February 9, 2020
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Must We "Approve" Profession of Faith?
Are we approving one's profession of faith, as though we're giving it a pass-fail grade? Might we instead recognize and welcome?
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January 22, 2020
162
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Elders Serving After Sin
If someone has committed a public sin (eg an affair), are they eligible to be an office bearer in the future or do certain sins prohibit someone from serving in office for the rest of their lives?
September 17, 2019
608
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Elders and Conflict
I recently received an email from an office bearer who was heading into a council meeting; the third meeting devoted to a particularly thorny issue. What would you say to her?
September 12, 2019
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Council Devotions: A Year's Worth of Great Conversations
Does your church council talk regularly about the spiritual health of your congregation? Here is a set of twelve devotionals that will lead your elders and deacons to focus on your church's flourishing.
August 30, 2019
425
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Any Current or Past Elders?
Have you ever served your church as an elder? Are you currently an elder? Say "hello" in the comments below!
July 25, 2019
348
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What Do You Wish You Had Known When You Were First Installed?
I've been wanting elders and deacons to weigh in on this question: What do you wish you had known when you were first installed in office?
June 25, 2019
390
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Why Elders Should Go to Inspire 2019
Here are ten of the many workshops offered that elders will find helpful in their ministry.
April 9, 2019
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Should We Apologize for Excommunication?
Assume that 50 years ago a consistory excommunicated a member for engaging in snowmobile races and missing church on Sundays. Should we apologize for church practices that we would no longer engage in?
March 20, 2019
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10 Ways Churches Can Partner With Mental Health Services
Here's a list of best practices describing how churches can make connections with local community mental health services.
February 7, 2019
413
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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.
October 25, 2018
418
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Do You Know What You're Doing?
Elders and deacons sometimes enter their work with great eagerness but little awareness of what they are supposed to do. What comes next? Frustration.
April 9, 2018
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Eligibility Question for Elder Nominee
Should an individual that has consistently not taken communion be considered for nomination for elder?
March 14, 2018
840
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Coaching Your Church Toward Holy Complaint
As pastors and church councils know, obstructionists can do great damage in a church. Here's how to work toward the discipline of holy complaint.
November 27, 2017
696
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Balanced Educational Materials on Women in Office?
Can anyone recommend objective materials that we can use to help present the two sides of the women in office issue?
October 28, 2017
101
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Resources for Inquirers Class?
Have you found any good resources on planning an Inquirers class? Is it still called that?
September 13, 2017
432
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Before You Fire Your Pastor
In light of the recent spate of Article 17 terminations, this is an article worth wide dissemination. I see far too many pastors being pushed out far too quickly for often ill-defined reasons.
September 5, 2017
1301
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Being an Elder in a Church
Someone recently asked me the question: How did I know it is God’s will for me to be an elder? The answer is intertwined with my story as an elder and the story of Hillside CRC.
July 25, 2017
223
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Resources on Mental Health Ministry
This annotated bibliography includes many newer materials and resources, while keeping some old standards, such as Mental Health Ministries, Pathways to Promise, and NAMI FaithNet.
May 22, 2017
732
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Ten Ways to Be a Caring Elder
This two-page resource from Faith Formation Ministries equips elders to develop spiritual leadership skills, provide pastoral care, and conduct helpful, warm elder visits with church members.
May 1, 2017
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Job Descriptions for Elders and Deacons
View sample job descriptions for elders and deacons that can be modified to suit the specific needs, priorities and circumstances within your congregation.
March 1, 2017
327
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Professing Our Faith Toolkit
The Professing Our Faith toolkit offers practical, creative resources for encouraging a culture of commitment in your church, preparing people to profess their faith, celebration profession of faith in worship, and more.
February 2, 2017
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Ten Ways to Reduce the Profession of Faith “Fear Factor”
These ten tips from Faith Formation Ministries will help your congregation create welcoming profession of faith practices and traditions for children, teens, and adults in your church.
January 30, 2017
193
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Simple and Confidential Database for Tracking Congregational Visits?
Does anyone have a good suggestion for a simple and confidential database to track visits with members of their congregation?
January 12, 2017
265
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Wrestling With Privilege
My deepest regret during my service as an Elder is that I did not advocate more for, nor amplify the voices of, marginalized and ostracized minorities while in office.
January 1, 2017
313
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One Model for Recruiting Elders and Deacons
Here is the process of recruiting, nominating and selecting elders and deacons used by one particular congregation. Hope this is useful for your congregation!