This morning I read a couple of Facebook posts from a man I greatly respect – Church Historian Dr. Michael Haykin. They were the kind of articles that hit you in the gut and make you think about your life. In other words, they were good posts.
The first dealt with the fact that the Christian religion is now no longer a western based belief. The two fastest growing areas of Christian belief are Africa and Asia. While western civilization was significantly shaped by the principles of God’s Word, it appears that today many areas of western thought are bent on undermining, discrediting and outrightly persecuting those who call Jesus their Lord. Churches in the west are experiencing decline, or increasing secularization and even theological heresy. But during this turbulent time for western Christianity, Haykin observes that there is great hope in seeing what God is doing globally. He urges western believers to develop a global view for evangelism and encourages Christians to direct more of their resources to promoting the growth of the Church around the world. I concur.
The second post concerned the life and influence of a Canadian Baptist figure from the early 20th Century, Dr. T. T. Shields. Shields had a significant pastorate at Jarvis St. Baptist Church in Toronto, leading that church for decades prior to his death in 1955. During the 20s, Shields was foremost in battling the encroachment of liberal theology in the McMaster School of Theology - a training school for pastors that had been founded in part by money from a member of Shields’ own congregation. Shields mobilized conservative pastors to oppose the increasing liberalization of the school’s theology, and when there was not a satisfactory commitment to stay the conservative position, he led a move to establish an alternate conservative seminary to support the churches who would not follow the McMaster agenda. Toronto Baptist Seminary was born and remains today as a conservative Baptist school with a strong platform training pastors for ministry.
Having grown up at Jarvis St. Baptist church, and being a graduate of TBS, I was very familiar with the name of T.T. Shields and appreciated many of his copious writings. He died the year I was born, so I had no first-hand knowledge of him. Haykin goes on to point out that the characteristics of Shields that made him a staunch defender of his position, and a capable leader in the midst of a theological battle, also created a weakness that emerged in his later years. He was so good at controversy and readily able to defend his position in an argument, that when the strife had passed, he continued to be a fighter. Eventually, many of the other pastors and leaders who had stood with him in the early battles over the theological decline of the seminary were driven away by a personality that was combative and could at times be bullying. Haykin cites one story of how a member of his own congregation was bullied by Shields in a business meeting because he opposed the view that the pastor was taking.
My purpose here is not to criticize a pastor whom I never met. My aim in this post is much more reflective. I am now entering into the time of life when there are more years behind me that I can logically expect ahead. I like to think that I am just middle aged, but then my wife reminds me that very few people live to be 135. She may have a point. So, in the old words of Francis Schaeffer, how should I then live?
With the time left that God grants me, I want to pour my energy, time and resources into developing the global church, so that as many people as possible may come to know Jesus Christ for who he really is: The Son of God, Saviour of the world. This is why I have stepped into my role with Mission Eurasia, Canada. (see MissionEurasia.ca) I want to do what I can, and encourage others to join me, in building into the next generation leaders of the global church. I want to offer what meager gifts and talents I have to strengthen young evangelists and stand united with my brothers and sisters around the globe in building Christ’s church.
Secondly, I want to do this in a way that reflects Christ through who I am. I don’t want to fall into a graceless leadership pattern that cannot get along with other believers. I want my ministry to be expansive, encouraging, and helpful to all who share the vision. With the few years I have left (who knows? Maybe I will make it to 135!) I want to be seen as someone who lives out the life of Christ in a practical manner. To express our church’s motto: I want to love God, love others and serve the world.
Thank you, Dr. Haykin, for aligning these thoughts for me this morning. May God continue to use you to bring light into many lives.
August 2021, Cambridge ON.
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