Too often I think I can go it alone in many aspects of life, including my specifically church-related work. And I think that to my own detriment, as I suspect many others do, too! Thanks for these inspiring reflections. ~Stan
Changing the pronouns to the plural makes "Come, Celebrate the Call of God" appropriate for the ordination and installation of deacons and elders, too, I think. But I must admit that I do not understand the last four lines of the last verse... What does the "flag of faith" defeat above? The "powers of death" from two lines up? And is it the "deepest gladness" of the one being ordained that "meets the hunger of the world?" Meets as in encounters or as in fills? I'm a little confused. =/
Thanks in advance for clarifying. ...And thank you, Joy, for this insightful and helpful article!
Hi Melissa! I'm looking forward to your contributions to the Network! (And your link to our classis website reminds me of my summer project to complete it! Did you try clicking on Links or Contacts?) ~Stan
I'm thankful you did this, George. I appreciate your take on things and how you help us reflect on and engage what's happening at synod. I'd love for you to do this again next year! =) Stan
Telkwa CRC has been encouraging giving testimonies during worship for a while now. We have the philosophy that professing our faith is something we're called to do regularly -- daily in whatever context we find ourselves! -- and not solely on one formal occasion.
At the front of the sanctuary, we're creating a "monument" made of rocks, following the lead of the Israelites after they passed through the Jordan River (Joshua 4; they did this at other times, too). When someone gives a testimony, they're invited to take a rock (either from our stash in a corner or one they found themselves) and add it to the growing pile. Each rock represents a specific example of God at work in a person. A while ago, whoever was interested went on a "field trip" after a morning service to the nearby river bank to collect some rocks for our stash; this was a great way to involve the kids!
We don't do this every week, but at least a couple times a month, people are invited to come forward to share how they've recently encountered God. Sometimes it's connected with the message -- e.g. "How have you experienced for yourself what we've been talking about this morning?" People are invited to just come up as they feel led during a time of quiet reflection/silent prayer; that way, everyone has something to "do" regardless of whether they choose to come forward to share something.
We are being encouraged by hearing how God is active in our church in the lives of individuals and groups. The stones pile is a good, visible reminder of this.
...So are these young adults actually interested in synod now, or does synod remain kind of hokey or irrelevant for them, as if it's something only for the "old guard" of the church? Just curious. I DO think it's a fun video and very well done. Stan
By the way, Reformed Worship has a MIDI file for "How Many Kings" (a song I recently discovered and am quite enjoying), but I suggest listening to it with this YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UyiAnUE53U .
Thanks, George. I had a conversation about this a couple weeks ago with someone wondering about the "authority" of synod. I didn't use the word "broadest," but I think I nevertheless captured your perspective. Next time, that word will be included in my vocabulary on the subject.
Posted in: Can We Be Friends?
Too often I think I can go it alone in many aspects of life, including my specifically church-related work. And I think that to my own detriment, as I suspect many others do, too! Thanks for these inspiring reflections. ~Stan
Posted in: Ordination and Installation Services
Changing the pronouns to the plural makes "Come, Celebrate the Call of God" appropriate for the ordination and installation of deacons and elders, too, I think. But I must admit that I do not understand the last four lines of the last verse... What does the "flag of faith" defeat above? The "powers of death" from two lines up? And is it the "deepest gladness" of the one being ordained that "meets the hunger of the world?" Meets as in encounters or as in fills? I'm a little confused. =/
Thanks in advance for clarifying. ...And thank you, Joy, for this insightful and helpful article!
Stan
Posted in: New Guide Takes The Stage
Hi Melissa! I'm looking forward to your contributions to the Network! (And your link to our classis website reminds me of my summer project to complete it! Did you try clicking on Links or Contacts?) ~Stan
Posted in: Farewell and Feedback
I'm thankful you did this, George. I appreciate your take on things and how you help us reflect on and engage what's happening at synod. I'd love for you to do this again next year! =) Stan
Posted in: Faith Stories and Testimonies
Telkwa CRC has been encouraging giving testimonies during worship for a while now. We have the philosophy that professing our faith is something we're called to do regularly -- daily in whatever context we find ourselves! -- and not solely on one formal occasion.
At the front of the sanctuary, we're creating a "monument" made of rocks, following the lead of the Israelites after they passed through the Jordan River (Joshua 4; they did this at other times, too). When someone gives a testimony, they're invited to take a rock (either from our stash in a corner or one they found themselves) and add it to the growing pile. Each rock represents a specific example of God at work in a person. A while ago, whoever was interested went on a "field trip" after a morning service to the nearby river bank to collect some rocks for our stash; this was a great way to involve the kids!
We don't do this every week, but at least a couple times a month, people are invited to come forward to share how they've recently encountered God. Sometimes it's connected with the message -- e.g. "How have you experienced for yourself what we've been talking about this morning?" People are invited to just come up as they feel led during a time of quiet reflection/silent prayer; that way, everyone has something to "do" regardless of whether they choose to come forward to share something.
We are being encouraged by hearing how God is active in our church in the lives of individuals and groups. The stones pile is a good, visible reminder of this.
Posted in: A New E-newsletter...For Pastors
This is indeed a great idea. Thank you for helping clean up my email inbox!
~Stan
Posted in: What's In A Name? [VIDEO]
...So are these young adults actually interested in synod now, or does synod remain kind of hokey or irrelevant for them, as if it's something only for the "old guard" of the church? Just curious. I DO think it's a fun video and very well done. Stan
Posted in: Clearly Comic Relief - Maybe
You write so clearly, George!
=) Stan
Posted in: New Songs for Christmas
"One Small Child" by David Meece (written when he was 14 years old!) is becoming a favourite at Telkwa CRC.
"Mary, Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry is a personal favourite, not sure if I've sung it with a congregation yet.
– Stan
Posted in: New Songs for Christmas
By the way, Reformed Worship has a MIDI file for "How Many Kings" (a song I recently discovered and am quite enjoying), but I suggest listening to it with this YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UyiAnUE53U .
– Stan
Posted in: A Number of "Firsts" Characterize Synod 2011
Dear George (fellow synodical delegate in 2006),
I'm happy to see you leading the conversation in the synod section of the Network! You are very well qualified, imo! Blessings to you.
Stanley Groothof
Telkwa BC | Classis BCNW
Posted in: Does the CRC Have a Pope?
Thanks, George. I had a conversation about this a couple weeks ago with someone wondering about the "authority" of synod. I didn't use the word "broadest," but I think I nevertheless captured your perspective. Next time, that word will be included in my vocabulary on the subject.
~Stan