Donna Hanchett

There is a wonderful new series of studies for women that our women's group is doing by Nancy Guthrie, called "seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. So far there are three 10-week studies. The first one covers Genesis, the second covers the rest of the Pentateuch. Book number 4 covers the Wisdom books. The fourth one, which should be published later this spring will be (book 3) seeing Jesus in the History books. For more info., you can visit the website  www.SeeingJesusInTheOldTestament.com

This is an excellent way to support missions! When I was a missionary on the field, I would have really appreciated a team emphasis by supporting churches rather than the pressure of being focused on as individual missionaries. It gives churches a much broader perspective of the work being done as well as the needs of the countries and their particular regions.  Would this strategy ever be considered as a means to support CRWM missionaries? 

I have appreciated all the links given both in the blog and in the comments. It will be interesting to see how Francis's Jesuit background influences his papacy and his relationship with Protestants. It is significant that Francis gave his first Sunday message on forgiveness, which is still the message that the whole world needs to hear. 

For twelve years my husband and I served as missionaries to Spain. If we were still there, I would be encouraging my evangelical friends to take advantage of this little window in which the new pope is using some of our language. His current emphasis on Jesus, humility, and forgiveness can be used to open opportunities to share the gospel with many cultural Roman Catholics in traditional countries like Spain. 

This is a broad topic that deserves our attention. There truly are many people around us dealing with a deep sense of shame in their personal lives. Anyone who grew up with any type of abuse in their lives needs to know how Jesus can free them from their shame. For me, the shame of sexual abuse haunted my life until I realized the shame of the cross and could identify with Jesus in that way. I was completely freed in Christ. But it's not a topic that the Western church discusses very much. I think we as believers could help make the connection with people who are in desperate need of a Savior.

I always appreciate your perspectives on short-term missions. Keep up the good work of promoting cross-cultural sensitivities!

You could also include immigrants, whether documented or undocumented in the "Samaria" group. I'm looking forward to the "Welcoming the Stranger" webinar next week!

Excellent post! We must think biblically in every aspect of life, and welcome, as Jesus would, the foreigner in our midst. From what I understand many refugees are such because of their Christian faith. Also, many undocumented immigrants would love to become legal, if there were a way for them to do so. We, the body of Christ, must see people through His eyes, and in light of eternity.

Great question! My husband and I served the Lord as missionaries to Spain for twelve years. When it was time for us to return to live on the States, we had nowhere to go. The church that reached out to us was a CRC church that was in the process of seeking a new pastor, and had a vacant parsonage, that they offered to us,and where we ended up living for six months. This church welcomed us with open arms, and within a week we were invited to join a home group bible study. The Lord not only loved us through this church,but when our mission board later sent us to Toronto for a further year of service, we sought out another CRC church and were immediately welcomed by the leadership and other members of the congregation. Again, we joined a small group Bible study through the church.

While we have studied, and agree wholeheartedly with the Calvinist teachings and doctrines of the church, it is the love of Christ that first drew us into the CRC. It is also the structure of the service along with the strong evangelical beliefs that are so meaningful to us. Having grown up in traditional denominations, we both have come to appreciate the liturgy in the Christian Reformed Churches that we have attended.

We have recently moved to an area of the Southeastern US that has no CRC within a reasonable driving distance. My husband and I are now in a Presbyterian Church with similar teachings.

One more thing that really has impressed me in the Reformed churches that I have attended is the depth of understanding of the doctrines of the church among the general church members. This is something that I had found lacking in the independent Bible churches that I had attended over the previous twenty-some years. People know what they believe in the Reformed tradition, which makes for a greater depth of fellowship within the small groups, and a congregation that faithfully interacts in ministry to the community.