The June 2011 article in the UC Observer about recruiting new ministers provides interesting food for thought. Many pulpits are officially “vacant”. Particularly in rural pastoral charges, finding a new minister when a much-loved and long-term minister leaves is a very difficult challenge. Having served several times on Joint Needs Assessment Committees, I find the process less than optimal.

I have a soft spot for international hockey, probably a holdover from being raised during the heyday of the hometown 1961 World Champion Trail Smoke Eaters.

Following the Juniors recent 5th straight gold medal, I read a feature in the Vancouver Province newspaper about how the Canadian hockey system was rebuilt after 1981. The junior team was fifth at the world junior hockey tournament in 1979 and 1980 and seventh in 1981.

After this Murray Costello and others decided something had to be done. Calls were made, doors resounded with knocks and presentations were made. The result was the Program of Excellence. And Canadian hockey stepped back from the brink and towards excellence. The challenge of the changing global hockey context made us better. 

Leads me to wonder.