AKA Dr. Raymond A. Blacketer. Reformation scholar, sometime professor, native Californian, lover of the Reformed confessions, brought into the Christian Reformed Church through evangelism. Formerly pastor of Neerlandia CRC in Northern Alberta, Canada, and First Cutlerville CRC, Byron Center. Currently working as a theological editor and translator.
Thank you Sheri for these practical helps. They are exceptionally helpful. Administration is a spiritual gift (cf. the interesting Greek word "cybernesis," I Cor. 12:28) that often goes overlooked, but not by those who know that a good administrator can be the glue that holds a church's ministry together.
I would baptize the child, not as an infant or adult baptism, but more accurately, as covenantal baptism. When we were evangelized into the church, my mother was baptized and made profession of faith, and I was baptized at age 11 ,and my sister at age 6. My pastor (John Rozeboom) explained what baptism was about in an "age and ability appropriate way" (as we have been saying lately with our focus on faith formation and the issue of children and the Lord's Supper). Was it "infant baptism" or "believer's baptism"? Neither term is really fitting; it was covenantal baptism. I was baptized because my single mom, the head of our household, was baptized, just like Lydia and her househould, or the Philippian Jailor (poor guy has no name!) and his household (Acts 16).
Also, it is quite appropriate to say that a person is baptized into Christianity, though more appropriately, that one is baptized into the church. This is not a statement about God's eternal decree of election; it is a recognition that this person, at whatever age it occurs, is now breathing the air of the confessional community (credit to Henry DeMoor for that phrase, I believe). There is a well-known remark of CS Lewis on this topic: "Don't bother at all about the question of a person being 'made a Christian' by baptism. It is only the usual trouble about words being used in more than one sense. Thus we might say a man 'became a soldier' the moment he joined the army. But his instructors might say six months later 'I think we have made a solider out of him.' "
In addition, we do not baptize because we presume that a child is elect, though Abraham Kuyper championed that view, and it was common in the CRC beginning about a century ago and through maybe the 1950's - 60's. The "Liberated" Reformed Churches (Canadian Reformed and American Reformed) still think we teach that perspective (presumptive regeneration). But this perspective has rightly fallen by the wayside. We do not baptize on the basis of a presumption. We baptize on the basis of God's claim and God's promise. We baptize because we recognize that God's covenant promises come to an individual through a community; we baptize because God's claim on a child's allegiance will come to that child through the influence of at least one believing parent (I Cor. 7:14).
I would agree that no council has the authority to bind a delegate's vote beyond the confessional standards, period. No council has the authority to bind a delegate's conscience at a deliberative assembly, the key word being deliberative. Otherwise there is no reason to deliberate. The Westminster Confession 20.2 forbids the binding of a person's conscience beyond scripture, because "God alone is Lord of the conscience." Any attempt by a council to do so would be liable to being overturned by classis and/or synod, and would reflect an unhealthy and ungodly attempt to control, domineer, or "lord it over" the delegate, as the Church Order says, art. 85.
Hi, Liz, from your old pastor! Well, we are experimenting with all gluten free bread next Sunday. I tried a sample from the local bakery. It won't win any flavor awards, that's for sure! I've been told the cost is significantly higher as well (not that cost is the most important factor). So we will be looking at the responses to this post for good ideas! It's not only a health issue, but an inclusion issue, a spiritual issue, and maybe a good opportunity for the congregation to reflect on what communion, in the true sense of the word, really means.
Obviously we're not just going to blindly adopt someone else's policy; I was looking for some examples on which to build. I am in the midst of writing one now, and of course it will require council approval. The issue came up in council when there were cases of leaders involved in what I will vaguely call gross public sin or in a few cases boycotting church but still wanting to retain seats on committees or positions of leadership. I'm not thinking of the lists of vices that one had to foreswear, for example, at Wheaton College in the old days, some of which in the CRC where considered nigh unto holy virtues, if the smoke in the consistory room and the borrelje van Jenever after huisbezoek (drink of gin after the elder visit) was any indication.
Since I didn't get any good leads I am starting from scratch. I did see something from the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (http://www.cccc.org/members_sample_documents_view/html/17), but it was far too fundamentalist-oriented for our purposes.
This is what I have so far; constructive feedback welcomed. We will discuss it tonight as a council.
Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church
Ministry Volunteer Standards and Covenant
Created October 26, 2011
Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church values its ministry volunteers. As a Christian church that seeks to glorify God, to be obedient to his Word in Scripture, and to witness to the Christian faith, we also have certain lifestyle and conduct expectations of those who volunteer to lead and serve in the ministries of our congregation. Leaders and volunteers are expected to aspire to lead a Christian lifestyle, to witness to their faith, to maintain healthy spiritual practices, and to cultivate respectful standards communication. Ministry leaders and volunteers agree to adhere to these standards, and agree that when these standards are violated they submit to correction and, if warranted, removal from leadership or service in that ministry.
These standards apply to leaders and volunteers in all of our ministries, including Sunday school and catechism; Gems and Cadets; Teen Club and Youth Ministry; Coffee Break; music groups; and members of church committees. Where required, volunteers undergo background checks in order to comply with our Safe Church policy.
Lifestyle Standards
Leaders and volunteers are called to live a life worthy of the calling they have received from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:1) and to witness to the good news of salvation by the way they live their lives (Matthew 5:16). Activities that would constitute violations of this standard would include habitual drunkenness and drug abuse, marital unfaithfulness or premarital sex or cohabitation, use of pornography, criminal conduct, and physical or verbal abuse. Persons who are undergoing a separation or divorce may be asked to step back from their ministry for a time in order to focus on their own spiritual health.
Church Commitment
Leaders and volunteers are expected to be professing members in good standing of Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church, with the exception of baptized members under the age of 18 who may not have yet made profession of faith. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by council. Leaders and volunteers are expected to regularly attend worship services. It is particularly important that catechism teachers and mentors understand and affirm the Reformed perspective on the Christian faith.
Communication Standards
Ministry leaders and volunteers commit to supporting the leadership and staff of Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church. They also commit to maintaining Christian standards of grace and respect in their words and communication (Colossians 4:6). Leaders and volunteers commit to avoiding malicious gossip and slander, destructive criticism of other volunteers or the church leadership, and spreading rumors. Ministry leaders commit to maintaining appropriate confidentiality when people speak to them in confidence.
Covenant
I understand and agree to the standards for ministry volunteers and commit to these standards
as a leader, volunteer, or committee member in ____________________________.
The appropriate response is pastoral care by the pastor, youth pastor, and elders, and it is clear that any blatant disregard for the life of Christian discipleship precludes profession of faith, as per Church Order art. 59b: "Baptized members shall be encouraged to make a public profession of faith with the use of a prescribed form in a public worship service. Before their profession of faith, they shall give an appropriate testimony of their faith, life, and doctrine to the elders. The names of those who will make a public profession of faith shall be announced to the congregation for approval at least one Sunday before their profession takes place. Upon their public profession of faith, they shall be designated as “confessing members.”
--So, their "life" is a factor in making a profession of faith, and the public testimony of how they live their lives is also a matter for congregational input. To allow persons who are disregarding basic principles of Christian discipleship to make profession of faith is not gracious, loving, or helpful. It is rather a concession to the great idolatry of our age: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, the narcissistic "faith" that dominates the youth culture of North America, as a number of persons have written about. One of the main features of this Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, and the associated concept of extended adolescence, is that many young adults believe that if they're good, they'll get to heaven, but they also paradoxically disregard biblical teaching regarding being "good," e.g. reserving sex for marriage, etc. http://www.ptsem.edu/uploadedFiles/School_of_Christian_Vocation_and_Mission/Institute_for_Youth_Ministry/Princeton_Lectures/Smith-Moralistic.pdf
The same as when two individuals who have (or haven't, for that matter) made profession of faith and then decide to shack up. First, lots of patient, pastoral care. If a couple continues to openly and publically disregard the covenant of marriage, then warn, then move to formal discipline. People in our society grossly underestimate the harmful effects of cohabitation, particularly on women and children who most often end up abandoned and impoverished, and in serial cohabitation, the risks of child abuse from boyfriends rises dramatically. The church is the last institution to stand up for marriage, and there is pressure for us to cave on this issue and go with the flow of our godless and self-gratifying culture. Therefore discipline in this kind of case would serve to keep the integrity of the church's witness to the shape of Christian discipleship. To fail to act sends a message to the young people of the congregation that it's all fine and dandy; those appointed to disciple and shepherd the church may not do nothing. Finally, and most pastorally important, carefully and wisely applied discipline is intended to serve as a witness to those persons who are not walking in the way of Christ and leadinging others to stumble as well; it is ultimately more loving to disciple (which is what discipline is) than to look the other way. These, by the way, are the three purposes of church discipline in the Reformed tradition: To protect the reputation of Christ's church; to remove potential stumbling blocks for others; and most of all to bring the erring parties to repentance and back to the way of following Christ. There is a great resistance to church discipline in our churches, partly, perhaps, because of the unloving way in which it has allegedly been practiced on some occasions in the past, and partly because our culture sends a powerful message that what I do is my own business and no one can tell me what to do. Discipling is very counter-cultural. But it also requires sensitivity, patience, and wisdom.
As for the profession of faith part, a new issue now arises because young persons can be communicant members without having made an adult profession of faith. I'm not sure how the church will procede in that case, except that the initial pastoral care and warnings will be the same. Can a communicant but non-professing member be placed under silent censure? My initial thought is to say, yes, but I'm not sure if this issue has been addressed. That might be a good topic for the Church Polity Forum. (Is there a Church Polity Forum?)
Posted in: Microsoft Office 365: Also Free, Also in Canada
Thank you very much for this information! I have signed up and started the process for our congregation.
And Google docs are from the devil! :)
(At least when you try to use them with MS Word).
Posted in: Effective Job Descriptions
Thank you Sheri for these practical helps. They are exceptionally helpful. Administration is a spiritual gift (cf. the interesting Greek word "cybernesis," I Cor. 12:28) that often goes overlooked, but not by those who know that a good administrator can be the glue that holds a church's ministry together.
Posted in: What Should the Church Do When a Child, Grade 2, Is Too Old for Infant Baptism and Too Young/Not Ready for Believer's Baptism?
Thank you, George; I'm working on it.
Posted in: What Should the Church Do When a Child, Grade 2, Is Too Old for Infant Baptism and Too Young/Not Ready for Believer's Baptism?
I would baptize the child, not as an infant or adult baptism, but more accurately, as covenantal baptism. When we were evangelized into the church, my mother was baptized and made profession of faith, and I was baptized at age 11 ,and my sister at age 6. My pastor (John Rozeboom) explained what baptism was about in an "age and ability appropriate way" (as we have been saying lately with our focus on faith formation and the issue of children and the Lord's Supper). Was it "infant baptism" or "believer's baptism"? Neither term is really fitting; it was covenantal baptism. I was baptized because my single mom, the head of our household, was baptized, just like Lydia and her househould, or the Philippian Jailor (poor guy has no name!) and his household (Acts 16).
Also, it is quite appropriate to say that a person is baptized into Christianity, though more appropriately, that one is baptized into the church. This is not a statement about God's eternal decree of election; it is a recognition that this person, at whatever age it occurs, is now breathing the air of the confessional community (credit to Henry DeMoor for that phrase, I believe). There is a well-known remark of CS Lewis on this topic: "Don't bother at all about the question of a person being 'made a Christian' by baptism. It is only the usual trouble about words being used in more than one sense. Thus we might say a man 'became a soldier' the moment he joined the army. But his instructors might say six months later 'I think we have made a solider out of him.' "
In addition, we do not baptize because we presume that a child is elect, though Abraham Kuyper championed that view, and it was common in the CRC beginning about a century ago and through maybe the 1950's - 60's. The "Liberated" Reformed Churches (Canadian Reformed and American Reformed) still think we teach that perspective (presumptive regeneration). But this perspective has rightly fallen by the wayside. We do not baptize on the basis of a presumption. We baptize on the basis of God's claim and God's promise. We baptize because we recognize that God's covenant promises come to an individual through a community; we baptize because God's claim on a child's allegiance will come to that child through the influence of at least one believing parent (I Cor. 7:14).
Posted in: How Should Older Baptized Members Come to the Lord's Table?
I think these are really great comments. The one about Classis Holland especially!
I put together a list of resources on our church website: http://www.fcvcrc.org/worship/children-lords-supper.cfm
Posted in: Is It Appropriate for Council or Classis to Instruct Their Delegates How to Vote?
I would agree that no council has the authority to bind a delegate's vote beyond the confessional standards, period. No council has the authority to bind a delegate's conscience at a deliberative assembly, the key word being deliberative. Otherwise there is no reason to deliberate. The Westminster Confession 20.2 forbids the binding of a person's conscience beyond scripture, because "God alone is Lord of the conscience." Any attempt by a council to do so would be liable to being overturned by classis and/or synod, and would reflect an unhealthy and ungodly attempt to control, domineer, or "lord it over" the delegate, as the Church Order says, art. 85.
Posted in: Gluten-Free Bread for Lord's Supper
Hi, Liz, from your old pastor!
Well, we are experimenting with all gluten free bread next Sunday. I tried a sample from the local bakery. It won't win any flavor awards, that's for sure! I've been told the cost is significantly higher as well (not that cost is the most important factor). So we will be looking at the responses to this post for good ideas! It's not only a health issue, but an inclusion issue, a spiritual issue, and maybe a good opportunity for the congregation to reflect on what communion, in the true sense of the word, really means.
Posted in: Where can I find a sample policy regarding ministry standards and expectations for volunteers?
Hi, John,
Obviously we're not just going to blindly adopt someone else's policy; I was looking for some examples on which to build. I am in the midst of writing one now, and of course it will require council approval. The issue came up in council when there were cases of leaders involved in what I will vaguely call gross public sin or in a few cases boycotting church but still wanting to retain seats on committees or positions of leadership. I'm not thinking of the lists of vices that one had to foreswear, for example, at Wheaton College in the old days, some of which in the CRC where considered nigh unto holy virtues, if the smoke in the consistory room and the borrelje van Jenever after huisbezoek (drink of gin after the elder visit) was any indication.
Posted in: Where can I find a sample policy regarding ministry standards and expectations for volunteers?
Since I didn't get any good leads I am starting from scratch. I did see something from the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (http://www.cccc.org/members_sample_documents_view/html/17), but it was far too fundamentalist-oriented for our purposes.
Posted in: Where can I find a sample policy regarding ministry standards and expectations for volunteers?
DRAFT DOCUMENT, SUBJECT TO REVISION
This is what I have so far; constructive feedback welcomed. We will discuss it tonight as a council.
Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church
Ministry Volunteer Standards and Covenant
Created October 26, 2011
Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church values its ministry volunteers. As a Christian church that seeks to glorify God, to be obedient to his Word in Scripture, and to witness to the Christian faith, we also have certain lifestyle and conduct expectations of those who volunteer to lead and serve in the ministries of our congregation. Leaders and volunteers are expected to aspire to lead a Christian lifestyle, to witness to their faith, to maintain healthy spiritual practices, and to cultivate respectful standards communication. Ministry leaders and volunteers agree to adhere to these standards, and agree that when these standards are violated they submit to correction and, if warranted, removal from leadership or service in that ministry.
These standards apply to leaders and volunteers in all of our ministries, including Sunday school and catechism; Gems and Cadets; Teen Club and Youth Ministry; Coffee Break; music groups; and members of church committees. Where required, volunteers undergo background checks in order to comply with our Safe Church policy.
Lifestyle Standards
Leaders and volunteers are called to live a life worthy of the calling they have received from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:1) and to witness to the good news of salvation by the way they live their lives (Matthew 5:16). Activities that would constitute violations of this standard would include habitual drunkenness and drug abuse, marital unfaithfulness or premarital sex or cohabitation, use of pornography, criminal conduct, and physical or verbal abuse. Persons who are undergoing a separation or divorce may be asked to step back from their ministry for a time in order to focus on their own spiritual health.
Church Commitment
Leaders and volunteers are expected to be professing members in good standing of Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church, with the exception of baptized members under the age of 18 who may not have yet made profession of faith. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by council. Leaders and volunteers are expected to regularly attend worship services. It is particularly important that catechism teachers and mentors understand and affirm the Reformed perspective on the Christian faith.
Communication Standards
Ministry leaders and volunteers commit to supporting the leadership and staff of Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church. They also commit to maintaining Christian standards of grace and respect in their words and communication (Colossians 4:6). Leaders and volunteers commit to avoiding malicious gossip and slander, destructive criticism of other volunteers or the church leadership, and spreading rumors. Ministry leaders commit to maintaining appropriate confidentiality when people speak to them in confidence.
Covenant
I understand and agree to the standards for ministry volunteers and commit to these standards
as a leader, volunteer, or committee member in ____________________________.
(ministry or committee)
_________________________________ ________________________
Name Date
Posted in: When a young person who's living a sinful lifestyle wants to make profession of faith; what's an appropriate response?
The appropriate response is pastoral care by the pastor, youth pastor, and elders, and it is clear that any blatant disregard for the life of Christian discipleship precludes profession of faith, as per Church Order art. 59b: "Baptized members shall be encouraged to make a public profession of faith with the use of a prescribed form in a public worship service. Before their profession of faith, they shall give an appropriate testimony of their faith, life, and doctrine to the elders. The names of those who will make a public profession of faith shall be announced to the congregation for approval at least one Sunday before their profession takes place. Upon their public profession of faith, they shall be designated as “confessing members.”
--So, their "life" is a factor in making a profession of faith, and the public testimony of how they live their lives is also a matter for congregational input. To allow persons who are disregarding basic principles of Christian discipleship to make profession of faith is not gracious, loving, or helpful. It is rather a concession to the great idolatry of our age: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, the narcissistic "faith" that dominates the youth culture of North America, as a number of persons have written about. One of the main features of this Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, and the associated concept of extended adolescence, is that many young adults believe that if they're good, they'll get to heaven, but they also paradoxically disregard biblical teaching regarding being "good," e.g. reserving sex for marriage, etc. http://www.ptsem.edu/uploadedFiles/School_of_Christian_Vocation_and_Mission/Institute_for_Youth_Ministry/Princeton_Lectures/Smith-Moralistic.pdf
Posted in: When a young person who's living a sinful lifestyle wants to make profession of faith; what's an appropriate response?
The same as when two individuals who have (or haven't, for that matter) made profession of faith and then decide to shack up. First, lots of patient, pastoral care. If a couple continues to openly and publically disregard the covenant of marriage, then warn, then move to formal discipline. People in our society grossly underestimate the harmful effects of cohabitation, particularly on women and children who most often end up abandoned and impoverished, and in serial cohabitation, the risks of child abuse from boyfriends rises dramatically. The church is the last institution to stand up for marriage, and there is pressure for us to cave on this issue and go with the flow of our godless and self-gratifying culture. Therefore discipline in this kind of case would serve to keep the integrity of the church's witness to the shape of Christian discipleship. To fail to act sends a message to the young people of the congregation that it's all fine and dandy; those appointed to disciple and shepherd the church may not do nothing. Finally, and most pastorally important, carefully and wisely applied discipline is intended to serve as a witness to those persons who are not walking in the way of Christ and leadinging others to stumble as well; it is ultimately more loving to disciple (which is what discipline is) than to look the other way. These, by the way, are the three purposes of church discipline in the Reformed tradition: To protect the reputation of Christ's church; to remove potential stumbling blocks for others; and most of all to bring the erring parties to repentance and back to the way of following Christ. There is a great resistance to church discipline in our churches, partly, perhaps, because of the unloving way in which it has allegedly been practiced on some occasions in the past, and partly because our culture sends a powerful message that what I do is my own business and no one can tell me what to do. Discipling is very counter-cultural. But it also requires sensitivity, patience, and wisdom.
As for the profession of faith part, a new issue now arises because young persons can be communicant members without having made an adult profession of faith. I'm not sure how the church will procede in that case, except that the initial pastoral care and warnings will be the same. Can a communicant but non-professing member be placed under silent censure? My initial thought is to say, yes, but I'm not sure if this issue has been addressed. That might be a good topic for the Church Polity Forum. (Is there a Church Polity Forum?)