One of the things about worship services that can be irritating is the inability to be flexible with time. When we worship together, we are visiting with God. Imagine if you are visiting with friends, and everytime you visit, you would say, oops, time is up, better get out of here, have to get to my coffee and relaxing time at home, to read my book, take my nap, eat my soup, and watch my favorite sport? yet we often seem to have no problem doing this with God.
I would suggest that every service ought to have a flex time built in of perhaps a half-hour (maybe more). If extra time is needed for prayers, then it is there. If extra time is needed to get a wheelchair down the aisle, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a testimony, or a witness about a mission trip or local neighborhood help, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a confession, or profession, or longer sermon, or congregational announcement, then it is there. Our stinginess with time, and our inflexibility with time, is not a good evidence of our desire and joy in worship. Just thinking.....
There is nothing wrong with getting criminal background checks for volunteers. (We have done it in our church). But it merely skims the surface. It is harmful to do it, if people assume they have then fulfilled their responsibility. It misses those who have never been charged or convicted. It misses those who may have never done anything in the past, but might in the future. It taints those whose criminal charge or conviction has nothing to do with abuse of children. It has no way of considering or accounting for those who have truly repented of their misdeed, and have been renewed in faith and life by Christ.
It is something invented by Social Services (government) primarily to cover their legal butts. We should be aware of its serious limitations.
Conduct a good relevant interview, not only on attitudes towards children, but also on what it means to live a life of obedience to Christ. Get two references, if the volunteer position is outside of the local church. In world missions and world relief situations, make sure that workers do not work alone nor travel nor visit alone; this is to protect the workers as much as children, since in some situations workers can be tempted by adults, or their reputations (and god's work) can be sullied by mere rumor and innuendo. When I was in Mexico for two weeks, the local pastor/missionary would not visit women without his wife present, and he took me along to several visits as a substitute chaperone/elder to prevent problems. The same type of policy should be considered for dealing with children, although sometimes a semblance of privacy of conversations may be beneficial, so a common sense solution is required.
The apostles were also regarded as elders. So I don't think there is evidence that deacons were needed before elders.(not that it really matters...). The Acts passage mentions selection of seven men, but as far as I can see does not specifically identify them as deacons.....although we make the assumption that's what they are.
"Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them."" "
Lots of good comments in this article, Neil. But perhaps too many things at once. What would you focus on? What would you see as the priority at this time? What takes us beyond the normal kind of common sense things, such as small vs large groups, technology, training, etc. to the significance of structural impediments or opportunities that we ought to focus on?
Preaching the gospel will have an influence on community. If there is no influence on community, then perhaps the gospel has not been truly and comprehensively preached. While a church as an institution does not vote, a sermon distinguishing on the biblical distincitions and significance attached to human life vs animal life might influence the voting of its members.
Preaching the gospel might influence the relative importance the members of a church place on sending money to foreign missions, vs spending time and money on poor nearby neighborhoods.
Preaching the gosple might influence the energy of church members directed towards establishing christian schools and colleges and summer christian bible camps.
But the church elders may not be the school board members, and the church pastor will not go to the foreign missions, and the church elders may not be the ones who set up a help center for the destitute next door.
Thus the distinction between the institutional authority of the church elders, vs the influence of the church on its members to live Godly lives in their community. In some cases, there may be a seemless blend between the two, and in other cases, clear distinctions need to be made.
Doug, you have made some very good points which made me think. Dollars as votes is an interesting and valid concept, for example. I agree with your summary of things we do badly and things we do well.
I would just like to add one concept, and that is to discover the difference between spending and investing. Buying things for oneself to simply consume and enjoy (although yes we can share these things with our neighbors), compared to investing in innovation and employment opportunities. Both aspects have an influence on what is produced (due to dollar votes), but in one case you can be pro-active, having a greater influence on the outcome. Buying siding for your house is different than investing in a company that produces siding, and buying movies is different than investing in a Christian movie company.
I particularly like your point that spending can be too much when it is irresponsible and beyond your means. If you spend so much on consumer goods that you have nothing left for retirement, that is probably not a good way to balance your financial life.
Doug, your story is encouraging and uplifting. I also attended Dordt for a couple years, Philosophy/English, prior to your stay there. It was a great way to begin the educational journey that ended at secular university. It provided a lot of analytical tools.
Your story shows the possibilities of urban living, of making an impact, instead of just being impacted upon. Of letting God use you, rather than us using God for our own purposes. In my case, I haven't done anything near what you have done. We live in a rural area, and people are quite self-sufficient, where the municipality even plows out rural driveways in winter for free (after the roads are cleared). Other than ocassionally taking my snow blower to the local outdoor ice-rink, and taking my 80 inch mower to the church lot (2.5 acres), we have not done a lot. We did put a new roof on a low-income neighbor's house recently with donated labor, but that's all I can recall. Okay, I just remembered that I use my snow-blower to clean out a neighbor's drive last winter so that the water truck could bring in water. And this fall, I sprayed another neigbor's garden since she had surgery and could not keep the thistle controlled last summer. Can you imagine Canada Thistle about seven feet tall?
Sometimes it seems easier to just do things yourself. But I am thinking more lately about how we might make an impact by actually employing people, especially people who do not always have highly employable resumes, or accomodating schedules and personalities. I'm finding this a much more complicated and tricky endeavor; I really appreciate the business people who seem to do this so easily and automatically. I wish I had learned to do this. Employment is in many ways the best way of helping some people, but is often more difficult than just doing things for them. And then maybe for us to find ways of making employment more holistic, so that people do not just get paid some low wage for providing a certain number of hours of work, but rather that we can become interested in their whole life, giving some guidance and extra assistance where it is needed (and presumably appreciated).
I think the last paragraph says it all. People, including young people, are attracted to churches that mean what they say, that really believe in something and are not just going thru the motions. They are attracted to churches that look for sacrifice, that are more concerned about serving God than about serving themselves. For churches that look outward towards God and others, rather than towards a comfortable pew. For alive people, not for half-dead people. A church filled with the Spirit, will be able to share that same Spirit. And the Spirit is irresistable.
Posted in: Deacons: An Elder Training Ground
I agree with you Rebecca.
Posted in: Using Gifts and Planning Worship
One of the things about worship services that can be irritating is the inability to be flexible with time. When we worship together, we are visiting with God. Imagine if you are visiting with friends, and everytime you visit, you would say, oops, time is up, better get out of here, have to get to my coffee and relaxing time at home, to read my book, take my nap, eat my soup, and watch my favorite sport? yet we often seem to have no problem doing this with God.
I would suggest that every service ought to have a flex time built in of perhaps a half-hour (maybe more). If extra time is needed for prayers, then it is there. If extra time is needed to get a wheelchair down the aisle, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a testimony, or a witness about a mission trip or local neighborhood help, then it is there. If extra time is needed for a confession, or profession, or longer sermon, or congregational announcement, then it is there. Our stinginess with time, and our inflexibility with time, is not a good evidence of our desire and joy in worship. Just thinking.....
Posted in: Background Checks for Volunteers?
There is nothing wrong with getting criminal background checks for volunteers. (We have done it in our church). But it merely skims the surface. It is harmful to do it, if people assume they have then fulfilled their responsibility. It misses those who have never been charged or convicted. It misses those who may have never done anything in the past, but might in the future. It taints those whose criminal charge or conviction has nothing to do with abuse of children. It has no way of considering or accounting for those who have truly repented of their misdeed, and have been renewed in faith and life by Christ.
It is something invented by Social Services (government) primarily to cover their legal butts. We should be aware of its serious limitations.
Posted in: Revisioning Youth Ministry
Great article!!! I am copying this and giving a copy to every youth worker, and every parent of youth in our church. Well written!!
Posted in: Background Checks for Volunteers?
Conduct a good relevant interview, not only on attitudes towards children, but also on what it means to live a life of obedience to Christ. Get two references, if the volunteer position is outside of the local church. In world missions and world relief situations, make sure that workers do not work alone nor travel nor visit alone; this is to protect the workers as much as children, since in some situations workers can be tempted by adults, or their reputations (and god's work) can be sullied by mere rumor and innuendo. When I was in Mexico for two weeks, the local pastor/missionary would not visit women without his wife present, and he took me along to several visits as a substitute chaperone/elder to prevent problems. The same type of policy should be considered for dealing with children, although sometimes a semblance of privacy of conversations may be beneficial, so a common sense solution is required.
Posted in: Deacons: An Elder Training Ground
The apostles were also regarded as elders. So I don't think there is evidence that deacons were needed before elders.(not that it really matters...). The Acts passage mentions selection of seven men, but as far as I can see does not specifically identify them as deacons.....although we make the assumption that's what they are.
"Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them."" "
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—
The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Both "deacon" and "minister" and "servant" are derived from the greek word "diakonos".
A gift was already presented to elders in Acts 11, before elders were mentioned being appointed in Acts 14.
Posted in: Leadership and Organizational Structure
Lots of good comments in this article, Neil. But perhaps too many things at once. What would you focus on? What would you see as the priority at this time? What takes us beyond the normal kind of common sense things, such as small vs large groups, technology, training, etc. to the significance of structural impediments or opportunities that we ought to focus on?
Posted in: Church as Gift for Neighborhood Transformation
Preaching the gospel will have an influence on community. If there is no influence on community, then perhaps the gospel has not been truly and comprehensively preached. While a church as an institution does not vote, a sermon distinguishing on the biblical distincitions and significance attached to human life vs animal life might influence the voting of its members.
Preaching the gospel might influence the relative importance the members of a church place on sending money to foreign missions, vs spending time and money on poor nearby neighborhoods.
Preaching the gosple might influence the energy of church members directed towards establishing christian schools and colleges and summer christian bible camps.
But the church elders may not be the school board members, and the church pastor will not go to the foreign missions, and the church elders may not be the ones who set up a help center for the destitute next door.
Thus the distinction between the institutional authority of the church elders, vs the influence of the church on its members to live Godly lives in their community. In some cases, there may be a seemless blend between the two, and in other cases, clear distinctions need to be made.
Posted in: An Anthem for Black Friday
Doug, you have made some very good points which made me think. Dollars as votes is an interesting and valid concept, for example. I agree with your summary of things we do badly and things we do well.
I would just like to add one concept, and that is to discover the difference between spending and investing. Buying things for oneself to simply consume and enjoy (although yes we can share these things with our neighbors), compared to investing in innovation and employment opportunities. Both aspects have an influence on what is produced (due to dollar votes), but in one case you can be pro-active, having a greater influence on the outcome. Buying siding for your house is different than investing in a company that produces siding, and buying movies is different than investing in a Christian movie company.
I particularly like your point that spending can be too much when it is irresponsible and beyond your means. If you spend so much on consumer goods that you have nothing left for retirement, that is probably not a good way to balance your financial life.
Posted in: An Anthem for Black Friday
Doug, your story is encouraging and uplifting. I also attended Dordt for a couple years, Philosophy/English, prior to your stay there. It was a great way to begin the educational journey that ended at secular university. It provided a lot of analytical tools.
Your story shows the possibilities of urban living, of making an impact, instead of just being impacted upon. Of letting God use you, rather than us using God for our own purposes. In my case, I haven't done anything near what you have done. We live in a rural area, and people are quite self-sufficient, where the municipality even plows out rural driveways in winter for free (after the roads are cleared). Other than ocassionally taking my snow blower to the local outdoor ice-rink, and taking my 80 inch mower to the church lot (2.5 acres), we have not done a lot. We did put a new roof on a low-income neighbor's house recently with donated labor, but that's all I can recall. Okay, I just remembered that I use my snow-blower to clean out a neighbor's drive last winter so that the water truck could bring in water. And this fall, I sprayed another neigbor's garden since she had surgery and could not keep the thistle controlled last summer. Can you imagine Canada Thistle about seven feet tall?
Sometimes it seems easier to just do things yourself. But I am thinking more lately about how we might make an impact by actually employing people, especially people who do not always have highly employable resumes, or accomodating schedules and personalities. I'm finding this a much more complicated and tricky endeavor; I really appreciate the business people who seem to do this so easily and automatically. I wish I had learned to do this. Employment is in many ways the best way of helping some people, but is often more difficult than just doing things for them. And then maybe for us to find ways of making employment more holistic, so that people do not just get paid some low wage for providing a certain number of hours of work, but rather that we can become interested in their whole life, giving some guidance and extra assistance where it is needed (and presumably appreciated).
Posted in: Psalms, Elders and Pastoral Care
Psalm 103, Psalm 46, Psalm 100, Psalm 95, Psalm 127, Psalm 24, Psalm 1. Especially Psalm 46.
Posted in: Young Adults in the CRC
I think the last paragraph says it all. People, including young people, are attracted to churches that mean what they say, that really believe in something and are not just going thru the motions. They are attracted to churches that look for sacrifice, that are more concerned about serving God than about serving themselves. For churches that look outward towards God and others, rather than towards a comfortable pew. For alive people, not for half-dead people. A church filled with the Spirit, will be able to share that same Spirit. And the Spirit is irresistable.