Keith Knight

Thanks, Eric.

It is a given that racism -- bigotry -- is a sin and that every Bible-believing Christian should be opposed to it.

The challenge for the local church -- and that's really where the rubber hits the road -- is "What are you going to do about it?" You can preach against it off the pulpit as much as you like but until you engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and sit down with the 'other side' in an attempt to understand their struggles and their culture, very little will change.

Thanks, Eric.

It is a given that racism -- bigotry -- is a sin and that every Bible-believing Christian should be opposed to it.

The challenge for the local church -- and that's really where the rubber hits the road -- is "What are you going to do about it?" You can preach against it off the pulpit as much as you like but until you engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and sit down with the 'other side' in an attempt to understand their struggles and their culture, very little will change.

We began the series on Matthew well over a year ago. The website tells me we've had 70 sermons. We're at Matthew 12 so we have a way to go: 2 or 3 verses at a time.

The theme is "The King Has Arrived" and the gospel message is as relevant today as it was a year ago ... with COVID, racial tension, and a pending election. We're considering the Parable of the Sower ... because it comes next.

No need to search for random Psalms or mini-series that speak to our take on the issues of the day. Just sit back and let the Gospel breathe over you.

During these interesting times as the world deals with the coronavirus, I tend to focus on Psalm 46 and the familiar song that Martin Luther penned based on that psalm, A Mighty Fortress.

There are various interesting versions of that hymn on Spotify and elsewhere.

It reinforces the notion that God is in charge and that, through the coronavirus, God is at work.  Our faith will not be shaken because God is a mighty fortress who controls all of creation ... even viruses.

My goal, and the suggested goal for all 6,500 Christian business and professional leaders who are part of the Canadian Christian Business Federation network, is this: "My business is God's business."

There are at least two implications: If you are involved in business, a profession, an organization or non-profit, you are re-dedicating your business to God. Secondly, God cares about your business; how it's run, how it reflects Christ-like principles, how you treat your employees, how you spend your money, how you support Kingdom causes.

One business owner, in a discussion about stewardship and his tithing habits, said: "If all that I have belongs to God, then who am I to give him just 10 per cent of my net profits!"

The response to the conflict depends greatly upon the nature of the conflict. I have seen congregations divided over whether or not to pave the parking lot, over the time of the worship service, over the cancellation of the second service. These can be worked out through patience and dialogue.

I have seen congregations divided over an Article 17 separation of pastor from congregation, or the pending installation of an elder of questionable character, or the gender issue when it comes to selecting office-bearers.

Rule No. 1. Never, ever try to solve conflict by email. It invariably fails.

When dealing with potentially church-dividing conflict, take it slow and easy. Don't make rash decisions. Bring in an outside mediator. Never allow the pastor(s) to get caught in the middle of a conflict and having to choose sides (unless they are the subject of the conflict).

Lastly, but most importantly, spend considerable time in prayer, praying for wisdom, patience and a civil tongue.

Involved in worship in any capacity?

I'm attending a conference in three weeks in Hamburg Germany put on by the World Evangelical Association's Business Coalition. The theme? "Work as worship."

I'm the executive director of the Canadian Christian Business Federation, connecting with about 6,500 Christian men and women involved in business, the professions and non-profits. As we connect our 'Sunday faith' to our 'Monday work', we proclaim that work is worship.

But that's probably not what you have in mind.   ;o)

This deeply disturbs me.

We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month. It's a time to reflect upon the great gift that God had given his people: the death of His son.

As the elements are handed out, the pastor regularly reminds us that "this is only for Christians; for those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you don't share in that profession of faith, don't take part. As Scripture says, you are eating and drinking judgment unto yourself."

We regularly have five busloads of university students attending our morning worship services. But the biblical warning is as much for us pew-sitters as it is for those who have come to check out the worship service.

When it comes to children at communion, I would hope that parents -- at minimum -- have had that conversation with their children beforehand to determine if they indeed do profess their faith in Christ. I would also hope that a parent has enough spiritual maturity to tell one child that he or she isn't quite ready to take that step.

We seem to equate communion with a church potluck; enjoy the feast because we're all part of one happy family.  So, whose responsibility is it when a child, or a teenager, or a mature adult takes communion without truly professing Christ as lord and Saviour? What does it mean to eat and drink judgment to one's self?

I think I signed in with my "hello " almost a year ago. I don't think that much has come of the conversation, discussion or dialogue over the past year.

After serving numerous terms as an elder,  usually as chair of council, I have discovered recently that I wasn't really qualified.

Sure, I checked all of the boxes, especially gifts of administration and organization, but I didnt have a sound biblical foundation. I couldnt easily quote scripture to parishioners when it came to providing wise counsel to families.

I readily proclaimed my love for the church and its institutions but, on hindsight, I  didnt have a living, breathing relationship with Jesus.

So, the number 1 criterion for serving as an elder: have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and be immersed in scripture. 

Dave, it's been decades since I was first installed as an elder. We've come a long way since that time in providing proper orientation for elders (and deacons).

I mourn the selection process for elders these days. We seem to be more concerned with having 'a warm body' in an elder's chair than to have someone who is spiritually mature, who at least appears to live a holy life, and someone who knows scripture.

I would like to see congregations nominate potential elders, then have them go through a series of classes that review the church's doctrine -- yes, the creeds -- with a firm understanding of the Catechism. Potential elders should be asked about their spiritual lives (ie devotions, walking with God each day), their relationships to their spouse and children, and whether or not they feel qualified to become one of the congregation's spiritual leaders. They should display gifts of leadership and decision-making.

We have, in my estimation, taken the office of elder too lightly.  As overseers of the preaching of the Word, and as overseers over the spiritual lives of folks within the congregation, elders have an obligation to know their scripture so that they can carry out their office appropriately.