Making truth beautiful in Toronto
I attended the induction of a new pastor at a church in the urban core of Toronto this past Sunday. They had been looking for a pastor for three years. It’s in a strategic location and they have a storied past, but the neighborhood has changed. I was glad to see someone come in who has a solid grasp on gospel-centered ministry, and who also has a passion for the city.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but everywhere I turn I see similar things happening. Three of my friends are involved with two church plants near the heart of the city. I had lunch with someone yesterday who planted a church a few years ago just north of Toronto. I just attended a church a couple of Sundays ago and was very encouraged by what I saw. And this is only a small sample of some of the ministries around here that are encouraging me.
There’s a common thread with all of these pastors and planters. They’re all deeply theological, gospel-centered, and missional. This combination used to be rare, at least for me. Now I’m seeing it all over.
The problem is that as long as these traits – theological, gospel-centered, and missional – are abstractions, they’re only theoretical. We actually need living, breathing examples of what this looks like. To paraphrase Trevin Wax, we don’t only need truth; we need truth that’s made beautiful. That’s what these friends of mine are doing.
True information without any inspiration leads to dead orthodoxy.
Inspiration without true information leads to heresy.
I hope to always be one who proclaims the truth beautifully.
Truth that is biblical.
Truth that is beautiful.
Truth that inspires.
I’m glad to know people who are doing this.
