Around Town: Fall Festivals, ‘Any Idiot,’ World Street Experience, Consecrated …

Churches are welcoming their neighbours in a variety of ways on Halloween night. Several are opening their building for festivals, fiestas and family nights, while others are moving right out into the community.

Here are the church-based events I have run across so far; I’m sure there are more around Metro Vancouver:

* Hallelujah Night: Strathcona Church, Vancouver
* Fall Fiesta: Coastal Church Commercial Campus, Vancouver
* FunFest – Game On!: Vancouver Chinese Alliance Church
* FunFest – Guardians of the Globe, Fraser Lands Church, Vancouver
* Down at the Pumpkin Patch: Willingdon Church, Burnaby
* Family Night @ New Life: New Life Community Church, Burnaby
* ECBC Autumn Festival: Evangelical Chinese Bible Church, Burnaby
* Fall Fiesta: Coastal Church Richmond
* Fall Fiesta: Coastal Church Pitt Meadows

A couple of churches are venturing out of their buildings.

Here is how Broadway Church is urging its members to spend the evening:

Halloween is the only night of the year where your neighbours will actually come to you! Let’s be ready to say HELLO with Timbits and Hot Chocolate! Our goal is to set up 100 Points of Light all across Greater Vancouver to shine the light of Jesus on Halloween Night by simply making ourselves available to say HELLO to neighbours!

I wrote about it last year.

CA Church (Coquitlam Alliance) will be setting up shop around Lafarge Lake:

Join us for an evening of fun as we gather together in our community for fireworks and hot chocolate! Invite a friend and neighbour for the night as we light up the skies at Lafarge Lake.

Scroll down to the end of this article for links to all these events, and more.

Any Idiot . . .

Jason Byassee will reflect on his recent sabbatical in Great Britain with an intriguingly-titled event: “Any Idiot Can Grow a Church in London.” He will offer “new insights on Christian witness in the post-Christendom West” – followed by a free lunch – this Saturday morning (November 2) at St. Andrew’s Hall on the UBC campus.

He will also link his findings to the situation in Metro Vancouver; see the accompanying post about UBC President Santa Ono. Byassee is a relative newcomer to Vancouver, but knows it better than most who grew up here.

The gathering is sponsored by the Centre for Missional Leadership, which its director Ross Lockhart describes in this way:

We are a community of scholars, evangelists and missional practitioners committed to witnessing to the risen Christ in the ruins of Western Christendom. The missional theology we teach denies that church decline is the primary reality of our time. Instead, we boldly affirm that the Triune God is alive and working to reconcile and redeem the world. We are called to participate in that divine mission. . . .

Byassee teaches homiletics at Vancouver School of Theology and has written several books, including Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches (Abingdon Press, 2018, with Matt Miofsky) and Surprised By Jesus Again: Reading the Bible in Communion with the Saints (Eerdmans, 2019).

World Street Experience

John Smed is seeking prayer for World Street Experience, November 4 – 8. The founder of Prayer Current, which began in Vancouver, says:

. . . 45 leaders, planters, missionaries, interns from across Canada, the USA, a couple from India and four pastors from Moscow will be meeting and staying at [a hotel] in downtown Vancouver. We are gathering to pray. We will ‘hit the streets’ with prayer walking and prayer evangelism. . . .

We believe that sharing Christ through prayer and word is more than a command – it is a beautiful thing to do. We reject the lie that public and personal evangelism is ‘forcing our views on someone.’

The coming of the kingdom is good news; indeed it the very best news! We proclaim the good news that brings salvation – joy, freedom and forgiveness – to all who believe. Listen to the joy and happiness in these words of the prophet Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness; who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”(Isaiah 52:7)

Yes, private and person to person evangelism is important, Yet note most of the preaching in the New Testament is ‘on the streets’ and very public. Paul defended it: “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:20,21

Consecrated

Darrell Johnson will lead a ministry time for pastors set up by Mission Central November 14. This is the purpose of Consecrated:

As part of the preparations for Missions Fest Vancouver in January 2020, a group of pastors have been meeting to intercede for God to move in our churches. The theme for the conference is Altar Vision, an examination of what it means to live the surrendered life.

While meeting together, this team felt like the place to start with a call to surrender was with themselves. As pastors it’s easy to forget that Jesus has called us all to lay everything at his feet. Sometimes, even our ministries can become an idol.

We’ve invited Darrell Johnson to lead a ministry time for pastors. We hope that this will be a time where burdens shift from your shoulders to Jesus. We pray for bonds to be broken, and a new passion to love and serve Jesus will be birthed in you, and in-turn in your congregations.

Johnson wrote some thoughts about the gathering:

A few months ago, John Hall [Mission Central executive director] contacted me and wanted to visit about ‘a burden’ that was weighing on his heart, a burden relative to the effectiveness of all the Christ honouring ministries in our cities. When we met, he summarized the burden in one word: ‘consecration.’ A word Christian leaders and servants used in by-gone eras, but one not heard that much in our time. John’s burden was, and still is, that the effectiveness of one’s ministry in the city is related to the degree, or quality, of one’s ‘consecration.’

Yes, ministry in the name of Jesus is ultimately Jesus’ burden: He is The Great Minister, Missionary, Evangelist, Healer, Reconciler; the ‘success’ of His disciple’s service rests on His shoulders. Blessed be His name!

Yet, He moves more powerfully, more redemptively, when those He calls to partner with Him are ‘consecrated’ to Him.

‘Consecrated.’ It means ‘dedicated to.’ It means ‘surrender to.’ It means ‘owned by.” It implies totally given over to Another for the Other’s purposes and plans. It means ‘I am Yours.’

Go here for his full comment.

In Asia for two weeks

Go to the accompanying story, Who is an Evangelical, for more information.

Oct 2019

Frankenstein Lost in Darkness, adapted by Peter Church – October 31, 2019 - November 2, 2019 at All Day
Geoffrey Feng: Promised Land – October 31, 2019 - November 15, 2019 at All Day
Deborah Stephan: Shellseekers Art & Soul – Spiritual Disciplines Workshop (Thursday mornings) – October 31, 2019 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fall Fiesta – October 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Fall Fiesta – October 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Fall Fiesta – October 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Hello-ween (multiple locations) – October 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rocky Railway Fall Festival – October 31, 2019 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
ECBC Autumn Festival – October 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Family Night @ New Life – October 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Funfest: Game On! – October 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
FunFest: Guardians of the Globe – October 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Under the Big Top: Down at the Pumpkin Patch – October 31, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Halloween Fireworks & Hot Chocolate – October 31, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Hallelujah Night – October 31, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Ruby Sunrise – October 31, 2019 - November 2, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Nov 2019

~sey yes~ a liturgy of not giving up on yourself (featuring Scott Erickson) – November 1, 2019 at 12:00 am
Fauré Requiem in a Liturgical Setting – November 1, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Bez Fundraising Gala with Shari Ulrich – November 1, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Early Music Vancouver: Dowland Lachrimae featuring Les Voix Humaines & Lutenist Nigel North – November 1, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
James K.A. Smith: Augustine Our Contemporary – How to Find Yourself – November 1, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Storytelling: Bringing the Past to Life – 2019 Surrey & White Rock Writers’ Conference – November 2, 2019 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Real World Spirituality with James K.A. Smith – November 2, 2019 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Craft Fair with a Cause – November 2, 2019 at 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Jason Byassee: "Any Idiot Can Grow a Church in London" – November 2, 2019 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
More: a Retreat for Women – November 2, 2019 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Connaught Heights Craft Fair – November 2, 2019 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
St. John the Evangelist Café Church: Two Veterans & a Chaplain, Serving Canada – November 2, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christmas for Kenya Fundraiser & Silent Auction – November 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pier 21 – November 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Praise with Paul Baloche – November 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hymn Festival: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing – November 2, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
For King & Country: Burn the Ships Tour – November 2, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – November 3, 2019 at All Day
A Celebration of Christian Unity – November 3, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Jeremy Benjamin 'Wonderlove Tour' – November 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sinach Live in Worship – November 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Advocacy Society: Annual Autumn Fundraiser Banquet – November 4, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
Journey 101 (Monday evenings) – November 4, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fundraising Gala: New Hope in Motion – November 5, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
JustWork: A Taste of Dignity – November 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Inspired Convention – November 7, 2019 - November 8, 2019 at 8:30 am - 1:45 pm
St. Anselm's Christmas Fair – November 7, 2019 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fall Feast: an Evening of Music – November 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Michael W. Smith – November 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Our Dream Soars Higher: Pope Francis' Call to Civic & Political Love – November 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver WaterBash – November 7, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Night of Creation – November 8, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christina Martin – November 8, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
SENT Conference: a Church on God's Mission – November 9, 2019 at 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Eternity Club 40th Anniversary – November 9, 2019 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Alzheimer Café – November 9, 2019 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Christian Youth for the Nations BC Grace 2019 – November 9, 2019 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Remembrance Day Concert – November 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Danny Michel – November 9, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley: Linda Szentes & Jazzlinks – November 10, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Remembrance Day Concert – November 10, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
An Evening with Brother Yun – November 10, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Gary Chapman: 5 Love Languages Tour – November 11, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ELO Forum – November 14, 2019 at All Day
Consecrated – November 14, 2019 at 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Does Immigration Matter?: Shachi Kurl – I Know What You Think About Immigration! – November 14, 2019 at 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Banquet featuring Abby Johnson (inspiration behind 'Unplanned' movie) – November 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Creative Writing & the Soul Story: An Evening with Fantasy Author J.R. Fehr – November 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Holistic Approach to Helping Kids & Teens Manage Anxiety – November 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Book Launch with James M. Houston & Bruce K. Waltke – November 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
SAMC Music Presents: In the Italian Style – November 15, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The All Handmade Sale – November 15, 2019 - November 16, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 5:00 pm
When it Rains Conference – November 16, 2019 at 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Crossroads United Church Annual Christmas Sale – November 16, 2019 at 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
St. Martin's Fall Market – November 16, 2019 at 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Unhitched Conference – November 16, 2019 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
DTES Constructive Theology Conference – November 16, 2019 at 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
Quality Fair Bazaar – November 16, 2019 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
St. Christoper's Christmas Bazaar – November 16, 2019 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
What is Human Nature?: the Theological Politics of Anthropology – November 16, 2019 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Songstage with Ivan Boudreau – November 16, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Taizé Contemplative Service – November 17, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
One Night Outside – November 18, 2019 - November 19, 2019 at 9:00 pm - 7:00 am
Rethinking Our Narrative of Diversity: Collaboration for Social Transformation – November 20, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Ben Nelson: Noonshine – Opening Reception – November 20, 2019 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Designing for Transformation: Where Do We Go From Here? – November 21, 2019 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Learning from the African-American Church: Engaging Justice for the Common Good – November 21, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The Snow Queen – November 21, 2019 - November 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
604 Conference 2019: Into the Awakening – November 22, 2019 - November 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Men Arise Conference – November 22, 2019 - November 24, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Dreams – November 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Aging Matters: Reframing Retirement & the Spiritual Journey – November 23, 2019 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Impact National Men’s Conference / Surrey | Promise Keepers Canada – November 23, 2019 at 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Community Café – November 23, 2019 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Equipping Seminar (by Equipping Youth & Children's Worker Seminar) – November 23, 2019 at 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Christmas Fayre – November 23, 2019 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fair Trade Christmas Market @ St. Andrew's United Church – November 23, 2019 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
XMas Market & Keen Shoe Sale – November 23, 2019 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Bazaar – November 23, 2019 at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Family Christmas Funtastic – November 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sounds of Christmas – November 23, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Youth Unlimited Presents Westcoast Formal – November 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Dreams – November 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale: Handel's Messiah – November 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm