Some people are born leaders, raised up for such a time as this.
We have a friend named Tammy.
She came into our lives as a 17-year-old in our youth group at Lakeshore Evangelical Church in Dorval, QC in the 80s. Even as a teenager she had a resolute spirit found in leaders. The other students were driven to youth group by their parents or friends. Tammy took two city buses every Friday night and she was always early. In our last two years in Montreal, she spent a ton of Thursday nights in our townhouse with a couple dozen other young adults, eating Jocelyn’s spaghetti or lasagna and pursuing discipleship.
Loved, Supported, Respected
Tammy is understated in personality but passionate in convictions. Maybe that’s what makes her compelling. Our sons, fifteen years her junior, loved being with her and her now husband, Ross. I had the pleasure of officiating their wedding.
Years after we moved from Montreal to Edmonton, Tammy followed in my steps in pastoral leadership at Lakeshore thanks to a supportive senior pastor.
We stay in touch, share favourite books, and talk discipleship. In 2024 our youth group had a 40th reunion at Lakeshore. While there, Jocelyn and I were taken by Tammy and Ross to dinner at an Italian restaurant in Little Italy (Napolitana Pizzeria!). Best pizza ever and first pizzeria in Montreal. 
THE STORMS AROUND US
Recently, Tammy and I were sharing concerns about some political movements that seemed, at least to us, contrary to Christ and yet curry very fervent support from some Christians and Churches.
- Why do some parts of the church emphasize personal rights and political power more than humility and faithfulness to Christ?
- How can racist or even oppressive movements, pursued in the name of something like “national greatness,” gain any support in the church, not to mention a fervent support?
- The gospel of Jesus Christ and a nationalistic vision make strange bedfellows. What happens to the church when those two are joined together?
How can it be that things in the church go so seemingly awry?
How can some churches, and we as individual believers too, which should have at our disposal the wisdom of
Christ, go so wrong not just today but throughout history?
WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
Hanna Reichel wrote in her book, For Such a Time as This:
“There is a reason the Bible talks about the devil as “the anti-Christ.” Evil likes to pose as salvation, and to harness the power of faith for its falsified gospel. There are clear and overt threats to truth. But the most dangerous ones are those that look and sound almost like what you hold dearest.”
Do not let yourself be deceived by those who under the banner of truth tear down reality: The fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).
Tammy shared a similar thought from the ideas of Ivan Illich, an Austrian theologian: The idea that the corruption of the best produces a unique evil. The corruption of the best is the worst.
She went on to say that nothing could make God’s enemies happier than to corrupt what is best. And the best thing Jesus gave to the world is his body… the church.
The local church is the hope of the world. However, when the church is corrupted and off purpose, what hope is there? And thus, our lament.
But our lament gave way before a unique hope!
HOPE
To every corruption of the good that God creates, no matter how ultimate it might seem at the time, or successfully destructive it might seem to God’s work… like watching your friend and Saviour suffer a humiliating death… the Lord, the One, the Creator of Creation itself, our Almighty GOD who is also our friend and Father, the One who is absolutely intent on saving us into a loving relationship with Himself… He will surprise the usurpers, the seeming lords of this world, with His Glorious Salvific Plan for those He loves.
This and nothing else, gives us hope.
And so at the end of our conversation we realized that there is reason to grieve, to want to give up on it all. BUT! But, there is also a greater reason to hope and keep working and loving and dispensing the Grace we ourselves received: The One who made all things good will NOT be outdone… ever!!!
QUESTIONS:
The question is not: How does a Christian stay morally pure? The question is: What is the best possible use of the power entrusted to you?”
Protect the weak, speak up for those without a voice, and run to the roar of evil. And for Christians, this is not about self-preservation in the long run. It is about following Jesus, who went to the outcasts, and died as one. It is a commitment to remain with those who suffer and to embrace the suffering that might come with it.
What do you think? Are you concerned by what you see in church? What do you do with that concern?
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