So called 'House visitation" is largely a waste of time---IFF conducted as most of the ones I experienced.
First a pair of embarrassed elders come and do small talk awhile.
Then: "well Hank, we better get started"
"you Pray"
then follows a canned Scripture, list of questions, eg., for the children: "do you love the Lord?" Sort of like "have you stopped beating your wife?" [What can the poor kid say?]
If the whole thing is a casual visit to find our where the people live, and what they are interested in...it could be useful.
I think the original author Means "accounting"--I know many churches do use different categories of members for the 'levy' of denoninational quotas [I know they are called recommendations, but some think of these as "levies".] Because with fewer active members ones 'quota' is reduced.
"Church order" is one thing; common sense is sometimes another;
The idea of having an approved slate and then having the retiring officer 'pick' from the lot would be
[and is in many CRCs] preferable;...this avoids most of the politics that usually accompanies the most 'liked' candidate; I prefer letting the Lord pick the winner.
Posted in: What I Read This Summer — Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership
A good book is Beyond the cosmos, by Hugh Ross ..very good on extra .dimensions.
Naturalist
Posted in: Am I Subscribed? [Feature]
This is still not "User Friendly" enuf. too hard to find things.
I think that is why so few use it!
Posted in: Am I Subscribed? [Feature]
For instance: What does this mean? Where do I find the 'marks' , etc.
.............................
Today we've upgraded this feature to display:
Here's how it looks:
............................................
Most such sites have underlined 'go to' place one clicks on....to procede.
I never know where to find anything==I just good around and try something, but don't have a clue as to how or where anything is.
Posted in: Pastoral Care for Those "Living Together"
A good start...
Posted in: How Do We Support Ministry Projects in Africa Without Enabling Them?
Someone else opened thus: I will also--"hello Gilbert"---I recall your comments a couple of
times re'our ' class at Manhattan Christian....You mentioned couple of times my math
teaching...;base six...I thought that was interesting...
Blessings in your, {I assume}, volunteer work ...WE have done some of that also.
World renew; Habitat; CBI; Hope Haven, etc.
cvz
Posted in: Do You Automate Your Tithing?
No, see my article under "faith development" or some similar topic. [There are too many topics to choose from under the 'blog' section.]
Naturalist
Posted in: Family Devotional?
I have used These Days, from Presbyterian group for several yrs . It is useful--get some diff ideas..
Posted in: How Do You Conduct an Effective and Useful Home Visit?
So called 'House visitation" is largely a waste of time---IFF conducted as most of the ones I experienced.
First a pair of embarrassed elders come and do small talk awhile.
Then: "well Hank, we better get started"
"you Pray"
then follows a canned Scripture, list of questions, eg., for the children: "do you love the Lord?" Sort of like "have you stopped beating your wife?" [What can the poor kid say?]
If the whole thing is a casual visit to find our where the people live, and what they are interested in...it could be useful.
Posted in: What are people doing about declaring members "inactive" and ministering to them?
I think the original author Means "accounting"--I know many churches do use different categories of members for the 'levy' of denoninational quotas [I know they are called recommendations, but some think of these as "levies".] Because with fewer active members ones 'quota' is reduced.
Posted in: What is the CRC position on the casting of lots in church elections?
"Church order" is one thing; common sense is sometimes another;
The idea of having an approved slate and then having the retiring officer 'pick' from the lot would be
[and is in many CRCs] preferable;...this avoids most of the politics that usually accompanies the most 'liked' candidate; I prefer letting the Lord pick the winner.
Posted in: Whose Report Do You Believe?
Very concise and thorough
Article...thanx...cvz
Posted in: Share Something Encouraging and Be Entered in Our Giveaway
I John 4:15-16, read in newer version: these are amazing tho'ts....also very assuring when used with I Corinth 12:3b...Blessings...