Church Membership

Tonight on Group Therapy Thursday we looked at Kelly's situation down the 401 in London. Here's what she says:
I am going to university in London, living in rez, so I don't really come home on weekends. As a result I've started going to church here in London. It's great. I love the church and wanted to get involved. I'd served in Children's ministry for almost 10 years back home and I love it. So I figured it would be a good fit here in London. There's just one problem. You need to be a member of the church to serve. My previous experience in Children's ministry is totally ignored! What do I do? I really want to be involved, but don't have time to take membership classes.
Kelly

So we asked you for advice. What should Kelly do? Stay and go through the membership classes? Go find another church where she can serve?

We were split pretty much down the middle. Some people talked about the importance of membership and making a commitment. Others said Church Membership is just red tape, go somewhere where you would be appreciated. I say... what's the point of church membership? I know you need to be a member to vote in business meetings, and it's a sign of commitment, but I don't see why you need it to serve in the church.
Criminal record check - yes
Professing Christian - yes
Letter of recommendation from old church (in this case) - sure
Membership - I don't think so

In this case I think the policy and red tape is impeding the progress of the ministry. But what do I know? I'm just a want-to-be church planter.

'Tis A Good Night

As a Dallas Stars fan it's tough living in Central Ontario. You see we are technically in "Maple Leaf" territory. (That doesn't mean I take abuse from Leaf fans) That means we get Leaf games on tv and that's about it. So if I want to watch the Stars play, I can't. Let's say the Stars are playing in Edmonton or Calgary and the game is on one of the tv stations out west, it's blacked out in the Leaf region. ARGH! But tonight... TONIGHT... the Stars play THE LEAFS! That's right, I could watch my team on tv! You have no idea how exciting this is for me.

Crystal and I rented Taken a couple weeks ago, and while it was a good 2 hours of Liam Neeson beating the snot out of bad guys, the film struck a chord with me (and Crystal). I'm not going to spoil it for you, but the movie is based around human trafficking. I've know about human trafficking for a while, but have never really done anything about it. I agree it is terrible, but it never really hit home until I watched the movie.

It's been a couple weeks, but it doesn't seem to want to leave me. I keep running into articles or videos (like the one below) about it, and it makes me want to take action. But I don't really know what to do. I don't just want to write a cheque and be done with it, I want to actually do something myself. I'm just not sure what that is. So while I search for the answer, check out the video from Jenny Williamson below.

Sunday Morning "How To"

I know I'm not around this week, but I had to share this with you. After watching this, Sunday morning makes so much more sense!

Barrie Film Festival

It's a Saturday night, Crystal and I have nothing planned so we decide to head down the street to Blockbuster to rent a flick. We park the car, head in and start to grab movies we'd like to see. Usually we come back with very different movies. Crystal (like most ladies) likes chick flicks. I like more indie movies, the kind that have the film festival awards on the DVD cover. It's often a case of compromise on both ends to get a movie we'd both enjoy.

Kicking off next week is an event that it right in my wheel-house... the Barrie Film Festival! I went through the movie listings, and there are 3 movies I REALLY want to go see.

THE HURT LOCKER

I have a thing for war movies. Doesn't matter if it's World War 2, the Gulf War, the Vietnam War, I like them. Maybe it's because deep down inside I wish I could be a hero. I wish I had the courage to go fight for my country. Maybe it's because my mom never let us play with guns when we were kids? (Love ya mom!) Anyway you slice it, I think I'd enjoy it.

THE COVE

To go along with my love of war movies, is my love of documentaries. (Yeah my wife says I'm a loser.) About a year ago I watched a movie called Sharkwater. It was a moving film, and totally changed the way I viewed sharks. Well, I've always liked dolphins, so I doubt this film will make me like dolphins all of a sudden. BUT it will likely open my eyes to what is being done to them on the other side of the world. I believe that film has the power to do that. To open our eyes to injustice happening in the world, and impact us in way that we'll want to take action.

ART & COPY

Some people hate commercials. I am not one of those people. I think a creative, well-written commercial can be more entertaining than the tv/radio show you might be tuned into. So when I heard there was a documentary (another one?) about advertising, my ears immediately perked up. This looks like a winner for sure.

The Barrie Film Festival kicks off next weekend, maybe I'll see you at one of the shows.

More Bacon Please!

Bacon is good for you? Apparently! According to nutritionist Kevin Brown, things like bacon and butter are good for you and can help you lose weight. (You can check out his website HERE) He was on The Slam tonight and the idea is that as long as you eat "real food" (unprocessed, non-synthetic food) you will lose weight and be more healthy. I'm not sure if it actually works, but I like the sound of it!

I'll have a big-mouth bacon sandwich please!

Training Camp

This past weekend the Life 100.3 Staff headed North to Port Sydney for a "training camp" weekend. (Not a retreat, we were there to work!) It was a good weekend, lots of sessions, and a little bit of time for games. The featured speaker was a dude from Way FM head office in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Where else would an uppity-up from a major Christian organization be from?) He told some stories of his life, and brought some interesting ideas to the table.

While all that was good, my favorite part was Sunday afternoon once all the sessions were over. We packed our bags, checked out, and then got to make use of the facilities. A group of us grabbed canoes and paddled around the lake for a bit. Then I took a catamaran out and learned how to sail a boat! (Sort of... Without the paddle I took along I would not have made it back to shore.) It was a great afternoon, and it was fun to get to know some of my co-workers outside of the office. It's pretty much like a normal office here where we work together and get along, but outside of work we're perfect strangers. So it was fun to hang out with guys like Ben and Woody and get to know the "real" Ben & Woody outside of the radio station walls. They're both actually really funny!

It was a great weekend and I would say we're tighter as a staff now as a result.

I got up early Saturday morning to hit the gym, but it was locked. So I was left to take pictures of the sunrise.