I can’t get out of my mind Romans 16 17-19, a warning about smooth talkers misleading in reference to the argument about the Human Sexuality report.I anticipate continual bantering from both sides of the discussion until one side capitulates to the other, all “smooth” talkers.
I think Sarah has a timely question on the use of AI in sermon preparation. What my greatest fear is, will AI replace the Holy Spirit’s nudging in preparing the “‘Word of God”? Will pastors consult AI before preparing and presenting his/her reflection on scripture, or, any other subject? If us “lay people” are to accept prepared sermons as God Himself instructing us, we need to be confident that those instructions are generated by our pastor struggling with scripture and the Holy Spirit in its interpretation, not with AI.
Wow. Under the banner of church renewal? Thee author has done a good job of presenting the opposing positions members of the CRCNA have taken, as well as (as I understand it anyway) the road ahead there will be many appeals to Synod until finally the Church acquiesces to the protesters. Imagine, if you can, if there had never been a “women in office” issue brought forward by our “experts”. What GOOD did it do? Is it good that the CRC not just split, but splintered. Could it also have something to do with our church leaders back in the day, pridefully boasting about the great number of members we’d have by the year 2000?, and God saying “oh, yah?”
Now we have the HSR brought forward by our experts, resulting in church members once again having to “choose” sides. What GOOD does it do for our fragile adherence to unity?
If the HSR had never been brought forward, what Harm would it have done? I think we’ve all been aware that homosexuality existed among us, and all did their best to accept however we identified ourselves to be. Now we can’t do that anymore, because someone thought it expedient to flesh out our position on homosexuality.
Let’s just be faithful followers of Christ, and deny the Devil a foothold in the unity we have left, ‘cause he’d be very happy to break up our (not only ours) church some more. Stop having experts bring forth any more contentious issues.
Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to place more conditions on church attendance, or leadership. I was denied becoming an Elder because I refused to get a police check, despite historically having had many, and serving as a police officer for29 years, and as a deacon and elder for probably five or six terms. I am not willing to be dictated to by someone because it's in vogue to do certain things. So, conditional membership doesn't work for me. Yes, I can be counselled, but will not act against my conscious. People may have various reasons for not being vaccinated (I have been, incidentally) but it should never be a condition to membership nor voluntary service. I think we should all be cognizant the there may be non vaccinated people around, just like we should always be cognizant that there may be sexual predators or other nefarious individuals we worship with. Just be vigilant.
But, Keith, can't you agree that all are sinners including the propensity to lie. To cover mistakes, making wrong choices, in short to do all kinds of evil. The way I see it to have a truly safe church, you should be alone. So maybe a truly safe church manifests itself by staying home, and watching live stream on TV. The alternative is to put up with, or tolerate what other people think or do. Including their sinful nature
Ok, a final word (from me anyway): we know fully vaccinated people can be carriers of Covid19 or it's variants, so let's not put all our trust in whether we're vaccinated or not. Who's most at risk? The unvaccinated, right? That may include children and those unable,for various reasons to get the inoculation. Let's just live our lives the best we can, without harassing others. Don't trust it, don't attend church, or other activities. Think for yourself.
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?
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.
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.
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: Synod and the Triangulation Trap
I can’t get out of my mind Romans 16 17-19, a warning about smooth talkers misleading in reference to the argument about the Human Sexuality report.I anticipate continual bantering from both sides of the discussion until one side capitulates to the other, all “smooth” talkers.
Posted in: How Does AI Fit Into Ministry?
I think Sarah has a timely question on the use of AI in sermon preparation. What my greatest fear is, will AI replace the Holy Spirit’s nudging in preparing the “‘Word of God”? Will pastors consult AI before preparing and presenting his/her reflection on scripture, or, any other subject? If us “lay people” are to accept prepared sermons as God Himself instructing us, we need to be confident that those instructions are generated by our pastor struggling with scripture and the Holy Spirit in its interpretation, not with AI.
Posted in: Ethnically or Religiously CRC: Which Is Our Future?
Wow. Under the banner of church renewal? Thee author has done a good job of presenting the opposing positions members of the CRCNA have taken, as well as (as I understand it anyway) the road ahead there will be many appeals to Synod until finally the Church acquiesces to the protesters. Imagine, if you can, if there had never been a “women in office” issue brought forward by our “experts”. What GOOD did it do? Is it good that the CRC not just split, but splintered. Could it also have something to do with our church leaders back in the day, pridefully boasting about the great number of members we’d have by the year 2000?, and God saying “oh, yah?”
Now we have the HSR brought forward by our experts, resulting in church members once again having to “choose” sides. What GOOD does it do for our fragile adherence to unity?
If the HSR had never been brought forward, what Harm would it have done? I think we’ve all been aware that homosexuality existed among us, and all did their best to accept however we identified ourselves to be. Now we can’t do that anymore, because someone thought it expedient to flesh out our position on homosexuality.
Let’s just be faithful followers of Christ, and deny the Devil a foothold in the unity we have left, ‘cause he’d be very happy to break up our (not only ours) church some more. Stop having experts bring forth any more contentious issues.
Posted in: Vaccination Status of Church Volunteers?
Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to place more conditions on church attendance, or leadership. I was denied becoming an Elder because I refused to get a police check, despite historically having had many, and serving as a police officer for29 years, and as a deacon and elder for probably five or six terms. I am not willing to be dictated to by someone because it's in vogue to do certain things. So, conditional membership doesn't work for me. Yes, I can be counselled, but will not act against my conscious. People may have various reasons for not being vaccinated (I have been, incidentally) but it should never be a condition to membership nor voluntary service. I think we should all be cognizant the there may be non vaccinated people around, just like we should always be cognizant that there may be sexual predators or other nefarious individuals we worship with. Just be vigilant.
Posted in: Vaccination Status of Church Volunteers?
But, Keith, can't you agree that all are sinners including the propensity to lie. To cover mistakes, making wrong choices, in short to do all kinds of evil. The way I see it to have a truly safe church, you should be alone. So maybe a truly safe church manifests itself by staying home, and watching live stream on TV. The alternative is to put up with, or tolerate what other people think or do. Including their sinful nature
Posted in: Vaccination Status of Church Volunteers?
Ok, a final word (from me anyway): we know fully vaccinated people can be carriers of Covid19 or it's variants, so let's not put all our trust in whether we're vaccinated or not. Who's most at risk? The unvaccinated, right? That may include children and those unable,for various reasons to get the inoculation. Let's just live our lives the best we can, without harassing others. Don't trust it, don't attend church, or other activities. Think for yourself.
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: 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: 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: 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.