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
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.
A couple years ago we went from approximately every other month (6-7 times a year) to once every 6 weeks or so (8-9 times a year). I was hoping that would be a step towards monthly celebration, but that step hasn't happened yet.
Thank you, Eric, for sharing that link. It articulates the concerns I have with Jesus Calling. I see challies.com does not allow for comments. For sake of fairness, I'd be interested to hear any substantive rebuttals to Tim Challies's 10 problems. Anyone?
Thanks Eric. Good food for thought. I don't have time now but I might come back to this at some point (probably when the next person gushes on about how much they love Jesus Calling!). ~Stanley
These aren't devotionals but our kids (and we as parents, too) have appreciated these over the years: :: Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago (highly recommended) :: Read with Me Bible illustrated by Dennis Jones (uses NIrV text) :: See with Me Bible: The Bible Told in Pictures illustrated by Dennis Jones
Here's the Worship Team mandate from Trinity CRC in Rock Valley IA.
Objectives
To achieve the stated purpose, the following objectives have been adopted:
The Team will administer the worship at Trinity.
The Team will promote the use of relevant worship at Trinity.
The Team will provide opportunities for members of Trinity to learn more about worship.
Membership
The membership of the Team will consist of seven (7) members of Trinity. A Church Council member will also be appointed to serve as a member of the team and as a liaison with the Council. The Pastor(s) will serve in an advisory role on the Team. Gifts that will be valuable for this team are creative communication, administration, leadership, helps, and discernment.
Terms of Service
The terms of service will initially be for three (3) years and will be staggered. The Council may ask a team member to serve for more than one (1) term.
Areas of Responsibility
The areas of responsibility include:
Maximizing meaningful participation and use of member’s gifts in worship.
Develop leadership in worship.
Supervise and coordinate the worship planning team.
Receive yearly report from a Children in Worship representative which includes a synopsis of the past year, positive, negatives and requests for assistance.
For what it's worth, I just finished serving a church where there were 4 deacons and 2 elders. This was based on the giftedness of the individuals who allowed their name to stand for council, though this also fit well with the needs of the church. (Ideally, at least one more elder would have made the workload more manageable.) Stan
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: 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
Posted in: How Often Does Your Church Take Communion?
A couple years ago we went from approximately every other month (6-7 times a year) to once every 6 weeks or so (8-9 times a year). I was hoping that would be a step towards monthly celebration, but that step hasn't happened yet.
Posted in: Church Rental Policy?
I found 2 resources here on the CRC website:
:: crcna.org/sites/default/files/model_church_facilities_2015.docx
:: network.crcna.org/church-admin-finance/facilities-use-policies
Posted in: Opinions on "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young
Thank you, Eric, for sharing that link. It articulates the concerns I have with Jesus Calling. I see challies.com does not allow for comments. For sake of fairness, I'd be interested to hear any substantive rebuttals to Tim Challies's 10 problems. Anyone?
Posted in: Opinions on "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young
Thanks Eric. Good food for thought. I don't have time now but I might come back to this at some point (probably when the next person gushes on about how much they love Jesus Calling!).
~Stanley
Posted in: Family Devotional?
These aren't devotionals but our kids (and we as parents, too) have appreciated these over the years:
:: Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago (highly recommended)
:: Read with Me Bible illustrated by Dennis Jones (uses NIrV text)
:: See with Me Bible: The Bible Told in Pictures illustrated by Dennis Jones
Posted in: Church Worship Committee Job Description
Here's the Worship Team mandate from Trinity CRC in Rock Valley IA.
Objectives
To achieve the stated purpose, the following objectives have been adopted:
Membership
The membership of the Team will consist of seven (7) members of Trinity. A Church Council member will also be appointed to serve as a member of the team and as a liaison with the Council. The Pastor(s) will serve in an advisory role on the Team.
Gifts that will be valuable for this team are creative communication, administration, leadership, helps, and discernment.
Terms of Service
The terms of service will initially be for three (3) years and will be staggered. The Council may ask a team member to serve for more than one (1) term.
Areas of Responsibility
The areas of responsibility include:
Posted in: Do Ministers Vote in Council Meetings?
Thank you, everyone so far. Good reminder, Ken! ~Stan
Posted in: Is there any rule about having an equal number of elders and deacons?
For what it's worth, I just finished serving a church where there were 4 deacons and 2 elders. This was based on the giftedness of the individuals who allowed their name to stand for council, though this also fit well with the needs of the church. (Ideally, at least one more elder would have made the workload more manageable.) Stan