For the last two days I have been overwhelmed with inspiration and instruction on how to be a better leader. As a pastor of this church, I must lead, and I must lead well. This year’s Leadership Summit was my 8^th to attend. Every year I walk away motivated to dig in deeper and excel in my pastoral leadership. I wish I could perfect my leadership with attending just one Leadership Summit, but it will be a work in progress for the rest of my life. My apologies to those of you who must bear with me (ha).

I honestly felt like some of the guest speakers had been studying my life for the last 8 months. (Ha.) They hit me right between the eyes. God knew what I needed to learn and he delivered it on a silver platter.

This year just might be the best Summit I have attended. Every session I walked away with gold nuggets of information. To have so many from this church (spanning all ages) attend was incredible. I sense that many of us are on the same page and understand what it means to move forward and see how the Local Church is the Hope of the World.

Some things can only be described as WOW. And this year’s Leadership Summit can best be described by me as WOW.

Pastor Donald Calder

There is no part of me that likes paying for things twice. I have always believed that payment made in full the first time should be sufficient.

Two years ago I put in a 100 foot long retaining wall at home, and was very pleased with how it turned out. In fact, there were times I found myself giddy just looking at it, knowing it made such a huge difference in the driveway.

By the time the next spring rolled around I noticed a number of rocks had shifted, and it didn’t look as straight as it once stood. I called the company to tell them of my situation, and they reassured me there was a one year guarantee. I called, and I called, and I called again. I wanted the work done before the year guarantee was over. Guess what (you know what happened); they waited long enough for the guarantee to be null and void. UGH!

I spent a lot of money to have that wall built! But after another winter and spring, I couldn’t ignore the wall any longer. I realized rocks were soon going to fall on the car because it had shifted so much, and it was so unstable.

I know what you’re thinking: “Why didn’t you just move the rocks yourself, Donald?” Good question. The answer? Each rock weighed about 400-500 lbs. I know I look strong, but that was just slightly over my max in a bench press. (Ha.)

So here I am again paying to have the wall rebuilt by another company. This time I know the guy, and he’s from the church, and I know where he lives if I have any problems (ha). I feel very confident this time the job is being done to last.

This whole experience got me thinking; I am very glad to know that my salvation doesn’t have an expiry date. I know I make loads of mistakes, however God does not wait around making excuses why He can’t help until the expiry date relieves Him of His promises to help me when in need. And His Son made a one time payment that offers a life time guarantee.

Pastor Donald Calder

This morning I was the first one at the office, so I parked my car, went in to the office, and never gave it another thought. Two hours later I looked out my window and this is what I saw. The next staff member parked their car at a distance from mine and then the next car parked a distance away and then the next car did the same. [See photo.]

At first I thought, “Is this how our relationships are here at the church? No one wants to get too close to anyone?” Is it just safer to keep your distance so no one gets any scratches?

Churches can easily become a place where you go but you don’t allow anyone to get too close, and you aren’t given the opportunity to get close to anyone. When churches get in this mode, a very important dynamic is missing. The CARE is lost, and it becomes a place to go and put in time with your attendance, and maybe get your batteries charged, but that’s it. If that be the case… no wonder so many churches are dying.

I’m thankful that’s not the characteristic of StoneRidge. This church family cares for each other, even with all our bumps, bruises and baggage. There is a bond among so many that can’t be separated.

As far as the staff cars parked the way they are in the photo… I’m still trying to figure that one out. I’ll get back to you if I discover anything.

Pastor Donald Calder

For the past five years I have driven home from work by an old, weathered barn and its sagging roof.  Many times I have wondered how old that barn was; 50, 75 or even 100 years old. I would then let my mind wander and think of the many things that could have happened in that building over the years. I also found myself occasionally thinking, “I should buy that building, tear it down and use the property.” (It’s right on the lake.)

Two weeks ago, on my way to work, I noticed some construction people on the roof and thought, “Oh… they must be fixing the roof.” On my way home, I saw the work the men had done. They were not fixing the building… but dismantling it. 14 days have gone by, and little by little the men have been removing all the barn boards. They could have hired an excavator and had that building torn down and hauled away in one day. Why take all the effort?

Under that rough and weathered exterior was something worth saving. The wood was dry and useable. Those men saw something that I thought was useless. I was reminded of how I often look at the exterior of someone and think there’s not much there worth saving. The book of James reminds me not to judge people by their outward profile, but to look beyond and see the inside.

Let’s not judge a person by their cover until we take a peek inside.

I can’t believe I am saying this, but… I already miss that old building

Pastor Donald Calder

Recently, my family drove to PEI for the afternoon to experience one of those amazing Lobster Dinners. You know it’s going to be a tasty experience if I drive 3 hours just to have a meal.

We arrived before the restaurant opened and were the first in line. The 6 of us waited patiently ‘til the doors opened, and then we were ushered to a table that overlooked the water.

The first thing that arrived on our table was bread and homemade rolls. The rolls were not the size of tea biscuits, but more the size of softballs. I was quite pleased with myself as I only ate 3.

I had forgotten seafood chowder was on the menu, but I did recall how delicious it was last year (and very agreeable to my taste buds), therefore I had three bowls. Mm-mm-good.

Then came the mussels… bucket after bucket. I don’t know who ate more; me or my mother. (I think I had about 126 and she had 128.)

At that moment I should’ve backed away from the table and got back in the car, but no, the garden salad arrived… with the potato salad and coleslaw.

I licked the plate clean.

Then the main meal arrived; the Lobster Dinner. That lobster was one huge guy. I cracked every piece of shell and ate the lobster dry. Oh, did I mention that by this time I had also consumed a large glass of water and 3 large Diet Cokes? I am so glad I was drinking a diet cola; otherwise who knows how much weight I would have gained that evening?

At this point I was hurting. My stomach hadn’t been that stretched since the last year I was at this restaurant. Then came dessert. The options were many, but I went with something healthy – strawberry shortcake – and while I waited for my dessert to arrive, believe it or not, I ate another roll, and ordered another diet coke.

The strawberry shortcake arrived… and it could have fed a family of four. At this point in the story, a wise person would have pushed away from the table, but oh, no – not me. I ate a second strawberry short cake.

I waddled to the car and was in pain for the next 2 days.

There is a reason the bible talks about self-control. Now I know from experience why a little restraint can keep you from a lot of pain.

Pastor Donald Calder

3 Controlled Access Zones, mid-point Halifax Harbour. Map courtesy of the Canadian Navy: www.forces.gc.ca

Last week our city celebrated our Navy’s 100^th Anniversary. Since there was so much going on downtown with the Queen in our city and the International Tattoo and other festivals and concerts, I took a drive downtown to gaze at all the navy ships. There were Destroyers, Submarines, Aircraft carriers and a   multitude of other Navy ships and personnel scattered throughout the city.

Looking over our beautiful harbor, I thought no one would dare attack us with this entire military in port. For a moment I felt very safe from any terrorist attack. I thought to myself, this is probably one of the safest places in the world right now. Although people probably thought the same thing when Pearl Harbor was bombed.

Shouldn’t we as followers of Christ always feel safe because God is watching over us? He’s on 24 hour patrol, and no one crosses the enemy lines unless he allows it.

There are times I allow fear to grip my life and then I have to remind myself, hey there Donald, you are under the watchful eye of God Almighty. Nothing, and I do meaning nothing, is going to happen to you unless God allows it. This truth should always allow me to live in peace and feel extremely safe.

Where do you find your safety?

Pastor Donald Calder

Have you ever wanted to do something or go somewhere and the opportunity was at your fingertips, but somehow it didn’t work out? That’s how I felt recently.

The Queen waves goodbye to Julie.

Last week the Queen of England was in our city, and I wanted to go and see her, but for one reason or another I wasn’t able to get downtown when she was around. To top things off, I was shocked when I wasn’t one of the 1500 special guests invited to attend her gala.

On day three she was flying out of town, and I was moping around the office because I didn’t get a chance to see her, when someone shouted, Who wants to go to the airport to see the Queen? I shouted back, Yes! Yes! Yes! Count me in!

A few of us jumped into the car and took off for the airport, knowing she was going to be there in about 20 minutes. We made our way right in front of the gate that her motorcade would pass through, and where we would be able to see her board her plane.

WOW! We were only about 20 feet away. It was the first time I had ever seen her. It was awesome.

Later in the day, I was reminded of what the prophet Isaiah experienced. He describes seeing a glimpse of the robe that filled the temple, and he was a ruined man. Why, you ask, all because he saw a glimpse of the robe of the King of Kings? I thought my experience was a grand one, but oh, how it pales in comparison to seeing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What a day that will be when my eyes see Him for the first time and I bow my knee and acknowledge who He is.

Pastor Donald Calder

As I am preparing for this new series entitled Basic Training, I’m starting to have second thoughts. For the next 5 weeks or so we will be studying the book of James. As many of you may know, James is a “simple to understand” book. I wish it were confusing at times, so I wouldn’t be responsible for what it says about Basic Christianity 101. The problem with this book of the bible is it is so understandable there is no excuse for not following through with its message. UGH!

Often times I will hear people say, “Give me the deep stuff,” or, “I want to know what is in the advance course, Christianity 501!” I say in return, it isn’t the hard stuff I have problems with; it is the basic stuff that I find difficult to live out. In fact, I have come to believe the basic stuff is the deep stuff. I am still trying to apply the, “love your neighbor as yourself” principle. My prayer for all of us, especially me, is that when God’s Word is spoken I will be quick to apply the truth.

Do you need a refresher course in Basic Christianity? It really is warfare out on the streets, so let’s do some “Basic Training”.

Pastor Donald Calder

Tonight I went to my 8 year old nephew’s very first baseball game. As I sat on the bleachers, I waited with anticipation for him to come up to bat. When he finally arrived at the batter’s box, bat in hands, I was on the edge of my seat. He got into position, the first pitch came in, and he gave it a smack, but it was a foul ball.

It didn’t matter; I still cheered and said, “Way to go, buddy!” He went back to home plate, picked up the bat, and got ready for the next pitch. It came in right over home plate, and he got a hold of that ball like Babe Ruth, and he took off running. I was cheering louder than anyone else in the bleachers. I was jumping up and down yelling, “Great hit! Great hit!” I was so proud of him.

Later that evening at home, I began to remember all the events that took place at the ball field, and it got me thinking. I began to see the correlation of the night’s game with the Christian Life.

We get ready to bat (journey in this life), while God watches from the bleachers. He cheers us on. When we get a great crack at the ball, He yells, “Great play! Great play!”

God really is our biggest cheerleader, and you can be sure He is cheering you on with every play that you make. He is so proud of you.

Pastor Donald Calder

I recently sat in the pew of another church and listened to a pastor give a sermon from the bible. I admit I was looking forward to it; I’m always looking for ways I can learn from others, and I don’t want to sound too critical, but to say the least, I was a little disappointed.

Scripture was read (and lots of it), the gospel was given clearly, but something was missing. It seemed like the gentleman was just going through the motions. He had all the ingredients of a message… but it was lacking. I first asked myself, is it because I am tired? No, I had a great night’s sleep. Is it the style of the service? Again, no, because I grew up accustomed to conservative style services.

I walked away thinking this was a boring service, not because there were no props on stage, or because of too few illustrations, but boring because it lacked life and personal application. If church was like this every week, I could understand why people don’t attend anymore and why they don’t see it as relevant to their everyday life. (I kind of felt like maybe I didn’t want to go to church anymore either.) If you looked around that auditorium it was painfully obvious there were a lot of people who were wishing they were somewhere else.

If you are a Christian, you know the gospel is anything but boring. It’s the most exciting news available to people. The gospel has been changing lives since the beginning of time and it still continues to change lives. Every time I speak, I feel this heavy responsibility to present God’s Word accurately and to explain it in such a way that people get it and can apply it to their life. And I believe God will hold responsible those who present God’s Word as some boring outdated book that couldn’t possibly be helpful for today’s living.

When you’re talking about God and his Word, let’s make sure people understand it’s the best and most exciting thing happening on planet earth. What’s your presentation like?

Pastor Donald Calder