Reformed, Hopeful, Always Reforming
Going into the 2016 General Synod (the broadest assembly in the Reformed Church in America), much has been made of the special “council” which was convened to “settle” the “issue” of human sexuality in the Reformed Church and to propose a “constitutional” “way forward”. The report can be read elsewhere and has serious problems in […]
Read More The “other issue” before General SynodDuring the RCA General Synod, I posted to this blog about being calm and conciliatory, about looking at the long view of history and the mighty acts of God in the face of what some saw as frustrating nonsense going on at the Synod. Last week, I posted pastorally, about the need to be patient […]
Read More Time to Say “Enough”This week, the Reformed Church in America’s General Synod will gather in Palos Heights, Illinois, to discuss a plethora of church business. Reports from various committees, overtures responding to requests of new business, and judicial matters will all be discussed in the upcoming 7 days. I will be a delegate from the seminary, as one […]
Read More “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” – an op-ed for Overture 4.There has been a secessionist impulse running throughout particular parts of my denomination, the Reformed Church in America, as of late. There is a variety of reasons offered for this, but the prevailing one is the differing perspectives on human sexuality. Secession is nothing new, and in our Book of Church Order there is a […]
Read More Secessionist Impulses in the Reformed Church: A Historical LessonAs some of you may know, my wife (JJ) has been appointed as the RCA’s newest missionary in Italy and we have begun fund raising, language studies, and various other preparations for moving our family to Naples where she will be working (among other things) to coordinate resources for the approximately 500,000 migrants in Naples […]
Read More Spouse-Minister rather than Minister’s Spouse“So…this whole thing just works on the honor system?” One of my students asked. *** For the third year it has been my privilege to journey with the youth delegates to the General Synod both being a teacher and instructing them on what they need to know to participate in the General Synod, as well […]
Read More The Best and Worst Method of Church Government