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<strong>Spring</strong>/<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
A DECADE<br />
FROM TODAY...<br />
by Valerie Heaton<br />
An Interview with our five Regional Directors — David Horita, Fellowship Pacific; Mark Breitkreuz,<br />
Fellowship Prairies; Rick Buck, FebCentral; Louis Bourque, AEBEQ; and Doug Campbell,<br />
Fellowship Atlantic — about how local churches must adapt as our society further shifts from any<br />
religious memory or appreciation.<br />
UP TO SPEED: REGIONAL UPDATES<br />
What major societal shifts have you seen in the past that you believe<br />
our local churches must address in the next decade? What<br />
seems to be the biggest issue?<br />
Rick: I believe the individualism of our culture was deep<br />
and significant even before COVID-19, but now people<br />
are going to be even more isolated. I<br />
think we will need to rediscover and<br />
revitalize the importance of community<br />
and fellowship. The secularization<br />
of our culture is pushing<br />
faith and religion more and more to a<br />
private experience rather than a public<br />
one. You can hold a view as long<br />
><br />
RICK BUCK<br />
as you hold it to yourself — your<br />
“truth” may not be my “truth”. This,<br />
however, is contrary to the whole mission of the church,<br />
which is to proclaim the Gospel and lead others to a saving<br />
knowledge of Jesus Christ. The truth of the Gospel is not<br />
merely true for me, but is true for everyone, everywhere. It<br />
is absolute, not subjective, which is challenging to communicate<br />
in our cultural setting. If we are going to live out<br />
our faith, we will need to expect that there will be opposition,<br />
and even persecution. We will need a more measured,<br />
wise, and winsome witness to our world that will require<br />
building bridges before we can share our faith.<br />
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) says: “But in your hearts revere Christ as<br />
Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who<br />
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this<br />
with gentleness and respect” In a world that is more and more<br />
opposed to the Gospel, it is the totality of who we are —<br />
our attitude, our actions and our words — that make the<br />
difference.<br />
Doug: The millennial generation is<br />
less interested in organizations and<br />
meetings. They are more concerned<br />
about relationships, so the church<br />
must decentralize discipleship and<br />
shepherding down to the group level.<br />
Gender identity and similar issues<br />
are going to test our resolve to the<br />
DOUG CAMPBELL<br />
truth of Scripture. This has the potential<br />
to be very divisive for church alliances and Christian<br />
>
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