If you're not Dutch ... Skin-Deep Diversity?

(from Dave Cheadle)

The RCA likes to "celebrate diversity." Meanwhile, thousands are in a panic about the RCA losing its identity. Oops.... do the math.

Change means change. Deep change means new identity. No way around it.

Some of us claim that we like the idea of change -- even the concept of constantly "reforming."

But we really don't want deep change... just skin-deep change...Read more.

House of Prayer Part II

(from Leighton Seys)

House of Prayer: Part II - June 11, 2009

 Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer.” (Mark 11:17)

Somewhere along the line it is easy for one teaching about scripture to be elevated above another. Sometimes this happens as a kid. Sometimes by not knowing other teachings. And perhaps sometimes by neglect. Whatever the case those long held beliefs are hard to abandon.

Jesus said, “whatever you ask in prayer...Read more.

Follow the (Non) Reader

(from Joe Veltman, guest blogger)

Imagine with me. Imagine with me that the RCA had commissioned its own Bible translation some years ago. Imagine that the RCA took an extensive survey, and discovered that only about 40,000 of the members of the RCA read their Bibles. Most of the members, they discovered, owned no Bible and were not interested in reading it. Among the main reasons people gave was that they cost too much.

A goodly number, mostly younger folks, said they read their Bibles online. And imagine with me that an advisory committee recommended...Read more.

House of Prayer Part I

(from Leighton Seys)

Our town newspaper has requested that a minister from town submit articles to the newspaper every Thursday. Some write once or twice a month and some for a whole month. I have taken it upon myself to write each June. So in addition to Blogging at Synod I was writing for the paper. I would like to share those articles with you. So I will post them over the next few weeks...Read more.

The African-American Church Experience

(from Kevin DeYoung)

Last Sunday night at our church, Eric Washington, Assistant Professor of African-American and African History at Calvin College, spoke to our congregation on "The African-American Church Experience". Eric and his family live in our area and attend our church often on Sunday evenings. They will be moving to Grand Rapids soon, so I asked if he would teach at our church before he left. I learned a lot from him on Sunday night. The lecture is definitely worth listening to.

Eric framed the discussion around the doctrine of providence...Read more.

Thoughts on the "Cessation" of the Herald

(from Jon Opgenorth)

In regard to General Synod's decision for the "orderly cessation" of the Church Herald, I found myself surprised, surprisingly sad, but also hopeful.

I say "surprised" because I truly expected the Synod to retain the Herald at almost any cost. That was the impression I had from the floor of Synod last year (2008).

I say "surprisingly sad" because, although I have been a some-time critic of the assessment and every-member subscription, I found that I will truly miss the elements of the Herald I found helpful and encouraging...Read more.

No Blood...No Blessing

(from Scott Nichols)

In our Sunday Evening Study of Leviticus last night, I was struck by the imagery at play in this passage [Leviticus 9:18-22]. Aaron had just completed the opening round of sacrifices following his ordination and with the blood still wet upon his hands, he lifts them in blessing of the people of Israel. A vivid reminder that God's blessing is given via the sacrifice.

I encouraged the congregation to hold that image...Read more.

Where Are the Men?

(from Scott Nichols)

I came across the following while preparing for my Father's Day message.

1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there’s an 80% likelihood that you’ll worship God regularly as an adult.

2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there’s only a 30% probability that you’ll worship regularly as an adult.

3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you...Read more.

A Big Thanks to the Church Herald

(from David Vandervelde)

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...Read more.

Last Thoughts

(from Leon Fikse)

It's in the books, as they say about a completed game. Synod is done, it has considered every comment and recommendation. Decisions have been made on everything intended to be decided. Some of my post-synod thoughts (more for me than anyone, since few will be logging on to this site anymore).

1. Worship can and does set the stage for how we think about things in this life. Marlin's imploring of us all had a decided effect...Read more.