Central Abbotsford

I’m writing this week’s newsletter from the heartland of the U.S. of A – Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m spending three days this week alongside a handful of Northview’s pastors and staff in the company of some 7,000 other church leaders from all over the world at The Gospel Coalition’s annual conference. 

And, while it has been a great joy to worship in song with thousands of sisters and brothers led by some of the world’s most talented musicians, the highlight for me has been the teaching sessions. I’ve already had the privilege to learn directly from many wise and Godly women and men who, before this week, I’d only been able to read their books, or hear them on podcasts. And, while those are valuable tools, the main attraction of a convention like this is the ability to be in person. But that’s a prelude to a newsletter about the incarnational dimension of Christianity, and I’ve already written that one. 

This week is about something else! All of the speakers this week are offering wise and Biblical counsel on some of the most pressing issues of our day – cultural, theological, and the messy mix of the two. I’m sure that the conference organizers fed them some of the topics, and I also know that some of them are addressing questions that they think are of importance. In a couple of the panels, though, the participants have specifically requested that audience members submit questions in advance. I think there’s wisdom in this practice. As clever and insightful as these speakers are, they are not omnipotent and do not have all the questions, even if they well know the One who has the answers.

This made me think about my newsletter. I have enjoyed writing it, because it allows me another platform to share such limited thoughts and insights that the Lord has been kind enough to grant me. It is a vehicle that I wish to use well in leading Central Abbotsford. 

But, at the end of the day, it’s mostly only my voice (aside from when I used ChatGPT in the newsletter I linked above). And though Central Abbotsford is not the biggest Northview location, and although I enjoy chatting with you before and after services, I also can’t connect with everyone every week. But, when I do, I often find that your thoughts, questions, and comments end up influencing the things that I write here. One of my hopes as pastor is to be able to respond theologically to the questions you have and situations you face.

So, I would love to hear your questions! If there is a topic, or issue, or question that you would like me to consider, send it to me! I can’t guarantee that I’ll address it in a newsletter, but I might! You can ask for it to be anonymous if you’d like (or you can ask to be credited if you’d like!) and I’ll honour the request either way. But, insofar as the topics that I consider in this space are generally limited to my own thoughts, concerns, and interests, I would love to hear yours. So, email me what you’d like me to write about at eheath@northview.org and you might see your question addressed in a future week!

See you on Saturday, when I am back in our home and native land! (And, yes, I know there’s an election next week. If you want my thoughts about that, please visit the newsletter I wrote in the fall!)

Eric