Someone can be so laser-focused on a goal or an idea that all they can see is how far short of their desire their current experience is. “That would be great, but this is so far short of that …” This plays out in restaurants every day, at work, at school, and surely in most homes....
Following that, and a week of interactions here with various leaders, officers, volunteers and staff members, our elders have voted to propose a call for Tony to join our team here and be our new shepherding pastor....
In a congregational church (like a Baptist or non-denominational church), the congregation can simply vote. It can be a 51-49 vote even, and if it’s favorable, then that church has a new pastor. In a church with bishops (whether it’s Catholic, Episcopal, or Methodist), the archbishop can simply assign a pastor to a congregation and then that church has a new pastor — whether they like it or not....
En route to Strasbourg, John Calvin and his companions had their trip interrupted because of a war. This meant stopping for a night—just a single night—in Geneva. That evening, word got to William Farel that the famed writer of the Institutes of the Christian Religion was staying in town. Farel was the first reformer of Geneva and a pioneer who fought to have the city become officially Protestant in May of the prior year (1536). But now, a year in, the ministry was exploding with new believers. He needed help, and to Farel, Calvin’s mix of gifts seemed just what they needed....
Hopefully, saying it more precisely, if you think at all about if God wants you to do something, how do you go about securing that information? Many would object that such guidance isn't even possible, and to think that it is possible would render you dangerously arrogant as if you have a direct line to God. Secularists dismiss the input of God out of hand, like a kid's fantasy and just as unreal. The only thing most people in our generation consider is whether or not you want to do something or if it's possible....
Is it a hopeful ideal, a dearly held dream out ahead for you? Is it your everyday reality, your bread-and-butter routine? Is it a sensitive or even bitter topic for you because of broken dreams or a broken home in your childhood?...
I know hospitals are typically the kind of place most people prefer to avoid. Even if the reason for a visit is childbirth, my sense is that “going to the hospital” is not at the top of someone’s wish list....
It is likely not realistic to describe political news as a stream—it’s more like a torrential flood. As we get closer to the upcoming elections this fall, the number of voices and the volume with which they speak will likely only increase....
In a similar way, we can compare our leadership structure and the needs of our congregation to diet and capacities respectively. When we were in our first couple of years, Trinity’s leadership was one staff member (me) and a leadership team of about a dozen volunteers. By our third year, we had two part-time staff members for administration, and we added Timo Strawbridge as a part-time Director for Community Groups, and we ordained our first three elders, who were supported by about 20 or so volunteer leaders....
What is different now is our access to information about so many problems in so many places. Modern technology and media now grant the average person access to literally a world of hurt. And the more informed a person may be about all that may be wrong out there, the less they may feel they are doing....
Someone can be so laser-focused on a goal or an idea that all they can see is how far short of their desire their current experience is. “That would be great, but this is so far short of that …” This plays out in restaurants every day, at work, at school, and surely in most homes....
Keep Reading Following that, and a week of interactions here with various leaders, officers, volunteers and staff members, our elders have voted to propose a call for Tony to join our team here and be our new shepherding pastor....
Keep Reading In a congregational church (like a Baptist or non-denominational church), the congregation can simply vote. It can be a 51-49 vote even, and if it’s favorable, then that church has a new pastor. In a church with bishops (whether it’s Catholic, Episcopal, or Methodist), the archbishop can simply assign a pastor to a congregation and then that church has a new pastor —...
Keep Reading En route to Strasbourg, John Calvin and his companions had their trip interrupted because of a war. This meant stopping for a night—just a single night—in Geneva. That evening, word got to William Farel that the famed writer of the Institutes of the Christian Religion was staying in town. Farel was the first reformer of Geneva and a pioneer who fought to have the city ...
Keep Reading Hopefully, saying it more precisely, if you think at all about if God wants you to do something, how do you go about securing that information? Many would object that such guidance isn't even possible, and to think that it is possible would render you dangerously arrogant as if you have a direct line to God. Secularists dismiss the input of God out of hand, like a kid's fa...
Keep Reading Is it a hopeful ideal, a dearly held dream out ahead for you? Is it your everyday reality, your bread-and-butter routine? Is it a sensitive or even bitter topic for you because of broken dreams or a broken home in your childhood?...
Keep Reading I know hospitals are typically the kind of place most people prefer to avoid. Even if the reason for a visit is childbirth, my sense is that “going to the hospital” is not at the top of someone’s wish list....
Keep Reading It is likely not realistic to describe political news as a stream—it’s more like a torrential flood. As we get closer to the upcoming elections this fall, the number of voices and the volume with which they speak will likely only increase....
Keep Reading In a similar way, we can compare our leadership structure and the needs of our congregation to diet and capacities respectively. When we were in our first couple of years, Trinity’s leadership was one staff member (me) and a leadership team of about a dozen volunteers. By our third year, we had two part-time staff members for administration, and we added Timo Strawbridge...
Keep Reading What is different now is our access to information about so many problems in so many places. Modern technology and media now grant the average person access to literally a world of hurt. And the more informed a person may be about all that may be wrong out there, the less they may feel they are doing....
Keep Reading