Al Lindemulder
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: 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: Check Out the Music
I really do not think that is the best word. It has implications of being out of control like a wild horse. Lack of concern for anyone else. God listens to our prayers and answers our prayers with our best interest in mind. It is a relationship so I find it to be a questionable way to discribe God. But that is just my opinion as to how I interrupt the word.
Posted in: Check Out the Music
Good points - I guess my overview point is, are we as consistories monitoring the music in our churches as mentioned in the church order? It just struck me as a bit odd when we were singing it but really I did not object as much as the blog may have indicated.
Posted in: Check Out the Music
Appreciate all of the comments and clarification. Good dialogue.
al
Posted in: Check Out the Music
I think it is possible to question the judgment of others in picking songs. The Hymnal has a history of scrutiny and approval by way of Synodical decisions. I am not certain each individual has the collective theological wisdom to scrutinize songss as well as the collective mind of the entire body (CRC). I know I don't. However the bigger issue is the role of consistories in giving leadership to our worship services and I am not sure that much time is spent in consistory meetings on the issue of worship.
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: 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.
Posted in: Why Do You Attend a CRC Church?
I very much appreciate your response and your "faith journey". Thank you for expressing it.