Posts by Tim Stephens (Page 5)
Drag Queen Story Hour
Many have watched the footage of Derek Reimer protesting a Drag Queen Story Hour at Seton Library. Derek was removed from the room during the event but stayed in the library to speak about the evils of what was happening inside, warning everyone about God’s judgment, and calling them to repentance in Jesus. Derek was later arrested and was held in the Calgary Remand Center until late Monday evening (March 6). Derek runs a street ministry in Calgary with many…
Culture of Beauty
Culture is a word we use often yet rarely consider its meaning. The English word culture, is derived from the Latin word cultura which speaks of “cultivating, tending, caring, tilling, and honoring.” We see the immediate application to farming and the caring for the land to produce a harvest—the goal of cultivation. The Latin word cultus is also part of the same word group and overlaps in meaning but focuses on the cultivation of customs of worship and veneration. This…
Online Streaming Act
The Online Streaming Act (aka Bill C-11 or “An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts”) has garnered attention in the news and in the Christian world. It’s been dubbed by critics as a censorship bill with some warning that it will fundamentally change the availability of information in Canada through the internet and the many platforms that depend upon it. You can read the bill for yourself here, but how…
To Sell or Not to Sell…
…that is the question. In the processes of selling our facility, questions have arisen on who and who not to sell it to. Would we sell to a group that differs with us in doctrine? Would we sell to an investor to build condos? Would we sell to those who are affirming of the LGBTQ+ agenda? Would we sell to Jews? or to Muslims? Of course, we all agree that our preference is to sell our facility to another group…
Pride Check
Sermon Excerpt: Your biggest problem is your own sin from the sermon Behold the Covenant. To watch the entire sermon, click here. Pride Check. Consider the following questions which expose the fruit of pride in our lives. Do you want to be well-known and important? Do you want to impress people? Don’t you do this with the clothing you wear, the vehicle you drive, the place you live, your house, the money you earn, food you eat, who you know,…
Loaves and Fish Offering
You can watch the announcement of this offering from Sunday, November 4th or read the content of that announcement below. Jesus had been teaching all day and 5000 men along with women and children were hungry. They had no amenities, no provisions, and were in a desolate place with little resources (see Luke 9:10–17 and corresponding sermon “5000 Reasons to Depend on Jesus”). Jesus told (and tested) his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” In response, they had three…
A Call to the Lord’s People to Give Generously
* Updated: November 15, 2022. Congregation approval received on November 13. Praying for the sale of our current facility and praying for the Lord to provide all funding necessary. Full update below. Background “What they meant for evil, God meant for good” (Genesis 50:20). In June 2021, after mounting pressure related to COVID mandates and restrictions, AHS and Calgary Police locked us out of our building and imprisoned me. I spent 3 weeks in jail and our church building was…
Not Guilty!
After a trial on September 15, 2021 where I took the stand to make my defense on two counts of violating the Chief Medical Officer’s COVID health orders, the written decision was given yesterday by the judge. In short, the judge found me not guilty. Here is a legal summary of all tickets/charges so far for me and the church: 3 PHA violations for failing to wear a mask—all withdrawn. 2 PHA violations for exceeding capacity limit—both withdrawn. 2 PHA…
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Every year at this time Christians discuss together what they do for Halloween. Do you celebrate it? Do you try to use it as an outreach? Do you avoid it and denounce it? What makes matters more complicated is that there are more opinions than questions. It is my aim in this article, not just to add one more opinion, but perhaps inform your opinion with a perspective rarely heard in these discussions. Origins Debate Discussions about Halloween among Christians…
A Call for Unity in Diversity
A common conversation has entered the halls of our church. Doubtless some of you have heard or been involved in discussions about election or predestination. These are terms that are used and taught in Scripture yet have been the occasion for discussions that turn into sharp divisions. In our day, online personalities enflame these divisions and turn disciples of Christ against one another. It is important that we discuss these issues and bring light rather than heat lest his blood-bought…
Preaching is Bricklaying
Consecutive expository preaching through entire books of the Bible (lectio continua) best prepares people to go through the ups and downs of life. Like a methodical bricklayer, the preacher lays a brick with each sermon that over time stands as a fortress providing refuge in the storms of life. Not every brick laid is remembered. Not every sermon stands out. Not every brick will be smooth, not every sermon eloquent. A single brick has little utility by itself, nor can…
What Men’s Ministry Looks Like
Men’s ministries are ubiquitous in the modern evangelical church. Like women’s ministries or children’s ministries these are typically programs or events designed for the men as a ministry or service to them. That is, these outings, adventures, studies, and programs are designed to minister to the men rather than see the men serve as ministers. The biblical model certainly include times of equipping and discipleship, but men’s ministry ought to be ministry of the men rather than ministry for the…