We are blessed with different methods of connecting. Within our our faith community directly there is a printed list of all members and adherents within their districts. This list / booklet also includes ministry contact info etc. but does not have any advertising.
In addition the area churches in our half of Classis (approximately 15 groups including a non CRC but Reformed community and a Christian Retirement Home) also distributes the lists of members and adherents of those churches. So we are connected to the churches around us as well.
In our particular context (large numbers of elderly in a semi-rural town) the online component is not yet a priority as many members do not have computer or internet connections that would warrant this level of connecting.
I wonder if the decreased 'use' is also tied to a growing use of other resources ie. using retired pastors that are in a local area or using other local resources ie. inviting a local ministry to come and speak on a given Sunday or even creating a prayer service or a hymn service. No longer is there the strict dependence upon or adherence to having 'approved' resources read aloud.
I also recognize that the elders (and deacons) that I've spoken with over the past years have become increasingly uncomfortable and/or unwilling to speak from the front of the church. Much less read a sermon !!
Thirdly - I wonder if the increased role of visuals ie. television, videos etc. have also created an appetite for more 'entertaining' sermons rather than have one read from a member of the congregation. I've spoken in our church about a back up plan for the emergency of a pastor not being able to attend on short notice and there was a unanimous reluctance to read a sermon and a preference to find a video sermon (acceptable of course to the leadership) that could be simply 'plugged in'.
Just wondering.
Allan Kirkpatrick - Grace CRC - Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
Posted in: The Church Directory: A Thing of the Past?
We are blessed with different methods of connecting. Within our our faith community directly there is a printed list of all members and adherents within their districts. This list / booklet also includes ministry contact info etc. but does not have any advertising.
In addition the area churches in our half of Classis (approximately 15 groups including a non CRC but Reformed community and a Christian Retirement Home) also distributes the lists of members and adherents of those churches. So we are connected to the churches around us as well.
In our particular context (large numbers of elderly in a semi-rural town) the online component is not yet a priority as many members do not have computer or internet connections that would warrant this level of connecting.
Posted in: The 'Reading Sermon'
Ken -
I wonder if the decreased 'use' is also tied to a growing use of other resources ie. using retired pastors that are in a local area or using other local resources ie. inviting a local ministry to come and speak on a given Sunday or even creating a prayer service or a hymn service. No longer is there the strict dependence upon or adherence to having 'approved' resources read aloud.
I also recognize that the elders (and deacons) that I've spoken with over the past years have become increasingly uncomfortable and/or unwilling to speak from the front of the church. Much less read a sermon !!
Thirdly - I wonder if the increased role of visuals ie. television, videos etc. have also created an appetite for more 'entertaining' sermons rather than have one read from a member of the congregation. I've spoken in our church about a back up plan for the emergency of a pastor not being able to attend on short notice and there was a unanimous reluctance to read a sermon and a preference to find a video sermon (acceptable of course to the leadership) that could be simply 'plugged in'.
Just wondering.
Allan Kirkpatrick - Grace CRC - Cobourg, Ontario, Canada