Retired pastor living in Arizona. Besides being a pastor, I also worked in mediation for businesses, divorce and custody cases. I am the former Deputy Director of Maricopa County Family Court Conciliation Services. During my ministry in CHandler, AZ ( a church plant) I belonged to many community boards including hospitals, schools, social service agencies, etc. I am a past president of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
Posted in: Check Out the Music
I am just pointing out what the church order states. I don't think you need to know music to check out the words of a song.
Posted in: Check Out the Music
Thank you for your response and information.
Posted in: Check Out the Music
If I am not mistaken the Synodical delgations from each classis begins at the local level delegating to Classis and then delegating elders to Synod. So Elders at Synod make the final decision. Prior to that happening the proposed Hymnal is asked to be reviewed by the churches for feedback. So the whole process still places emphasis on "elder supervision and approval".
I mentioned in an earlier comment I was not completely against the word "untameable" but I still maintain it is not the best word to describe God. However to each his own interpretation of the word as used in the song.
Posted in: Check Out the Music
Thanks for all the feedback. Coming up next my "take" on Church Discipline.
Posted in: Using Your Hebrew and Greek
Thank you for reminding us. I wonder if the education of the original languages has been placed in the background of individuals being prepared for ministry or those who have no seminary education should at least be required to take course in Hebrew and Greek as a condition of ordination?
Posted in: How Do We Know Which Story is True?
When do the cows come home? But there is something like historical research so we can distinquish between a fairy tale anda story from a historical perspective.
Posted in: Order of Worship: How was It Created?
Appreciate your comments. I would suggest as leaders in the church we need to give reasons for why we have the order of worship we do. Elders in the past were more active than they are today and not sure why that is the case.
Posted in: Order of Worship: How was It Created?
I agree, Howard, there are perimeters. But as a confessional church "what we believe" does come first. As I mentioned in my illustration with the Social Justice Office of the denomination, we disagree how we should carry out what we believe to a certain extent, but both of our solutions are based on what we believe in common. I will be doing further posts on the elements of worship and question why some churches have abandon them all together. I think we would agree that churches in our denomination have taking liberties with "how we worship". Recently I was in three different churches with three completely different styles of worship. The question have is if we believe the same thing, how do those "differences in worship style" reflect that same belief?
Posted in: Order of Worship: How was It Created?
Thanks for the constructive comments and a good idea to supply training materials for the elders that would include a history of Reformed liturgy.
Posted in: So How Good are the Sermons in the CRC?
Thank you - I think that is a great idea and a way to know how the congregation is responding to your sermons.
al
Posted in: Why Do You Attend a CRC Church?
I think with the emphasis on Christian education and Sunday School curriculum helps that happen. In fact I was wondering if the present generation is being taught the way I was many decades ago where we had to study the catehechism and doctrines. In my case with many others, we had Christian School, Sunday School and also Cathecism during the week at church. I always thought that was a bit much but my parents did not.
Posted in: Whatever Happened to Family/Household Visits?
I agree with you. But my point is how are we replacing the traditional "Family/Household visit" with meaningful contact by the elders. Your suggestion is certainly one way of doing it. I think the elders need to be involved in making that "meaningful" contact.