February 24, 2021
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Is Your Online Service a Temporary Fix or a New Missions Strategy?
COVID provides an opportunity for churches to reimagine their ministry and their worship reach.
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December 8, 2020
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COVID and Sundays
How has COVID changed the way we do church or even think about church?
September 8, 2020
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Why Is Integrity in Leadership So Hard To Find Today?
Samuel was a prime biblical example of a man of integrity. He led the nation of Israel without ever compromising his integrity. Why does it seem to be more difficult for us?
June 30, 2020
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Isn't "anti-racism" negative?
Denominational statements are wonderful but how does it impact the local church community?
June 16, 2020
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How Are Pastors Coping Without Connection of Weekly Preaching?
COVID-19 takes its toll on the mental health of pastors when they are robbed of the face-to-face connection on Sundays.
February 12, 2019
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If Ever There Was a Need for Integrity, It Is Now
In Samuel's 'State of the Union' address, he asked: "Whose ox have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed?" The answer, from all of Israel, was an affirmation of Samuel's integrity.
February 7, 2019
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How Does the Church Minister to the Wealthy?
The church does a great job embracing the poor, the downtrodden, refugees, the homeless. But we haven't quite figured out how to minister to those who are wealthy.
August 27, 2018
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How Do You Know When Your Sermon Has Really Hit the Mark?
What is your focus when you prepare and preach your sermon?
April 5, 2018
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Imagine Going Out, Two by Two, to Deal With Racism, Bigotry and Healing
The Canadian Aboriginal Ministry Committee provides an opportunity for churches and individuals to become involved in grassroots, hands-on, relationship-building between CRC members and local aboriginal communities.
April 5, 2018
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Small Groups - Where Discipleship Happens
To whom are you accountable for your spiritual and moral life...besides God? The once-a-year elder visit (if it still exists) provides a superficial check list at best. Small groups, done properly, provide a setting for both spiritual growth and moral accountability.
February 21, 2018
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If Ever There Was a Need for Integrity, It Is Now
Christian leaders need to live lives of integrity if they expect others to trust and follow them, whether that’s in church, in politics, or in business.
September 1, 2017
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Ashamed of Our Christian Reformed Identity
It seems as though Christian Reformed Home Missions and Christian Reformed World Missions were ashamed of our identity in selecting a new name and it ignores the denomination's rich heritage.
November 28, 2016
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Our Deepest Fear...Rising to the Top and Staying There
We still live with the incredible notion that the local church consists of one or two leaders and dozens (if not hundreds) of followers. What is our fear of being involved in leadership?
August 2, 2016
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The Significance of the Rainbow at Synod
Undoubtedly the most disturbing photo in the Synod issue of The Banner was the chalk drawing of the rainbow outside Calvin College's Fine Arts Building where Synod was held.
December 10, 2015
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Is the Republican Option Still Viable for Christians?
At what point should the church speak out when political parties advocate notions that are clearly unbiblical?
August 13, 2015
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The Problem with Commissioning Services
Many churches hold commissioning services in September as a way to acknowledge, bless, and celebrate those in leadership roles within various church programs. What about the rest?
March 17, 2015
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Are We Too Quick to Appoint Elders?
Ministers are teaching elders, theologically trained and spiritually astute. Should we set a higher standard for the kinds of elders we appoint or elect?
June 3, 2014
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A Gathering of Two Bi-National Synods?
While the CRCNA and RCA celebrate their historic roots in Pella this month, it is my hope that the CRCNA and PCC can do the same whenever the CRC Synod comes to Canada.
March 19, 2014
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Pastor, Are You Sure You're in the Right Church?
ChapterNext is an organization that works on behalf of both a church's search committee as well as individual pastors. Some might refer to Rev. Dr. Sam Hamstra as either a 'headhunter' or a 'matchmaker.'
July 31, 2013
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A Better Way to Select the Officers of Synod?
I would like, as one of the final acts of synod, that next year's officers are selected from among this year's delegates.
July 30, 2013
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Our Church's Greatest Threat: Homosexuality or Pornography?
At least one delegate to synod indicated that the 'homosexuality' question will become the denomination's next major issue. I disagree. There is something much more prevalent eating away at the congregation's fabric.
July 23, 2013
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Calvin College's Fiscal Credibility
It must be disheartening for all of those donors to Calvin's various capital campaigns to discover that those financial gifts were reinvested in the stock market rather than applied to the capital expenditures. It is little wonder that Calvin College is in serious financial trouble.
May 21, 2013
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Some Denominations Have Bishops; We Have Article 17
It has been said that some denominations have bishops who move the pastors around, and the CRC has Article 17. I wish we had a bishop.
May 5, 2013
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Who Will Lead Our Denomination?
It seems, according to the latest posting on The Banner's website, that we're having a difficult time finding a new executive director to head of the Christian Reformed Church in North America corporation. What will happen to the denomination if we don't find a new executive director?