Sam Hamstra
I am an Executive Search Consultant with the Rukes Search Group, as well as a retired CRCNA pastor. I have had the privilege of serving congregations in both the RCA and CRCNA. When I am not working, I am hanging out with my family or reading a book or fishing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or serving as the Commissioner of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League or playing piano.
Posted in: Why We Don't Want To Rent Space
There is another facet of the landlord-tenant relationship and that is power. Doesn't it seem that the one receiving money (landlord) is in a position of power over the one handing over money? And how do we harmonize that position of power with our unity in Christ?
Posted in: Sermon-Centricity on Sunday
Thanks Len, for your enthusiastic support of the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper.
Of course, in our survey we did not take a particular position on frequency but we did ask the question. Of the Protestant congregations surveyed 20% celebrate the Lord's Supper each week, 67% once a month, 10% less than once per month, and 3% two to three times a month.
I don't know if those stats confirm your assertion of a movement of including the Lord's Supper every week.Perhaps there are other surveys to which we may compare this data?
Posted in: Sermon-Centricity on Sunday
John, thanks for the feedback. I hope the blog did not come off as prescriptive (suggesting the need for change). It was only meant to be descriptive of the worship life of eighty Protestant congregations in Northern Illinois.
As for the sample, in a short blog it is difficult to offer all the details of the survey. I wish I could have included the names of the congregations which participated in the survey. It was a very diverse group, reflecting the diversity of the student body at Northern Seminary. The sample included a large number of non-denominational congregations and representatives from many denominations.
Of course, the diversity of the sample is both a strength and weakness. It would have been beneficial to survey eighty congregations of one denomination or one theological tradition. But it was equaly beneficial to see the similarities between congregations of different theological traditions, cultures, races, econmics, worship styles, sizes, and neighborhoods. And one similarity was the centrality of the sermon.
Posted in: Sermon-Centricity on Sunday
Ed, thanks for weighing in on the connection between the sermon and church growth. Seems to me that, through casual observation, we see a connection between the quality of preaching and church growth - in some but not all contexts. Yet, I don't think my survey, as constructed, makes that a necessary connection (as in A + B = C). We simply asked the leader of the worship ministry of each church about the focal point of the service, a question which probes the design of the Sunday service. Still, I agree with the connection you make to sermon preparation. Surely, if the sermon is the focal point, preachers best bring their best. And, if God so allows, the fruit of such efforts may be the spiritual and perhaps numeric growth of the congregation.
Posted in: Sermon-Centricity on Sunday
You are right on. Thanks for the qualifier.
Posted in: Sermon-Centricity on Sunday
Thanks, Ken, for the reference to Piper. Good stuff.
Posted in: The Ideal Senior Pastor or “1st” Chair
I agree - a rule change would be helpful here. Apparently, the Church Order Our Church Order was not written with staff ministry in mind.
Posted in: The Ideal Senior Pastor or “1st” Chair
Well said, John.
Posted in: Let’s Talk About Worship Taxonomy
Great word. You are spot on. These are just types or models that don't really exist because every congregation expresses a unique blend. As such, they simple serve as tools for us to converse about worship.
In the aforementioned class on worship, the students tested the taxonomy by surveying about 100 congregations in Chicago and its suburbs. We discovered that Reformed folk (accompanied by both the diaological principle and a version of the regulative principle) can be found in each group, especially the "Traditional" type.
And thanks for referencing the Regulative Principle and the Dialogical Principle, both of which find a prominant role in my teaching at Northern.
Posted in: The Ideal Senior Pastor or “1st” Chair
Thank you, Dean, for your gracious words.
Posted in: Let’s Talk About Worship Taxonomy
Excellent feedback, August. Thanks.
I understand the preference for the word "liturgical" because, in common usage, it accurately describes Type 1. I may have to give in to that. Its hard for me to go down that road, though, for in my setting I am constantly reminding pastors and worship leaders that every congregation has a liturgy, some simply have more rituals than others.
With my reference to the pastoral role of prophet role of the pastor in the Neo-Pentecostal/Charismatic type, I hope to highlight the function of prophet as one who speaks a word from the Lord. I have found this aspect of the pastor's work accented markedly in Neo-Pentecosal and Charistic settings. I hope that helps.
Not sure I understand the "preacher as actor" role in #6.
Posted in: Let’s Talk About Worship Taxonomy
Gotcha. Though I am not sure those who embrace the "Sermon and Song" type would describe themselves as such (unless, of course, you are speaking from that context). Surely, they would grant the possibility that the role of the worship leader and preacher can and has been distorted into that of actors and performers. But, if Worship Leader magazine accuratley reflects this type, I believe they envision themselves more as prompters of worship (Worship Leader) and instruments of God's grace (Preacher).