Diane, I have a Word document with a bunch of contemporary songs we sing here at Telkwa CRC. I've "tagged" each song with its topic(s) and/or Scripture reference(s). It's likely not entirely what you're looking for, but if it sounds helpful, I can email it to you. Stanley Groothof
My hardcopies go in the recycling bin. Everything on my office computer is regularly backed up in two locations.
The file names of my sermons are based on the Scripture reading. Each file is stored in an appropriate subfolder (e.g. "OT Poetry," "NT Epistle"). When my sermon collection gets bigger, I may refine that even more as some of those folders are getting pretty large. In addition, like Todd above, I maintain a database listing my sermon texts, titles, and a few comments.
Sometimes I think about all the sermon manuscripts that go in the recycling bin each week, each month, each year... Having a notebook computer up front with my manuscript seems too "intrusive," getting in between me and the congregation. An iPad, however... Hmmm... =)
My trusty Worship Sourcebook says this about the opening elements of worship in general:
"The opening actions of a worship service should clearly establish worship’s purpose. They should make clear that in worship a congregation is called to listen to God and to respond in faith and prayer. This suggests three kinds of actions — a clear statement of God’s invitation to worship, an opportunity for the congregation to respond in praise, and some action that reinforces the public, communal nature of worship." (p. 45)
Then, about God's greeting in particular, it says:
"The words of greeting establish the lines of communication in worship. God always comes to us before we come to God. So it is fitting for worship to begin with scriptural words that convey God’s greeting to us (historically referred to in some traditions as the 'salutation')." (p. 56)
When I lead in the greeting, I sometimes remind the congregation that the words I use do not originate with me, but with God. Not only do the people of the church welcome each other, but God Himself is delighted we have responded to His call to worship and let's us know that when we hear His greeting. God's greeting reminds me and the congregation that God is present as we worship.
As for the history of the greeting, I suspect that goes wa-a-a-y back, but I'll have to leave that for someone else to answer.
I've compiled what we've come to call an Officerbearer Handbook for the deacons and elders of Telkwa CRC. It includes policies and documents such as...
:: safe church policy
:: profession of faith procedures
:: facilities usage standards
:: rental policy
:: privacy policy
:: society act
But that's just the tail end of the booklet. It begins with leadership roles/responsibilities, followed with the mandates of our various committees, and then various resources for elders (e.g. family visit helps, rules of order, sermon evaluation form, worship resources) and deacons (e.g. "Servant Leaders" brochure from Diaconal Ministries Canada). I'll look up your email address in the Yearbook and email it to you.
I seem to recall our lawyer suggesting not to include a statement about this in our Society Act, but I don't remember why. However, he did suggest that noting this in our rental policy is a prudent thing to do. He referred to a case where someone asked to use some church facility for a marriage; the church said 'yes' and only afterwards found out it was a same-sex couple. When the church wanted to back out of the rental arrangement, the couple took the church to court. If I recall our lawyer's take on the situation, the court case could have been prevented if the church's rental policy noted this in the first place. (Please do not construe this as official legal advice!)
So, our rental policy now includes this paragraph in its notices section:
[quote]Church rentals are at the discretion of the church council. The church limits the use of the church facilities to church-approved programs and purposes that are consistent with the church’s beliefs. In the case of rentals for wedding ceremonies and/or receptions, the church has a policy in which it is recognized that marriage is an institution ordained by God. It is a covenant relationship established by mutual vows between a man and a woman united by God. The church provides that all clergy under our employ and any retired pastors whose credentials we hold recognize marriage as an institution ordained by God, a covenant relationship between one man and one woman.[/quote]
We were advised to avoid the language of "lifelong covenant relationships;" if we tolerate divorce and remarriage, it could jeopardizethe entire statement.
If you're interested, our entire rental policy is here.
Thanks for this helpful, memorable overview. The link for the "decision-making process" near the beginning doesn't work for me though. Can someone point it to the right resource? Blessings! ~Stanley
I appreciated this panel conversation very much. I was convicted with the truth of how easy it is to spend more time meditating on the words of my news feeds rather than on the Word of God which leads to the malformation of my soul. The comments on the present polarization and judgment that characterizes so much conversation and division over COVID-19 were timely. Thank you for the practical hope offered at the end!
Posted in: Where can I find a Contemporary Christian Songs Topical Index?
Diane, I have a Word document with a bunch of contemporary songs we sing here at Telkwa CRC. I've "tagged" each song with its topic(s) and/or Scripture reference(s). It's likely not entirely what you're looking for, but if it sounds helpful, I can email it to you. Stanley Groothof
Posted in: Where can I find a Contemporary Christian Songs Topical Index?
In addition to CCLI, you can also search songs by topic at www.hymnary.org.
Posted in: Best Practices for Filing Sermons?
My hardcopies go in the recycling bin. Everything on my office computer is regularly backed up in two locations.
The file names of my sermons are based on the Scripture reading. Each file is stored in an appropriate subfolder (e.g. "OT Poetry," "NT Epistle"). When my sermon collection gets bigger, I may refine that even more as some of those folders are getting pretty large. In addition, like Todd above, I maintain a database listing my sermon texts, titles, and a few comments.
Sometimes I think about all the sermon manuscripts that go in the recycling bin each week, each month, each year... Having a notebook computer up front with my manuscript seems too "intrusive," getting in between me and the congregation. An iPad, however... Hmmm... =)
~Stan
Posted in: What is the precedent for a "God's Greeting" in worship services?
My trusty Worship Sourcebook says this about the opening elements of worship in general:
"The opening actions of a worship service should clearly establish worship’s purpose. They should make clear that in worship a congregation is called to listen to God and to respond in faith and prayer. This suggests three kinds of actions — a clear statement of God’s invitation to worship, an opportunity for the congregation to respond in praise, and some action that reinforces the public, communal nature of worship." (p. 45)
Then, about God's greeting in particular, it says:
"The words of greeting establish the lines of communication in worship. God always comes to us before we come to God. So it is fitting for worship to begin with scriptural words that convey God’s greeting to us (historically referred to in some traditions as the 'salutation')." (p. 56)
When I lead in the greeting, I sometimes remind the congregation that the words I use do not originate with me, but with God. Not only do the people of the church welcome each other, but God Himself is delighted we have responded to His call to worship and let's us know that when we hear His greeting. God's greeting reminds me and the congregation that God is present as we worship.
As for the history of the greeting, I suspect that goes wa-a-a-y back, but I'll have to leave that for someone else to answer.
Peace to you.
Stanley
Posted in: What are the necessary elements of a good church policy manual?
Hi John,
I've compiled what we've come to call an Officerbearer Handbook for the deacons and elders of Telkwa CRC. It includes policies and documents such as...
:: safe church policy
:: profession of faith procedures
:: facilities usage standards
:: rental policy
:: privacy policy
:: society act
But that's just the tail end of the booklet. It begins with leadership roles/responsibilities, followed with the mandates of our various committees, and then various resources for elders (e.g. family visit helps, rules of order, sermon evaluation form, worship resources) and deacons (e.g. "Servant Leaders" brochure from Diaconal Ministries Canada). I'll look up your email address in the Yearbook and email it to you.
Blessings to you!
Stanley
Posted in: What sample forms are available that outline the CRC stance on refusing to perform same-sex marriages?
Hi Henk! I hope you and Smithville CRC are well!
I seem to recall our lawyer suggesting not to include a statement about this in our Society Act, but I don't remember why. However, he did suggest that noting this in our rental policy is a prudent thing to do. He referred to a case where someone asked to use some church facility for a marriage; the church said 'yes' and only afterwards found out it was a same-sex couple. When the church wanted to back out of the rental arrangement, the couple took the church to court. If I recall our lawyer's take on the situation, the court case could have been prevented if the church's rental policy noted this in the first place. (Please do not construe this as official legal advice!)
So, our rental policy now includes this paragraph in its notices section:
[quote]Church rentals are at the discretion of the church council. The church limits the use of the church facilities to church-approved programs and purposes that are consistent with the church’s beliefs. In the case of rentals for wedding ceremonies and/or receptions, the church has a policy in which it is recognized that marriage is an institution ordained by God. It is a covenant relationship established by mutual vows between a man and a woman united by God. The church provides that all clergy under our employ and any retired pastors whose credentials we hold recognize marriage as an institution ordained by God, a covenant relationship between one man and one woman.[/quote]
We were advised to avoid the language of "lifelong covenant relationships;" if we tolerate divorce and remarriage, it could jeopardizethe entire statement.
If you're interested, our entire rental policy is here.
Peace,
Stan
Posted in: Do you write a blog?
Hi Josh,
I think you've been to my blog before: 4thpoint.wordpress.com. Here's the list of blogs that the weekly "For CRC Pastors" e-newsletter follows.
Peace,
Stan
Posted in: What can you do when your church is not meeting its budget?
Thank you, Ron, for tackling this question! Can you either describe or point to an example somewhere of a "narrative budget format?" Blessings, Stan
Posted in: Rush, Hush and Mush: 3 Keys to Bad Decisions
Thanks for this helpful, memorable overview. The link for the "decision-making process" near the beginning doesn't work for me though. Can someone point it to the right resource? Blessings!
~Stanley
Posted in: Let’s Join Hands and Pray
Beautiful. Profound. Thank you.
~Stanley
Posted in: COVID and Council: The Conversation You’re Dreading Is the Opportunity the World Is Waiting For
I appreciated this panel conversation very much. I was convicted with the truth of how easy it is to spend more time meditating on the words of my news feeds rather than on the Word of God which leads to the malformation of my soul. The comments on the present polarization and judgment that characterizes so much conversation and division over COVID-19 were timely. Thank you for the practical hope offered at the end!
Posted in: Decision-making During COVID-19 Requires Courage and Humility
Thanks, Cecil. I appreciate your writing, always characterized by wisdom and grace. ~Stanley