March 16, 2022
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Nudged by the Spirit or Science?
I assumed the Spirit had lovingly and wisely directed my steps. But was it the Spirit? Perhaps it was something else, maybe even science?
Community Builder
Sam Hamstra
Church:
About Me:
I am an Executive Search Consultant with the Rukes Search Group, as well as a retired CRCNA pastor. I have had the privilege of serving congregations in both the RCA and CRCNA. When I am not working, I am hanging out with my family or reading a book or fishing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or serving as the Commissioner of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League or playing piano.
February 7, 2022
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3 Persistent Pastoral Temptations
Throughout my four-plus decades in vocational ministry, I have wrestled with three persistent temptations. Perhaps you can relate.
September 16, 2021
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Rest for the Weary
What does it mean to find rest for the body and the soul?
May 1, 2017
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The Return of the Church Cemetery
If your church is looking to meet a need in the community and your campus includes ample green space, consider setting aside space for a garden where families can scatter or bury the cremated remains of their loved ones.
March 29, 2017
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The Pastoral Practice of Self-Reflection
Self-reflection is difficult. It encourages us to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge our limitations. It requires that we ask ourselves personal questions, the answers to which will force us out of comfort zones.
March 15, 2017
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Is Your Congregation a Frontier or Immigrant Church Plant?
Throughout the history of Christianity, I've observed two models of church planting that I will label Frontier & Immigrant. Each model has implicit strengths and weaknesses. What is your congregation?
March 8, 2017
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Beware of Dissing the Preacher
As I read through sermons by the great Reformer Martin Luther, I got stuck on a sermon from Luke 2:41-52. Was I concluding that Luther preached a good sermon but did not preach the text?
March 8, 2017
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A Thought on Praying the Psalms
Praying the Psalms for the “whole Christ" enriches my prayer life. It increases my appreciation for the global church, weakens the grip of individualism, and brings to life Psalms I might otherwise overlook.
November 10, 2016
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What's Love Got to Do With It? How The Heart of God Shapes Worship
Recent conversations on worship fail to answer this simple question, “What’s love got to do with it?” In this volume, I answer that question and more by identifying biblical principles that shape our love as worshipers.
November 7, 2016
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Confessions
When I asked my class of nearly 30 students to pick their #1 line from the Confessions of Augustine, there was very little duplication. This list of their 'top lines' may encourage you to revisit this classic spiritual autobiography.
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John, thanks for your comments. I am sure there are a few pastors who may be tempted by sloth. I don't know many and that hasn't been my experience. Unfortunately, the temptation of success, as...
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Erin, thank you for your comment. I concur with the temptation but have not been able to identify its root cause. Maybe it is an aversion to risk. I say that because shepherding people can be...
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Thanks, Jeff.
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Thanks for that response. I bounced the idea of a group in Wisconsin last night and they, too, confirmed the need and embraced the idea.
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Just ran across these words from a sermon on the Holy Spirit by A.W. Tozer: There is more of God in Augustine's Confessions than there is in all of the books written in fundamental circles in the...
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I wonder if that option was considered?
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Thanks, Doug, for the suggestion. I don't know first hand, but such experiences may have played a role in the development of groups like ECO and LCMC.
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Wendy, I am helped by the distinction between the church gathered (the local church) and the church scattered (individuals living in obedience to Christ in their homes, workplaces, neighborhoods,...
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Darren, thank you for your contribution to this conversation. You encouraged me to do "some double checking and write in such a way as to how you see your hopes and dreams being realized in the...
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Amen on the need for more listening and fewer surveys.