One Faith, Many Answers
Do we communicate both diversity and unity to our communities? How well do we communicate "core beliefs" to our communities?
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.
I read, do some writing, and golf.
Do we communicate both diversity and unity to our communities? How well do we communicate "core beliefs" to our communities?
How familiar are you with The Mediation Process? Should every Pastor be trained in Mediation? I believe it is a process that allows us to settle disagreements with understanding, compassion and many times wholeness in what was once a broken relationship.
If your Council meeting discourage disagreements you may not be making good decisions. Do disagreements have any place in your council meetings?
What should be the role of Elders at Synod? How often have Elders been included in the offices of Synod?
Do you know what your church's personality is? What is the main emphasis of your ministry? Are all Christian Reformed Churches the same?
Do we really assign Deacons, Elders, and Pastors their Biblical roles? How well do our members know what the function of each office really is?
Why is it important to be part of a denomination? How well are we teaching Church History in our local churches?
How should the church approach the "Gun Issue"? How does social media shape our minds as to our approach to owning and using guns and the outbreak of violence"?
You have any idea how a visitor views your church? Do we take for granted we are doing everything well?
Do small churches have enough programs for their members? Better question: Can small churches have enough programs for their members?
My next "Blog" will be on mediation. I am trained in both General and Family Mediation and firmly believe that part of Pastor Counseling Courses should include a course on Mediation as it applies...
Thanks, Good Stuff!!!!
Many of the elders that served on the Councils of the churches I served kept well informed by reading such publications as "The Banner" etc. Also, unless things have changed seminary did very...
They are all part of the church as Institute. When they go out and do things like welfare programs, education, etc. they are the organism. Good article appreciate the subject.
Steve, you make a valid point(s), but I think we need to strike a balance. The Bible is filled with the concept of "fellowship, community". It is also reminds us to seek sound doctrine, to...
Thanks for the response. I agree with your comments about "Tulip" but my real point is, "Are we teaching our confessions to our members both young and old?" Glad to hear that you are preaching...
Maybe I did not make it very "clear" but my point is that the church is more than worship - it is about "communion of the saints". It is about serving as well as being served. It is about...
I just read through the entire church order and I think consistory (elders) are mentioned more than the two articles you mention and with the authority to regulate worship, education, etc. So I...
That is my point there is not enough flexibility in the Church Order. I would challenge leaders to overture Synod to make changes so it is not "distant" from every day practices.
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.