As I/Reformed Christians believe in the perspicuity of Scripture, and as Scripture outlines God's design and desire for marriage, yes I would and will continue to speak for that truth, no matter what persecutions I may be subjected too (which if one has been paying much attention to the culture, it would be clear that those increasingly include digital removal of ones tongue, as well as cancellation, and soon very well may escalate to physical violence or imprisonment in North America).
While these questions are important for some, I think we should note, they don't apply everywhere. While it has taken time, been a process, and there were seasons of conflict, some churches have not struggled/are not struggling with this. My congregation was back to 90% attendance within 6 months of the first shut. After Covid started spreading in our geographical community late fall, we had a second shut down, and it took another 3-4 months for us to get back to 90-95% attendance again. Then, as people were able to get vaccinated, things continued to improve, and we are at 98% of our pre-Covid members back (and several new members added).
So, while it wasn't easy, and I know there are many churches that have had a terrible time, I'm guessing there are also many churches in a similar position to our congregation.
This report will never be confessional, and nobody is asking for it to be. The confessional part is just clarifying that yes, our confessions (and even more so Scripture) do have standards and expectations for how we are to live. No, we aren't going to ignore those (and let a publicly serial adulterer for example) continue in their office, serving a church. The Gospel message is for adulterers to hear, and turn to Christ. But any living in unchastity is certainly not "above reproach," and thus barred from leadership, or even a member in good standing. They are to be called to repent!
My church doesn't withhold any funds, nor is there any S.S. offset in my call letter/support package, just my annual salary. However, taxes were mentioned in my final year at CTS, and so I was aware that it would be something to work out from day one, and built it into our monthly budget. Thankfully, I've estimated high enough, and we have enough kids, so we have never had a large bill at the end of the year.
One fun kicker, instead of traditional insurance, my family started participating in a Christian Health Sharing ministry. Because of that, the money that the church gives us towards insurance, is now also taxable both as income and for self employment tax. Ceaser is getting his cut!!!
Finishing a series (10 weeks) in the Canons of Dort Sunday morning. Preaching through the Gospel of John in the evening service (up to chapter 6 so far).
Thanks for bringing up the discussion Harry. Besides possibly pitting churches against their Classis, as you warned of, I'm afraid that the "Reimiganing"really doesn't go that far. I like the suggestion of removing entirely the college support from the equation, and letting that issue be dealt with separately. That seems to be closer to the kind of solutions we really should be considering.
Thanks for calling this to our attention Jason. This does not seem to be an ecumenical relationship in any traditional sense of the word, and any official ties should probably be ended in short order.
Thanks for this reminder Keith! While James tells us not to give the wealthy the nice seat, and tell the poor to sit on the floor; we certainly are not to reverse things, and give the poor the nice seat, and tell the rich to sit on the floor (until we need them to fund something). The world makes such distinctions, but families should not.
While older, and maybe not in common use outside of the church, I think it is only those in side the church that would care what it is called. Instead of changing the name, we can just train/teach people what it means, and how it works. Often when we are taking a Benevolent Fund offering, I will give a one sentence explanation of what it is, and who it is for. Instead of changing the language (which really doesn't answer any questions either), I would encourage us to train, teach, and explain things better.
Posted in: Link Up! What Podcasts Are You Currently Listening To?
The Messy Reformation - Jason Ruis
Reformed Podmatics - Almond Valley CRC
The Briefing with Albert Mohler
Upstream - Colson Center
Life and Books and Everything - Kevin DeYoung
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
As I/Reformed Christians believe in the perspicuity of Scripture, and as Scripture outlines God's design and desire for marriage, yes I would and will continue to speak for that truth, no matter what persecutions I may be subjected too (which if one has been paying much attention to the culture, it would be clear that those increasingly include digital removal of ones tongue, as well as cancellation, and soon very well may escalate to physical violence or imprisonment in North America).
Pastor Lloyd Hemstreet
Posted in: The Pandemic Shake Up: Church, I’m Begging You to Ask This One Question
While these questions are important for some, I think we should note, they don't apply everywhere. While it has taken time, been a process, and there were seasons of conflict, some churches have not struggled/are not struggling with this. My congregation was back to 90% attendance within 6 months of the first shut. After Covid started spreading in our geographical community late fall, we had a second shut down, and it took another 3-4 months for us to get back to 90-95% attendance again. Then, as people were able to get vaccinated, things continued to improve, and we are at 98% of our pre-Covid members back (and several new members added).
So, while it wasn't easy, and I know there are many churches that have had a terrible time, I'm guessing there are also many churches in a similar position to our congregation.
Posted in: Do Not Worry About Synod
This report will never be confessional, and nobody is asking for it to be. The confessional part is just clarifying that yes, our confessions (and even more so Scripture) do have standards and expectations for how we are to live. No, we aren't going to ignore those (and let a publicly serial adulterer for example) continue in their office, serving a church. The Gospel message is for adulterers to hear, and turn to Christ. But any living in unchastity is certainly not "above reproach," and thus barred from leadership, or even a member in good standing. They are to be called to repent!
Posted in: Quarterly Estimated Self Employment Tax Payments for Pastors
My church doesn't withhold any funds, nor is there any S.S. offset in my call letter/support package, just my annual salary. However, taxes were mentioned in my final year at CTS, and so I was aware that it would be something to work out from day one, and built it into our monthly budget. Thankfully, I've estimated high enough, and we have enough kids, so we have never had a large bill at the end of the year.
One fun kicker, instead of traditional insurance, my family started participating in a Christian Health Sharing ministry. Because of that, the money that the church gives us towards insurance, is now also taxable both as income and for self employment tax. Ceaser is getting his cut!!!
Posted in: Let's Talk Sermons
Finishing a series (10 weeks) in the Canons of Dort Sunday morning. Preaching through the Gospel of John in the evening service (up to chapter 6 so far).
Posted in: Let's Discuss "Reimagining Ministry Shares"
Thanks for bringing up the discussion Harry. Besides possibly pitting churches against their Classis, as you warned of, I'm afraid that the "Reimiganing"really doesn't go that far. I like the suggestion of removing entirely the college support from the equation, and letting that issue be dealt with separately. That seems to be closer to the kind of solutions we really should be considering.
Posted in: The Sin of Process?
Thanks Staci!
Posted in: The Sin of Process?
Absolutely, Scripture comes first! Process/rules should be applied as evenly and fairly as we can, while keeping the first things first.
Posted in: Concerns on Our Ecumenical Trajectory
Thanks for calling this to our attention Jason. This does not seem to be an ecumenical relationship in any traditional sense of the word, and any official ties should probably be ended in short order.
Posted in: How Does the Church Minister to the Wealthy?
Thanks for this reminder Keith! While James tells us not to give the wealthy the nice seat, and tell the poor to sit on the floor; we certainly are not to reverse things, and give the poor the nice seat, and tell the rich to sit on the floor (until we need them to fund something). The world makes such distinctions, but families should not.
Posted in: What Do You Call Your Benevolence Ministry?
While older, and maybe not in common use outside of the church, I think it is only those in side the church that would care what it is called. Instead of changing the name, we can just train/teach people what it means, and how it works. Often when we are taking a Benevolent Fund offering, I will give a one sentence explanation of what it is, and who it is for. Instead of changing the language (which really doesn't answer any questions either), I would encourage us to train, teach, and explain things better.