The theme song that launched every episode of Cheers, a popular 1980’s sitcom, was as catchy as it was relatable: “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came; you want to be where you can see the troubles are all the same. You want to be where everybody knows your name.” Life can be wearisome—characterized by full calendars, health concerns, family tensions, financial troubles, and uncertain futures. Retreating to a place where people know you, love you, and share your burdens sounds life-giving!
While the church is certainly much more than this, it shouldn’t be less. Christ wants his church to be a refuge for the weary, a hospital for the hurting, a classroom for the curious, and a family for the forsaken. James closes his letter by highlighting two essential habits of a church like that; two practices that simply must be in place for any local church to function as God desires.
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Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.
