Well, this is most fitting for me as I've just started serving an enthusiastic and caring and older congregation. (Not sure if you can still call me a "younger pastor!") I am hopeful as I look to the future, that God still has Kingdom work for us to do. Meanwhile, one thing I also say to myself is that I will love the church as it is and not as I imagine/wish it would be. If God doubles our size, great! If we shrink, still to God be praised. Thanks for helping us see the big picture and beautifully connecting it with Ps 46. ~Stan
Thank you, Sarah, for your work as Network Manager – it's appreciated. I imagine the role presents its challenges but I'm pleased to hear how it's a blessing for you too. Happy Thanksgiving!
So insightful! I think it happens subtly for church life to mutate into organized religion. Granted, some organization is required (admin, planning, etc. – and I enjoy those sorts of tasks), but it's easy for me to get more caught up in the religion than in the relationships, to excessively focus on what I have to get done at the expense of living into the reality of what Christ has accomplished for me.
I really appreciated this series with its insights I had not considered before but now want to keep in front of me when I think about and preach on these texts. Thank you!
I appreciate your questions, Rob. I'd love for the council at the church where I serve to grapple with these questions, but the flag is a sacred cow in my context. I've been hesitant to say anything publicly partly due to me being a Canadian serving in an American church. Many churches in the area have one at the front their worship space; it's just "normal" (except for me).
We also have the so-called Christian flag up front. I really dislike that one too – looks like we want "such as all the other nations have."
I would be interested in someone giving a defense for keeping an American flag in the worship space. Maybe there's something we're not considering.
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.
Posted in: Ten Years from Now
Well, this is most fitting for me as I've just started serving an enthusiastic and caring and older congregation. (Not sure if you can still call me a "younger pastor!") I am hopeful as I look to the future, that God still has Kingdom work for us to do. Meanwhile, one thing I also say to myself is that I will love the church as it is and not as I imagine/wish it would be. If God doubles our size, great! If we shrink, still to God be praised. Thanks for helping us see the big picture and beautifully connecting it with Ps 46. ~Stan
Posted in: Grateful
Thank you, Sarah, for your work as Network Manager – it's appreciated. I imagine the role presents its challenges but I'm pleased to hear how it's a blessing for you too. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted in: How Many CRC Churches Still Teach Catechism?
Hi Andrew! Are you willing to share more details about the material you've crafted? Or even the material itself?
[email protected]
Posted in: Because Jesus Didn't Die to Start a Country Club
So insightful! I think it happens subtly for church life to mutate into organized religion. Granted, some organization is required (admin, planning, etc. – and I enjoy those sorts of tasks), but it's easy for me to get more caught up in the religion than in the relationships, to excessively focus on what I have to get done at the expense of living into the reality of what Christ has accomplished for me.
Posted in: Recognizing the Image of God in Every Body, Story 4: Jesus and Zacchaeus
I really appreciated this series with its insights I had not considered before but now want to keep in front of me when I think about and preach on these texts. Thank you!
Posted in: What Are Your Policies Concerning Flags in Church and Worship Spaces?
I appreciate your questions, Rob. I'd love for the council at the church where I serve to grapple with these questions, but the flag is a sacred cow in my context. I've been hesitant to say anything publicly partly due to me being a Canadian serving in an American church. Many churches in the area have one at the front their worship space; it's just "normal" (except for me).
We also have the so-called Christian flag up front. I really dislike that one too – looks like we want "such as all the other nations have."
I would be interested in someone giving a defense for keeping an American flag in the worship space. Maybe there's something we're not considering.
Posted in: Do You Have Gift Books for New Members?
At Trinity CRC (Rock Valley, IA), we have given new members a copy of New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.
At the baptism of infants and children, we give the family a copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago.
PS: I really appreciate Seeking God's Face and think that's a good choice too.
Posted in: How Do You Use Your Church Space Creatively?
Trinity CRC in Rock Valley hosts/offers ESL classes several evenings a week. We're also an emergency shelter location in case of storms/tornados.
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!