I agree with almost everything in Ron's nicely written piece, but this made the hair on my neck stand up:
Many clearly were not interested in even considering the Belhar as a confessional document. In the end that held sway. The issue of climate change and the role of the CRC was also very controversial. It is difficult to see the diversity in action at times because there will be times when you can become very frustrated with some of the seemingly shortsighted opinions of some churches and delegates.
With all due respect, suggesting that someone who disagrees with you on things like the Belhar and climate change are therefore shoetsighted strikes me as a bit presumptuous.
I served 40 years in CRC ministry before retirement five years ago, all but ten of them in a parsonage. We never had a written agreement. Rather, the letter of call outlined what the church would provide (housing, utilities, etc.) and that was that. I'm curious what a formal parsonage agreement would need to include. Who is responsible for repairs and damage? Promise to vacate when leaving service to the church? Has trust so broken that we need something like this now?
Posted in: Advice for First-Time Delegates
I agree with almost everything in Ron's nicely written piece, but this made the hair on my neck stand up:
Many clearly were not interested in even considering the Belhar as a confessional document. In the end that held sway. The issue of climate change and the role of the CRC was also very controversial. It is difficult to see the diversity in action at times because there will be times when you can become very frustrated with some of the seemingly shortsighted opinions of some churches and delegates.
With all due respect, suggesting that someone who disagrees with you on things like the Belhar and climate change are therefore shoetsighted strikes me as a bit presumptuous.
Posted in: Sample Parsonage Agreement?
I served 40 years in CRC ministry before retirement five years ago, all but ten of them in a parsonage. We never had a written agreement. Rather, the letter of call outlined what the church would provide (housing, utilities, etc.) and that was that. I'm curious what a formal parsonage agreement would need to include. Who is responsible for repairs and damage? Promise to vacate when leaving service to the church? Has trust so broken that we need something like this now?