Who we are:
St John's Vancouver Anglican Church, Vancouver is a community of Christians dedicated to the exposition and teaching of the Word of God, to the spreading of the good news of the Gospel at home and abroad, and to the application of God's purpose in our own lives and families.
legal update > helpful reminders
What is the church?
The New Testament definition of the church is the people of God. The buildings are important as they provide a place for ministry. In essence, the church is the family and the church buildings are the family home. The home helps the family relate to one another and in welcoming visitors and friends, and we care about it as we would our home. The family is going to stay together but may move homes.
How do I respond to my friends about this?
Honestly and openly. We do not want to be in court. This is a dispute on the church’s teaching on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and how he offers us relationship with God. It may appear that this whole debate is about same sex unions, but it is much deeper than that. We recognize this trial is not wanted and is tough for both sides. We desire to continue to tell people about the good news of Jesus.
What does it mean to be a Christian?
It does not mean we have grounds to be entitled or self-righteous. It means we know we need a saviour outside of ourselves. A Christian is someone who recognizes that while there is truth and goodness, it is impossible for us to know these without God’s help. Truth and goodness come out of a relationship with God. To have this, we must accept what He has done for us through the death and physical resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. A Christian believes that it is only in recognizing Jesus’ perfect sacrifice as a payment for our sin, that we are able to live in right relationship with God and others. Our response is to serve Christ, love one another and glorify God.
What can I expect as we move through this trial?
It is a public trial and there will likely be press coverage. There will be lots of conflicting information and misinformation, some of it may be personal and directed at the leadership of St. John’s. It is important to know this process may be confusing and frustrating at times and we need to be faithful and continue to walk through it, resting in the knowledge that God is ultimately in control and we trust in Him. You will likely have periods of anxiety, frustration, anger, and sadness. That is okay. God wants us to bring these things to him in prayer and so we should.
Is going to court contrary to 1 Corinthians 6?
The Apostle Paul’s rebuke of the church at Corinth in going to court was because it was being motivated and done out of litigiousness, greed, or possibly revenge. The situation we find ourselves in is different. St. John’s Trustees are trustees of the gospel and the buildings serve the gospel. There is a requirement to attempt to conserve the property if it appears that the ministry of the gospel will be futhered by retaining it and will suffer a setback by losing it. Going to court has not been done in haste.
