There is a little town in western Ontario called Chesley. It's largely a farming community and I likely would not have even heard of it except that I have relatives living just outside of it. Recently, I learned something interesting about the town. It houses a small, Presbyterian Reformed church, which would be rather inconsequential if not for one peculiar claim to fame.

If you are into Reformed theology, you will likely be familiar with the name of John Murray, the noted systematic theologian who taught at Westminster Theological Seminary for many years. Murray was good friends with William Matheson, who was the pastor of the church in Chesley around the same time Murray taught at Westminster. Their friendship had been solidified during a controversy in the Free Presbyterian Church years earlier. Murray would often travel to Chesley to visit Matheson and preached in the church on quite a number of occasions, especially after Matheson died in 1957. In fact, Murray would say of the church, “I think I feel most at home here and at Chesley of all the places I visit.” You can read more of the story of the church here.

Perhaps this is only of interest to me, but I thought it was worth sharing. My relatives might be interested to know that their little town has a small place in Reformed history.

Incidentally, the photo of the 14th concession on the Wikipedia page for Chesley is taken by my dad. My grandparents live just over the rise on the right side.

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There are a number of great cities in Canada, and the city of Montréal is perhaps one of the most unique. I have not spent a great deal of time there, but the few times I have been I have really enjoyed it. If you are ever planning to visit Canada, be sure that one of the places you visit is Montréal. The video to your left here is a short two-minute clip, uniquely made, giving you a short taste of the city.

Montréal is quite possibly the most culturally-unique city in Canada. Its location and history have created a culture with multiple influences. There is an old joke in Québec that says, "We could have had French culture, British government and American know-how... but what we've really got is American culture, French government and British know-how!" Some have gone so far as to call Montréal "Amerope," as it is shaped by a very distinct blend of American and European culture.

Aside from making this an interesting city to visit, it creates a distinct challenge for church planting efforts in one of the least-churched cities in North America. The Redeemer Urban Church Planting Center has been putting out an e-newsletter for a few years now, and back in 2004 they featured one of the church planting efforts in Montréal. Here's what they had to say about the unique challenges in that city:

So, what makes Montréal unique? Well, first of all, Montréal is bilingual, boasting the second largest French-speaking population in the world. Culturally, it reflects the American life and attitudes. In addition to being geographically located in North America, Montréalers and Americans share an increasing consumer mentality where choice is imperative. Montréalers also value the ease and spontaneity commonly associated with Americans.

But Montréal is more influenced by European intellectual and social values than other Canadian cities. Like Europeans, Montréalers are less forthcoming than Americans and see a difference between 'friends' and 'acquaintances.' They are a bit more clannish and more cautious about allowing people into their lives. Typically, for church planters, this means that it takes longer for people to really open up and become a 'friend.'

In addition to these differences is Montréal's particular spiritual history. In the past, it has been heavily influenced by Roman Catholicism, which today is widely rejected and viewed as being authoritarian, intellectually confining and too ritualistic. French existentialism has also influenced the thinking of those leading the social values of Montréal. But today, this philosophy too is increasingly questioned. The gate-keepers are beginning to understand that they need consensus and community in order to build a society. Similar to the trend in Europe, Montréal is moving toward a softer humanism where unity, cooperation and community are paramount. All these things make Montréal a uniquely diverse challenge for those living the Gospel in Montréal.

On the Square, the online blog of First Things, featured a very interesting article on this changing cultural climate in Québec a few weeks ago written by Paul Allen, professor of theology at Concordia University in Montréal. Allen noted that upcoming generations are disillusioned by the cultural values and expressions of earlier generations and are looking for something more. He concluded by saying, "what we hear is a lament for culture, a dissent, a reflection on Québec’s roots, a felt desire for something solid, permanent, and life-giving."

That blows the door wide open for the Church to enter through. Church planting efforts will most certainly be a great challenge here, but when a culture is in flux as it seems to be in Montréal and in Québec, it creates a unique opportunity for the Church to renew its presence in the city to play a major role in transforming that culture. Would it be a challenge you would consider taking up?

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In the spirit of changing things up a bit, I offer something of a series of "mini-posts." These are a little less serious than some of my other posts, and I thought a random compilation of different subjects would be an interesting read. So here are a number of things that have come to my attention or I have been thinking about recently.

• There will be a federal election in Canada on October 14. What is nice about the Canadian political system is that not having set election dates means there will only be two short months of campaigning, and not the year and a half we will have seen here in the US by the time the election finally comes. Although I am not currently living in Canada I am still a citizen, and because this is a fairly important election I want to vote. However, I went to the Elections Canada website and after answering a short questionnaire determining my eligibility, was informed that I could not vote. Here is why:

Based on your answer, you do not qualify to vote under the Special Voting Rules as a Canadian citizen residing outside Canada. To qualify to vote, you must intend to return to Canada to resume residence in the future.
- Reference: Paragraph 222(1)(c), Canada Elections Act

I was disappointed to read that because I cannot say with any confidence that I intend to return to Canada to resume residence there. I have learned well the futility of making such broad plans for the future, opting instead to wait for God's will to be revealed (Prov. 16:9, James 4:13-15). I have made no plans about where I will eventually find myself living. Perhaps God will lead us to a calling in Canada, but I cannot say that with certainty, and to answer the question on the website in the affirmative would not be truthful.

• I was pointed to an article in the Hamilton Spectator about a group of people that I know by extension who have decided to live together in what they are calling an "intentional community." Read the article here. It is an interesting take on how to build community. As I see it, they are seeking to model the type of community described in Acts 2:42-47. I appreciate their motives, but at the same it reminds me again of how individualistic our society has become--so much that we are looking for intentional ways to build community. It should be something natural. Nonetheless, perhaps their efforts in that neighborhood of Hamilton will produce a renewal of the biblical notion of community in that particular context (HT: David Koyzis).

• Springboarding off this and this, I have long been averse to the idea that your home is strictly a private place. Again, as I stated in my earlier posts linked to above, welcoming people into your home is to welcome them into an intimate relationship, and is an exceedingly important part of our ministry both to fellow believers and to our neighbors. Envisioning our homes as a private little shelter or domain where few people are permitted to enter or become familiar with is nothing less than a complete concession to cultural individualism and isolation. You should be free to go to a friend's house uninvited and be welcomed into that home (there are, naturally, exceptions to this). Likewise, your home should be ready and willing to receive guests. The Bible is full of examples of the importance of letting friends and strangers into your home. As God himself welcomes people freely into his house and into fellowship with him, so should our homes reflect this openness.

• I have to pay for health insurance now, something I have never had to do before. Aside from the fact that I do not like this, it makes me consistently worried that there is something physically wrong with me. While I note this with a tinge of humor, it is, in fact, something I worry about somewhat regularly.

• Some day, I would love to attend an event like the Toronto International Film Festival and catch a better glimpse of the massive international film community. I typically like non-Hollywood movies. Not to generalize, of course--I realize Hollywood has produced some excellent films, and there are a lot of very poor non-Hollywood films as well. Still, a good number of my favorite films come from more independent and international sources because these films seem to have far more authenticity, depth, and insight than your standard Hollywood film. For instance, recently I watched the film, The Italian. I thought it was excellent for a number of different reasons. A film staged in a foreign setting is best done by people from that culture and in that language. The story was also very good, as was the acting. It is also very real and invites you into the life of the lead character, something that is often lacking of Hollywood movies.

• There is something very interesting to me about national anthems. When you listen to them, especially if they are performed well, they have a very unique ability to stir up emotion and pride, even if you are not from whatever country the anthem belongs to. Recently I have listened to a number of different anthems, and found them all to be particularly powerful. The most poignant example I have come across is the national anthem of Russia (Государственный гимн Российской Федерации). I realize it is a throwback to the old Soviet anthem, but that does not change the fact that it is a powerful and dramatic song. You can see how music like that stirs up pride in one's country. Have a listen to it by clicking here. There are more excellent national hymns out there. What are some of your favorites?

Now I have said in one longer post what might have been said in four or five others short posts. I thought that I might as well get it all down while it was in my head instead of trying to compose separate posts later. Thoughts, comments, or interactions on any of these things?

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When we were on our Alaska cruise in 2005, one of the ports of call was Prince Rupert, BC. I remember sitting in one of the restaurants having breakfast, and as the ship docked, I noticed a little scooter rental place just down from the port. I said to Robin that we should rent one and ride around the area. Having not ridden a motorcycle before, she was hesitant at first. But once she got on it, she loved it. I remember riding along Yellowhead Highway just outside the city limits surrounded by some beautiful scenery, looking into the little rearview mirror, and seeing a huge smile on her face. Best $65 I've ever spent, hands down.

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This is worth a read:

My husband and I are agnostics, or at least we're non-practising. Recently our 10-year-old daughter has become a devout Christian. She reads the Bible and prays, and now she's been agitating for us to take her to church on Sundays. And the other day she calmly informed us that we were probably going to hell.

Click here for the rest of the article. The most interesting part of the article comes later. It's a clear illustration of the unfortunate state of Christianity in Canada, and the West as a whole.

What do you think?

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