WORSHIP:
Timothy Christian School
750 Essa Road
Barrie, ON
9 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.

OFFICE:
258 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B7

CONTACT:
P: 705-739-8613
F: 705-739-9348
info@harvestbarrie.ca

For Those With Ears - Entries from December 2010

FriFridayDecDecember31st2010

What is really valuable?

Posted Friday, December 31 2010 @ 7 AM byRoger Freeman Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Is it just me that finds it incredible what some people will pay for something they like? “It might be worth $200 to someone but to me it’s just a hockey card.” I suppose if I could get the $200 for it I would at least take care of it! But wait, isn’t that all a $20 bill is? “It might be worth $20 to someone but to me it’s just some colored paper!” I’m sure you would be glad to carry any I have for me – by the boatload!

Do you ever feel like it's all an illusion and will one day come tumbling down like a house made of hockey cards? Well actually, it will. So what is valuable and lasting? We properly give ourselves to many things in this world but often we are looking to them for the ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction our souls crave. Is it possible to be in this world and still find the purpose of our soul?

We gather to worship because of the hope that we can; because of the hope that we have. We are going to get our hearts around this truth again – Jesus Christ is of “surpassing worth.” He alone is truly valuable and lasting. This Sunday we are glad to have Drew MacDonald helping us focus our life’s pursuit on what is worthwhile as he speaks Sunday morning from Philippians 3:1-11.

Drew is returning to school on Sunday afternoon to continue his second year as a Graduate Student at Talbot School of Theology in Southern California. He is studying Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. Drew is a member of Harvest Oakville, has served three internships with Harvest Bible Fellowship and HBC Oakville. Barrie is the sixth Harvest where Drew has preached since 2006. Drew loves Muskoka, snow and the lake. If he can find a PhD program in Huntsville, his plan is set!

Pray for Drew as he prepares to bring God’s Word to us this Sunday.

ThuThursdayDecDecember30th2010

Harvest Bible Fellowship International Church Planting Update

Posted Thursday, December 30 2010 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

"Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so" (Deuteronomy 4:10).

As our mission to plant churches alive with the gospel of Jesus Christ continues around the world, we are seeing lives transformed, churches renewed and communities developed. This has been an exciting year for us in International Church Planting as God has determined our steps and opened new doors for effective ministry. In 2010, eight new Harvest International churches have been planted or coached through a full transition. I thought it might be helpful to give you a snapshot of what exists and what is to come, by God's grace, in Harvest International Church Planting.

Please continue to pray for us, the churches, pastors and our partnership in the gospel. We thank God for you and remember you always in our prayers.

Harvest Bible Fellowship
www.harvestbiblefellowship.ca

WedWednesdayDecDecember29th2010

The Sons of Korah

Posted Wednesday, December 29 2010 @ 6 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 3 comments Add comment

I love to worship. That’s one of the BIG things that attracted me to Harvest in 2001. I know it attracted many of you too. A vibrant, passionate worship experience should be sought after because this is what we were made for…to attribute worth to our God. The very character of eternity is that of worship, and every attempt we make to experience it here is a small taste of what it will be for us on that day when we see Jesus Christ face to face.

It isn’t surprising, given the priority of worship, that worship leading is highly esteemed in the Scriptures. In 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 we read, “These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.” We find from the genealogy that follows that these were the sons of Korah and that among them was Asaph, whose name appears in more than a few of the Psalms. These guys were the worship pastors, leaders and directors of their day. And all those who are involved in leading the church in corporate worship today are following in their esteemed footsteps!

At Harvest, our second pillar states that we are intent on, “Lifting high the name of Jesus Christ in worship”. Though we have not had a worship pastor or director over this essential part of our ministry for some months, we have nevertheless experienced great times of worship together. We have had some guest leaders along the way (Matt MacDonald, Levi Denbok, Eric Helliwell), as well as a couple of guys who are Harvest members but who live away from Barrie now (Travis Doucette, Joel Dugard), but we have mostly relied on three of our own worship leaders. And they have blessed us with their willing and heartfelt service.

On behalf of a grateful church family, I want to esteem Chad Ballantyne, Steve Dobbs and Dawn Woodland for their work among us. And I want the church to know that the elders were able to set aside a special gift for each of them this Christmas to acknowledge the extra effort they have been putting in over these months that we have been without a worship pastor/director. Take the time to add your personal message to the comments of this blog entry as an encouragement to these servants.

In the new year, you’ll see a few more guest leaders (Joel Dugard on Jan 2 and 9; Joshua Seller on Jan 16; Jordan Donald on Jan 23), and then we will be relying again on our three worship leaders after giving them a couple of months off. I thank God for them and for all the musicians and vocalists who make up our worship teams. We are blessed! Overall, our worship ministry is in great shape. We have some new musicians, three solid teams (though not without some instrumental gaps), and an amazing attitude. They love Jesus Christ and love to serve his church through their God-given talents.

I would also like to acknowledge one member of our staff team, Amber Steingard, who has really stepped up to keep the administrative engine running for the worship ministry. I appreciate so much her behind the scenes efforts to deliver high impact worship each Sunday as she works with the worship leaders to craft the services.

And it would be wrong to acknowledge, as I have, all of the upfront people without a shout out to those behind the scenes who make it all happen on any given Sunday. Our tech team includes those who pull off the in-house audio, the recordings for CD, web and podcast, and the video/slide guys. And worship wouldn’t be what it is if we didn’t have a room to do it in. So I’m also grateful for our Tabernacle team who set up and tear down the worship centre each week, providing us with a great worship environment.

Having said all that, there is a gap in that we do not yet have the one who will lead this essential and involved part of our ministry. I would like to let you know that we have been working with a specific candidate over the past few weeks and are actively considering him for the role of worship director at Harvest Bible Chapel Barrie. Please pray with your elders and staff as we carefully seek God’s will for us in this. And pray similarly for the candidate who must consider whether or not Harvest in Barrie is for him.

I look forward to the next time we get to be together to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and lift his name high.

(For a more complete study on the Sons of Korah check out this International Standard Bible Encyclopedia entry.)

TueTuesdayDecDecember28th2010

The Lord’s Table

Posted Tuesday, December 28 2010 @ 9 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 5 comments Add comment

On Sunday, December 26, we observed the Lord’s Table (Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist) and I taught a message from 1 Corinthians 11:17-32 about it all. The big idea of that message (and the outline) stated: Jesus Christ was given for us; and it is a good thing, because we have a sin problem (v.17-22). And Jesus compels us to remember his great sacrifice (v.23-26), but before we do, we must carefully examine our lives to see that we’re in a good place to remember him in this way (v.27-32).

The audio is available here.

As I stated in the message, there are several questions that need to be answered that really define the traditions attached to the observance of the Lord’s Table. We didn’t have time on Sunday morning to deal with these, but here are my responses to the key questions that often come up about the Table:

Q. White, whole wheat or Premium Plus? In other words, what kind of bread should we use?

A. Unleavened. I believe the symbolism is important in that leaven/yeast symbolizes sin. And so, if it is possible, we should use unleavened bread. We never have an issue obtaining that here in Canada, so we should use it. But I would not forsake the observance if the right bread were not available. The function is more important than the precise details of the observance. If I could borrow a phrase from Jesus regarding the precise observance of the Sabbath, The Lord’s Table was made for man, not man for the Lord’s Table. I’m confident that the principle is the same.

Q. A nice cabernet or Welch’s? In other words, what should be in the cup?

A. As a matter merely of preference and out of love to some who have history with alcohol, at Harvest Bible Chapel we use grape juice. But, either wine or juice is acceptable. I know that a lot of people have worked overtime to explain that neither Jesus nor Paul ever used the word “wine” in their observance or teaching on the Table. Instead the words “cup” and “fruit of the vine” (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-25; 1 Corinthians 11:17-32) are used. People are just as energized about it being wine. What is essential is that the symbol is that of the blood of Christ and some sort of beverage from grapes was used. So use something from grapes, but as was true regarding the use of unleavened bread, if no “fruit of the vine” (grape juice or wine) is available, do not neglect the Table for lack of it. Here in Canada, there’s no trouble obtaining the right kind of beverage for the cup, but I have had the opportunity to observe the Lord’s Table in the developing world using a tropical fruit juice in place of “the fruit of the vine” because grape beverages simply were not available. The Lord is honoured in that because we took the time to examine ourselves and remember Christ. That is the emphasis of the Table and not the elements themselves. I read this quote from Carl Ketcherside, “At the table of the Lord I do not examine the bread, to see if it is leavened or unleavened. I do not examine the cup to see if it is fermented or unfermented. I do not examine the mode of breaking the bread, or of passing the cup. I examine myself.” I think that says it: function (examining and remembering) over form.

Q. Once a week, once a month, once a year, or optional? In other words, how often should we observe the Table?

A. The Bible simply says, “as often as you…” in terms of a time frame. There is absolutely no explicit and clear indication of any set interval for observing the Table. And so, we cannot impose a definite time frame and say this is it. I know one evangelical church that doesn’t observe the Table at all. I’m certain that they’ve missed an important command from the Lord. “Do this…” is pretty clear. Other traditions observe it yearly. My sense is that that is too infrequent. Others observe it weekly, and my only fear in that is that “familiarity breeds contempt” and that the observance could descend into empty ritual or some sense of sacramental necessity. But that depends on the individual’s heart. A weekly observance could be very meaningful. At Harvest we observe the Table monthly, usually on the last Sunday of the month, in corporate worship, with latitude given to our small groups to observe the Table together in their context every so often. Our heart is to find a balance that would allow for a meaningful observance when we do, as 1 Corinthians 11:17 says, “Come together”.

Q. Should it be closed or open? In other words, is the Table only for the members of the local church?

A. Some traditions close the Table in that it is only for their own members. This gives some assurance, at least the reasoning is, that no one who is unsaved or under church discipline is observing the Table. Since only God knows the heart, it is not the role of the elders or anyone else to police the table beyond giving the warnings that Scripture gives us. Those who take the Table should be Christ-followers and they should have done careful examination of their lives prior to observing the Table. Any who come to the Table must have done all they can do to be at peace with all (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14) and they must be in a good place with the Lord. That’s the whole gist of the latter part of Paul’s teaching on the Table in the 1 Corinthians 11 passage. So if you are a guest at Harvest, but you are a Christ-follower and you have done the necessary self-examination of your life and you believe you’re in a good place (so far as it depends on you) with others and you’re in a good place with the Lord, then observe the Table with us.

One of the best things about Harvest Bible Chapel is that, as a non-denominational church, we have people from all different traditions in our church family. Hopefully these questions and answers will help clarify what the Bible teaches about the Lord’s Table (and what it does not teach) and how we observe it in light of the Scriptures.

If you want to interact with any of these answers, use the comment section. If you have further questions, ask away.

Todd

TueTuesdayDecDecember28th2010

Honouring God

Posted Tuesday, December 28 2010 @ 7 AM byMike Armstrong Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Everyone knows that we live in a very sexually charged culture. If we're not intentionally taking steps to protect ourselves from the onslaught of temptation we will be swept away, it's as simple as that.

Covenant Eyes is a great accountability software tool that we as a staff use on all our computers to guard ourselves and protect our hearts. From time to time I read the Covenant Eyes blog and I was just sent this fantastic post by a woman named Leslie Ludy. In her article she talks about how important it is for girls to conduct themselves in a way that honours the Lord, their husbands (or future husbands), themselves and guys in general. This is a great read for youth and parents - please read it and use it as a discussion topic for your family. We must talk about this stuff openly and honestly as a church and it should definitely be happening in your home. Press on...

Breaking Free Blog

ThuThursdayDecDecember23rd2010

CHRISTMAS!

Posted Thursday, December 23 2010 @ 8 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Well, the next few days will be a whirlwind for many of us. The days will be full with last minute shopping, preparations for family and friends to gather, and of course, times of worship.

Here are a few reminders ahead of it all. The blog will go dark for a few days while our staff takes time away to spend with family.

He Has Come for Us Worship Event: Join us tonight or tomorrow night (Christmas Eve) at 7 p.m. for this special time of Christmas worship. Invite friends or family to come along and enjoy some hot apple cider or coffee with us afterwards.

Boxing Day, Sunday, December 26: We’ll be gathering at our regular Sunday morning times (9 and 11:15 a.m.) to worship and remember at the Lord’s Table. This service will be a little more laid-back, a little shorter and completely focused on the Table. I’ll be preaching a shorter message based on Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 11:17-32 with regard to communion. It will be a great way to close out 2010 as a church family.

Tithes, Offerings and Gifts: As the calendar/fiscal year draws to a close, please remember to be generous and to bless as God has blessed you. For more about giving toward our special end-of-year offering for Romania check out the blog. And for all tithes and offerings, your giving must be dated December 31 to qualify for the 2010 charitable receipt. For all the ways you can give, check out the website.

Office Hours: The Harvest office at 112 Caplan Ave. will be closed Monday, December 27 through Friday, December 31. As is always the case, there is an emergency pastoral contact number that is available by calling the office number 705-739-8613.

Cheryl and I hope that you will all have a blessed Christmas. It has been a joy and a privilege to be part of this amazing church family this year.

You are loved and Merry Christmas!

Todd

TueTuesdayDecDecember21st2010

Pastoral Training

Posted Tuesday, December 21 2010 @ 11 AM byRoger Freeman Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Even as a graduate of Financial Peace University, the thing that excites me most about our year-end offering is NOT that I can “double my money!” In case you were not aware, every dollar given toward the building project in Romania by Harvest Bible Fellowship churches will be matched, up to half a million dollars. That means that if $500,000 is raised it will turn into one million dollars for our brothers and sisters in Romania!

But that is not what excites me most! I think the greatest thing about this building is that it will be a training centre for Romania and beyond. Already, this church is visited weekly by believers from all over Eastern Europe and up to 53 different countries. These guests come to observe and learn from the staff and volunteers at the Metanoia church. Already, they are putting on seminars about high impact worship, solid preaching of the Word, the role of prayer and small groups. (They include evangelism even though that is something these believers seem to have a handle on!) As we have seen in previous posts here, God is moving internationally through the Harvest Bible Fellowship.

We can partner with Christian Barbosu and the Metanoia churches to equip leaders to impact Romania and beyond. This is the same challenge we face in Haiti. By equipping the pastors and helping them to train new leaders we will impact Haiti with sustainable and long-term change. Change that begins in the heart and makes a difference in lives. The kind of change we’re going for here in our own lives. Planting local churches that embrace the four pillars and emphasize worshipping, walking and working for Christ reproduces the biblical model we have been following.

Would you consider a gift to the church in Romania? Would you consider doubling your money? More importantly, would you become part of a modern move of God in an area of the world starving for the gospel? You can give online or with your regular Sunday giving.

MonMondayDecDecember20th2010

Christmas Is for Those Who Hate It Most

Posted Monday, December 20 2010 @ 6 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

(Written by Matt B. Redmond, The Gospel Coalition)

We are by now accustomed to hearing about how Christmas is difficult for many people. The story of Scrooge and his—ehem—problems with this season is no longer anecdotal. It is now par for the course. Maybe it always has been. Maybe the joy of the season has always been a thorn in the side of those who can scarcely imagine joy.

Not too long ago, I heard from someone about how difficult Christmas would be because of some heartbreak in their family. There was utter hopelessness and devastation. Christmas would be impossible to enjoy because of the freshness of this pain. It’s been a story very hard to forget.

I get it. I mean, it makes sense on the level of Christmas being a time in which there is a lot of heavily concentrated family time. The holidays can be tense in even the best of circumstances. Maneuvering through the landmines of various personalities can be hard even if there is no cancer, divorce or empty seat at the table. What makes it the most wonderful time of the year is also what makes it the most brutal time of the year. My own family has not been immune to this phenomenon.

But allow me to push back against this idea a little. Gently. I think we have it all backwards. We have it sunk deep into our collective cultural consciousness that Christmas is for the happy people. You know, those with idyllic family situations enjoyed around stocking-strewn hearth dreams. Christmas is for healthy people who laugh easily and at all the right times, right? The successful and the beautiful, who live in suburban bliss, can easily enjoy the holidays. They have not gotten lost on the way because of the GPS they got last year. They are beaming after watching a Christmas classic curled up on the couch as a family in front of their ginormous flat-screen. We live and act as if this is who should be enjoying Christmas.

But this is backwards. Christmas—the great story of the incarnation of the Rescuer—is for everyone, especially those who need a rescue. Jesus was born as a baby to know the pain and sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus was made to be like us so that in his resurrection we can be made like him; free from the fear of death and the pain of loss. Jesus’ first recorded worshipers were not of the beautiful class. They were poor, ugly shepherds, beat down by life and labor. They had been looked down on over many a nose.

Jesus came for those who look in the mirror and see ugliness. Jesus came for daughters whose fathers never told them they were beautiful. Christmas is for those who go to “wing night” alone. Christmas is for those whose lives have been wrecked by cancer, and the thought of another Christmas seems like an impossible dream. Christmas is for those who would be nothing but lonely if not for social media. Christmas is for those whose marriages have careened against the retaining wall and are threatening to flip over the edge. Christmas is for the son whose father keeps giving him hunting gear when he wants art materials. Christmas is for smokers who cannot quit even in the face of a death sentence. Christmas is for prostitutes, adulterers, and porn stars who long for love in every wrong place. Christmas is for college students who are sitting in the midst of the family and already cannot wait to get out for another drink. Christmas is for those who traffic in failed dreams. Christmas is for those who have squandered the family name and fortune—they want “home” but cannot imagine a gracious reception. Christmas is for parents watching their children’s marriage fall into disarray.

Christmas is really about the gospel of grace for sinners. Because of all that Christ has done on the cross, the manger becomes the most hopeful place in a universe darkened with hopelessness. In the irony of all ironies, Christmas is for those who will find it the hardest to enjoy. It really is for those who hate it most.

Harvest Barrie's Christmas Sunday message is available here.

FriFridayDecDecember17th2010

He has come for us

Posted Friday, December 17 2010 @ 6 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

I’m looking forward to the next eight days as we get to spend time together as a church family.

This Sunday we’ll be gathering for “Christmas Sunday” to worship the King of kings, our Saviour and our Lord Jesus Christ. Stepping down from his majesty, he has come for us. It is an amazing thought. Too wonderful for me to really comprehend. Beyond my ability to adequately explain. But I’ll give it a try. By his grace, we will get God’s Word open and we will look at John 6:38-40. The message is titled, “He has come for us”. It is, plain and simple, a presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ. The key thoughts from the passage are that Jesus came to do God’s will and not his own. God’s will is that we should not be lost but have life. And, we will have life if we look to the Son and believe.

I’ll preach the full message on Sunday and then a shortened version of it at our worship event on the 23rd and 24th. Pray that the invitations we have been handing out will, by the Spirit’s power, draw people to those special evening worship services. The theme, “He has come for us” is a lyric from the redo that Meredith Andrews recorded last year of the beautiful old carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. Check out the YouTube video to see a clip of Harvest Bible Chapel Elgin doing it last Christmas. You don’t get the carol part, which is pretty traditional, but you’ll hear the new chorus and bridge. Powerful!

You can buy this great song at the iTunes store. It isn’t on an album yet. We’ll be singing it on Sunday and at the worship event next week.

Again, I’m pretty jazzed about being with you and worshipping together this Christmas and celebrating the reality that he has come for us. See you Sunday…and Thursday…and Friday too!

And if I don’t, have a blessed Christmas!

Todd

ThuThursdayDecDecember16th2010

iPhone App

Posted Thursday, December 16 2010 @ 3 PM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

The free Harvest Barrie iPhone app is now available from the iTunes store.

With this app, you can:

follow the specific ministries that are of interest to you
keep all the news and events listings close at hand
listen to audio messages (Sunday services and Tuesday evening youth) on your iPhone
have easy access to our website

Check out screen shots and instructions on our website. Why not download it now and then leave a comment on iTunes?

WedWednesdayDecDecember15th2010

Glory to God in the Highest

Posted Wednesday, December 15 2010 @ 7 AM byAmy Fotherby Tagged Christmas 0 comments Add comment

I’ve known the Christmas story for what seems like forever. Over the years the details of this "story" were filled in and it became more than just a nice story but a biblical and historical account of great sacrifice and miracles that impact my life personally in an incredible way. And yet, as is the case with almost anything that I hear/see/watch more than once or twice…I forget the impact that it once had in my life and it can easily become a nice, familiar story again.

Maybe this is just me (although I sure hope not!). We live in a very commercialized Christmas environment…it seems easy to fall into the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, Christmas traditions, Christmas baking, Christmas parties, Christmas decorating…and lose focus of what we’re really supposed to be celebrating and focusing on.

I find that I need to be intentional about keeping my focus and my priorities…I don’t WANT to be in a place where I’ve spent all of December caught up in the whirlwind of festivities and then show up to church for the Christmas service and simply hear a nice, Christmas story. The Saviour of the world, MY Saviour, deserves a whole lot more than that.

In order to keep my heart focused on the birth of Jesus Christ I try to find ways that keep the story real and alive…last Christmas there was a song that just made everything come alive as I spent time listening to the words, I wanted to share it with you. Here are the words so that you can really focus on them:

Glory to God in the Highest
Downhere

On hillsides of moonlight and shooting stars,
Shepherds keep the late watch on a crisp blue night.
Suddenly the darkness, breaks with full day light,
With hosts of heaven’s angels filling the sky.

"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"

Rushing to the city, sandal slipping cobblestone,
Find they in the great story, for centuries we've now known.
Pouring out with wonder, the shepherds step outside,
and lift worn hands to heaven singing aloud...

"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"

Now until He returns, remember this time;
When least of men were given the greatest of light,
That God chose not to glory in wealth, power, fame..
but with the simple and the small he came.

"Glory to God, in the highest! now here in Bethlehem.
Glory to God in the highest! the Child who will save all men!"

How do you keep the Christmas Story from being more than just a nice, familiar story?

TueTuesdayDecDecember14th2010

Worth a Listen

Posted Tuesday, December 14 2010 @ 6 AM byMike Armstrong Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

I know that people's first thought when they meet me is, "Wow, that guy has some serious hip hop street cred." The shocking reality is that I don't - I grew up in small town Saskatchewan, drive a minivan and play golf. But all that doesn't mean that I don't like to dabble in the odd hip hop or rap album from time to time. The friendly folks at Reach Records have done a great job in recent years putting out Christian rap music with solid beats and powerfully biblical lyrics - which brings me to the newest album by Lecrae titled "Rehab." This guy brings it and I, personally have been blessed and encouraged by what he has to say on this record (his first one, "Rebel," is also outstanding). The second track titled "Killa" is all about the fight against lust and is a song all Christ-following guys (dads too!) should have in their regular rotation. Go buy this album by Lecrae - you'll be hugely impacted by it and it might even up your cool factor if you rock it while cruising in your minivan like I do...

Another album you should go by right now is North Point Church's latest release, "North Point Christmas." I know you're thinking, "Woah, you're going from promoting a rap album to Christmas music?" Yeah, I know, that wasn't much of a segway... but you really should give this a listen. There's some good classics that have been redone with a modern sound as well as some new songs to mix it up a bit. It's been on a lot in our home these days and has really helped me get my heart focused on Christ amid the busyness of the Christmas season.

So there you go - two very different albums with two very different sounds - but both lift high the name of Jesus and we're all about that around here.

Mike

MonMondayDecDecember13th2010

Romania Church Plant Project

Posted Monday, December 13 2010 @ 7 AM byHarvest Bible Fellowship Tagged Global Ministries 2 comments Add comment

Harvest Barrie is excited to partner with Harvest Bible Fellowship in giving toward the Romania church plant project. Our elders would like to invite you to participate in our Christmas offering for Romania. Below is an excerpt from a letter from HBF concerning the work in Romania and below that is a video outlining what God has already accomplished through the Metanoia church.

As you are aware, the Lord is bringing fruitfulness to our churches in various ways and one of the "Only God " growth areas is in Eastern Europe under the dynamic leadership of Cristian Barbosu and his Elders.

At HBF, we have partnered with these brothers in birthing six Harvest Metanoia churches and two village churches in five years and there is much more, we believe, that God wants to do in this challenging part of the world.

We are sending you some information produced here in the states with the support of HBF which outlines the fruitfulness to date and the faith filled vision which God has given to this local church. The Metanoia Fellowship is effectively and operationally our Eastern Europe mission vehicle. We have established an agreement for supporting and encouraging these autonomous local churches which recognizes them all as sister churches of all HBF church plants; they are Harvest Bible Chapels! Harvest Bible Fellowship is working with these leaders to equip them and give us all a good and godly sense of ownership of this ministry expansion. We are praying by faith for another seven fold growth in the next five years and want to equip and accommodate this growth by helping with the funding to build the Eastern European hub of HBF at Cristian's church in Arad Romania.

The local church is committed to a substantial portion of the cost of each phase being raised in Romania. Yet without foreign investment, there are no banks or even wealthy Romanian Christians who love the Lord and his work. But praise God, we in North America can partner with our brothers. Recently a Christian in Texas agreed to match the first $500,000 given by December 31 - a generous gift which if fully subscribed, with the funds already raised by the Romanian Church, would see Phase I built and fully paid for by this time next year.

Metanoia Building1 from HBF Church Plants on Vimeo.

Donate online or with your regular giving on Sundays.

FriFridayDecDecember10th2010

Fullness of Time

Posted Friday, December 10 2010 @ 6 AM byRoger Freeman Tagged Global Ministries 0 comments Add comment

Christmas is a time of anticipation! Friends and relatives will be over for a visit, some perhaps coming from far away. The presents will be wrapped up, tantalizing those with a penchant for guessing what is in them. Watching the anticipation build in young children as the time draws near is enough to make us all burst!

It is fun looking forward to celebrating with workmates and enjoying concerts and maybe even a little time off. Some people even enjoy shopping – looking for just the right gift. That is an art lost to the “gift card,” but that’s another blog!

Eventually the day will arrive, just like it did so long ago. Not only the birth day, but a day of promise, a day of anticipation, a day of fulfillment! God stepped out of eternity into time and space to accomplish a mission, right on time! Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

The fullness of time is still coming around for people all over the world. Jesus is still coming into people’s worlds so they can be adopted as sons. This is still the most exciting news around! It isn’t 2000-year-old news either. It is happening now! It is happening here! And it is happening in many other places also. In God’s time his Son is entering lives and changing them!

We have a part to play in this mission to Barrie and beyond! We participate in global outreaches like church planting with Harvest Bible Fellowship or ministering to the church in Haiti through “Churches Helping Churches.” This Sunday we are going to get a couple of glimpses into those worlds of opportunity. One will be “up close and personal” through the experiences of Pastor Todd and Dave MacDonald. Bring a heart of anticipation to see how “the fullness of time” is coming today.

ThuThursdayDecDecember9th2010

Churches Helping Churches: Haiti

Posted Thursday, December 09 2010 @ 6 AM byGlobal Ministries Tagged Global Ministries 0 comments Add comment

How we are – and aren't – giving away money in Haiti

Haiti was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with over half of its population living in abject poverty and almost a quarter of its GDP coming from remittances, when it was hit by the earthquake in January, killing a quarter of a million people in Port-au-Prince and bringing an already crippled economy to its knees.

The quake's aftereffects underscored long-standing problems of the Haitian infrastructure: Perennially dependent on foreign aid, the Haitian economy – and even government – had never developed the infrastructure to stand on its own feet. There was concern among many that foreign aid, ironically, was frustrating the very development the aid was intended to foster, discouraging both local production and, moreover, local governance. One key, experts have said, to Haiti’s recovery, would be for the international community to not blindly pour money into a country that would not be able to properly channel it into infrastructure development. It would be imperative for Haitians to own and implement this recovery.

By this summer, Churches Helping Churches had over $2 million in funds tied to Haiti. Many Haitian churches often function as community institutions, running schools, hospitals, and more. We knew dozens, if not hundreds, of pastors who’d lost their churches, many of whom knew exactly what it would cost to fully rebuild their churches, and some who would ask for the amount directly. Now it was up to us to give the delicate response: We love them; we can’t give the money out that freely, not with what we know of development, but more importantly, what we know of scripture.

Giving to churches, not buildings

“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-3)

A church is not a building; It is a community of believers. The core mission of Churches Helping Churches is to rebuild, not just church buildings, but church communities – bodies of believers who come together in fellowship to grow in discipleship together. If we simply handed out money to rebuild church structures, we would be side-stepping this critical gospel-based component of what a church body is, and who we are as an organization.

Thus, we are indeed giving money to churches, but we’re doing so with a plan, one that requires the participation not just of Haitians, but of Haitians coming together as one church body to own the reconstruction of their own church. And we want to partner with and support them in this process, while leading from behind.

Here’s how our church reconstruction program operates: CHC has been holding retreats for pastors throughout the year in Port-au-Prince and regionally. At these retreats, we get to know and identify the pastors whose churches were destroyed and who are leaders in their community – leaders among leaders – and the ones for whom a church reconstruction grant would be most strategic. In this process, we’ve met many amazing men of faith and partnered with them. Through this program, we will partner with 30 larger churches and up to 50 smaller ones, and give out about half of our Haiti funds.

Read more about the full program on the CHC website.

WedWednesdayDecDecember8th2010

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Posted Wednesday, December 08 2010 @ 7 AM byAmy Fotherby Tagged Christmas 0 comments Add comment

…according to Andy Williams who wrote the song…that doesn’t mention the REAL reason for Christmas…but this blog isn’t even going to START on that rant <winks!>.

I do love the Christmas season though…for so many reasons:

1. Christmas Music – this comes out pretty early in November in my world. Best Christmas album ever – Amy Grant – Home for Christmas…classic.
2. Christmas sweet treats – my mom makes THE BEST midnight mints EVER.
3. Christmas salty treats – Nuts’n’Bolts – made by my mom.
4. Christmas get togethers – I love just spending time with people doing different things…baking, cookie exchanges, making cards, caroling, serving others, sharing Christmas recipes and traditions, shopping for the perfect gift, Christmas cantatas or plays, making a special gift, tobogganing…so many great options.
5. Christmas Traditions – even at 30 these are VERY important to me so I’ll share a few things that I have LOVED over the years:

a. New pajamas for Christmas Eve – I just buy them for myself now.
b. Going to the tree lighting ceremony at Fred Grant Square and having a picnic supper in the car.
c. Serving at Barrie’s Christmas Cheer.
d. Waking up on Christmas morning to make sure that Baby Jesus is in the manger (in our family Jesus was never in the manger before Christmas morning!).
e. “Sally’s Breakfast Casserole” on Christmas morning.

6. Christmas Eve service – one of my favorite services of the entire year. And this year we’ll have two nights of fantastic worship (December 23 and 24 – you won’t want to miss it!). This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family.

But really, most of all I love Christmas because it is the birth of my Saviour and I take the time to slow down and really celebrate everything that Jesus’ birth so many years ago means for me today. I’ve heard the Christmas story for 30 years, really heard it for at least 25 of those years and my heart has heard it for ten years this Christmas…I never grow tired of the wonder of Christmas…there’s always something new in the story…but I’ll save that for another blog…

TueTuesdayDecDecember7th2010

New Harvest Barrie Website

Posted Tuesday, December 07 2010 @ 9 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged No tags 1 comments Add comment

We really hope you are enjoying the new website. Here are just a few of the features we don't want you to miss.

Online Sunday sermons - These are now provided with audio, sermon notes and small group curriculum questions. Along with the link under "Teaching" from the top menu bar, you can also access our online sermons from the large button on the home page.
For Those With Ears - Our blog has now moved to this new location. There is a link at the bottom of the page with RSS information. We encourage you to use the comments section. We'd love to hear your feedback.
Church Directory - For members and regular attendees of Harvest Barrie, we have a directory available. for the password.
My Harvest - Create your profile in this section to specify the information you want to see first. Here you can chose which ministries you want to follow and see their news and events all in one place.
iPhone App - Our iPhone app is in the process of being submitted to iTunes and will soon be available there for free. Check out the screenshots to see everything that will be available on the app.

All of the information you are accustomed to accessing on www.harvestbarrie.ca is still there at your fingertips. Just use the navigation bar at the top of each page to find your way around.

TueTuesdayDecDecember7th2010

A Weekend to Remember

Posted Tuesday, December 07 2010 @ 7 AM byRoger Freeman Tagged Relationships 1 comments Add comment

There is always an expectation that we will get a return on our investment. No one wants to be like the guy who made a million dollars – out of two million! Most of the time we do get a return, in line with the saying, “You only get out of something, what you put into it.” That is for sure true in a marriage.

Many people go into marriage 50/50. I put in my half and she puts in her half and together we make a whole out of it. It doesn’t work that way! Marriage is for two adults who each bring their healthy whole and God puts their 100/100 together to make one new whole. The math doesn’t add up but that is how it works in God’s kingdom.

Margaret and I regularly invest into our marriage. Recently we went to “A Weekend To Remember” marriage conference sponsored by Family Life Canada. We have been asked, “Do you really need that after almost 30 years together?” Here is what we get from our investment:

1. Remember the basics! You don’t get to finesse the puck into the net if you can’t get to the net with the puck! (That’s a hint for all you sports minded dudes.) It is amazing how we can forget the basic elements that make a relationship work well. We need reminders about time and communication and our differences.

2. Get a handle on it! We often come away with a new way to verbalize issues. We have words to put to things we are dealing with, for ourselves and for others we talk to. We have a handle to put on a problem.

3. Resources! There are some great books out there that are standards, and there are new ones that bring perspective and insight. I picked up one on “Coffee dates for couples.” Time with my friend and coffee – now that’s a win/win!!

4. Away with reason! No, I don’t mean get rid of “reason,” I mean get away with purpose. It’s good to go away, not just for time as a couple, but to take time to think and talk about us as a couple. “How are we doing?” is a great question to ask regularly, even when the answer means we have some work to do.

Even after 30 years we have more to learn and apply. We have more to learn to help others. It is worth the investment! Want to invest a little yourself? There is another “Weekend To Remember” in Niagara Falls in February. That sounds like another win/win! Now is the time to plan! For more information go to www.powertochange.com

FriFridayDecDecember3rd2010

I know God's will for me

Posted Friday, December 03 2010 @ 8 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged From the Cave 0 comments Add comment

There’s a ton of confusion over God’s revealed will versus his concealed will. I have a suspicion that if we paid closer attention to matters of his revealed will (what we already clearly know he requires of us), we would have far fewer issues with his concealed will (who should I marry? where should I live? what kind of shaving cream should I use?)

As Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians, he fires off a bunch of final instructions to his readers saying, “This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” As our time in 1 Thessalonians concludes we’re intent on confirming that the people we prove to be are people who know God’s will for us and are living it out.

But lest anyone be disappointed because they don’t come away knowing who their future spouse is to be, this is about God’s clearly revealed will. These are the things we ought to be doing no matter where we work, what school we attend or who we’re married to.

Take some time to read through 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 for Sunday and pray that God will indeed bring us to a greater place of obedience and blessing as we prove ourselves to truly be his followers.

See you Sunday,

Todd

ThuThursdayDecDecember2nd2010

Haiti

Posted Thursday, December 02 2010 @ 7 AM byTodd Dugard Tagged Global Ministries 0 comments Add comment

The earthquake of last January was devastating to the island nation of Haiti. Yet it is really just the latest blow to a country that has faced perpetual instability and poverty. Since the earthquake, a hurricane, a cholera outbreak and post-election political tension have added to the misery and hardship.

Yet God is at work and there are many of his people in Haiti who are seeking day by day to continue to live for him amidst the nationwide struggle. After the earthquake, a wave of relief efforts swung into action. As a fellowship of churches, we partnered with the Acts29 Network churches, raising $1.6 million for an effort that would be known as “Churches Helping Churches”.

The idea is that while NGO’s, governments, and the U.N. will help rebuild streets, sewers, hospitals and such, there would be no one helping rebuild the churches that were destroyed. And we, as the church, wanted to be involved in rebuilding churches as well as helping pastors lead those churches in the wake of the disaster.

When we announced the project, you responded in an amazing way, giving close to $20,000 to help churches in Haiti. A portion of that offering was given to two orphanages founded by Dave Lock, a Toronto businessman and member of Harvest Bible Chapel York Region. On Sunday, December 5, Dave MacDonald and I will have the privilege of traveling to Haiti for five days to survey the work of Churches Helping Churches and the Freedom House orphan homes. In addition, Pastor Paul Whittingstall from HBC York Region, who will also be traveling in the group, and I will be preaching at the “Churches Helping Pastors” conference on Ile de la Gonave off the coast of Haiti on Thursday, December 9.

We are looking forward to serving the people of Haiti in Jesus’ name and on your behalf. Pray for us as we travel, observe, minister, preach and encourage the faithful servants of Christ who are persevering for him in Haiti. Dave and I look forward to reporting back to the church here in Barrie on Sunday, December 12.

WedWednesdayDecDecember1st2010

It is God who works in us

Posted Wednesday, December 01 2010 @ 7 AM byMike Armstrong Tagged Spiritual Disciplines 0 comments Add comment

You know when you're reading through Scripture and there's that verse that really hits you right where you're at? Well that verse for me of late has been Philippians 2:13 which says "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

I don't know about you, but sometimes I find that I lack the will power to love and follow Christ. Other things in my life become more important than they should and I shove my relationship with God to the back burner. I slack off in my quiet time with him, I become less sensitive to the Spirit's leading in my life and I find that my desire to do his will kind of disappears...

So what do I usually do? Well, what happens is I'll hear a convicting sermon or have a conversation with a friend and be reminded of how I've been neglecting God. So in the past I've tried to dig deep and find that passion within me again only to be discouraged because what I find there is a love for myself and a desire to serve my flesh.

This is where Philippians 2:13 cuts right to the heart. It's God who works in me to will and to work. My human strength has proved to be weak and doesn't cut it - I need more Holy Spirit power working in me to produce godly desire and strength to live for him. I've found that the more I simply humble myself, admit my weakness and confess the sin of pride in my life, the more God works in my heart to transform me.

Loving Jesus with my whole life doesn't come from trying really hard to be better - it comes from realizing that I don't have that ability in and of myself, and I need the Spirit of God to be my strength and power. I love how God's Word remains so relevant and practical for every day life. What verse/passage has stood out to you lately? Mike