2025 Multicultural Worship Night – June 8, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Darrell L. Bock: Minding the Gap – from Event to Gospel – June 9, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Health Care Q&A: Dr. Quentin Genuis – June 11, 2025 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Judith Wolfe: The Theological Imagination – June 11, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Hamlet – June 11, 2025 - June 14, 2025 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Provincial Leaders Dinner (with Sam Sullivan) – June 12, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rising: A Night to Empower the Leaders of Tomorrow – June 13, 2025 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Freedom Worship Night – June 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
58th Annual BC Leadership Prayer Breakfast (with Anthony Robles) – June 13, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Love Without Borders: Welcoming Refugee Claimants Orientation – June 14, 2025 at 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
St. John's Centennial Gala – June 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
God Will Take Care of You Hymn Festival – June 14, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
2025 Vancouver Gospel Festival – June 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Kenya, Africa 2025 Partner Visit – June 21, 2025 - June 30, 2025 at All Day
Day of Celebration: United Church of Canada's 100th Anniversary – June 25, 2025 at All Day
Summer Gospel Concert: A Choir Movement – June 27, 2025 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Worship Invasion and Summer Praise 2025 – June 28, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm