I don't understand why a church would not print some bulletins. Nowadays we make our churches as accessible as possible with wheelchair ramps, handicap washrooms, hearing devices, brail signage and more. Why not be welcoming of those who do not have technology or even those who choose not to embrace technology. A printed bulletin is a simple and easy way to be inclusive. Kids tend to like reading the bulletin too.
I must say, Carol, that at first I winced when I read that you are not a fan of Handel's Messiah (my favorite composer and in my opinion his greatest work!). At the same time, and as a farmer myself, I also find the best moments of the Christmas season in the quiet times and the simple things. In fact I have even proposed that we hold our Christmas day services in barns or stables since that is where it all began and the barn seems the farthest place from the busy, over commercialized shopping malls.
I once attended a performance of Handel's Messiah by a small ensemble and a handful of performers - apparently the way Handel intended it. No pomp, just beautiful music, praise and worship. On Christmas eve and through out Christmas day I put on the Messiah in the barn for us and our cattle to enjoy.
Thanks for sharing. It is important to hear different perspectives and to hear the struggles of others.
My comment was not about individual churches dropping the second service for trivial reasons. My comment was about how the Church Order is being changed. It seems that we have things backwards - many individual churches drop the second service and then we change the Church Order to reflect that reality. With this kind of system there is no need for a Church Order. If the majority of churches in the denomination decide to drop infant baptism in favor of adult baptism, do we simply change the Church Order to reflect that reality? If so, what is the point of having a Church Order or even a Synod?
Also, if the majority of churches do not have a second service on Sundays do we simply change the Church Order to make them feel better? It says in the Bible to " rejoice in the Lord always". If I find myself having a hard time following this command, should I scratch it from my Bible to make me feel better?
The reasoning for eliminating the reference to have an evening or second service is based on populism - less churches having a second service, therefore change the rules. It would be like saying more people are getting divorced or don't even bother getting married so lets just scrap marriage. The Church Order should not be a document that reflects church practices but rather church practices should reflect the Church Order.
The Church Order is a document that we all strive to follow and when we can't we must seek help in finding out what the problem is - which is why we are part of a denomination. The Bible is a document that we all strive to follow also and yet we do not scratch out those parts that only a few people are following.
Any business that wants to keep its customers offers more 'open hours'. Not less.
Thanks for a great article, Ryan! I totally agree that writing is an act of faith and a spiritual discipline. I 're-discovered' writing about 15 or 20 years ago when our family invested in our first desktop computer. It made writing so much easier for me because of spell check, cut and paste, choices in font and size, filing, password protection etc. Before this time I found writing to be very tedious with rough copies, messy hand writing and many crumpled papers.
I now keep all my writing in my laptop and often re-read some of the stuff I have written. I too find that most of what I write is for me and re-reading it helps me appreciate the journey in life that the Lord is leading me on. Now a days I spend more time writing stories about my past that I hope my children will someday read.
Posted in: Should Churches Print Bulletins?
I don't understand why a church would not print some bulletins. Nowadays we make our churches as accessible as possible with wheelchair ramps, handicap washrooms, hearing devices, brail signage and more. Why not be welcoming of those who do not have technology or even those who choose not to embrace technology. A printed bulletin is a simple and easy way to be inclusive. Kids tend to like reading the bulletin too.
Posted in: Handel’s Messiah and Navajo Shepherds
I must say, Carol, that at first I winced when I read that you are not a fan of Handel's Messiah (my favorite composer and in my opinion his greatest work!). At the same time, and as a farmer myself, I also find the best moments of the Christmas season in the quiet times and the simple things. In fact I have even proposed that we hold our Christmas day services in barns or stables since that is where it all began and the barn seems the farthest place from the busy, over commercialized shopping malls.
I once attended a performance of Handel's Messiah by a small ensemble and a handful of performers - apparently the way Handel intended it. No pomp, just beautiful music, praise and worship. On Christmas eve and through out Christmas day I put on the Messiah in the barn for us and our cattle to enjoy.
Thanks for sharing. It is important to hear different perspectives and to hear the struggles of others.
Blessings to you and the Navajo shepherds, Bill
Posted in: Way More Than Twice
My comment was not about individual churches dropping the second service for trivial reasons. My comment was about how the Church Order is being changed. It seems that we have things backwards - many individual churches drop the second service and then we change the Church Order to reflect that reality. With this kind of system there is no need for a Church Order. If the majority of churches in the denomination decide to drop infant baptism in favor of adult baptism, do we simply change the Church Order to reflect that reality? If so, what is the point of having a Church Order or even a Synod?
Also, if the majority of churches do not have a second service on Sundays do we simply change the Church Order to make them feel better? It says in the Bible to " rejoice in the Lord always". If I find myself having a hard time following this command, should I scratch it from my Bible to make me feel better?
Posted in: Way More Than Twice
The reasoning for eliminating the reference to have an evening or second service is based on populism - less churches having a second service, therefore change the rules. It would be like saying more people are getting divorced or don't even bother getting married so lets just scrap marriage. The Church Order should not be a document that reflects church practices but rather church practices should reflect the Church Order.
The Church Order is a document that we all strive to follow and when we can't we must seek help in finding out what the problem is - which is why we are part of a denomination. The Bible is a document that we all strive to follow also and yet we do not scratch out those parts that only a few people are following.
Any business that wants to keep its customers offers more 'open hours'. Not less.
Posted in: Prayer: What If We're Doing It Wrong?
Great article! Looking forward to the rest.
Posted in: Writing as a Spiritual Habit
Thanks for a great article, Ryan! I totally agree that writing is an act of faith and a spiritual discipline. I 're-discovered' writing about 15 or 20 years ago when our family invested in our first desktop computer. It made writing so much easier for me because of spell check, cut and paste, choices in font and size, filing, password protection etc. Before this time I found writing to be very tedious with rough copies, messy hand writing and many crumpled papers.
I now keep all my writing in my laptop and often re-read some of the stuff I have written. I too find that most of what I write is for me and re-reading it helps me appreciate the journey in life that the Lord is leading me on. Now a days I spend more time writing stories about my past that I hope my children will someday read.
Thanks again. Blessings, Bill Los