Alex Krikke

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!

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.

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.

Respectfully,  Alex Krikke.

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?

All of Scripture 

Sola Scriptura - selah

Sola Scriptura - Amen

I think those are very good questions. Allow me to suggest that sometimes, as my late father in law once said, we see too many bears along the paths, meaning of course, we tend to perhaps worry about a lot of things that could go wrong. Somewhere we need to follow the Spirit's leading and dependent more on God's providence, that He will smooth the path when we first take a step. You could also "tag team" with another volunteer, so you're not in it alone.

As to the disillusionment, I think the number one remedy is a show of appreciation by those directly affected by your volunteerism. 
Thank you for the volunteer work that you do, God Bless

Am I correct by inferring that you suggest a new discussion, this time on the "process"? Me thinks this is a smoke screen to enhance a pre determined outcome. The powers that be are really asking, "does God really say......? In His Word. Do you really think that because your child has "come out" that God's clear intentions are not valid? 
I'm reminded of the scriptures where Jesus stated words "Anyone who love their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me;anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37 NIV. Is that not what we're doing here? Because our children seek a path not consistent with scripture, and, because we love them, we want to change the plain meaning of scripture to suit how we feel about our children.

Please stop challenging scripture and concentrate more on our salvation, and end of our earthly life which will come soon enough.