A Revitalized Church This is an unusual place. A Reformed church with a rich RCA history within its white, Dutch heritage, which is now a multi-racial, multi-generational faith community. A church that experienced significant decline over several decades that has …
Summer time, Summer time, Sum Sum Summer time
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUvXw8cWDi4&feature=youtu.be”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlyL6icfyOE&feature=youtu.be”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text]Schools often slow down in the summer time. It’s as if it is okay to stop learning and to live the lyrics of the 1958 classic, “Summertime, Summertime” by the Jamies, or “In the …
Questing Savannah
Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful city of gardens and cemeteries and parks. Our youngest daughter went to college in Savannah just as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil became popular in both book and movie versions. She even …
Missional Church Leadership
One of this week’s meetings was an assessment conference for developing a contextualized training plan for a missional church leader and commissioned pastor candidate, Rodrigo Cano. He is the Hispanic church planter of Alas Conexion (Connections) Church, Grand Rapids, MI. …
Graduation
A young man ran from his college graduation ceremonies with his robe flying, diploma in hand. He yelled out to all who could hear, “Look out, world! Here I come! I have my B.A.!” A crack of thunder immediately rolled …
Facing Tomorrow
When Bill and Gloria Gaither were anticipating the birth of a child, they were conflicted. On the one hand they were excited about the potential they could envision in this new life; on the other hand, they were troubled by …
Leadership: Palm Sunday Style
Almost obscured by the disciples, who threw down their cloaks as a saddle, and the crowds, who waved palm branches while shouting “Hosanna!”, comes our juxtaposition–Jesus. He is “gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5), or, as prophesied, “lowly …
Books 4 U
This week a pastor wrote to one of our colleagues. He asked for recommendations of books to discuss with his church board (Consistory, Council, Elder Board). The email said, “Could you please recommend to me the 5 best books for …
Curriculum Cycle
CURRICULUM CYCLE: Oct – Dec, 2015 Old Testament Jan- Mar, 2016 New Testament, Sacraments and Liturgy of the RCA Apr-Jun, 2016 Preaching, Church History July-Sep, 2016 Pastoral Care Oct-Dec, 2016 Theology 1 Jan-Mar, 2017 Theology 2, Government and Standards of …
Maturity of Faith
Demonstrate a mature personal faith in the Triune God express an abiding and growing faith in, and love for Jesus Christ demonstrate an appropriate awareness of and sensitivity to the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit in Scripture, in …
