I agree with the article. One-does not need to have a title conferred on him or her to empower them to effectively minister to others. For example, in our small church, there are those who visit others, console them, befriend them, walk with them grieve with them and so on all without the official title of being a pastor, elder, or deacon. I think some of the comments are made to justify the perceived power in conferring a title on them so they can be officially recognized within their circle.
While I appreciate Bev’s comments on taking in the “homeless”, and the call to action instead of lip service, I’d be very interested in learning how you worked out that calling. If you have an example of what you have done in answer to that calling, I, for one would be inspired to follow your example. As for me, and my journey, we (my wife and I) had a complete family of four children (two boys, two girls) but, to work out the nudging of the Holy Spirit, we adopted two boys whose previous adoption placement had broken down. These boy were almost un-adoptable because of their ages, 8 and 12. They fit in our family, as the oldest boy was not older than my oldest son, and the youngest did not displace my youngest son. That was almost 40 years ago, and they are still very much our children. Then we became foster parents to quite a number of children with varying issues. Some we cared for long term, some shorter. A particular bunch of indigenous Native children came into our care, aged about three to seven. I have to admit l truly loved those three, and really felt bad when their mom completed alcohol recovery about a year later, and instinctively I knew they would spiral back into the mess that they were hauled out of to begin with. ( that was verified when we asked to see how they were doing about a year after returning to their mom) we fostered probably about 50 children over a fifteen year span. So, Bev, that’s how we worked out taking in the homeless. How have you done?
Well , my parents would be considered the first generation. I and my family the second generation. I did confession of faith because I accepted the teaching of my parents, and my church and of course, the Bible . Then the women in office became a huge issue. The church in which I did confession was no longer the same. Now we have human sexuality issues. What’s next? I raised 6 kids. Not one has stayed with the CRC.
During the time of the women in office issue, I wrote the Banner at the time, suggesting that I and my six kids would consider quitting the CRC. Ironically, I’m still a member, but my kids(the third generation) are not. The church I relied on to be a steady place on which to stand, has shifted. Where are we going?
I kind of get tripped up with the term heading unity in diversity. To me it sounds like an oxymoron, an expression using “smooth words” (Romans 18:18)to cause confusion. Would it not be much better to seek unity in harmony?
What makes me very apprehensive about AI, is the fact that all the information (data) generated is based on numbers, 0s and 1s. That makes me think of the Revelation “beast” whose number is 666. Is the “beast” AI? How do you answer that?
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.
Posted in: Leadership is Influence: You Are More Qualified Than You Think
I agree with the article. One-does not need to have a title conferred on him or her to empower them to effectively minister to others. For example, in our small church, there are those who visit others, console them, befriend them, walk with them grieve with them and so on all without the official title of being a pastor, elder, or deacon.
I think some of the comments are made to justify the perceived power in conferring a title on them so they can be officially recognized within their circle.
Posted in: The Titanic Warning: Is Your Leadership Sinking the Mission?
While I appreciate Bev’s comments on taking in the “homeless”, and the call to action instead of lip service, I’d be very interested in learning how you worked out that calling. If you have an example of what you have done in answer to that calling, I, for one would be inspired to follow your example. As for me, and my journey, we (my wife and I) had a complete family of four children (two boys, two girls) but, to work out the nudging of the Holy Spirit, we adopted two boys whose previous adoption placement had broken down. These boy were almost un-adoptable because of their ages, 8 and 12. They fit in our family, as the oldest boy was not older than my oldest son, and the youngest did not displace my youngest son. That was almost 40 years ago, and they are still very much our children. Then we became foster parents to quite a number of children with varying issues. Some we cared for long term, some shorter. A particular bunch of indigenous Native children came into our care, aged about three to seven. I have to admit l truly loved those three, and really felt bad when their mom completed alcohol recovery about a year later, and instinctively I knew they would spiral back into the mess that they were hauled out of to begin with. ( that was verified when we asked to see how they were doing about a year after returning to their mom) we fostered probably about 50 children over a fifteen year span. So, Bev, that’s how we worked out taking in the homeless. How have you done?
Posted in: Postma Post: The Third Generation Curse
Well , my parents would be considered the first generation. I and my family the second generation. I did confession of faith because I accepted the teaching of my parents, and my church and of course, the Bible . Then the women in office became a huge issue. The church in which I did confession was no longer the same. Now we have human sexuality issues. What’s next? I raised 6 kids. Not one has stayed with the CRC.
During the time of the women in office issue, I wrote the Banner at the time, suggesting that I and my six kids would consider quitting the CRC. Ironically, I’m still a member, but my kids(the third generation) are not. The church I relied on to be a steady place on which to stand, has shifted. Where are we going?
Posted in: Synod 2025: A Quick Intro
I kind of get tripped up with the term heading unity in diversity. To me it sounds like an oxymoron, an expression using “smooth words” (Romans 18:18)to cause confusion. Would it not be much better to seek unity in harmony?
Posted in: How Should CRCNA Members Use AI in Ministry Settings?
What makes me very apprehensive about AI, is the fact that all the information (data) generated is based on numbers, 0s and 1s. That makes me think of the Revelation “beast” whose number is 666. Is the “beast” AI? How do you answer that?
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.