I serve as the Content and Community Manager for The Network, a role that I truly love. I have a passion for connecting people and am grateful to see how God is at work in the CRC and beyond. I'd love to answer any of your questions and help you get involved!
Thanks for talking about your own personal experience at synod. Helpful thoughts. I haven't checked out the number of women going this year but the 2016 Agenda would give us the names.
Praying and trusting with you that God is at work as the delegates prepare for the hard, important work of synod.
Thanks for sharing these additional questions, John. I think you did a great job of framing the case for baptism, especially with how it may be liberating for the faithfulness to depend on more than just "me" or the family.
I'd love to hear if other reformed folks have done dedications or would be open to them as well. Got a story?
This is a helpful distinction, Roger. Wondering about people who grew up in the Reformed tradition that may have left and gone to another church. Is there still a desire for baptisms? Or how about people who came into the CRC/Reformed tradition but grew up in a different denomination. Are they doing baptisms if they have older children or for themselves as adults? Or is it just profession of faith at that point?
I love that you mention Chronicles of Narnia. I grew up with my Dad reading me those books and the story style in which they are written (full of adventure, conflict, etc.) was incredibly helpful in my faith development.
Lately I've really been inspired and challenged by the Rend Collective song Joy of the Lord.
This song encourages me to lean on the JOY and HOPE of the Lord, no matter the circumstances. My favorite part of the song are the lines: "The joy of the Lord is my strength, In the darkness I’ll dance, In the shadows I’ll sing, The joy of the Lord is my strength."
Thanks, Roger! Completely agree that we shouldn't be offended by the way others celebrate these holidays (I LOVED a good Easter Egg hunt growing up). But I also hope to be on the lookout for ways I can share what Christmas and Easter mean for me as a Jesus follower.
I love this article! Thanks for the thoughtful and nuanced questions. There is so much we want to control, or make better, but God has always worked through imperfect people to accomplish incredible things!
Thanks, Graham! You are exactly right that it can be a logistical challenge to meet weekly for planning purposes. Glad that you are still able to have open channels of communication. Also, love the idea of musicians/pastors collaborating on a song led by the Holy Spirit - how powerful that would be!
Posted in: Where Are the Women at Synod?
Trena,
Thanks for talking about your own personal experience at synod. Helpful thoughts. I haven't checked out the number of women going this year but the 2016 Agenda would give us the names.
Praying and trusting with you that God is at work as the delegates prepare for the hard, important work of synod.
Staci
Posted in: Infant Baptism or Dedication: What Should We Consider?
Thanks for sharing these additional questions, John. I think you did a great job of framing the case for baptism, especially with how it may be liberating for the faithfulness to depend on more than just "me" or the family.
I'd love to hear if other reformed folks have done dedications or would be open to them as well. Got a story?
Posted in: Infant Baptism or Dedication: What Should We Consider?
This is a helpful distinction, Roger. Wondering about people who grew up in the Reformed tradition that may have left and gone to another church. Is there still a desire for baptisms? Or how about people who came into the CRC/Reformed tradition but grew up in a different denomination. Are they doing baptisms if they have older children or for themselves as adults? Or is it just profession of faith at that point?
Posted in: Infant Baptism or Dedication: What Should We Consider?
This is incredibly helpful, Roger. Really good background and food for thought. Appreciate it very much.
Posted in: Celebrating Easter: Chocolate Bunny Required?
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and call to be bold, Esther.
Posted in: Go-to Books on Nurturing the Faith of Children
I love that you mention Chronicles of Narnia. I grew up with my Dad reading me those books and the story style in which they are written (full of adventure, conflict, etc.) was incredibly helpful in my faith development.
Posted in: My Father’s I Corinthians 13
What a beautiful picture of love! Thanks for sharing.
Posted in: What Song Inspires Your Mission?
Lately I've really been inspired and challenged by the Rend Collective song Joy of the Lord.
This song encourages me to lean on the JOY and HOPE of the Lord, no matter the circumstances. My favorite part of the song are the lines: "The joy of the Lord is my strength, In the darkness I’ll dance, In the shadows I’ll sing, The joy of the Lord is my strength."
Posted in: What Song Inspires Your Mission?
This is one of my favorites too, Laura!
Posted in: Celebrating Easter: Chocolate Bunny Required?
Thanks, Roger! Completely agree that we shouldn't be offended by the way others celebrate these holidays (I LOVED a good Easter Egg hunt growing up). But I also hope to be on the lookout for ways I can share what Christmas and Easter mean for me as a Jesus follower.
Posted in: Excellence vs. Community?
I love this article! Thanks for the thoughtful and nuanced questions. There is so much we want to control, or make better, but God has always worked through imperfect people to accomplish incredible things!
Posted in: How Do Worship Leaders and Pastors Collaborate to Plan the Service?
Thanks, Graham! You are exactly right that it can be a logistical challenge to meet weekly for planning purposes. Glad that you are still able to have open channels of communication. Also, love the idea of musicians/pastors collaborating on a song led by the Holy Spirit - how powerful that would be!