March 17, 2010
470
0
26 comments
Children at the Lord's Supper
Would anybody care to discuss why we *don't* include children at Communion?
Results 1-25 of 94
Sort by
September 30, 2010
7
0
4
Current Issues
At the end of each month, I hope to list some of the things in CRC life that cause people to ask me for advice. I do not list them all. That would bore you to tears. But these "some" are ones that you may have thought about as well.
February 15, 2011
4
0
1
Public Thanks
Henry, I see your name floating around here, so I am going to address you on behalf of myself and the church. Thanks for your wonderful work on the church order commentary. It is of great service to me and to the church as a whole.
March 26, 2011
11
0
5
Time for an Alternative Option for Elder Delegates to Synod?
Why not allow any individual who has been ordained as an Elder but is not serving a current term of office to represent the Classis at Synod?
June 20, 2011
18
0
6
Article 59 Assent to Creeds
Synod 2011 made some very wise decisions. It also made one huge mistake to prove that, unlike the pope, our broadest assembly is not infallible.
August 26, 2011
5
0
4
Representative Government?
We have an elder in our church who has stated that he "represents" a certain number of people that he feels are neglected, although they are long time members, some with a lot of influence. I thought that our form of church government was not to be representative. Any thoughts?
October 14, 2011
21
0
8
DeMoor Sept 9 Banner Article on Order.
The church is the body of Christ, a creation of the Holy Spirit, but it is also a human institution. And human organizations of whatever kind require order.
September 27, 2011
199
0
8
Can a lay person bring God's greeting at the start of a worship service?
According to church order, is it permissible for a lay person i.e. not an elected elder or deacon to bring God's greeting at the start of a worship service?
June 24, 2010
580
0
2
Does a US pastor need a license to officiate at a Canadian wedding?
WARNING TO ALL CRC MINISTERS: I have received word that ministers serving USA churches are officiating at weddings in Canadian provinces without first obtaining a licence to do so. Please note that all Canadian provinces, unlike some states in the USA, require advance licensing. Not arranging for such, perhaps through Stated Clerks of the Classis in which the church is located, could lead to a marriage not being legal.
July 20, 2010
301
0
1
What are the guiding principles for Christian counseling?
In some readings and conversations I've come across concerning modalities in counseling in Christian circles, I've noted at least two positions; the integrationists and the non integrationists with a few variations along a continuum. Is there an official position or guiding principle on the issue in the denomination? Ex: Is the council within reason to mandate particular non churched based (integrationist) counseling to its member which does conflict with her convictions (nouthetic ??) on the counseling continuum?
July 28, 2010
121
0
5
What is the CRC position on the casting of lots in church elections?
Is there any consensus or agreement among the readers/church leaders concerning the casting of lots in the election of church officers. Scripture certainly notes the casting of lots many times in the life of Christ and in the early church. Some commenters to a post in the "Church Administration" network describe the use of it in there church in a very edifying manner but are we "OK" as far as church order goes? I am not a student of the Church Order and sometimes while reading it reads like a legal document subject to much interpretation. Any thoughts or comments out there?
October 1, 2010
4060
0
8
What are the guidelines for serving communion at weddings?
In the "Current Issues" thread, Kathy Smith asked me to say a few things about serving communion at weddings, for all, or just for bride and groom. I'm happy to start a conversation and am therefore starting this new thread for this topic. I'm even more eager to hear from many others what their opinions are. But perhaps this will be a good place to start. In the Reformed tradition we have generally reserved the celebration of communion for a worship service called by and supervised by the local consistory (minister and elders), an "official" worship service or, as the Church Order has it in...
June 21, 2011
27
0
21
How has the Article 7 change affected those seeking to become Ministers of the Word?
Okay, I just heard something about article 7. What happened there, and how many people knew about it, and how did that slip through the radar?
June 17, 2011
114
0
4
What does it mean "to submit to the judgment of the council, classis, or synod?"
Synod just sent the revision to the Form of Subscription back for further review. So, we are still using the current form. I have been reading and re-reading the form recently in an attempt to understand one part: "We are prepared moreover to submit to the judgment of the council, classis, or synod, realizing that the consequence of refusal to do so is suspension from office." What does it mean to submit to the judgement of synod? I know that it doesn't mean that office-beareres have to agree with synod on everything. But, it does seem to preclude certain methods of expressing disagreement...
March 15, 2011
65
0
7
Which office discusses and decides who is eligible for call to Elders and Deacons?
In the CRC Church Order, Article 4 seems to make clear that the calling of Elders and Deacons is entirely the responsibility of the Council and clearly spells the process out. Article 35a seems to give a little wiggle room where the Consistory can say it determines the qualities of who is eligible because 35a states the Council "Approves" the nominations as one of the example of its tasks. Throughout the Church order, it takes great pains to describe the tasks of each of the 3 offices and what they do. It goes to the extreme in 35b & c and states in those articles (paraphrased here,) that...
March 22, 2010
41
0
15
How can a church make changes to structure while staying within the church order guidelines?
The church order sets out a structure of governance for CRC churches however, it doesn't help when there is a need to change the structure. Many churches, mine included, are struggling with the need to change how the church is governed but there is little help from the church order and denominational office in this regard. What resources have other people found to help in this area? Has your church been able to make changes while at the same time staying within the church order guidelines?
February 8, 2011
155
0
12
Should we still practice "mutual censure" at Classis meetings?
This perhaps is a question for Henry DeMoor, but I would assume there are others who might like to give an opinion. Prior to the Church Order revision in '65, there was an article that required "mutual censure" at Classis meetings- Art. 43: At the close of the Classical, and other major assemblies, censure shall be exercised over those, who in the meeting have done something worthy of punishment, or who have scorned the admonition of the minor assemblies. VanDellen and Monsma explain in their commentary this censure is done by the assembly and not the president or consistories as two other...
August 22, 2012
911
0
13
Once an elder, always an elder?
I was ordained as an elder and served my 3 year term. Now that I am done with that term, am I still considered to be an elder? If I happen to be at a service where there is a call for elders to participate in Communion or laying on of hands for an ordination service, may I participate as en elder?
October 7, 2012
11
0
4
Is congregational approval required to lease part of our building?
New to this list--pardon if the topic has been addressed before. Our church has an offer from a cell phone company to lease a part of our building for placement of a booster antenna. Assuming that all our questions and concerns are answered to council's satisfaction, must the measure still come before a congregational meeting for approval? This is not a revenue expenditure (happily, the opposite!) but it does entail leasing church property so might qualify as a 'money matter.' Thanks for any advice you can give.
February 5, 2013
19
0
3
Is there any rule about having an equal number of elders and deacons?
We have assigned roles for out elders and deacons (E.G. Worship Elder; Youth Elder; Compassion Deacon; Finance Deacon). We currently have five elders and five deacons. We believe that one of our positions that is currently filled by a deacon would better be filled by an elder. Is it acceptable to have six elders and four deacons?
March 21, 2013
143
0
9
What advice would you give for grandparents requesting a grandchild's baptism?
There is a couple who have a grand child born out of wedlock. Their daughter and male live in fathered this child. The parents have made no profession of faith and do nt attend worship services. Now the grandparent are requesting baptism. What do you advise?
April 29, 2013
131
0
2
Why CRCNA does not subscribe Westminster Confession of Faith?
We are currently studying the possibility of joining CRCNA, and would like to know why CRCNA has not adopeted the Westminster Confession as aN OFFICIAL creed/faith in it's constitution. Thank you for your brief response to my e-mail addr., [email protected] . Arthur Goe
June 25, 2013
956
0
3
May Grandparents Present a Grandchild for Infant Baptism When the Parents Are Not Professing Member of the Church?
May grandparents present a grandson for infant baptism? The parents have no intention of joining, have no objections to the baptism, but won't be attending.
June 18, 2013
164
0
1
What are the "licensed to exhort" boundaries?
As an EPMC student at [a seminary in Canada] now licensed to exhort, I find it very difficult to know where the boundaries are in terms of what I am permitted to do and what I am not permitted to do. I would like to do only that which is appropriate and to be humble enough in my conduct so as not to give offense. Please provide some guidance in this area. This question is from a real-life situation to which Dr. Henry DeMoor has responded to based on his extensive knowledge of the Christian Reformed Church Order. The first answer given has been taken from the Christian Reformed Church Order...
June 10, 2013
142
0
1
What to do when you have been abused by a pastor?
I am writing you anonymously for good reason. Please call me "Karen" and use the P.O. Box I have supplied. I have been sexually abused by a pastor. I don't want to get into the details of him doing this to me right now. I'm probably to blame too. But I feel so cheap, so used, and so depressed. I don't think I can keep living with this without doing something about it. I don't know where to turn -- if and when I do get up the courage. Can you help? If so, please share with me all the ins and outs of what I should do. I want to know what I might be getting into. This question is from a real-...