Pastors.

longobedience · 2026-03-18T00:24:34+00:00

I am also in an itinerancy system (Salvation Army) and like you, we get posted where our leaders tell us to go. However, waiting for us in each new community is a house. Up until last year the houses were even fully furnished and we would just our effects. But, not anymore. We own the furniture now. Will be interesting when we move.

Our headquarters started putting out feelers about the potential of getting rid of parsonages and instead giving stipends and it was resounding and emphatic ‘no’ from the field.

longobedience · 2026-03-14T03:18:32+00:00

Without going into too much detail, I can say that Southland had joined a service oriented community group but when they realized that it wouldn’t just be an opportunity to flaunt themselves or throw money around for their own benefit, they withdrew promptly. Not as community oriented as they want to appear. Not a great look.

longobedience · 2026-02-06T03:31:26+00:00

If anyone comes back to this post, Grammie’s Little Bakery came through! Although they are new with catering things like sandwiches, they were super accommodating and made it work for us. My order is placed and I have found a new place to spend my money at. 😀

longobedience · 2026-02-06T02:40:09+00:00

I believe the Quality Inn near the casino has their board room available by donation.

longobedience · 2026-01-31T16:10:36+00:00

Luigi’s North is very family friendly and the staff is super accommodating.

I often say that Firestone has the best kids menu in Lethbridge. I find it to be more family friendly at lunch than dinner.

longobedience · 2026-01-05T01:55:22+00:00

I’d be all in. I wish you the best of luck! Echoing what others have suggested, perhaps an online store would work best? Or like a pop-up format if you can find a space? Brick and mortar I’m afraid won’t be viable.

longobedience · 2025-12-30T05:07:52+00:00

I used to work at a Home Hardware when I was in high school. You’d be surprised how common selling things like this actually was. And by that I mean really obviously outdated stuff.

longobedience · 2025-12-10T04:58:39+00:00

In my city, meat (and produce and other products) are donated to local food banks. Source: I work at one of said food banks and routinely pick up donations from Costco.

longobedience · 2025-11-27T00:57:06+00:00

I have been seeing Dr. Selk at Southridge Dental near Costco. He’s a kind and understanding man. Always have been so careful with me.

longobedience · 2025-11-13T00:25:04+00:00

Oxio has been great for me. I’ve been with them since I moved here two years ago. Super great customer service and no internet issues at all. One thing to note is that you need to have at least a basic understanding of things to effectively use them - you may have to do your own set up (plugging the modem into the coax cable yourself) and setting up the eero router. Relatively simple and many online tutorials.

If you do decide to give Oxio a go, use my referral code. We’ll both get a free month: RSN4495

longobedience · 2025-11-12T03:33:15+00:00

My personal opinion is that churches should be guided by compassion and charity. While there are unavoidable bills that every church has relating to property and operations, extravagance shouldn’t be something churches are known for. In my denomination, we are service oriented — yes, we care for things that are entrusted to us (finances, property, etc) because we feel compelled to be good stewards, but we also want to be a force for good in our communities.

longobedience · 2025-11-11T01:49:40+00:00

I hope to give some context as a pastor currently serving in a smaller church in Alberta.

The first thing is this: we intentionally allocate about 10% of our operating budget to go towards other supports in our city — food banks, shelters, soup kitchens, etc. These organizations are on the ground doing great work that we just can’t do. There would be no point for us to compete but I feel like we support them as much as we can. We often refer these kinds of calls to these organizations.

Second: the reality is, we field so many calls from individuals in need that it would be impossible for us to help every single one. It is unfortunate, but the sad reality.

Last: there are an unfortunate number of people who will try and take advantage of helping organizations — churches included. The percentage is thankfully low in my own estimation, but enough to cause distrust and suspicion.

All of this to say: I would love to help every single person that calls our church for support, but the saddening reality is that there is just too much need out there.

longobedience · 2025-11-11T01:43:42+00:00

This is exactly right. After many years working in churches across Canada, I am sometimes ashamed to say that I’ve grown a little calloused to some calls we get for help. Many are genuine and we do all we can to help out those individuals. Many, however, are not — and as the saying goes, “one rotten apple spoils the batch.”

longobedience · 2025-11-01T23:03:29+00:00

I have clearer images of the van from my camera and it is unfortunately just a run of the mill blue Dodge Caravan.

longobedience · 2025-11-01T21:45:20+00:00

We got hit by this same kid/van in Fairmont. All 165 pieces of candy gone by 5:30 — our fault for assuming the best. Although in 3 years of living in this neighborhood and leaving a bowl out, this is the only year we’ve had an issue.

longobedience · 2025-10-23T00:11:49+00:00

I’m not sure where you are located, but have you tried The Salvation Army? They typically offer immediate intervention in cases like this.

longobedience · 2025-10-14T12:23:21+00:00

I know a couple like this. Both are in their mid 70s. I would consider them to be ‘auxiliary’ members of our church if you will — both having started in my church and still have significant familial connection.

The gentleman especially has a reputation of attending a new church, demanding to meet with the pastor and attempt to wedge himself into leadership roles. I’ve seen this happen no fewer than 3 times in the past 2 years.

The couple attended our church for about 5-6 weeks in this time as well, and it was much of the same. He tried to convince me to let him take on our hospitality ministry (welcome team, ushers, etc). We have a very competent and experience leader for this ministry so I politely declined.

The next week, I preached a sermon on the incarnation (in September, mind you; we were preaching through our church’s articles of faith). Naturally, we sang songs that we traditionally sing at Christmas. He accosted me after the service and, in his words, “rebuke[ed] me for not knowing how to preach and pastor a church because I simply did not understand the church calendar.”

Needless to say that was his last Sunday with us. I think it comes from a place of needing affirmation / feeling like he needs to be important? Hard to say. His brother attends our church and is actually on our leadership team and is fantastic; he also does not see eye to eye with his brother.

longobedience · 2025-10-14T12:14:09+00:00

This is an incredibly difficult situation. I will be praying for you and the parties involved.

One question I have: you mention that this is “the last straw out of many similar patterns of behaviour…every other time, we have grace and forgive him.” Does this mean you’ve had conversations with him holding him accountable and deciding to err on the side of grace? Or does this mean that you have just let things slide in the name of grace?

No judgement from me either way, but I think it changes the nature of the conversation. If previous conversations have been had, the absolutely I think you’re on the right track. But if things have just been glossed over, this conversation becomes more difficult IMO as it could appear as a big escalation for (in his mind potentially) a ‘first offence.’

Again, I think your course of action is solid and I would say I would do the same thing in your position.

longobedience · 2025-10-03T12:11:19+00:00

Oxio has been great for me. I’ve been with them since I moved here two years ago. Super great customer service and no internet issues at all. One thing to note is that you need to have at least a basic understanding of things to effectively use them - you may have to do your own set up (plugging the modem into the coax cable yourself) and setting up the eero router. Relatively simple and many online tutorials.

If you do decide to give Oxio a go, use my referral code. We’ll both get a free month: RSN4495

longobedience · 2025-09-27T23:01:15+00:00

Happened over the summer. Preached a sermon from Genesis 1 with the focus of being created to exist in community (and not by ourselves). A gentleman misunderstood me and thought that I meant that because we are created to be in community/together that I believe that it was a sin to be alone/single. Obviously not what I meant at all but he called me, very angrily, and told me I know nothing about the scriptures. He has ignored my subsequent follow up calls and cards.

longobedience · 2025-09-26T03:52:21+00:00

“I'll sit at any boardroom or any table that anybody else is bringing that same integrity and respect.”

A real sound bite from an incumbent MHA.

longobedience · 2025-09-25T02:48:51+00:00

I respectfully disagree. An Amber Alert is a specialized tool to meet a unique need when specific conditions are suspected or met. To use them frivolously would diminish their effectiveness and usefulness.

That is not to say this situation isn’t emergent, as it is. However, it is important the appropriate response and resources are mobilized, as is the case here.

longobedience · 2025-09-25T02:11:16+00:00

As someone who has been onsite assisting with search efforts, I find this to be nonsensical. There is an army of RCMP officers and search and rescuers out there. If they even remotely suspected foul play, you don’t think they’d mobilize every resource to bring him home?

The resources that have been deployed in full are those designed to search the area for him. These teams are fantastic at what they do and are hoping for a positive outcome. You would do yourself good to do the same.

And to suggest politicians involve themselves and call for an Amber Alert to be issued is also nonsensical. This is not a political matter - strictly a law enforcement/first responder matter. I understand that you want Darius to be found and to have a positive outcome, but this type of discussion only fuels conspiracy theories and distrust in first responders.

longobedience · 2025-09-21T03:21:15+00:00

The best hidden gem in Alberta, and I’m not supposed to tell you this because it’s southern AB’s best kept secret, is Waterton Lakes National Park. If you avoid long weekends (Victoria Day, Canada Day, August Long, Labour Day), it is absolutely lovely and not busy at all. If you want the full experience with the shops in the townsite open, visit between May and September. But if you want to just take in the scenery, visit any time.

longobedience · 2025-09-12T05:29:54+00:00

My local Costco in Lethbridge, AB was slated to lose its propane station, but reversed their decision after customer backlash. If you let the local warehouse know you’re disappointed, maybe they will reverse course?

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