September 23, 2010
271
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2 comments
What is the Going Rate for Guest Pastors?
What is the going rate for guest pastors (pulpit supply)? Our church has been paying $125 for a while but we're not sure if this has gotten behind the going rate.
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August 17, 2011
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Do you write a blog?
Two questions here: 1) Do you write a blog? If you do, could you please post it to this forum. I've enjoyed reading other pastor's blogs over this last year. It's been helfpul in gainging insight to different ways of preaching, doing ministry and in general what's out there. 2)If you don't have a blog, is there a blog you read on a regular basis that you really like? Could you please post it here as well and share? Thanks. by the way, here's mine www.spiritualmusclehead.blogspot.com
November 15, 2011
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What has been your experience with Article 17 A?
Maybe this topic is a little too painful for some but I am hoping there is some healthy comments and advise we can share with one another. Some of you have experienced the pain of Article 17. Maybe it wasn't even painful for you? Some of you found great ways to heal and grow others are still in that process. I'm wodering if those who are well along in their healing might share what you found helpful or not so helpful. Please no grinding axes though.
January 18, 2011
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Is There a Single Software Package That Is Suitable for Both Accounting and Donation Tracking Needs?
We are a small congregation in rural Canada. We are currently using three different software programs to track our donations and do our accounting. Can anyone suggest a single software package?
February 22, 2011
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What Books or Web Resources Are Recommended for Persons Working With Canadian Church Budgets and Finances?
I am going to be working on the processes involved in our church's finances. Does anyone have any resources (Internet, books) that they recommend? I'm from a Canadian church.
September 15, 2011
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Do you do sermon series?
I was just wondering, what formats people use/like in preaching. I tend to do sermon series lasting roughly 3-5 Sundays each on a topic or section of the Bible. what about you? Do you do any of these? Or, do you like listening to sermon series or not?
January 13, 2011
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What Steps Does a Church Take When It Needs to Dismiss a Pastor It Cannot Afford?
What steps must a church follow if it can no longer "afford" one of its ordained pastors? Does dismissal require a congregational vote?
April 23, 2010
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How Does a Church Determine Who Gets Paid and Who's a Volunteer?
I'm curious what others do as far as letting people accept, or encouraging, gratuities, and also what types of workers in the church are paid and what is done on a volunteer basis.
December 2, 2011
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Do you listen to music when writing sermons?
Okay, so this might be an odd question, and part of it is to see if I'm not the only one: Do you have certain music that helps you write sermons and prep them? I use the term sermonating for writing sermons and give credit for that to Doug Vande Kamp. This seems a bit weird, but to be honest, professional atheletes have been doing it for a long time. And when exercising, I know a ton of people who have their own playlist just for that. I tend to listen to Celtic music while doing my research for sermons. I listen to a variety of rock when writing sermons and listen to worship music when doing...
April 2, 2011
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What's the Result of Opting Out of the Minister's Pension Plan?
Wondering if a church "opts out" of the Minister's Pension Plan, even temporarily, if it's possible to pick it up again in the future? Or is it a case of once you're out, you're out??
December 8, 2011
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Where can I find pastor job descriptions?
To do a proper evaluation of a Pastor we need to be clear what his/her responsibilities and job functions and (our) expectations really are. I guess I could look at ads in the Banner for Pastors but not sure they reflect what I am looking for.
February 9, 2010
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What types of ministry are people doing as a Ministry Associate?
Greeting, I thought I would post something here right away. Yes I am ordained as a Ministry Associate. Have been for about 4 years. Curious how this forum will work. I am also especially curious to hear about how people are doing ministry are doing ministry as a Ministry Associate. I work as an community worker and evangelist in a type of 2nd staff position in an established church. Mark Van Drunen
February 10, 2010
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Who can share some experiences with being the Lead Pastor in a house church network?
So I was wondering if anyone has experience as the Lead Pastor in a house church network? What was your experience? How was it organized? How effective was the structure? Leadership pro's and con's? Anything anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.
June 1, 2010
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Is it appropriate to use the tithe for Christian ed tuition?
Crown Financial Ministries says that "when we take a portion of our tithe and divert it to keep our children in Christian schools, it's really a gift in self-interest. Educational costs are your normal responsibility. Therefore, if God wants your children to attend private school, He will provide the funds without your having to divert His tithe for that purpose." Do you agree? Admin Note: This topic has been cross-posted to our Stewardship network. Please add your comments there .
August 11, 2010
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How does a church keep staff leadership connected to elected church leadership?
I posted this in the "Church Administration" forum, but would also like input from pastors. I'm sorry if this is redundant for some of you. My question is... For those of you with a sizable staff, I'm wondering how you keep staff leadership connected to elected church leadership. Specifically, do you have staff members present at any of the church leadership meetings (council, elders, deacons)? If so, are they present for the whole meeting or just a part? Thanks!
July 27, 2011
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What's the best way to do a Membership class for both new and transfer members and what resources do you use?
First, do you have a membership class targetted to adults coming into your church as new believers, from other CRC's, and/or denominations? Second, what materials do you use for that (self-made, denominational resource, video, etc.)? I've been using Louis Tamminga's booklet Church Membership and You . But it has recently gone out of print. I know it's been made available in PDF format, but it's inconvenient and expensive to print/copy/assemble. Still, I like the organization of the booklet, and the brevity with which it covers the topics. My practice is to invite everyone wanting to explore...
May 17, 2010
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What are some good study materials for learning about the Holy Spirit?
My staff and I are planning on learning together more about the Holy Spirit...how it moves, works, makes itself available...how it fits into our CRC church culture...how we can better understand and be moved by the Holy Spirit. I'm looking for recommendations on books or articles that we could utilize as we learn together. Does anyone have some suggestions for me? Thanks! Tony Meyer
June 2, 2011
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What are people doing about declaring members "inactive" and ministering to them?
We have had members of council become wary of using the category of inactive members. Even explained as a category for accounting purposes it seems to carry a disciplinary tone. What are people doing about decdlaring members inactive and ministering to them?
April 9, 2011
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How does your council and congregation go about selecting eligible candidates to serve as deacons and elders?
Perhaps the powers that be could also link/add this to the elders forum. I am studying and would like to write about the process church councils engage in every spring or fall as they nominate potential elders or deacons (depending on when you rotate officebearers). Part of the writing I will do will be a discussion about the positives and negatives surrounding the election process of elders or deacons. Some churches use the more or less "traditional" election process where the congregation votes on a slate provided by the Council. Others use the lot process, provided that they follow the...
February 25, 2011
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What are some best practices for filing sermons?
Just finished filing some sermons. It made me wonder, "How many people file a hard copy of their sermons anymore?" I'm wondering if I need to consider a well-backed up copy on my computer good enough. What are some of your practices? I currently: 1)File the hard copy of the preached sermon. 2) Enter the text, sermon title, date, location, series (if applicable), and some quick topic notes in a spreadsheet. Looking forward to hearing from some of you. Or else will listen to the crickets chirp as a wait.
March 20, 2010
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What Wedding Guidelines Does Your Church Have in Place?
I'm trying to update our church guidelines for weddings in our church, and I'm wondering how other pastors and churches have gone about having policies or guidelines in place.
March 31, 2012
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Pastor Housing Allowance on IRS 1040?
Using Turbo Tax, my housing allowance is placed on line 53 (form 1040) as a tax credit. A year ago, a tax preparer put it on line 21 as negative income (less $xxxx). Which is correct?
June 6, 2012
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Does anyone have Christian wedding vows in Farsi?
I am marrying a couple with limited English proficiency, and I would like them to be able to say their vows in farsi. Does anyone have this?
June 16, 2012
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What are your thoughts on the Title of Commissioned Pastor?
What are your thoughts on the new title we've been given? During the debate, it was mentioned that we haven't landed on a final solution, but a better one in order to elevate the position. The video is Monday Afternoon from time 33:00-1:02:45 at the following link: http://www.crcna.org/pages/synod_webcast_archive.cfm Would it be totally out of whack to propose a new name already, for Synod 2013's consideration? Just Wondering?
October 10, 2012
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Is Commissioned Pastor a separate office?
When I was originally ordained as an Evangelist I was told I held a fourth office in the church, along with Elder, Deacon, and Minister of the Word. Through the title changes we seem to have lost that concept. I am wondering why we don't have a section under the Network for Commissioned Pastors that would provide training and helps to us much as we have sections for the other offices? It would seem that those charged with planting new churches and serving as evangelists in established churches would benefit from such help. I recognize that we have a place in the Discussion Forums that most...