Messages

You don’t have to look too hard to see how that our world is in crisis. Endless wars, sexual violence, modern day slavery, addiction, depression, debt, disease, from chronic homelessness to hollow materialism, political infighting and environmental emergencies are all bubbling over. But what if the pain, struggle and hopelessness all around us is actually the prime opportunity for God to do His be...

From the world of fashion, music and art to food, technology and design, there’s a common axiom that drives excellence: less is more. Words like simplicity and minimalism have come to define beauty, success and quality. But when it comes the gospel, could it be true that the quality of our faith experience is directly related to the quantity of things we make it about. Spiritually speaking, what i...

From how we celebrate Christmas and birthdays to who sits where at the dinner table, human beings are hard-wired to embrace traditions. Traditions are our link to the past, they remind us who we are and that we're connected to each other through shared memories and experiences. But are all traditions worth preserving? How do you know when tradition and the truth are at odds? What do we do when “wh...

It's been said recently that trust is less like a bank account, where you deposit trust points to be withdrawn at a later time, and more like a water balloon, where even the tiniest pin-prick will slowly drain the whole thing and prevent it from every being refilled. If this is true, the church has a big problem. Decades of cover-ups, scandals, televangelists selling miracles, and pastors living i...

According to a recent survey, nearly 90% of unchurched people say that the term "judgmental" accurately describes Christians today and only 20% of outsiders view the church as a place where people are accepted and loved unconditionally. The Christian fixation on sin has left most people feeling criticized, cursed and condemned instead of loved, welcomed and included. The church's exclusion of so-c...

In his book UnChristian, Dave Kinnaman claims that Christianity has an image problem. His leading accusation is that too many Christians are hypocritical, saying, "our lives don’t match our beliefs. In many ways, our lifestyles and perspectives are no different from those of anyone around us." Is that true? And if so, what would it look like for a church to pursue honest, transparent and authentic...

After an inspiring time of music and sharing, part of Vision Night was hearing from each of our departments and what it means for them to be 'faithful in the small' as a part of their goals for this year.

For decades, we've operated under a deeply held belief that, if people saw the God of the Bible as He is, they would run TO him, instead of AWAY from him. The problem is, most people's view of God is shaped by their experience of the church, which more often than not leaves people looking elsewhere in search for meaning, purpose and significance. But what if the church actually resembled the God w...

If you’ve seen the movie, “Groundhog Day”, you know the feeling of being trapped in an endless cycle of doing the same thing over and over again, every single day. But the surprising twist is that, when you do the same thing again and again, after a while you actually get pretty good at it! What if, more than any of the big one-time decisions that feel so important at the time, it’s actually all t...

Some people say that faith is a personal and private matter. But the Bible is clear when we embrace Jesus we are automatically included in the church as full-fledged family members. So what does it look like to fully embrace our identity and responsibility as members of God’s church? And how can we make the most of our membership in this new community?

There’s nothing quite as refreshing as jumping in a lake, a pool or even a cool shower on a hot summer day. There’s just something about being submerged in water that wakes us up and provides a jolt of energy. The waters of baptism work in much the same way, to not only cleanse us from our past but also to awaken us to the power and presence of God and emerge ready to embrace a new life with fresh...

We are told that we can do anything, as long as we just believe. But what in the world are we to believe in? If any and all ideas about faith, God, truth and eternity are equally valid, does it really even matter what you believe, or do all paths lead to the same ultimate destination?

It is core to the human experience to at least from time to time wonder if there’s more to life than what we’re currently experiencing. More than waking up, going to work, relaxing with friends, only to do it all over again the next day. But what if we really were meant for a deeper experience of life, a connection to something spiritual? How do we tap into the “more” that we all long to experienc...

A true friend is someone who is willing to tell you that you have spinach in your teeth or that those jeans actually do make your butt look bigger. But what about more important truth: when you need to work on your character, end a relationship, make an apology, or deal with a habit? Or the really hard stuff: calling out sin and challenging our choices? What would happen if real friends really car...

It is said that, "Small minds discuss people. Average minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas." But what if there were something even more important to discuss: ourselves. Being honest about ourselves with ourselves, others, and God is probably the most difficult and most important kind of honesty there is. What would happen in and through us if we could learn to put all our cards on the t...

Most of us like to believe we're honest. But then, we catch ourselves saying, "Well, to be honest" or "I swear!" suggesting we're not always as transparent and trustworthy as we'd like to believe. But what if we could break through the deception and denial? What if we could overcome our fear so that the truth can set us free? How can we learn to say what we mean and mean what we say?

Till death do us part... It's a daunting proposition. That's probably why half of marriages (faith-based or not) throw in the towel at some point along the way, and why more and more people are choosing to either put off or pass up on marriage altogether. Is marriage an outdated concept? Can it really work? Can two people actually stay together? What "talk" would Jesus and the Bible have about mar...

There might be no topic more celebrated by Hollywood, but shamed by the "holy." So what is God's vision for sex? How can we follow Jesus with our sex lives? Can we experience freedom and fulfilment instead of restriction and shame? From teenagers testing boundaries to adults asking, "What's the big deal?", to parents terrified of "the talk", to spouses wanting to reclaim the magic, this conversati...

From playing the field to courting till matrimony, there's a variety of perspectives on dating. Whether you're currently single, in a relationship, considering whether to swipe right or left, have friends in "the game," or are a parent biting your nails, how can we develop a more mature expectation and experience of dating? What "talk" would Jesus and the Bible have about dating in 2019?

​Some say that "God helps those who help themselves." It is a vision of faith that fits in neatly in our culture, which rewards people who show initiative, take matters into their own hands, and solve their own problems. But how neatly does it fit with the teachings of Jesus? When we're experiencing persistent pain, frustration, and injustice, and it doesn't seem to be going away, is the truth tha...

We're told that "the one who dies with the most toys wins." It's doubtful that many people actually believe that is true, but it doesn't seem to stop many people from living like it is. That’s true even of people who profess to follow the Jesus whose message was “good news to the poor.” Sometimes we refer to the material things we’ve accumulated as “God’s blessings,” but what if that isn’t entirel...

It is said that the best time to plant a tree is 100 years ago, and the second best time is right now. Financial experts, for example,urge investors to plan ahead, set goals and taking practical steps to reach their desired outcomes. ​The same truth applies to education, vocations, families, and, well, seemingly everywhere. By being careful to plan for the future, we ​can become the masters of our...

Easter Sunday is the biggest celebration in the Christian community. But what's the big deal? Is the resurrection of Jesus anything more than a pie-in-the-sky for something--after-you-die fantasy? Or could the risen life of Jesus actually make a difference in the here and now? In my life and yours? What if Jesus actually wants to bring new life on earth just as in heaven?

Good Friday: to some, it's nothing more than a strange tradition marking the death of a religious figure. To others, it's a powerful symbol of forgiveness and grace. Maybe you've never been to a Good Friday service or couldn't imagine attending church twice on one weekend (if you're already coming for Easter), but Good Friday is such a meaningful experience for our community and just might be a ti...

We all love things. From ice cream to hockey to music to pets, our lives are full of affection toward the things we most value. But what does it look like to express our affection to God? What does it mean to truly worship? Does worshipping God really make a difference? At the end of the day, is worship worth it?