Thanks for the good thoughts here! I like the paragraphs about accountability – they're kinda funny yet hold a lot of unspoken truth. I plan to share this with our church staff. ~Stanley
I bought this the day it became available. It's a very insightful, fresh translation that helps me appreciate the culture of the New Testament through the lens of the culture of First Nations peoples instead of my own. It's a gift to be treasured from our indigenous brothers and sisters.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and important reminders. How sad to witness when people deny in words or actions that every human being is made in the image of God and is loved by Him. ~Stanley
Just read this in the Dordt Voice that people might also appreciate: https://voice.dordt.edu/2019/06/07/on-civil-discourse. It asks what our first priority should be in conversations on divisive topics – to be right or to be good?
Bob captures why I sometimes feel more satisfaction after mowing the lawn or vacuuming than in preparing a message – I can see the rows in the grass or in the carpet! A file stored in my computer or even a few sheets of paper feel underwhelming in comparison.
Thanks for the reminder that sometimes "dimmer" lights signalling the way to the Kingdom outlast the brighter lights of great ratings according to much of our culture.
I think "Confession" is meant to be a title for a section that includes "Call to Confession" through "Response of Thanksgiving." I think "Gathering/Praise," "Proclamation," "Response to the Word," "Lord's Supper," and "Sending" are also supposed to be section titles. It would have been helpful if they had appeared in bold or italics or something to distinguish them from the elements within the sections. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! Stanley
With its regularity, the Lord's Supper may sometimes seem the more significant of the two sacraments. Thank you for this helpful theology and these practical suggestions that keep baptism at the forefront, too! Stanley
Of course, there's something to be said about aesthetics. Frankly, I think the bright yellow text on the blue background in the projector sample looks very unpleasant. To avoid glare/car headlights effect, perhaps a black or dark blue background with light grey (as opposed to bright white) sans serif text would work? Something like this perhaps... https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0ATmyBsyV0TpjZGNzZHJ0MnBfMDduMmN2c2dr&hl=en&authkey=CPaTorIM. (Feel free to edit it.)
Thanks Marcel! I really appreciated these reflections. About "quiet time," I refrain from turning on my computer until I've spent some time in Scripture reading and prayer as well as sometimes silence or journalling. I usually can't get too far in my work without the computer, so the quiet time happens consistently near the start of my day!
Something that I recommend to youth leaders and other pastors is praying through your up-to-date church directory. We have a small church, so I only have 2 or 3 pages to go through per day and I'm done in 5 days; in larger contexts, leaders may have to work through their directories over a couple weeks. Regardless, the point is that you are praying for the people you are serving. Seeing someone's name may remind you of a joy or need about which you can pray and maybe act upon. Also, repeatedly putting them in God's hands can perhaps help reduce some messiah complexes!
The youth leaders of Telkwa CRC consistently pray for the church's youth. I am convinced that is connected with the effectiveness of their ministry.
Posted in: Church Staff: Life Behind the Customer Service Counter
Thanks for the good thoughts here! I like the paragraphs about accountability – they're kinda funny yet hold a lot of unspoken truth. I plan to share this with our church staff. ~Stanley
Posted in: Prayer for Ukraine: Two Year Anniversary
Thank you for sharing this.
Posted in: This Thanksgiving, Read the New Testament With First Nations Eyes
I bought this the day it became available. It's a very insightful, fresh translation that helps me appreciate the culture of the New Testament through the lens of the culture of First Nations peoples instead of my own. It's a gift to be treasured from our indigenous brothers and sisters.
Posted in: Breaking Barriers Fall 2021
I was looking for the pdf version too. I'm hoping that by leaving a note here, I'll get the notification when it's available. Thanks!
Posted in: We Are All God’s Children
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and important reminders. How sad to witness when people deny in words or actions that every human being is made in the image of God and is loved by Him.
~Stanley
Posted in: Good Conversations on Polarizing Political Issues
Just read this in the Dordt Voice that people might also appreciate: https://voice.dordt.edu/2019/06/07/on-civil-discourse. It asks what our first priority should be in conversations on divisive topics – to be right or to be good?
Posted in: Defining Success in Ministry
Bob captures why I sometimes feel more satisfaction after mowing the lawn or vacuuming than in preparing a message – I can see the rows in the grass or in the carpet! A file stored in my computer or even a few sheets of paper feel underwhelming in comparison.
Thanks for the reminder that sometimes "dimmer" lights signalling the way to the Kingdom outlast the brighter lights of great ratings according to much of our culture.
Posted in: A Historic Order of Worship
I think "Confession" is meant to be a title for a section that includes "Call to Confession" through "Response of Thanksgiving." I think "Gathering/Praise," "Proclamation," "Response to the Word," "Lord's Supper," and "Sending" are also supposed to be section titles. It would have been helpful if they had appeared in bold or italics or something to distinguish them from the elements within the sections. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! Stanley
Posted in: Remembering Baptisms: Living Wet
With its regularity, the Lord's Supper may sometimes seem the more significant of the two sacraments. Thank you for this helpful theology and these practical suggestions that keep baptism at the forefront, too! Stanley
Posted in: Using Computers for Inclusive Worship
Of course, there's something to be said about aesthetics. Frankly, I think the bright yellow text on the blue background in the projector sample looks very unpleasant. To avoid glare/car headlights effect, perhaps a black or dark blue background with light grey (as opposed to bright white) sans serif text would work? Something like this perhaps... https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0ATmyBsyV0TpjZGNzZHJ0MnBfMDduMmN2c2dr&hl=en&authkey=CPaTorIM. (Feel free to edit it.)
Respectfully,
Stanley
Posted in: Reading the Bible – Holding the Hand
Thanks Marcel! I really appreciated these reflections. About "quiet time," I refrain from turning on my computer until I've spent some time in Scripture reading and prayer as well as sometimes silence or journalling. I usually can't get too far in my work without the computer, so the quiet time happens consistently near the start of my day!
Something that I recommend to youth leaders and other pastors is praying through your up-to-date church directory. We have a small church, so I only have 2 or 3 pages to go through per day and I'm done in 5 days; in larger contexts, leaders may have to work through their directories over a couple weeks. Regardless, the point is that you are praying for the people you are serving. Seeing someone's name may remind you of a joy or need about which you can pray and maybe act upon. Also, repeatedly putting them in God's hands can perhaps help reduce some messiah complexes!
The youth leaders of Telkwa CRC consistently pray for the church's youth. I am convinced that is connected with the effectiveness of their ministry.
Peace,
Stanley
Posted in: "We Are Not Forsaken": a Funeral Sermon
Yes, thank you for sharing this. I hope many people read it. Stanley