Food for Thought
For this week’s Food for Thought I have used my annual pastor’s report for 2025, as it’s possible that some might miss the annual meeting and associated reports. I encourage you to be challenged by this new year and the opportunities it brings. Do you remember our Lord’s last instruction to his followers? “Go and make disciples”. I encourage all of us to think about what I am doing personally to make new disciples.
PASTORS REPORT 2025
By the time you will be reading this report the first quarter of 2026 will be almost past! It seems that the months and years pass more quickly as we grow older. It seems like only a few years since the world was concerned about what was going to happen when the clocks would strike midnight ushering in the year 2000. There was much consternation as people thought that computers were going to fail, electrical networks were going to lose power and so on. But it came without much in the way of problems and now we are a quarter century past that milestone!
The year 2025 was a busy year for those of us who are part of the Chesley Community Church family. We are blessed by new faces that have appeared and have become part of the family. We have had sad moments when some of the family graduated to glory, but the sadness was largely neutralized by the promise of our Lord who reminded his followers that he was going to prepare a place for them. What a glorious hope he has given us, a hope which much of our world does not enjoy. This hope is an integral part of the gospel, the good news about the significance of the cross and why the punishment and death of Jesus was the only way our sin problem could be addressed. As we work our way through 2026, our church must continue to focus on the gospel. Preaching it, sharing it, and living it. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Romans 1:16 (NLT)
There is no doubt that 2026 will bring its share of challenges. Our world is changing rapidly. We see the leadership of Quebec proudly proclaiming that the province is a secular society. Persecution of Christians is on the rise world-wide. AI (artificial intelligence) will bring astounding changes in almost every aspect of our society. Driverless cars will become commonplace. Humanoid robots are being designed and built to augment, and in many cases replace humans.
But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:4 (NLT.) With thousands of flights in the air and millions of cars on the road every day, Daniel’s prediction of many rushing here and there has certainly come true. The arrival of the internet facilitated access to knowledge by a factor of many times. AI will again increase that by many, many, times. But our world is experiencing increasing mental health problems, addictions and rising crime rates. Our enemy is attacking on many fronts. Our Lord’s prediction of wars and rumors of wars continues to be true. There are many signs that the end times are closer than ever. Consider this bit of news: On January 27, 2026, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists advanced the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, marking the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe. This 4-second advancement from 2025 reflects growing dangers from nuclear threats, climate change, and unmanaged emerging technologies.
So what does all of this mean for followers of Jesus in 2026? There are many things as we search the scriptures and here are just a few examples: We must not be a people of fear. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Luke 12:7 (NLT). We are still called to be a city on a hill and a light that shines in an ever darkening world. Let’s resolve to let our individual and collective lights shine for his glory in 2026! In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16 (NLT). The times call for us to live with urgency. Many of our loved ones and neighbours are living without the assurance of salvation. Let’s be urgent about sharing our faith and inviting people who need to hear the gospel out to church.
I do want to congratulate you on being a ministry that makes a difference. Many come through our doors on a regular basis. The number of people in our community who have both spiritual and practical needs continues to grow. Many of you have spent countless hours in helping to meet the needs. We are indeed a place where “its at” a place where things are happening and help both spiritual and practical is dispensed in a variety of ways. I encourage you to keep up the good work, and I thank you for all your help both in helping with the ministries of the church and helping Connie and I as we lead and guide the flock. You ease the burden through your love, encouragement and devotion to the Lord and his Kingdom work.
What are our most critical concerns for 2026? The answer is relatively easy! The Lost! Meeting that challenge is the difficult part. Let’s commit ourselves to live and share our faith with an ever increasing sense of urgency. Pray for an increased presence of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives and in the life of our church. Pray for growth particularly in the younger demographic of our congregation. As your travel through our town and community take a moment to allow the images of closed churches that you see to become vivid reminders of our future if we fail in winning the lost and growing the Kingdom.
Perhaps the most famous Beatle song was written by John Lennon and was entitled ‘Imagine”. Its lyrics dream of a time when there would be no heaven, no hell, no hate and other wish list items. The words appear with no suggestion of who or what would be able to bring this idyllic time (assuming one would want such a time) into being. I checked with several New Testament translations but I could only find one instance of the word ‘imagine’. It’s found in Ephesians chapter three verses twenty and twenty- one. (NIV) Its words stand in sharp contrast to Lennon’s. It reveals someone who is able! Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Our Lord is able!
So, as we stand with a new year before us, let’s not be fearful of tomorrow or what the year will bring about but let’s be mindful of who holds tomorrow, and with that knowledge embedded in our hearts let’s say “bring it on!” Greet each new day as a gift and an opportunity. Let’s imagine what the one who is able might do if we commit to working with him. Pastor Dave