Sovereign Grace in Canada

A while ago I found this church, Crossway Community Church on Bob Kauflin's blog. To my surprise and delight, this church is located in Surrey, British Columbia, where my parents have made their home. I decided to check out this church while on vacation at home this summer.

And so I did. Crossway is affiliated with Sovereign Grace Ministries. After reading their statement of faith and values I was already encouraged and excited before I ever visited the church. Now that I've been to their Sunday services for the past month, I am even more encouraged and excited that such a gospel-centered local church exists in Vancouver! You must understand, the general atmosphere in Canada is so liberal. Sure you can find individuals who are passionate for the gospel and who are orthodox in their doctrinal beliefs. But for the church body as a whole, it's hard to find a local church that is truly gospel-centered, orthodox in their beliefs and values. Besides, life is so comfortable here, it's easy to slip into complacency and apathy. From what I've witnessed in their Sunday morning services (I haven't made it to their care groups) these brothers and sisters exhibit genuine passion for the Lord. They seem genuine in their passion for the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the leadership of the church has been faithful in delievering gospel-centered, expository messages to nurture the body. It was refreshing to worship God with this vibrant bunch, who are more (way more) charismatic or expressive than my fellow Baptists in their praises to God.

I was so thrilled to find this line in their statement of faith, "Women play a vital role in the life of the church but in keeping with God's created design, they are not permitted “to teach or to have authority over a man” (1 Tim. 2:11). Leadership in the church is male. In the context of the local church, God's people receive pastoral care and leadership and the opportunity to employ their God-given gifts in his service in relation to one another and to the world." I mean, all other items in this statement are encouraging to read. But to find a church that is faithful to the teachings of the Scriptures in the midst of a culture that is so worldly and corrupt, it's like finding a stream of living water in a dry and parched land.

I've been reminded, after partaking in this charismatic church, that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are united in partnership in and for the gospel of Christ, to the glory and praise of God!