Must We "Approve" Profession of Faith?
Are we approving one's profession of faith, as though we're giving it a pass-fail grade? Might we instead recognize and welcome?
I’m a husband, dad, friend, and pastor. –S. I’m a wife, mom, friend, and homemaker. –M.
Are we approving one's profession of faith, as though we're giving it a pass-fail grade? Might we instead recognize and welcome?
If we leave a worship service on any given Sunday, even the second service, with the attitude that we can now check “worship” off our to-do list, then the Church Order mandating 10 services per Sunday won’t help us!
As Jesus rides the donkey into Jerusalem, a crowd gathers—ordinary citizens waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” The crowds probably mean “Save us from the Romans." But Jesus has his eyes on a bigger enemy.
I don't see coming to the table more often as a threat to our historic and enduring emphasis on the centrality of Scripture. If anything, I’d suspect this may actually help the congregation more deeply comprehend and embrace the Word.
What’s stopping us from inviting Jesus to open our eyes and speak to our hearts by gathering around the Lord’s Supper table more frequently?
I see a church community as a place to experience the contagiousness of courage. Surrounded by fellow hikers on the path, we hear and see people cheering us on while we in turn do the same for others.
Our church (Trinity CRC) is considering changing to the model of having a Senior Pastor and an Associate Pastor. Do you use this model? If so, would you be willing to share job descriptions for BOTH positions?
Why do we sing in worship services? Why not simply use spoken words? For one thing, songs give us language to describe our experiences. We cling to them like life preservers when our faith is challenged.
I was once told that worship is like orange juice. Sunday worship is the concentrate but you need to add water to week experience it all week. Do you ever have days you don't want the concentrate?
What is it that drives people to do something out of the goodness of their heart with no expectation of reward?
Hi Kelli,
Trinity CRC in Rock Valley, Iowa, celebrated 50 years last year. Covid-19 threw wrinkles in some of our plans but we still had a very meaningful weekend of reviewing and...
I bought this the day it became available. It's a very insightful, fresh translation that helps me appreciate the culture of the New Testament through the lens of the culture of First Nations...
I was looking for the pdf version too. I'm hoping that by leaving a note here, I'll get the notification when it's available. Thanks!
Thanks for this helpful, memorable overview. The link for the "decision-making process" near the beginning doesn't work for me though. Can someone point it to the right resource? Blessings!
~...
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and important reminders. How sad to witness when people deny in words or actions that every human being is made in the image of God and is loved by Him.
~...
Beautiful. Profound. Thank you.
~Stanley
I appreciated this panel conversation very much. I was convicted with the truth of how easy it is to spend more time meditating on the words of my news feeds rather than on the Word of God which...
Thanks, Cecil. I appreciate your writing, always characterized by wisdom and grace. ~Stanley
Thank you, Tyler, for sharing this. Very encouraging to read of the almighty and ever present power of God at work in his world and in your life! ~Stanley
Thanks for these reminders... Good timing!
~Stanley