Yesterday I had the privilege of preaching at
the ordination service for Paul McDonald at Grace Fellowship Church, Don Mills
(DM). DM is a church we planted under
the leadership of Julian Freeman back in Janauary 2011.
The way we plant churches is fairly simple. They remain
under our direct oversight until such a time as they gain a plurality of
elders. That means that DM is the first of our plants to go all the way to
complete autonomy. Now that Paul is joining Julian as a co-elder, there is no
more need for the elders here to oversee the work there.
That made yesterday a pretty crazy confluence of emotions.
On the one level, I have known Paul for years, had him as a student when I
taught at Toronto Baptist Seminary, worked with him as an intern here, and have
been very involved with his life for quite a few years. I love him. And, it was
all blessing to see him stand and vow to follow Christ as one of His
undershepherds.
On another level there was sorrow. Knowing that this church
will grow and take on its own personality – I suppose it was something like the
feeling one gets when you send a kid off to university. It is not that I fear
these guys will blow apart once they are “out from under our roof!” I just know
it won’t be the same. That is a good thing. But, there is a kind of sadness to
it as well.
Some day I hope Julian and I will be able to sit down and
write about what we learned through this whole process. One thing I know I
learned is that it is deeply encouraging and humbling to work with guys like
him and Paul. They have put up with a lot from me through the years because they
value the Gospel over themselves. That bodes well for what the Lord might do as
DM takes flight under their wise and careful leadership.
Praise the Lord!
It was great to see you and worship with you brother!
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