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.
Thanks for the testimony, Richard. Also, thanks for your distinction between the Spirit who works within us and the Spirit who works upon us. It sure seems to describe my experience.
Thanks to a steady stream of comments, here's what I have learned in the past few days:
First, I have discovered some new friends as well as great resources for continued study.
Second, I have been reminded that I am a Euro-American Reformed Charismatic which means I am a white guy who has a lot to learn about the Holy Spirit from Reformed Charismatics throughout the world and from Charismatics and Pentecostals in America.
Third, in my initial blog I neglectedg the communal aspect of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives (so typically American!). Hence, I needed to add a point, one which affirms the role of the Spirit-filled church in the life of the Spirit-filled individual.
Fourth, I still don't trust my spiritual ears for I fear I will hear what I want to hear. So, I still think it good to exercise a "holy self-suspicion" when "hearing" the word of the Lord. This exercise prompts me to test the voice within against the voice of the Scriptures for, as noted above, the Spirit who inspires the Scriptures is the same Spirit who speaks today. It also encourages me to test the voice within against the context of the Christian community (The same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to you; the same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to us).
Fifth, since the Holy Spirit works in ways beyond my comprehension, I am sure I am not done learning about the Holy Spirit or experiencing the Spirit's blessing in my life, in the church, and in the world.
Thank you, David. I resonate with your concern with American Evangelicalism's strong tendency towards individualism and the need to balance it against Scripture's testimony to the communal nature of our faith. I also appreciate the Anglican touchstone of Scripture, reason and tradition as a tool towards achieving that balance (and as a tool to check the voice within). As you note, "the long-term received wisdom of our tradition" plays an especially important role in keeping individualism in check.
Your commment, however, reminded me of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which adds experience to Scripture, reason, and tradition. It seems to me that finding a way to factor experience (both personal and corporate, of Christians like us and Christians unlike us) into the equation is essential to a conversation among Reformed folk about the Holy Spirit. And to have this conversation with the additional help of Scripture, reason and tradition seems like a good way to go.
Thank you, Randy. With you I affirm the practice of our loving God speaking specifically and individually to his children. This has been the testimony of countless brothers and sisters in Christ. With you I affirm that it is cleaner and more orderly to minimize this practice and/or marginalize those who share such an experience. Finally, with you I affirm that our ears don't always hear correctly. I would like to add that one of the best ways to affirm our disability is to insist that the received word be tested within community. We must insist on this. he witness of the Christian church has been harmed and scarred by too many individuals claiming private yet untested revelation from the Lord.
As far as my endorsement of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), I recognize that the ministry doesn't neatly fit into the form of Reformed theology embraced by many in the the CRCNA. But, as you probably know, and as George Mardsen noted several years ago, America has been blessed by several schools of Reformation theology, each of which affirms Calvin's soteriology while differing on other aspects of his thought. Personally, while SGM may not be a perfect fit in the CRCNA, I affirm any group that accents the sovereign grace of our Triune God, especially as it pertains to salvation.
Having said all that, I am grateful for your presence and ministry in the CRCNA. Great to "meet" another member of the tribe. And, with you, I affirm that good theology doesn't resist the Holy Spirit but seeks to understanding the mystery of the Spirit's presence and work among us and throughout the world.
Thanks, George, but I have to ask, "Isn't one of the best parts of retirement not having to attend Classis meetings?" (If I knew how to insert a smiley face wingding I would do so here!)
I am not sure Burghardt was equating dynamis to dynamite, but surely you would agree that the Holy Spirit is our dynamite? An explosive source of power?
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thanks for the testimony, Richard. Also, thanks for your distinction between the Spirit who works within us and the Spirit who works upon us. It sure seems to describe my experience.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Sounds like Nicaragua is a great place to visit and worship and serve!
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thanks to a steady stream of comments, here's what I have learned in the past few days:
First, I have discovered some new friends as well as great resources for continued study.
Second, I have been reminded that I am a Euro-American Reformed Charismatic which means I am a white guy who has a lot to learn about the Holy Spirit from Reformed Charismatics throughout the world and from Charismatics and Pentecostals in America.
Third, in my initial blog I neglectedg the communal aspect of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives (so typically American!). Hence, I needed to add a point, one which affirms the role of the Spirit-filled church in the life of the Spirit-filled individual.
Fourth, I still don't trust my spiritual ears for I fear I will hear what I want to hear. So, I still think it good to exercise a "holy self-suspicion" when "hearing" the word of the Lord. This exercise prompts me to test the voice within against the voice of the Scriptures for, as noted above, the Spirit who inspires the Scriptures is the same Spirit who speaks today. It also encourages me to test the voice within against the context of the Christian community (The same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to you; the same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to us).
Fifth, since the Holy Spirit works in ways beyond my comprehension, I am sure I am not done learning about the Holy Spirit or experiencing the Spirit's blessing in my life, in the church, and in the world.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thank you, David. I resonate with your concern with American Evangelicalism's strong tendency towards individualism and the need to balance it against Scripture's testimony to the communal nature of our faith. I also appreciate the Anglican touchstone of Scripture, reason and tradition as a tool towards achieving that balance (and as a tool to check the voice within). As you note, "the long-term received wisdom of our tradition" plays an especially important role in keeping individualism in check.
Your commment, however, reminded me of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which adds experience to Scripture, reason, and tradition. It seems to me that finding a way to factor experience (both personal and corporate, of Christians like us and Christians unlike us) into the equation is essential to a conversation among Reformed folk about the Holy Spirit. And to have this conversation with the additional help of Scripture, reason and tradition seems like a good way to go.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thank you, Randy. With you I affirm the practice of our loving God speaking specifically and individually to his children. This has been the testimony of countless brothers and sisters in Christ. With you I affirm that it is cleaner and more orderly to minimize this practice and/or marginalize those who share such an experience. Finally, with you I affirm that our ears don't always hear correctly. I would like to add that one of the best ways to affirm our disability is to insist that the received word be tested within community. We must insist on this. he witness of the Christian church has been harmed and scarred by too many individuals claiming private yet untested revelation from the Lord.
As far as my endorsement of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), I recognize that the ministry doesn't neatly fit into the form of Reformed theology embraced by many in the the CRCNA. But, as you probably know, and as George Mardsen noted several years ago, America has been blessed by several schools of Reformation theology, each of which affirms Calvin's soteriology while differing on other aspects of his thought. Personally, while SGM may not be a perfect fit in the CRCNA, I affirm any group that accents the sovereign grace of our Triune God, especially as it pertains to salvation.
Having said all that, I am grateful for your presence and ministry in the CRCNA. Great to "meet" another member of the tribe. And, with you, I affirm that good theology doesn't resist the Holy Spirit but seeks to understanding the mystery of the Spirit's presence and work among us and throughout the world.
Posted in: The Other Side of 'Quitting Time'
Thanks, George, but I have to ask, "Isn't one of the best parts of retirement not having to attend Classis meetings?" (If I knew how to insert a smiley face wingding I would do so here!)
Posted in: The Holy Spirit and the Sermon – A Friendly Reminder For Those Who Preach
I am not sure Burghardt was equating dynamis to dynamite, but surely you would agree that the Holy Spirit is our dynamite? An explosive source of power?
Posted in: The Return of the Church Cemetery
Thanks, Jeff.
Posted in: The Return of the Church Cemetery
Thanks for that response. I bounced the idea of a group in Wisconsin last night and they, too, confirmed the need and embraced the idea.