David Macfarlane is concerned about the declining influence of Christianity in Canada. But the former business executive, pastor and inveterate evangelist is also keen to highlight and celebrate the strong role that churches can and do play in our society today.

And he firmly believes that by working together, churches can multiply their influence and amplify their voice.

For the past 18 months Macfarlane has been criss-crossing Canada to promote the concept of Celebration 2005, a special opportunity for Christians to impact their communities by working in concert in a three-week window in 2005 (May 21–June 12).

“Celebration 2005 is a unique and time-sensitive opportunity for the Canadian church to demonstrate the love of God to impact our nation for years to come,” he says with enthusiasm. “It gives an opportunity with a deadline. Everyone has good intentions. This gives something tangible and specific to aim towards.

“Plus you’re not the only one doing it,” he continues. “It’s churches working side by side to connect with their communities. What’s unique is that we want to get everyone to do something visible all at the same time. That’s what gives this initiative its impetus. It enhances the profile of what churches are already doing.”

Celebration 2005 is being coordinated under the auspices of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The central idea is to stimulate Christians to work, pray and serve together to put churches back into the heart of their communities.

“I know it can work in the Canadian context if the churches buy into it,” says the relentlessly optimistic Macfarlane, who cites a number of reasons why many pastors and lay workers are slow to sign up, reluctant to commit their congregation’s time and energy to another program.

He realizes that most simply haven’t thought about the celebration yet, and suggests that at least a few leaders are seem threatened by the concept and are unwilling to work beyond their church, community or city.

A more common obstacle to involvement, however, is the general busyness of everyone and the fact that many churches and ministries are chugging along in survival mode.

“People are inundated and overwhelmed,” says Macfarlane. “Pastors are overworked. People in congregations expect more; they’re more demanding and less patient. Bigger churches have their own programs; smaller churches aren’t into outreach. Outreach is always scary. It’s intimidating. Evangelism is not a popular topic.”

What’s in it for me?
“The one question pastors are always asking is ‘What’s in it for me?’” says Macfarlane, who is happy to recite a list of benefits to churches who get with the program.

Helping churches achieve their mission purposes is at the heart of it, he says. “This is a missionary venture aimed at impacting Canada with the love of God. This nation is losing the gospel faster than any other. We’re on a major slide, but we keep doing the same things in the same ways and expect different results.”

Beyond that, Celebration 2005 is a vision. “We’re participating in something larger than any one of us. Working and praying together in unity can truly bring glory to God.”

On a more tangible level, the initiative is collecting and distributing useful resources. “People are desperate for ideas and new ways of doing things,” says Macfarlane.

“Our interactive website has the potential to share many resources. Its success depends on how many chose to participate. We need to have a huge menu for people to browse. One size does not fit all. But we can provide something for virtually everybody and we’re praying that these ideas will have a life way beyond 2005.”

Celebration 2005 is also producing a manual to help participants generate significant impact in their communities. Written by Canadian practitioners, the emphasis is on practical methods and includes templates and checklists to help leaders get things done.

And why bother at all? “Bottom line, I want my neighbour to say that ‘If this is Christianity, I want to be a part of it,’” says Macfarlane.

For further information visit www.celebration2005.ca
or call the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada at
(905) 479-5885 x222.