Interesting that our local CTV news station has a human interest positive story to end the news broadcast. Makes one determined to get through all the bad news to get something good? No doubt that the world is becoming a darker more satanic place.
"The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men". (Psalm 12:8)
Neither of these holidays have anything to do with Christianity. They were created by secular society to increase material consumption. The church is supposed to change society, not the other way around. So why celebrate it?
A few years ago, at First CRC Orillia, the stewardship team provided envelopes for the Sunday School classes. Parents received the tax receipt and the children received a letter showing how much they had donated for the year, We used the "World Renew Catalog" and about every six months the children decided what they would buy. We then purchased the items and asked "World Renew" to send a letter thanking the children. In addition, the stewardship team would bring cake and ice cream to the Sunday School to celebrate and to confirm what items had been purchased. . A PowerPoint presentation of the children's ministry was shown to the congregation during "children's time" at front of church. Giving went up substantially.
Also we gave each child a bank that had three compartments. One for giving, another for saving and a third for spending.
"Preaching should mostly be about saying something nice, but not at the cost of saying nothing at all in case the soundness of the faith is threatened." Really? Someone should speak to Paul Washer, David Wilkerson or Leonard Ravenhill.
We had a summer student a few years ago, and when he left he sent a letter to council. In the letter he shared how, at different times, different members had come to ask him to preach on a topic or preach a certain way. He found this troubling as the members where often making contradictory requests. Council decided that members, if they had a pastoral concerns, they would approach their elder and the topic would be reviewed at the elders meeting with the pastor present.
A few years ago we decided to give the "Kingdom Kids" envelopes (includes a picture to colour and a message). We drirected their giving to buying gifts from the CRWRC gift catalogue. We give the children "charitable receipts", and celebrate (cake and ice cream) with them whenever they make a purchase from the catalogue. We also provide a powerpoint presentation to show what they have purchased recently and what they have purchased over the years. We also give a three-part bank to each child as they enter primary school. Sections are for spending, saving and giving. Giving has increased several fold.
For older youth, once they are in high school they receive regualr envelopes, as most youth now have part time jobs. Not as successful with the youth as with younger children.
Perhaps we should offer cake and ice cream to the congregation whenver thier giving increases significantly (as a whole)?
Posted in: Let’s Play “Banner Editor for a Day”
My header would be, "The fallacy of climate change and what we can do to stop the madness"
Posted in: Honoring Our Elders’ Faith Stories
Perhaps we need to record, via DVD, "elders" testimonies about their walk with the Lord?
Posted in: A Single Thematic Approach to Reformed Worship
Robert Schuller?
Posted in: The Cain Syndrome
Interesting that our local CTV news station has a human interest positive story to end the news broadcast. Makes one determined to get through all the bad news to get something good? No doubt that the world is becoming a darker more satanic place.
"The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored among men". (Psalm 12:8)
Posted in: Never Quite Sure
Thank you Pastor Tamminga. Now posted on my Facebook!
Posted in: How Does Your Church Celebrate Mother's and Fathers' Day?
Neither of these holidays have anything to do with Christianity. They were created by secular society to increase material consumption. The church is supposed to change society, not the other way around. So why celebrate it?
Posted in: The Sunday School Offering
A few years ago, at First CRC Orillia, the stewardship team provided envelopes for the Sunday School classes. Parents received the tax receipt and the children received a letter showing how much they had donated for the year, We used the "World Renew Catalog" and about every six months the children decided what they would buy. We then purchased the items and asked "World Renew" to send a letter thanking the children. In addition, the stewardship team would bring cake and ice cream to the Sunday School to celebrate and to confirm what items had been purchased. . A PowerPoint presentation of the children's ministry was shown to the congregation during "children's time" at front of church. Giving went up substantially.
Also we gave each child a bank that had three compartments. One for giving, another for saving and a third for spending.
Posted in: Only Something Nice?
"Preaching should mostly be about saying something nice, but not at the cost of saying nothing at all in case the soundness of the faith is threatened." Really? Someone should speak to Paul Washer, David Wilkerson or Leonard Ravenhill.
Posted in: Enough is Enough
We had a summer student a few years ago, and when he left he sent a letter to council. In the letter he shared how, at different times, different members had come to ask him to preach on a topic or preach a certain way. He found this troubling as the members where often making contradictory requests. Council decided that members, if they had a pastoral concerns, they would approach their elder and the topic would be reviewed at the elders meeting with the pastor present.
Posted in: Hello from the Holy Land
"They talked about us all being one as we worship the One True God."
I am sorry but Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God. This sounds like the "Chrislam" movement. Jesus is all I need.
Posted in: Teach Your Children Well (and Teach Them to Tithe)
Not a youth leader, just a treasurer.
A few years ago we decided to give the "Kingdom Kids" envelopes (includes a picture to colour and a message). We drirected their giving to buying gifts from the CRWRC gift catalogue. We give the children "charitable receipts", and celebrate (cake and ice cream) with them whenever they make a purchase from the catalogue. We also provide a powerpoint presentation to show what they have purchased recently and what they have purchased over the years. We also give a three-part bank to each child as they enter primary school. Sections are for spending, saving and giving. Giving has increased several fold.
For older youth, once they are in high school they receive regualr envelopes, as most youth now have part time jobs. Not as successful with the youth as with younger children.
Perhaps we should offer cake and ice cream to the congregation whenver thier giving increases significantly (as a whole)?
Posted in: The Holy Spirit and the Sermon – A Friendly Reminder For Those Who Preach
You are forgiven!