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?
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June 10, 2012
6
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Validating voting members at Synod
How are participants (voting members) of synod validated? Does someone make sure they have signed the form of subscription? And if not (and I understand from an overutre that some members of the CRC are not willing to sign this form) what other procedure is used? Just curious.
June 15, 2012
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What figure do you use to calculate Ministry Shares?
Hi there, I'm new to the treasurer role at my church and would like a quick confirmation on ministry shares. In my reading on the CRCNA website and resources passed on to me, I have a fairly comprehensive understanding of how it all works. What I'm curious about is how the exact calculation on membership takes place. For the 2012 year, I know its based on the total membership in the 2012 yearbook, but am I to reduce the calculation by 'inactive members'? On what membership figures is the denomination and classis expecting?
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?
July 10, 2012
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Volunteer Schedule Conflicts Ideas?
At our church, we have a lot of volunteers who serve in mulitple ministries. For example, one person might be on the Nursery list, they might be on the list to serve at after-church coffee time, and might also teach in one of the children's programs that meets during worship. Each of these ministries asks people to serve every 8-12 weeks, so we inevitably encounter schedule conflicts. Recently, someone suggested that we try to centralize and streamline our schedules to avoid scheduling conflicts. This sounds like a great idea! But also something that would take some time - and is just...
July 14, 2012
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Any research on the relationship between worship and evangelism?
I am deeply interested in the CRCNA's numerical decline and want to know if any research has been done on the relationship between evnagelism and worship.
July 25, 2012
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Do you have any resourses on mentoring, specifically 1, 2, or 3 high schoolers mostly?
Do you have any resources on mentoring, specifically one on two or three, high schoolers mostly.
August 8, 2012
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Do you have any sample formats or guidelines for writing competent minutes of elder meetings?
Wondering if there is an administrative handbook for Church record-keeping? Do you have any ready to use templates of minutes for council or eder meetings?
August 9, 2012
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Does your church give first time visitors gifts? If so what do you give?
Wondering what church do for first time guests to make them feel appreciated? Do you give them gifts? Send them thank you cards for attending?
June 19, 2012
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How do we set up an electronic calendar that reminds us of significant dates in the lives of widows/widowers?
We would like to schedule visits to coincide with a widow's or widower's wedding anniversary or anniversary of the date of their spouse's death. We would like to enter the data into a calendar once and then have the calendar update itself every year. Further, we would like to have the ability to mark the calendar after visits are completed--both when and by whom. Our church records are on ACS. Unless we are missing something, we cannot use our current software according to the above preferences. Sincerely, Bryce Mensink, Associate Pastor Palos Heights, IL Christian Reformed Church
August 22, 2012
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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?
August 22, 2012
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Is the Walking With People With Mental Illness webinar on Sept 26 or still on the proposed list?
Is the Walking With People With Mental Illness for Sept 26th.or still a proposed one? I'm confused. I received an email saying it was scheduled and to register which I did. I was just getting the details to ask others to join me and saw it was still in the proposed section. Could you clear this up so I can ask others to join when it is scheduled? Thanks so much. The contact option in the webinar section isn't supported by email server, gmail. There is no email address given so I'm trying this way to find out the answer to my question.
August 31, 2012
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Pastor Reimbursement of meals-Should his portion be a taxable benefit? (Canadian)?
Hi there, Our Pastor tends to take the Youth Group or other members of the congregation out for meals from time to time for various reasons and then submits his receipts for reimbursement. Should his portion of the meal be considered a taxable benefit? I have wondered a few times about this as although he is technically working, he is receiving a free meal which makes me think this is likely a taxable benefit under Canadian Tax Law. I was going to call CRA and still might but I wondered first if anyone has already looked into this as all too often you can call 3 times and get 3 different...
October 4, 2012
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Experiences with what is known as Biblical Counselling or Nouthetic Counselling?
I am serving in a church that has been strongly affected by 'biblical counselling' as the only legitimate counselling people should seek as Christians. Please enlighten
October 7, 2012
12
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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.
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...
October 13, 2012
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Concerns About an Elder
I was a member of a congregation that elected a man to become an Elder without knowing his true background. What next steps should I take?
October 22, 2012
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How has your church celebrated disability week?
In response to my blog last week about Disability Week, Steve Nyenhuis asked, "Our church celebrated Disability Awareness Sunday yesterday. Our Friendship Class joined the praise team in leading the congregation in worship. Members of the class also participated by greeting and ushering, reading Scripture and bringing God's greeting. Our pastor used Luke 14:1-14 as his text. All who worshipped were blessed, I'm sure. What other churches participated? Can you share your experiences, too?"
October 23, 2012
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I have read the book The Empty Pew is there Information about ministry to inactives?
Is there information on line which would be helpful when thinking about a ministry to inactives?
October 23, 2012
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Does anyone have any NIV 84 pew bibles (hardcover) they are trying to get rid of?
the church i currently serve at has 3 different versions of the NIV 84 and I would like us to all be on the same page. we have roughly 300 bibles, and 100 of each version. I'm looking to get one version of the NIV 84 so that when referring to a page number, we can all be on the same page.
September 19, 2012
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Pamphlet for New Parents on Educating Young Toddlers?
I'm looking for a brochure/pamphlet that will equip first time or young married parents on how to begin educating their young toddlers.
November 5, 2012
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Diversity in Leadership Planning Group II report. What is the meaning of 'diversity'?
The report talks about increasing visible minority representation to 25% of staff and governance bodies of all denominational entities. T understand this clearly, we need to understand what this term means. At present women, while likely constituting significantly more than 50% of denominational membership, do not have proportional representation on all the identified bodies. Is visible minority to be determined only by colour?
November 5, 2012
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What are some of the best resources for leading church members into gift based ministry?
Hi everyone, hoping some of you have experience in dealing with the many resources available regarding gift based ministry. I have been looking over some resources, and since there are so many of them available, I thought I would see if any of you could share with me what you used and what went well etc. I really like the sound of "The,Network: The Right People, The Right Place,The Right Time, For The Right Reason"......have any of you gone through that book/dvd? Thanks, Mark
October 16, 2012
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Should wine or grape juice be served at Communion?
We currently serve both wine and grape juice, giving parishioners a choice. But we also have several AA groups that use our facility during the week, and know that they have an open invitation to worship with us. There are a couple of members who have strong objection to switching to all grape juice, so it would also be a pastoral issue to switch. Does the presence of wine in the communion tray offer too strong a temptation to a recovering alcoholic?
November 20, 2012
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Anyone have a well thought out job description for a Small Groups Coordinator?
So, we are way behind the eight ball in giving our small groups ministry some overdue attention. While we have had a pretty vibrant number of small groups meeting together for years to study a wide range of topics, it has been sort of running without any coordinated effort or inter-action across groups. This has worked well since each group enjoyed their little circles and overall were quite good at inviting any newcomers that might be interested. But lately after some unexpected losses from illness and moving, there are groups that are struggling to feel connected. We can't count on it that...