Canadian Justice System

I listen to talk radio quite a bit. If I am driving in my car, there is a good chance I am listening to talk radio or a sermon on CD.

One topic that comes up frequently (on talk radio) is the Canadian justice system. It usually centers around a criminal who has just been released or just been convicted of a serious crime and how they are getting nothing more than a slap on the wrist. I have to say, as I listen to these stories, I am frustrated that people who are convicted of serious crimes--like sexual assault, rape, child pornography, child molestation, murder--are released back into society after very little punishment or are convicted and given ridiculously light sentences.

Admittedly, this is an incredibly complex and involved issue. One such issue is the amount of funds it takes to incarcerate someone. If we took a hard-nose stance on crime in the criminal justice system, it would likely have HUGE fiscal implications. I doubt people would be as quick to speak if they knew what the financial implications would be.

So, I totally understand that this is a VERY complex issue and often times people don't take everything into consideration. But, what could be done in our criminal justice system to seriously punish those who need it and rehabilitate those whose crimes are less serious?

Numbers and Spirituality

Hey there people in the land of blogdom... I know it's been a while since I have posted anything...and it may be a while before I post again... but something has been on my mind that past few days...

It is no secret that the leadership of Moncton Wesleyan keeps a close eye on attendance numbers, giving numbers, goals, strategies, etc. I know there are some who look down on this practice... I honestly don't know why.

I believe everything is spiritual and that every area of my life ought to be offered up as worship to God. This is true not only of my devotional time, but also of my office time. With the right frame of mind...is one anymore spiritual than the other?? I just wonder if people who don't like churches that are concerned about "numbers" have put worship in a box and said, "Worship must look like this."

Could it be that those who see "Everything as Worship" are actually more open and spiritual than those who say, "No, Worship looks like this..."

Cheers!

On Shacking Up...

My responsibility at the church where I work is to lead 1st-time-visitors to become fully committed members. I have been working at it for about 2 years now (my 2-year work anniversary will be July 11). One thing I have noticed is that there are a lot of unwed couples living together. It seems that the vast majority of unchurched couples who visit are not married and they live together. Back in the 50's...I think this would have been less common... from what I understand, it would have been seen as taboo by many people in North American society.

Now, it seems if people have been dating for any length of time at all...you can pretty much guarantee that they will shack up sooner than later.

It may shock you to hear this, but I can totally understand why people do this. Apart from my Christian worldview, I think it makes a good deal of logical sense for people to move in together. The logic behind "moving in together" seems pretty clear to me:

1. People who love each other and eventually want to get married can get a 'trial run' in to see how they make out living together. If they end up fighting all the time and living together is terrible, then a divorce has been averted.
2. It is becoming more and more cost prohibitive for people to live alone, so from a financial perspective, splitting the bills makes $$ go further.
3. A wedding is expensive and when people want to have their "dream wedding" but don't have the $$ yet to put it together, why not live together until you can do it the way you want to do it.

These are just the 3 from the top of my head... I am sure I could come up with other reasons why it would seem like a great idea...

However, the amazing thing is... from what I have seen, people who live together first very often end up either not staying together or divorcing soon after they get married. Even though it may seem to make a lot of sense, it doesn't seem to work. People move in... people move out... People move in... they go through a hard time... they get married... (often times I think it is a last ditch effort to repair the relationship)... and then the soon get a divorce...

So... 1. I don't think it is God's will for two people to live together if they are not married and are involved in a sexual relationship. 2. I can see why it would make sense to people who are far from God to do so. 3. Amazingly, even though it seems to make sense, I think it rarely leads to a lasting and fulfilling marriage.

I would conclude that sin, even though it can make a great deal of sense on the surface, will make a fool of us in the end anyway. You can't disobey God's plan for a healthy marriage relationship and expect to get a healthy marriage-like relationship. Even when you think it will, sin doesn't work.

Has anyone else thought about this? What do you think?

Tithing in the New Covenant

I will always tithe (at least, and more) regardless of what anyone says on the issue. It is a very practical way to battle envy, greed and materialism.

Some have said that it is only an OT concept and doesn't move into the New Covenant. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus hits on tithing in a bit of an indirect way... "you should have done the former without neglecting the latter"...

Here is my confusion and question: People are often quick to say, "ahhh that's an OT concept" as if to say "that no longer applies"... 1. How can we distinguish between what roles over and what does not... (from OT to NT) and 2. Are Jesus' implicit words in Matthew 23:23 enough to stand on for New Covenant tithing?

Even if this is an elementary question... I would appreciate your serious consideration and response... :) Thanks!

Who Knew?

It's been so long since we have played... In some ways it seems like yesterday... in other ways it seems like so long ago... In any case... We had fun in those days...

I must be growing up...

I have done something that makes me think I must be growing up... at least a little bit. I think my youth may be starting to be tempered with little hints of wisdom...

A day or two ago I typed up a posting for this blog about people complaining and whining about ministry. But as I read it, I thought it was a little bit harsh and could hurt people as they read it... or if it didn't hurt them it would just tick them off. And while I believe everything that I wrote in that posting was true... that didn't make it right.

That is one thing I am learning in life--just because something is true, doesn't make it right! It's like the person who calls someone else a nasty name and then defends their actions by saying, "Well...it's true!" It could be true that they are a _________ ... but that doesn't make it right to call someone a _____________ .

Furthermore, not every thought I have should be vocalized for all the world to read and see... My words have consequences when they are directed at other people... I need to choose my words more wisely and am thankful that God is teaching me and developing me...

So, while I will continue to grow in this area... (I'm sure it is going to be a life-long lesson for me) ...take solace in knowing that God is working on me and isn't done with me yet. Perhaps my "Ready... Fire... Aim..." is slowly becoming "Ready...Aim...Fire."

Cheers!
Benson

Pastors and Work

I am curious what your views are on how much a pastor should work. I know there are HUGE variances in views about this... maybe that's why I would value your input so much...

Also, how do you think a pastor should spend this work time? In an "ideal" situation (I have no idea what this might mean)... how many hours would a senior pastor spend doing what?

I look forward to hearing back from you!