You have expressed my sentiments exactly. We should not define ecclessiastical so that it excludes "political" expreession on clearly stated Scriptural or confessional topics. I pray that synod will keep the wisdom of your comment s in mind.
I'm now 72 and a retired CRCNA pastor. Early in my career I would come up against the suggestion that I should consider going RCA since that had a better retirement plan for pastors. Of course I never considered doing that but It made me question if the defined pension plan we have is better than the RCA contribution plan. I really never pursued this then nor do I want to now. Our younger pastors however have much more of a stake in this than I. I hope they respond.
Posted in: 'Guide for a Clergy Leave of Absence for Mental Health Reasons' Toolkit
Kudos to Mark Stephenson and the entire team who assembled the guidelines for requesting a leave of absence for pastors with mental health issues.
This document/toolkit will serve Pastors, councils, and churches well.
Thank you immensely,
Larry Van Essen
Posted in: BOT Highlights - February 2015
I do not understand the wordig in number 4, Has Dr. Timmermans been ordained?
Posted in: Communities of Care: The Church and Mental Illness
Thanks Steve
Larry Van Essen
Posted in: Mental Health and the Church - Recordings of Saddleback Conference
Thanks for placing these on the network.
Posted in: Giving Support in Times of Depression
This is a very thoughtful article on depression and how the church can help.
Larry
Posted in: Why Clergy Should Get Some Kind of Special Entitlement for Housing?
I think it is the same reason farmers and dairymen get subsidies as well as large oil companies. They simply could not make a profit without it.
Larry
Posted in: Overtures, Politics, & Justice
Dan
You have expressed my sentiments exactly. We should not define ecclessiastical so that it excludes "political" expreession on clearly stated Scriptural or confessional topics. I pray that synod will keep the wisdom of your comment s in mind.
Posted in: Social Justice Overtures #12; #13; #14
Amen Nick! Preach it loud and clear. Hopefully synod will find its way to incorporate your wisdom in their guidelines.
Larry
Posted in: Do Trump’s "S---hole" Remarks Represent American Values?
Resoundidly No
Posted in: Recent Racism in Our Country
Thanks Jack for commenting. I fully agree with you
Posted in: The High Impact of Relational-Based Evangelism
Thank you for this encouraging blog. I need it and want to learn more.
Posted in: Let's Talk About Pastor Compensation
I'm now 72 and a retired CRCNA pastor. Early in my career I would come up against the suggestion that I should consider going RCA since that had a better retirement plan for pastors. Of course I never considered doing that but It made me question if the defined pension plan we have is better than the RCA contribution plan. I really never pursued this then nor do I want to now. Our younger pastors however have much more of a stake in this than I. I hope they respond.