David Vandervelde

Hand Shaking and H1N1?

2009-11-03T04:06:41Z

Some of the local churches here in British Columbia have stopped hand-shaking in church. I'm wondering what is happening is other places. What is your church doing in this regard? Have you made any changes to your normal greeting patterns?

A few months ago, we made hand sanatisers available throughout our church building. We continue to shake-hands, but make it clear that nobody should feel they have to shake-hands if they are uncomfortable.

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

The Calvin Quiz

2009-09-03T17:25:28Z

I came across this fun little “Calvin Quiz” over at Calvin500.com. I did guess at one or two of them, but I guess I guessed right (as evidenced by my badge below!).

To jump directly to the Calvin quiz, go here. See how you do!

More about John Calvin at Calvin 500

Going to Church in the CRC

2009-07-29T02:15:22Z

I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, and I harbour no animosity toward that fine denomination or any of its local churches. That being said, I find it troubling that our General Secretary--the General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America--has chosen to make his home church a CRC church. It creates some dissonance within my mind and spirit. Now I admit that I am not privy to some of the personal reasons the General Secretary may have or some of the explanations given to the GSC for attending the CRC, but I have a hard time finding any plausible reasons or explanations that would be compelling enough. Its like Steve Jobs carrying around a Dell or the head of GM driving a Toyota--its just not done. It would be a betrayal. Perhaps that is what is happening here--a betrayal. I don't know. But it make me uneasy. Am I alone in this feeling?

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

PS - For those who are wondering, I'm getting my information from the most recent edition of the Church Herald (page 22).

PPS - If the General Secretary happens to read this post, I'd like to invite him to offer some public thoughts on his church choice here on these blogs.

A big thanks to the Church Herald

2009-06-17T01:38:57Z

I'd like to thank the Church Herald for inviting and encouraging the synod bloggers to share their synod experiences. It was a welcome way for those not attending synod to follow along. I very much enjoyed it. I'd also like to thank the synod bloggers for taking time out of their busy synod days to share their reports and reflections.

I think this has been an excellent experience in two-way conversation for us as a church. Thanks!

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

Getting on the Tractor -- Thoughts on the Belhar Confession

2009-06-08T14:51:11Z

When I was a child, my dad bought a new tractor. It was not an easy choice. I remember him taking several weeks to search and to compare models and to consider his needs and the needs of the farm. One day he finally decided and brought home a brand new Massey Ferguson. It was cool. That piece of machinery was beautiful--something to be admired. But not for dad. He spent little time admiring the tractor, before he jumped on it and started plowing. After day one, that shinny new tractor was a vital piece of the farm. While it was no longer clean and new--it was being used.

I'd like to challenge us all to get on the new tractor. Let's put away any temptation to walk around and admire passively this new thing--its beauty and shiny exterior. Let's put away the temptation to wonder if we can return it and get our money back. Let's get on it! Let's get plowing. Let's see this new thing become a vital part of the farm.

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

The Small Majority

2009-05-21T17:26:17Z

I am currently on sabbatical, and focusing some research and reflection toward the small church and its unique leadership needs. I did some number crunching from the RCA statistical tables. In 2007 (the most current data available), there were 931 churches in the RCA. Of those 931 churches, 640 (69%) have an average worship attendance of 150 or less; 512 (55%) have an average worship attendance of 100 or less; and 243 (26%) have an average worship attendance of 50 or less.

There you have it--7 of 10 churches in the RCA is small. Of course there are nuances to statistics and limits to them, but setting those aside, its hard to argue with the reality that the RCA is filled with small churches. As a pastor of one of those small churches, I often find the resources available are geared toward larger churches with either a larger budget or opportunities unique to the larger church. I often find this in the RCA as well (perhaps its just my perception). The question on my mind is about our support for the small church. How well do we support the unique challenges and opportunities of the small church? How well do we support this small majority in the RCA?

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

A shameless plug

2009-04-17T03:47:18Z

I have been granted a three month sabbatical from my normal duties as pastor of Bethel Reformed Church. It will (DV) begin in just over a week. If anyone is interested, I have started a Sabbatical Blog. There is a bunch of information there, and I will be updating the blog regularly with my thoughts and expereinces over the next few months. Feel free to take a look and follow along!

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

The Short Pastorate

2009-03-05T18:54:16Z

I appreciate Daniel Fiske's March letter to the editor. I affirm his sincere emotion. In case you haven't read it, Daniel is asking an honest question about the tendency he sees toward a short pastorate. His first sentence is telling: "As a member of an RCA congregation for just over fifteen years, I have been taught by four pastors, two interims, and more pulpit supply pastors and lay speakers than I can remember." Wow. That's a whirlwind. But Daniel is not bitter, his heart is in the right place: "I understand there are times when ministers need to move on and it can be a healthy change. I just don't see how this rapid turnover can be healthy for us in the church, how it helps new members, or how it reaches out to the unchurched." I don't know Daniel's church or any systemic needs it may have or the unique circumstances of those four pastors and those two interims, but I do see the trend that Daniel sees. He phrases it so well: "We've had ministers leave for bigger churches, to go back to school, and to move closer to family--reasons often seeming more personal than biblical. We haven't ever had a candidate that felt God called them from a larger church to our smaller church. None has said that like Jesus disciples they were called to be away from family for a time to serve the church. Can such short-term pastorates effectively build up the body of Christ?" I don't know if they can, Daniel, I don't know. Certainly through God's grace and providence the church is built up, and through the faithful service of people like you, but I think you are right. Short-term pastorates don't help the cause. Daniel ends his letter with the plea: "I'm struggling to see God's will in this. Can somebody please help me?" Perhaps somebody has some thoughts.

Boogity, boogity, boogity!

2009-02-06T21:04:24Z

Boogity, boogity, boogity! I am excited! If you don't understand, google it - Boogity, boogity, boogity!

Blessings,

David Vandervelde

What time is your service?

2009-01-07T21:31:11Z

I'm in the midst of planning a short get-away with the family. One of the things I've been doing is looking for a place to worship on the Sunday. This is where I found a disturbing trend. Lots of churches have websites, but its next to impossible to find the service times. Seriously. I looked at two RCA church websites, and could not locate their service times. They had a nice welcome message, inviting visitors to join them. They even had a hand map. But no service times. If your church has a website, please, make sure the service times are listed on your front page. Make it easier for visitors to get at that basic piece of information.

Blessings, David