Our church is part of the "Counselling Assistance Program" (CAP) through the Shalem Mental Health Network (we're in Ontario). This gives members access to up to 6 sessions with a licensed Christian Therapist for free in a confidential manner (the church never knows who has accessed services). We also have a number of "blank" spaces which can be offered to non-members as well. It's helpful to have as a resource, because it reduces the obstacle of cost for talking to someone with more training than the average person in church. It's also surprisingly cost-effective.
Our church doesn't have a policy, but it someone wanted to put a national flag in our sanctuary regularly, I would oppose it for two reasons.
The first is rooted in Jesus' story about paying taxes to Caesar. In Mark 11:13-17 Jesus is tested by a group and asked if its lawful to pay this tax. Jesus asks for the coin they pay the tax with, and then says "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. " This suggests that there's a balance in our allegiance to the governments humans form and our allegiance to God, but to keep what belongs to God focused on God. So in the sanctuary of a Church where God's people gather for worship and to hear God's word read and preached, it belongs to God. I would hesitate to have the symbol of a flag included in that space regularly.
The second comes from the general attitude of the Reformers to any kind of visual representations in the worship space. If you look at the sanctuary of Reformed churches, they are usually bare of any kind of visual images to avoid the temptation toward idolatry. While churches may have started to include some visual imagery (we have banners and coloured cloth which changes with the seasons), these objects are usually temporary. The only permanent thing in our sanctuary is the cross. It would seem to take us quite far from our tradition and would also visually equate the cross and the flag which seems dangerous.
Edit: I regret that I don't have any experience with this conversation, but I wanted to give some kind of response to your very thoughtful question.
Our church (Holland Marsh CRC outside Newmarket, ON) has a parsonage and we use it (I live here).
I'm 34 years old and it is pretty much impossible for me to get into the housing market anywhere in Canada at the present, even in relatively affordable areas. I was born at the wrong time, so the idea of building equity by buying a house isn't possible. The parsonage is pretty much the only reason my wife and I were able to move here and serve this congregation. If/when I move to a different congregation, it will either need to have a parsonage, or I will need to use a housing allowance to pay for a rental. I personally would strongly discourage churches from selling their parsonage. Problems with administration of the parsonage are real and take work, but to me that's a better problem than not being able to find a place for your pastor to live.
In the Toronto area, Dori Zener and Associates has some great resources that you might find helpful. I mention them because someone close to me has had excellent experiences with them. They offer individual resources and some groups that might be helpful. https://dorizener.com/
I would recommend trying to get in touch with the council at Willowdale CRC in North York. When I served there, there was a group of people who provided Pastoral Care that were separate from the Elders but often included current or former Elders. It's been a few years though, so the model may have changed since I was there.
Reformed Public Theology: A Global Vision for Life in the World - Ed. Matthew Kaemingk
This is a great series of essays on applying reformed theology to various aspects of the world. The variety of the book makes it a very interesting read, and it's great to see some themes (sphere sovereignty, common grace, and a few other ideas) repeated throughout the essays.
Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition - Christine D. Pohl
Although it was hard to read during a pandemic, this is a great summary on the Christian practice of hospitality, it's joys, and also its challenges. It would be hard to come away from this book without having a greater appreciation for the need for hospitality.
Station Eleven - Emily St. John Mandel
A novel which discusses a flu pandemic and its aftermath. Part of the story includes a travelling company of musicians and actors who perform for the various communities living in post-apocalyptic North America. It was given to me as a book which was meant to be a "light read" but it was also very thought provoking. It's being made into a TV series.
I noticed you've included a number of quotes in your list of statements that come from overtures which were submitted to Synod in 2021. Is there a reason why you've chosen not to share their sources?
The Candidacy Committee keeps a list of eligible candidates with some contact information on their website here https://www2.crcna.org/candidacy/candidates
This includes candidates who haven't found a call in the year after graduating. I hope this helps.
Another church I served in moved to weekly communion, and we requested permission from Classis for two of our elders to administer the Lord's Supper on weeks when no ordained Minister was present. The "need" was to maintain weekly service of the sacraments and Classis approved this need. They approved our request at that time. I don't think church order prevents you from asking Classis for this kind of approval, especially if your study has led you to move towards weekly communion as a congregation. Classis is supposed to support the ministry of your congregation and this is one way in which they can do that.
Negative votes can be recorded if the voter requests it and then they're printed in the minutes. Vote totals can be requested if someone asks for them. I do not believe individuals voting record is kept and that's what would be required for the information you're asking for.
I don't know exactly when it started, but it goes back a relatively long time. The Acts of Synod 1939 (p.166) show that "Five members of the Board asked to have their negative votes recorded and reserved the right to present their dissenting views on the matter to Synod."
Negative votes are typically recorded so members of assembly can voice their disagreement or dissent at a later time. If you do not register a negative vote as a member of an assembly, you are not allowed to speak against the decision of the assembly publicly.
This sounds like the start of one of those "confessional conversations" a certain CRC pastor keeps advocating for. Thanks for sharing. I do know of at least a few churches who are starting to re-evaluate the way they practice communion. Maybe there's an appetite for a fuller conversation.
Posted in: Does Your Church Offer Mental Health Help?
Our church is part of the "Counselling Assistance Program" (CAP) through the Shalem Mental Health Network (we're in Ontario). This gives members access to up to 6 sessions with a licensed Christian Therapist for free in a confidential manner (the church never knows who has accessed services). We also have a number of "blank" spaces which can be offered to non-members as well. It's helpful to have as a resource, because it reduces the obstacle of cost for talking to someone with more training than the average person in church. It's also surprisingly cost-effective.
Posted in: What Are Your Policies Concerning Flags in Church and Worship Spaces?
Our church doesn't have a policy, but it someone wanted to put a national flag in our sanctuary regularly, I would oppose it for two reasons.
The first is rooted in Jesus' story about paying taxes to Caesar. In Mark 11:13-17 Jesus is tested by a group and asked if its lawful to pay this tax. Jesus asks for the coin they pay the tax with, and then says "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. " This suggests that there's a balance in our allegiance to the governments humans form and our allegiance to God, but to keep what belongs to God focused on God. So in the sanctuary of a Church where God's people gather for worship and to hear God's word read and preached, it belongs to God. I would hesitate to have the symbol of a flag included in that space regularly.
The second comes from the general attitude of the Reformers to any kind of visual representations in the worship space. If you look at the sanctuary of Reformed churches, they are usually bare of any kind of visual images to avoid the temptation toward idolatry. While churches may have started to include some visual imagery (we have banners and coloured cloth which changes with the seasons), these objects are usually temporary. The only permanent thing in our sanctuary is the cross. It would seem to take us quite far from our tradition and would also visually equate the cross and the flag which seems dangerous.
Edit: I regret that I don't have any experience with this conversation, but I wanted to give some kind of response to your very thoughtful question.
Posted in: Does Your Church Have a Parsonage?
Our church (Holland Marsh CRC outside Newmarket, ON) has a parsonage and we use it (I live here).
I'm 34 years old and it is pretty much impossible for me to get into the housing market anywhere in Canada at the present, even in relatively affordable areas. I was born at the wrong time, so the idea of building equity by buying a house isn't possible. The parsonage is pretty much the only reason my wife and I were able to move here and serve this congregation. If/when I move to a different congregation, it will either need to have a parsonage, or I will need to use a housing allowance to pay for a rental. I personally would strongly discourage churches from selling their parsonage. Problems with administration of the parsonage are real and take work, but to me that's a better problem than not being able to find a place for your pastor to live.
Posted in: Resources on Aspergers?
In the Toronto area, Dori Zener and Associates has some great resources that you might find helpful. I mention them because someone close to me has had excellent experiences with them. They offer individual resources and some groups that might be helpful.
https://dorizener.com/
Posted in: Model for Pastoral Care by Elders?
I would recommend trying to get in touch with the council at Willowdale CRC in North York. When I served there, there was a group of people who provided Pastoral Care that were separate from the Elders but often included current or former Elders. It's been a few years though, so the model may have changed since I was there.
Posted in: Best Books You Read in 2021
Not all of these are from this year but...
Reformed Public Theology: A Global Vision for Life in the World - Ed. Matthew Kaemingk
This is a great series of essays on applying reformed theology to various aspects of the world. The variety of the book makes it a very interesting read, and it's great to see some themes (sphere sovereignty, common grace, and a few other ideas) repeated throughout the essays.
Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition - Christine D. Pohl
Although it was hard to read during a pandemic, this is a great summary on the Christian practice of hospitality, it's joys, and also its challenges. It would be hard to come away from this book without having a greater appreciation for the need for hospitality.
Station Eleven - Emily St. John Mandel
A novel which discusses a flu pandemic and its aftermath. Part of the story includes a travelling company of musicians and actors who perform for the various communities living in post-apocalyptic North America. It was given to me as a book which was meant to be a "light read" but it was also very thought provoking. It's being made into a TV series.
Posted in: Hermeneutics 101
I noticed you've included a number of quotes in your list of statements that come from overtures which were submitted to Synod in 2021. Is there a reason why you've chosen not to share their sources?
Posted in: Tips for Effective Church Positions Post on The Network
The Candidacy Committee keeps a list of eligible candidates with some contact information on their website here https://www2.crcna.org/candidacy/candidates
This includes candidates who haven't found a call in the year after graduating. I hope this helps.
Posted in: Weekly Communion Without Ordained Pastor Present?
Another church I served in moved to weekly communion, and we requested permission from Classis for two of our elders to administer the Lord's Supper on weeks when no ordained Minister was present. The "need" was to maintain weekly service of the sacraments and Classis approved this need. They approved our request at that time. I don't think church order prevents you from asking Classis for this kind of approval, especially if your study has led you to move towards weekly communion as a congregation. Classis is supposed to support the ministry of your congregation and this is one way in which they can do that.
Posted in: Synod 2022 Sexuality Vote?
I'm pretty sure the answer is no.
Negative votes can be recorded if the voter requests it and then they're printed in the minutes.
Vote totals can be requested if someone asks for them.
I do not believe individuals voting record is kept and that's what would be required for the information you're asking for.
Posted in: Synod 2022 Sexuality Vote?
I don't know exactly when it started, but it goes back a relatively long time. The Acts of Synod 1939 (p.166) show that "Five members of the Board asked to have their negative votes recorded and reserved the right to present their dissenting views on the matter to Synod."
Negative votes are typically recorded so members of assembly can voice their disagreement or dissent at a later time. If you do not register a negative vote as a member of an assembly, you are not allowed to speak against the decision of the assembly publicly.
Posted in: Weekly Communion Without Ordained Pastor Present?
This sounds like the start of one of those "confessional conversations" a certain CRC pastor keeps advocating for. Thanks for sharing. I do know of at least a few churches who are starting to re-evaluate the way they practice communion. Maybe there's an appetite for a fuller conversation.