- I took this picture of Butedale's shoreline a few weeks ago -
The Butedale cannery was constructed on Princess Royal Island in 1911. In spite of its early and continued isolation, Butedale's proximity to Butedale Creek, originating in Butedale Lake above the site, offered an unlimited supply of fresh water and hydro-electric power generation. The cannery's year-round operation was diversified and included ice manufacture and cold storage. The impressive Butedale Falls continue to pour out of the lake into the ocean immediately to the right of the wharves.
That's the upside of the site.
There's a downside too.
The shoreline is very steep and the lack of solid ground for pile driving meant the cannery complex had to be tied to the shore with cables, so it was subject to collapse during floods or harsh winter weather. Changes in weather and water proved too much. In the 1950's, when its operating costs finally outweighed the benefits of continuing, the Canadian Fishing Company ceased operations and the remote salmon cannery closed its doors.
So?
So ... things change, not all things, but most things. (Think: the economy, your health, tax codes, your new baby, politics, the death of your parents, the opportunity to relocate and take a new job, food prices or the loss of your best friend.) When changes make success improbable, we either find a way to adapt or we cease operations. It's change, or die.
Even in local churches, we either find ways to successfully navigate tsunamis of change or we don't. Congregations unable to employ new strategies to be effective in their changing cultural context will eventually die. (Not that the Lord's work will end; it won't. Instead, it will come in all its fullness. Christ will build HIS Kingdom.) The question is whether we will accept HIS invitation and join HIM in HIS work, no matter what ... even when HE deploys us to face of adversity in remote and adverse conditions.
Floods come and storms rage, but God put us here and this is our time. Either we'll adapt our methods to bring God's unchanging love to our neighbors (in their ever-changing circumstances) or we won't, but there's a lot hanging in the balance. In fact, everything hangs in the balance.
Want some help contextualizing your faith in our changing world? Go to Reads & Things at the Granger Commons and get the book MIssional Moves, or order it here.
1 Corinthians 13:8 - Love never fails.
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