January 28, 2014
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Elders Keeping Close Contact with Their Pastor(s)
Here is a truism...: Pastors and elders must regularly discuss both the quality of the worship services and the pastors' sermons.
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January 23, 2014
274
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Administrative vs. Pastoral Elders?
I am wondering if anyone knows if there is some sort of records or database regarding how many churches in the CRC have made the transition from a traditional Council structure to a model where Elders and Deacons are split into administrative and pastoral type roles?
January 22, 2014
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Conflict Resolution Guides
For churches who are interested in helpful guidelines and a process to use in handling conflict in your congregation, Pastor-Church Relations would like to suggest the following documents.
January 21, 2014
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Transfer Lapsed Members?
We have a family requesting transfer to another CRC they have been attending for 7 years. They were declared lapsed in 2009. Is it still appropriate to send a letter of transfer?
January 21, 2014
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So, You Have Been Nominated to Be an Elder…
As elders, all of us remember the very early stages of being an elder. Even experienced elders will not always feel comfortable with the office and even fewer would think of themselves as 'veterans'...
January 13, 2014
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Elders and Members Keeping in Contact
One reason for leaving mentioned more than once was: so many members don't feel warmly part of the fellowship of the congregation. You as elders can play a helpful role in that respect.
January 10, 2014
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Do You Have a Conflict Resolution Policy?
Our Consistory has asked the Council Executive to look into proposing a “policy”, or set of guidelines, that can be implemented in the event of a conflict arising within our community that requires some guidance from outside the conflict to resolve in a pastoral manner.
December 23, 2013
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When Churches Lose Members
The CRC is losing members. Last summer's synod has talked about it. We have tried to find the causes. We wondered what to do about it. Church-growth creates its own momentum. Growth creates an atmosphere of growth. Is the opposite also true?
December 23, 2013
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Glad to Meet You ...
For the next several months I will participate with you as readers/writers in talking about the work of elders. We will consider questions and observations around situations you may face.
December 5, 2013
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Do Previous Elders Need to Re-Sign the Covenant for Office Bearers If Serving at a New Church?
When a person who has served as in elder in a CRC, and therefore has already signed the Covenant for Office Bearers there, moves to a new CRC and is elected elder, does he need to sign the Covenant for Office Bearers in his new church?
November 26, 2013
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A Few Pictures From the Road
One of the blessings of being President of Calvin Theological Seminary is the privilege of connecting with a number of people and places. I'd like to highlight one stop. It was at Third CRC in Denver that I saw a number of baby pictures hanging on the walls.
November 19, 2013
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The Church and the Exercise of Non-Ecclesiastical Power
When the CRCNA wants to speak on “issues” such as race relations, justice, etc., voices of caution and concern are always raised about whether the church may speak on issues such as these which are not within the church’s realm of expertise or responsibility.
November 12, 2013
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Angst
I believe the mood of the CRCNA today is anxious ... the presence of the entire framework through which we’ve interpreted the value of the gospel has changed and in many ways we need to work to understand the gospel anew within our present cultural-values framework.
November 6, 2013
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The Challenges of Church Renewal
Renewal in congregations is usually intentional. It’s often messy too. Some people feel threatened while others are overly eager. And often leaders give up. It is hard work — even though it is holy ... What questions do you have about the journey of church renewal?
November 5, 2013
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No Janitor
Our church doesn’t have a paid janitor. Instead, we consider ourselves a church of janitors. People take turns mopping, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms and the kitchen in preparation for our worship gathering on Sunday.
October 15, 2013
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The Gospel Affects Everything
If we desire to reach the next generation we need to show how the gospel literally affects everything. If we simply spout out doctrine, creeds, confessions, and our Reformed roots without answering the why this matters question it does us no good. We are living in a generation that is biblically and theologically illiterate and they need help...
October 2, 2013
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New Elders: Key Understanding and Practices
In this webinar we'll introduce the basics of how to discern vision and organizational identity, when the church becomes dysfunctional and how to grow our capacity as leaders and nurture our spiritual life.
October 1, 2013
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Anyone Have a Communion Liturgy They Use for the Homebound in Their Congregations?
We are looking for a communion liturgy that can be used in homes with members who are homebound due to illness, etc. Has anyone created such a liturgy? If so, would you be willing to share?
October 1, 2013
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On Discipleship
We have discipleship classes where we teach people the basics of the Christian faith. We have new member classes that teach the fundamentals of faith. However, the more I study the art of discipleship the more I realize that formal education is just a part of what we are called to do when Jesus tells us to make disciples...
September 3, 2013
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Invited (part 2)
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
September 2, 2013
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Elder Visitation in the 21st Century
How many of the CRCs in NA can say that their elders are doing a fantastic job of consistently caring for the people they are assigned to shepherd in their "district"? Are your elders making visits?
August 6, 2013
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Hungry
I have heard the suggestion that celebrating the Lord’s Supper too often may make it less meaningful. However, if more frequent partaking threatens the meaningfulness of the Lord’s Supper, how come no one worries about the frequency (weekly, often twice!) of preaching?
July 23, 2013
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What Are the Advantages/Benefits of Elder Calls and Homebound Communion?
Reflecting on all the people in my life who are now with God in Glory, I realise that listening and hearing their life experiences help form my future role as an 'aging' elder.
July 16, 2013
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Faith Alive Resources for Elders and Deacons
Faith Alive Christian Resources has several resources to help elders and deacons minister more effectively — from training new elders and deacons, to pastoral care, to education and administration.