I would highly recommend these resources - they are thorough, pastoral, and adaptable. The decisions of the last 3 synods will be difficult to process and implement - and these resources could prove very helpful. I would suggest using them at your classis level as well as the local church. I think these three categories of churches are good, but after 'bearing witness' to synod and the denomination over the last several years, I would add a fourth category - way at the top of the list. This would be churches that are happy with the new direction of the CRC and are ready to go back to their ministry of strengthening the families in the congregation and supporting missions overseas. They are happy this HSR discussion is done and they are eager not to think about it anymore. I've witnessed no desire to fully embrace and include the LGBTQ+ community into the churches in this 4th category. BUT - having said that, I would also say if this is where your church is, this resource is also for you. As part of the CRC body that is experiencing significant disruption around this, you also need to talk about it - and Sean and this resource will provide the tools to do that in a healthy way.
Eric, it looks like we agree on a lot here, including the importance of regular and intentional lament. As for synod, yes, the list of specific laments could be long. I think my point is that most people, churches, and classes will move on after synod with no further thought (and most people in the pew do not read the Acts of Synod). Before the CRC moves on, it seems some lament is appropriate. As Christ followers we lament with hope of Jesus' return, and it's good to say together, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Thanks, Corey, I'm not a theologian, but I love the CRC and it's rich history. I just pray that God will do something new this year (and I have no idea what that is) to bless us all as we keep working together for the kingdom.
Thank you, Angie, for sharing Eloise's life and story. She truly was created and dearly loved by God. While I can't pretend to know your grief and pain, your courage is clear. God will use her life and your story to save others.
Amen, Karen! And a big WOW! on those quilts, Kory! However we do it, I agree that this is a good opportunity to pray together for our kids (big and small) and our educators. The editors for Lift Up Your Hearts also thought of marking this moment in worship, and included #274 - a song that says "In all our learning, give us grace to bow ourselves before your face..." (verse 2), along with a spoken prayer for teachers and learners. I also love the simple chorus-like feel of #129 - a song that young and old could sing together with simple percussion, repeating the phrase "We will follow, we will follow Jesus....through the valleys...to the mountains...in the city...in our classroom...in our calling.
Incorporate the scripture with the flow of the singing. There are many ways to weave music and the Word, depending on the scripture passage, of course. But here are some possibilities:
1) have the congregation sing vs. 1 of Speak O Lord (755 in LUYH), have the children speak the scripture, and then have all sing vs. 2 & 3.
2) choose a children's song that is a favorite from Sunday School that can lead into or out of the scripture, and have them sing (cong joining is option)
3) have a 'theme song' for the kids & congregation that is done each time the children do their scripture in church, such as #761 in LUYH (I Will Hide Your Word Inside My Heart), LUYH #762 - Ancient Words, or any song of your choice (Thy Word, by Amy Grant). Sometimes repetition is good not only for the kids but also for the congregation.
May God go before you to lead you; May God go behind you to guard you; May God go beneath you to support you; May God go beside you to befriend you. Do not be afraid. Let the blessing of God come upon you today. Do note be afraid.
(this first one from Lift Up Your Hearts #946, more found #937, #936, #934, #935, #950, #954, )
The new one below from a service of prayer for the church in Syria (Dec. 2016, This Liturgy has been written by Adeeb Awad, Sabine Dressler, Hadi Ghantous, Najla Kassab, Hartmut Smoor
Sending and Blessings
Liturgist: See, how very good and pleasant it is when kindred stay together in unity.
Congregation: It is like the precious oil on the head that nurtures us and grands us high regard.
Liturgist: How very good it is to care for each other now and in the time to come.
Congregation: By this we become a blessing to each other by this we become a blessing to the world.
Liturgist: Now leave, protected by God, and go where God will use as instruments of peace. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May God make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
You are right in what you've said, Betty. But I've come to really appreciate the folks who offer the copyright licensing opportunities for churches and worshiping communities (CCLI, OneLicense.net, and LicenSing). While technology offers us the means to project and copy music, the law still has requirements and regulations attached to those acts. These copyright licensing organizations have bundled hundreds of thousands of hymns and songs and offered them under one license. If that was not available, we would have to go individually to each author, composer, or publisher for each song for permission every time we wanted to sing it. And there is no set fee that can be charged - it could be any amount, though the standard is probably between $15.00 - $40.00 for a single use.
So while it seems like a hassle and added expense, I've found that these people have a real heart for ministry, and are doing their best to assist the churches' worship in the 21st century.
Hi Doug - Here is a link to a sound technology training given by Greg Scheer last spring - it's a video (with accompanying handout) that you can share with your team or anyone who wants to watch it.
I'm interested to see what responses you get to this post - the question about training for sound technology gets asked a lot. I've just posted this video as a new Resource post as well. (if these links don't work, watch for the post).
Another good resource is The Worship Sourcebook - it has many prayers suggested for the different elements of the worship service - prayers can be read directly or used as a guideline to pray your own prayer. There is also Prayers of the People - a shorter book of model prayers to help someone pray in church. I would think these could be helpful training tools.
Posted in: Three Responses to Synod 2024
I would highly recommend these resources - they are thorough, pastoral, and adaptable. The decisions of the last 3 synods will be difficult to process and implement - and these resources could prove very helpful. I would suggest using them at your classis level as well as the local church.
I think these three categories of churches are good, but after 'bearing witness' to synod and the denomination over the last several years, I would add a fourth category - way at the top of the list. This would be churches that are happy with the new direction of the CRC and are ready to go back to their ministry of strengthening the families in the congregation and supporting missions overseas. They are happy this HSR discussion is done and they are eager not to think about it anymore. I've witnessed no desire to fully embrace and include the LGBTQ+ community into the churches in this 4th category. BUT - having said that, I would also say if this is where your church is, this resource is also for you. As part of the CRC body that is experiencing significant disruption around this, you also need to talk about it - and Sean and this resource will provide the tools to do that in a healthy way.
Posted in: Where is the Lament?
Eric, it looks like we agree on a lot here, including the importance of regular and intentional lament. As for synod, yes, the list of specific laments could be long. I think my point is that most people, churches, and classes will move on after synod with no further thought (and most people in the pew do not read the Acts of Synod). Before the CRC moves on, it seems some lament is appropriate. As Christ followers we lament with hope of Jesus' return, and it's good to say together, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Posted in: Will God Do Something New?
Thanks, Corey, I'm not a theologian, but I love the CRC and it's rich history. I just pray that God will do something new this year (and I have no idea what that is) to bless us all as we keep working together for the kingdom.
Posted in: What to Do - And Not Do - in Church on Mother's Day
Beautiful! Thank you, Ken.
Posted in: Eloise's Story
Thank you, Angie, for sharing Eloise's life and story. She truly was created and dearly loved by God. While I can't pretend to know your grief and pain, your courage is clear. God will use her life and your story to save others.
Posted in: Back to School With a Blessing
Amen, Karen! And a big WOW! on those quilts, Kory! However we do it, I agree that this is a good opportunity to pray together for our kids (big and small) and our educators. The editors for Lift Up Your Hearts also thought of marking this moment in worship, and included #274 - a song that says "In all our learning, give us grace to bow ourselves before your face..." (verse 2), along with a spoken prayer for teachers and learners. I also love the simple chorus-like feel of #129 - a song that young and old could sing together with simple percussion, repeating the phrase "We will follow, we will follow Jesus....through the valleys...to the mountains...in the city...in our classroom...in our calling.
Posted in: Ideas for Children Reciting Scripture?
Incorporate the scripture with the flow of the singing. There are many ways to weave music and the Word, depending on the scripture passage, of course. But here are some possibilities:
1) have the congregation sing vs. 1 of Speak O Lord (755 in LUYH), have the children speak the scripture, and then have all sing vs. 2 & 3.
2) choose a children's song that is a favorite from Sunday School that can lead into or out of the scripture, and have them sing (cong joining is option)
3) have a 'theme song' for the kids & congregation that is done each time the children do their scripture in church, such as #761 in LUYH (I Will Hide Your Word Inside My Heart), LUYH #762 - Ancient Words, or any song of your choice (Thy Word, by Amy Grant). Sometimes repetition is good not only for the kids but also for the congregation.
Posted in: Dinner Church or Meal Church?
This was just posted this week - check out this new approach to dinner and church. https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/getting-know-your-neighbors
Posted in: Benedictions for Worship?
A few blessings and benedictions:
May God go before you to lead you;
May God go behind you to guard you;
May God go beneath you to support you;
May God go beside you to befriend you.
Do not be afraid. Let the blessing of God come upon you today.
Do note be afraid.
(this first one from Lift Up Your Hearts #946, more found #937, #936, #934, #935, #950, #954, )
The new one below from a service of prayer for the church in Syria (Dec. 2016, This Liturgy has been written by Adeeb Awad, Sabine Dressler, Hadi Ghantous, Najla Kassab, Hartmut Smoor
Sending and Blessings
Liturgist: See, how very good and pleasant it is when kindred stay together in unity.
Congregation: It is like the precious oil on the head that nurtures us and grands us high regard.
Liturgist: How very good it is to care for each other now and in the time to come.
Congregation: By this we become a blessing to each other by this we become a blessing to the world.
Liturgist: Now leave, protected by God, and go where God will use as instruments of peace. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May God make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Congregation: Amen
Posted in: What Copyright Licenses Do I Need?
You are right in what you've said, Betty. But I've come to really appreciate the folks who offer the copyright licensing opportunities for churches and worshiping communities (CCLI, OneLicense.net, and LicenSing). While technology offers us the means to project and copy music, the law still has requirements and regulations attached to those acts. These copyright licensing organizations have bundled hundreds of thousands of hymns and songs and offered them under one license. If that was not available, we would have to go individually to each author, composer, or publisher for each song for permission every time we wanted to sing it. And there is no set fee that can be charged - it could be any amount, though the standard is probably between $15.00 - $40.00 for a single use.
So while it seems like a hassle and added expense, I've found that these people have a real heart for ministry, and are doing their best to assist the churches' worship in the 21st century.
Posted in: Training Tools for Sound Techs?
Hi Doug - Here is a link to a sound technology training given by Greg Scheer last spring - it's a video (with accompanying handout) that you can share with your team or anyone who wants to watch it.
http://network.crcna.org/audio-visuals/training-sound-technology
I'm interested to see what responses you get to this post - the question about training for sound technology gets asked a lot. I've just posted this video as a new Resource post as well. (if these links don't work, watch for the post).
Posted in: How Are Elders and Prayer Leaders Equipped to Pray for Worship and With Others After Worship?
Another good resource is The Worship Sourcebook - it has many prayers suggested for the different elements of the worship service - prayers can be read directly or used as a guideline to pray your own prayer. There is also Prayers of the People - a shorter book of model prayers to help someone pray in church. I would think these could be helpful training tools.