I confess I have not seen the commercial, but, judging from all the comments, I’d say off hand, that the commercials were successful in their objectives including those (7 comments on the “He Gets Us)“campaign by Natasha Crain. I think the primary objective of that campaign IS to get people talking about Jesus, who is He etc. Crain. makes valid points, but how does she expect all that information into a one minute commercial, ok, add another thirty second?
Couple of comments: first I don’t think stirring up the sinful quagmire of ecclesiastical struggles of the past is helpful in arguing a similarity to the current discussion. It seems an attempt obfuscate the clear teaching of scripture by making this comparison only helps in potentially splitting the already fragile conditions of the CRCNA.
Second, whether or not you or I, or the church decides a matter, will have no effect on my salvation. Let’s instead, have discussions the may effect our salvation, unifying instead of disunity.
If the purpose of excellent sermons are to address concerns, needs, and desires of a group of people such as a congregation, how can anyone set up a year's speaking agenda without having a substantial knowledge of his/her audience's lives? I believe the first order of things aught to be learning as much as possible about your congregation, then fashion sermons, bringing the Word of God to bear on the needs/desires/concerns of the congregation. I know all scripture is useful to teach, but your congregations are not faceless individuals, and like sponges absorb whatever is irrelevantly cast at them , all with the same issues. So, please, when fashioning any sermon, think about where your congregation sits, consider the experiences they may have had that may have encouraged, disappointed caused grief and joys of being counted among the elect.
May God bless you all in your calling, I know it may be difficult for many.
If the purpose of excellent sermons are to address concerns, needs, and desires of a group of people such as a congregation, how can anyone set up a year's speaking agenda without having a substantial knowledge of his/her audience's lives? I believe the first order of things aught to be learning as much as possible about your congregation, then fashion sermons, bringing the Word of God to bear on the needs/desires/concerns of the congregation. I know all scripture is useful to teach, but your congregations are not faceless individuals, and like sponges absorb whatever is irrelevantly cast at them , all with the same issues. So, please, when fashioning any sermon, think about where your congregation sits, consider the experiences they may have had that may have encouraged, disappointed caused grief and joys of being counted among the elect.
May God bless you all in your calling, I know it may be difficult for many.
Where to start... I think most preachers have become "secular". They demand all the benefits, privileges and remuneration and recognition that the secular world demands, no? Second, in my humble opinion, our seminaries are emphasizing sound theological preaching perhaps more than the art of PASTORING a congregation. I have heard time and time again "when is the pastor coming to visit me, so that I could have an opportunity to get to know him, and he gets an opportunity to get to know me on a "rubber meets the road" level. It seems many of the seminary grads aspire to become great preachers, neglecting the person to person relationships. I think a "mediocre" sermon can easily be overlooked, when that pastor visits people., just two or three families a week would probably suffice..
So, I think gimmicks to attract attendance works, but in the long run will ring hollow.
These are my thoughts, but it's yours (preachers) to struggle with. May God grant you wisdom.
Has the author considered that historical same value gifting, to the church for example, may be supplemented by giving to other worthwhile projects/organizations, thereby increasing gifting, but not to just one organization?
Sorry, you know the old saying, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We all have difficulty navigating through the life and career we've chosen. Hang in, it'll get better. It says so in scripture.
Posted in: Should My Church Sing Hillsong?
Let him or her who has never abused anyone intentionally or by unbridled emotions cast the first stone.
Posted in: Where Did You Worship This Past Sunday?
Trinity CRCr St. Catharines ON reminded of Jesus’s great sacrifice with His blood by partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
Posted in: 'He Gets Us' Super Bowl Commercials - What Did You Think?
I confess I have not seen the commercial, but, judging from all the comments, I’d say off hand, that the commercials were successful in their objectives including those (7 comments on the “He Gets Us)“campaign by Natasha Crain. I think the primary objective of that campaign IS to get people talking about Jesus, who is He etc. Crain. makes valid points, but how does she expect all that information into a one minute commercial, ok, add another thirty second?
I say, we’ll done, bravo!
Posted in: Santa Claus, Contraception, and the CRCNA (Part 4)
Couple of comments: first I don’t think stirring up the sinful quagmire of ecclesiastical struggles of the past is helpful in arguing a similarity to the current discussion. It seems an attempt obfuscate the clear teaching of scripture by making this comparison only helps in potentially splitting the already fragile conditions of the CRCNA.
Second, whether or not you or I, or the church decides a matter, will have no effect on my salvation. Let’s instead, have discussions the may effect our salvation, unifying instead of disunity.
Respectfully, Alex Krikke.
Posted in: Upcoming Webinar: Learn How You Can Easily Plan a Yearly Sermon Calendar
If the purpose of excellent sermons are to address concerns, needs, and desires of a group of people such as a congregation, how can anyone set up a year's speaking agenda without having a substantial knowledge of his/her audience's lives? I believe the first order of things aught to be learning as much as possible about your congregation, then fashion sermons, bringing the Word of God to bear on the needs/desires/concerns of the congregation. I know all scripture is useful to teach, but your congregations are not faceless individuals, and like sponges absorb whatever is irrelevantly cast at them , all with the same issues. So, please, when fashioning any sermon, think about where your congregation sits, consider the experiences they may have had that may have encouraged, disappointed caused grief and joys of being counted among the elect.
May God bless you all in your calling, I know it may be difficult for many.
Posted in: Upcoming Webinar: Learn How You Can Easily Plan a Yearly Sermon Calendar
If the purpose of excellent sermons are to address concerns, needs, and desires of a group of people such as a congregation, how can anyone set up a year's speaking agenda without having a substantial knowledge of his/her audience's lives? I believe the first order of things aught to be learning as much as possible about your congregation, then fashion sermons, bringing the Word of God to bear on the needs/desires/concerns of the congregation. I know all scripture is useful to teach, but your congregations are not faceless individuals, and like sponges absorb whatever is irrelevantly cast at them , all with the same issues. So, please, when fashioning any sermon, think about where your congregation sits, consider the experiences they may have had that may have encouraged, disappointed caused grief and joys of being counted among the elect.
May God bless you all in your calling, I know it may be difficult for many.
Posted in: Is Your Church Running at the Speed of Apple? (Part 3)
Where to start... I think most preachers have become "secular". They demand all the benefits, privileges and remuneration and recognition that the secular world demands, no?
Second, in my humble opinion, our seminaries are emphasizing sound theological preaching perhaps more than the art of PASTORING a congregation. I have heard time and time again "when is the pastor coming to visit me, so that I could have an opportunity to get to know him, and he gets an opportunity to get to know me on a "rubber meets the road" level. It seems many of the seminary grads aspire to become great preachers, neglecting the person to person relationships. I think a "mediocre" sermon can easily be overlooked, when that pastor visits people., just two or three families a week would probably suffice..
So, I think gimmicks to attract attendance works, but in the long run will ring hollow.
These are my thoughts, but it's yours (preachers) to struggle with. May God grant you wisdom.
Posted in: Want Stronger Givers?
Has the author considered that historical same value gifting, to the church for example, may be supplemented by giving to other worthwhile projects/organizations, thereby increasing gifting, but not to just one organization?
Posted in: Share Your 3-Word Prayer for the Human Sexuality Conversation
All of Scripture
Posted in: Share Your 3-Word Prayer for the Human Sexuality Conversation
Sola Scriptura - selah
Posted in: Share Your 3-Word Prayer for the Human Sexuality Conversation
Sola Scriptura - Amen
Posted in: How to Handle Pastoral Burnout in a COVID-Plus World
Sorry, you know the old saying, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We all have difficulty navigating through the life and career we've chosen. Hang in, it'll get better. It says so in scripture.