The text message on February 4 was devastating but long-expected: “I just found out our beloved Ray Bakke has gone to be with Jesus. What a giant and a gem and a gift from the LORD he was to the…
This weekly editorial gives opportunity for people to speak about issues they believe are vital for the church to respond to. We asked Shadia Qubti (see accompanying article) to respond to this article, in part to model healthy conversation. One of…
Our weekly Creating Conversation editorial gives opportunity for people to speak about issues they believe are vital for the church to respond to. We asked Shadia Qubti to respond to Jonathan Bird’s accompanying comment, in part to model healthy conversation.…
For the current issue of InCommon, Jonathan Bird, church relations specialist for Union Gospel Mission, interviewed Dave Harder. Jonathan Bird: Dave, before moving to Ottawa and founding Parish Properties, you were co-pastoring a congregation here in Vancouver. Did that experience…
There is a lot of good will between most churches in Metro Vancouver, most of the time. And several ecumenical initiatives (More Than Gold, Voices Together, the Vancouver Consultation, for example) have drawn the Christian community closer in various ways.…
Easter Week April 8, 2020 Dear fellow British Columbians, As a group of Christian leaders we seek to join our voice in praise and thanksgiving for the care, kindness, and sacrifice of courageous frontline health care workers, social and food…
Twenty-seven pastors and network leaders met on a Zoom prayer call March 24 to firm up plans for a Day of Prayer and Fasting Across Metro Vancouver tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25), and for every Wednesday thereafter until further notice. The…
One highlight at last weekend’s Missions Fest was hearing from a couple of city officials about how Christians, and faith groups in general, can have a better rapport with their city. The How Can We Inspire City Officials with God’s…
There are always so many good workshops at Missions Fest that it’s hard to choose where to go. This year – Friday and Saturday (January 31 – February 1 at the Vancouver Convention Centre) is no exception. But there’s one…
City hall usually seems to have already made up its mind by the time we hear about its various initiatives. But Vancouver Plan looks like a real opportunity to have some input. The City of Vancouver is asking all its…