When I say that I am reflecting on the past, do not interpret that as thinking … Good News: Reflecting on My Career as a PastorRead more
Queen Street Baptist Church
Good News: Arrived in Nova Scotia!
This weekend has been a time of incredible change for the Bedard family. We cleared out … Good News: Arrived in Nova Scotia!Read more
A Welcoming Community
Galatians 3:27-29 Introduction We have been going through the Queen Street Baptist Church mission statement. I … A Welcoming CommunityRead more
Growing Spiritually
Ephesians 4:14-16 Introduction Too often churches are short sighted as to what their goals are. Some … Growing SpirituallyRead more
Worshiping God in Jesus Christ
Romans 12:1-2 Introduction Few issues get Christians as worked up as their personal preferences when it … Worshiping God in Jesus ChristRead more
Reflections on Leaving a Church
I am currently transition from being the pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church to being the … Reflections on Leaving a ChurchRead more
Sharing God’s Saving Love
Romans 10:14-15 Introduction If I asked you to at some point today approach a random stranger … Sharing God’s Saving LoveRead more
Wearing Our Sunday Best
Colossians 3:12-17 Introduction There are are many ways we could look at the evolution of the … Wearing Our Sunday BestRead more
Good News: An Unexpected Sunday Off
I was sick this week (and still am). That is not good news. But in the … Good News: An Unexpected Sunday OffRead more
Love in Action
Micah 5:2-5 Introduction We are very familiar with Christmas but is it possible that we are … Love in ActionRead more
Surprised by Joy
Zephaniah 3:14-20 Introduction I remember in university the challenge of picking courses because certain courses had … Surprised by JoyRead more
Real Peace
Malachi 3:1-4 Introduction When we think of Christmas, one of the themes that often comes to … Real PeaceRead more
Emerging Hope
Jeremiah 33:14-16 Introduction One of the most difficult things to hold onto, depending upon your circumstances, … Emerging HopeRead more
Becoming Complete
Hebrews 13:20-21 Introduction One of the things that really bothers me is when something important is … Becoming CompleteRead more
Where Grace Leads
Romans 3:21-31 Introduction While many people celebrate Halloween on October 31, that day is significant for … Where Grace LeadsRead more
Pray in This Way
Matthew 6:5-15 Introduction There is one passage of Scripture that I have heard more than any … Pray in This WayRead more
The Ways to Jesus
Acts 16:11-40 Introduction How does one become a Christian? That seems to be a fairly reasonable … The Ways to JesusRead more
Where is the Spirit Calling Us?
Acts 16:6-10 Introduction How many of you like to go on long car rides? This can … Where is the Spirit Calling Us?Read more
Good News: Singing in Church
We have been taking things very carefully at Queen Street Baptist Church when it comes to … Good News: Singing in ChurchRead more
Full Dedication
Acts 16:1-5 Introduction How committed are you to the Church? I don’t mean specifically Queen Street … Full DedicationRead more
Messy Relationships
Acts 15:36-41 Introduction I want you do something. Without look around the room, I want you … Messy RelationshipsRead more
The Acts of the Holy Spirit
Acts 15:22-35 Introduction When you are reading a story, one of the important steps for understanding … The Acts of the Holy SpiritRead more
Agreeing When We Disagree
Acts 15:1-21 Introduction When you think of the different events put on by the church, what … Agreeing When We DisagreeRead more
What Should You Expect?
Acts 14:8-20 Introduction Most likely, you have expectations for any situation you are facing. You may … What Should You Expect?Read more
A Jesus Like Us
Hebrews 2:10-18 Introduction A few weeks ago, I reminded you of the way that God chose … A Jesus Like UsRead more
The Greatness of Christ
Hebrews 1:1-4 Introduction Why are you here? Seriously, what are you doing here? More specifically, for … The Greatness of ChristRead more
The Ups and Downs of Sharing Faith
Acts 13:44-52 Introduction It was approximately thirty years ago. I had just come out of a … The Ups and Downs of Sharing FaithRead more
Learning From History
Acts 13:13-43 Introduction One of my favourite things is studying history. In another life, I could … Learning From HistoryRead more
Called By God
Acts 13:1-12 Introduction A few months ago, it was the twenty years ago that I was … Called By GodRead more
One God
Acts 12:20-25 Introduction I’m going to give you a little bit of insight on how I … One GodRead more
When Life is Not Fair
Acts 12:1-19 Introduction It does not take us long before we discover that life is not … When Life is Not FairRead more
The Church Being the Church
Acts 11:27-30 Introduction What is the question that the world is asking about the church? Believe … The Church Being the ChurchRead more
Good News: Our Online Services
For the last year and a half, we have been putting the worship services for Queen … Good News: Our Online ServicesRead more
Good News: Taken Care Of
This past week was my first week back at the church after taking a month off. … Good News: Taken Care OfRead more
Good News: Time Off
A couple of days ago, I started a month-long leave from my church, Queen Street Baptist … Good News: Time OffRead more
Facing Our Prejudice
Acts 10:1-33 Introduction How common would you say prejudice is? We might be inclined to think … Facing Our PrejudiceRead more
Good News: Easter
As a Christian, one of the most important days for me is Easter Sunday. This is … Good News: EasterRead more
Do Not Be Afraid
Matthew 28:1-10 A Frightening Morning I want you to imagine that first Easter morning, specifically from … Do Not Be AfraidRead more
The Lord Needs You
Matthew 21:1-11 Introduction If you are a parent, or have at least spent some time with … The Lord Needs YouRead more
Who Are You Advocating For?
Acts 9:19b-30 Introduction Has there ever been a time when you have felt rejected, like the … Who Are You Advocating For?Read more
An Unexpected Christian
Acts 9:1-20 Introduction I want you to think about the person you would most be surprised … An Unexpected ChristianRead more
Here I Am, Send Someone Else
Exodus 3:1-15 Introduction Have you ever had an opportunity come your way that totally scared you? … Here I Am, Send Someone ElseRead more
Enabling Faith
Acts 8:26-40 Introduction I have often felt like the story of the Ethiopian eunuch is one … Enabling FaithRead more
The Church Scattered
Acts 8:1-8 Introduction Back when I was in my mid-20s, I went on my first mission … The Church ScatteredRead more
Filled With the Holy Spirit
Acts 7:54-60 Introduction Have you ever thought about what it will be like when you die? … Filled With the Holy SpiritRead more
Resisting the Holy Spirit
Acts 7:51-53 Introduction Have you ever been having a conversation with someone and you realize that … Resisting the Holy SpiritRead more
Good News: A Generous Congregation
This past week we had a bit of a scare. Amanda had symptoms of COVID-19 and … Good News: A Generous CongregationRead more
Let God Out of That Box
Acts 7:44-50 Introduction Many years ago, I was at a revival service here in St Catharines … Let God Out of That BoxRead more
Welcoming the Outsider
Matthew 2:1-12 Introduction You may think that Christmas is over but it is not. As the … Welcoming the OutsiderRead more
Good News: A Church That Loves
Yesterday after our worship service at Queen Street Baptist Church, the leadership agreed to stop in-person … Good News: A Church That LovesRead more
Jesus: The Joy Giver
Hebrews 12:1-2 Introduction Throughout this season of Advent, we have looked at Jesus as our Hope-Giver, … Jesus: The Joy GiverRead more
Good News: Amanda’s New Adventure
For the past two years, I have been able to work with my wife Amanda at … Good News: Amanda’s New AdventureRead more
Jesus: The Love-Giver
John 13:34-35 Introduction I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to tradition. On one hand, … Jesus: The Love-GiverRead more
Jesus: The Peace-Giver
Introduction Last week, we looked at how in our dark times, our world is in desperate … Jesus: The Peace-GiverRead more
Jesus: The Hope-Giver
Introduction This is the first Sunday of Advent. It is a time when each week we … Jesus: The Hope-GiverRead more
Causing Offence
Acts 6:8-15 Introduction I want you to think about a time when a person or a … Causing OffenceRead more
All Jobs Matter
Acts 6:1-7 Introduction With this being Remembrance Sunday, I can’t help but think of conversations I … All Jobs MatterRead more
The Church Will Not Be Defeated
Acts 5:33-42 Introduction As many of you know, I have a great interest in military history. … The Church Will Not Be DefeatedRead more
When to Say Yes and When to Say No
Acts 5:12-32 Introduction This time of COVID-19 has been a chapter of the church unlike anything … When to Say Yes and When to Say NoRead more
A Disintegrating Church
Acts 5:1-11 Introduction Every once in a while I get the urge to write a devotional … A Disintegrating ChurchRead more
Good News: A Church Moving Forward
I will confess that I did not know what my congregation would look like after a … Good News: A Church Moving ForwardRead more
Becoming the United Church
Acts 4:23-37 Introduction I remember being at a ministerial and I pointed out that John had … Becoming the United ChurchRead more
Qualifications for Serving Jesus
Acts 4:13-22 Introduction You may or may not know that I took a number of years … Qualifications for Serving JesusRead more
Good News: My Co-Pastor
One of the best things about my experience at Queen Street Baptist Church is that I … Good News: My Co-PastorRead more
Jesus is Our North Star
Acts 4:1-12 Introduction I will confess to you that I’m horrible when it comes to directions. … Jesus is Our North StarRead more
Blowing the World to Kingdom Come
Acts 3 Introduction At some point in 2019, just a few people contracted a virus that … Blowing the World to Kingdom ComeRead more
Communication Breakdown
Joshua 22:10-34 Introduction As some of you may know, one of my interests is blogging. A … Communication BreakdownRead more
Having an Awful Effect
Acts 2:42-47 Introduction I want you to imagine you were doing a public performance of some … Having an Awful EffectRead more
Good News: Back in the Building
For the first time since March, we opened up our building to our congregation for Sunday … Good News: Back in the BuildingRead more
Death Defeater
Acts 2:22-41 Introduction Have you ever had a recurring dream? It may not be exactly the … Death DefeaterRead more
Good News: Taking Steps Toward Church
Yesterday at Queen Street Baptist church we had our second test service. Before opening the church … Good News: Taking Steps Toward ChurchRead more
Where is the Justus?
Acts 1:12-26 Introduction I want to be careful in what I predict, but I want to … Where is the Justus?Read more
Can I Get a Witness?
Acts 1:1-11 Introduction Have you ever been in the awkward experience of expecting someone to do … Can I Get a Witness?Read more
Lovely Worship
1 Corinthians 14:1-19 Introduction Do you enjoy traditional worship? Before you answer that, we better be … Lovely WorshipRead more
Praise in the Dark
Psalm 102 Introduction How does one recognize a person as a Christian? I’m not referring to … Praise in the DarkRead more
A Deeper Praise
Psalm 100 Introduction An important part of our church mission statement is that we are a … A Deeper PraiseRead more
Good News: The Kids and Church
For many people, this pandemic has been really difficult in terms of church. People would rather … Good News: The Kids and ChurchRead more
Apologetics Sermon: Jude 3
How can pastors include apologetics into their pastoral ministry. One way is to preach apologetics-themed sermons. … Apologetics Sermon: Jude 3Read more
Doing the Work of a Christian
Jude 1:17-25 Introduction Different people have different starting points for how they live their lives. Some … Doing the Work of a ChristianRead more
Good News: Encouraged to Take a Break
When COVID-19 hit, local church ministry was turned upside down. We went from live in-person services … Good News: Encouraged to Take a BreakRead more
Online Bible Study: James
At my church, we have been doing an online Bible study on the letter of James. … Online Bible Study: JamesRead more
Good News: With a Little Help From My Friends
During this time of pandemic and focus only on online worship services, we have experienced some … Good News: With a Little Help From My FriendsRead more
The Rising After the Rising
Luke 24:50-53 Introduction What were the most theologically significant events in Jesus’ life? That’s easy, just … The Rising After the RisingRead more
Following Orders
Luke 24:44-49 Introduction As many of you know, I am a chaplain in the Canadian Armed … Following OrdersRead more
Peace Be With You
Luke 24:36-44 Introduction I want you to imagine that the risen Jesus was coming to visit … Peace Be With YouRead more
Seeing Jesus Clearly
Luke 24:13-35 Introduction How did you come to know Jesus? Was it one big moment of … Seeing Jesus ClearlyRead more
Is the Resurrection Too Good to Be True?
Luke 24:1-12 Introduction Have you ever heard that saying, “If it sounds too good to be … Is the Resurrection Too Good to Be True?Read more
Good News: Online Service
The whole world is upside down right now because of the Coronavirus pandemic. This includes the … Good News: Online ServiceRead more
Good News: Proud of Church Leadership
We are currently in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. This makes things difficult on many … Good News: Proud of Church LeadershipRead more
Good News: Continually Loving My Church
I have been the pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church for just over four years. I … Good News: Continually Loving My ChurchRead more
Good News: Intimate Worship
Yesterday we had some bad weather in our area, including freezing rain. Many of the churches … Good News: Intimate WorshipRead more
Good News: Welcome Back BBQ
Yesterday at Queen Street Baptist Church we had our Welcome Back Sunday and barbecue. It went … Good News: Welcome Back BBQRead more
Good News: Pastor Amanda
Yesterday was the last day of my vacation. Most pastors don’t attend their own church when … Good News: Pastor AmandaRead more
Good News: A Great Day at Church
I love my church. Queen Street Baptist Church is a great church community. I’m so thankful … Good News: A Great Day at ChurchRead more
Good News: Praise in the Park
My Good News for this week is about the outdoor service Queen Street Baptist Church had … Good News: Praise in the ParkRead more
Good News: Visiting My Church
I just finished two weeks of vacation. I ended in a surprising way, by visiting my … Good News: Visiting My ChurchRead more
Good News: Feeling Content
My Good News for this week is that I am simply happy with where I am … Good News: Feeling ContentRead more
Good News: Queen Street Baptist Church Anniversary
My Good News for this week is the amazing service we had at Queen Street Baptist … Good News: Queen Street Baptist Church AnniversaryRead more
A Picture of What Ministry Can Look Like
At Queen Street Baptist Church we have been running a ministry on Saturday nights for our … A Picture of What Ministry Can Look LikeRead more
Good News: Outreach Director
In January 2019, Amanda came on as the interim Outreach Director at Queen Street Baptist Church. … Good News: Outreach DirectorRead more