North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) November 14, 2023 Each year on the second week of November, The North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council holds its annual meeting. This organization consists of 13 Reformed Denominations and Federations from Scottish, Dutch, Korean, German,
Random Thoughts About Unity In The Church October 10, 2023 As a churchman, it breaks my heart to see brothers separated and divided over issues in many of our congregations, presbyteries, and denominations. I have friends from all over the Reformed World and
Information Overload September 12, 2023 Over the summer, I had to move my library from my former church office. It has been 18 years since I had moved my Library. It has grown significantly in that time. I
Getting Back To It August 08, 2023 As the summer draws to a close and school begins, many of us enter back into the hectic life of kids in school. There are clothes and supplies to buy. New challenges come,
Encouragement July 11, 2023 Pastoral Ministry can be discouraging. Often those whom we pour out our lives for in ministry will break our hearts. Some leave the faith and declare themselves apostates. Others just slowly disappear from
The Joy of June June 13, 2023 June can be a hard month for many of us. The world shoves abomination into our face. Many of us avoid certain stores and venues so as not to have to deal with
Polity Matters (Part 2) May 09, 2023 Being almost 7 foot tall and 350 pounds, I live as part of the 1%. I walk the earth as a giant. This gives me a unique perspective on how life is to
Polity Matters April 11, 2023 Are the rules of the church arbitrary? Do we follow the rules as a part of our commitment to Jesus or are they just something we get from the world? This is a
Leaving and Beginning March 14, 2023 One of the hardest decisions for a pastor is to leave a congregation. When there is a call to a new field there must also be a release from the present minister setting.
revival Everyday Blessings February 14, 2023 When I look back over 17 ½ years of ministry in Lancaster. There have been no “revivals” of note. We have had no special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we can clearly see many days of small things that have added up to changed lives.
football Complete Victory January 10, 2023 The University of Georgia won its third Football National Championship last night, totally destroying TCU 65-7 in a game that was a blowout from the beginning. I didn’t watch the game, but
Dealing With Spiritual Warfare December 13, 2022 As a history major, I have alway been drawn especially to military history.There are many biographies, I have enjoyed reading, of men who have fought in desperate struggles against powerful enemies. For
prayer Stick To It November 08, 2022 Some Christians ask the same question when returning to regular devotional time: Why did I stop consistently reading and praying daily? It is essential to ask this question: what makes us quit doing something we know we need and that we see has significant benefits in our lives?
Your Own Copy October 11, 2022 My early memories of church are scattered but still strong. I can remember the old red brick church on the mill hill, sitting in the wooden pews, my father’s arm around my
Fighting Over Prayer September 13, 2022 “District won't allow prayers over PA” was the headline article in our local paper. At odds were the school district administration and a state legislator over whether the school district could allow ministers
An On-Going Battle August 09, 2022 There was a spot on my family's land where a previous owner had dumped their trash. Over the years, antique bottles in various blue, amber, and white hues would appear after rainstorms. Every
Westminster Confession of Faith The Blessing of the Confession and Catechisms July 12, 2022 If you grew up in a church that taught the Shorter Catechism and studied the Confession of Faith, give thanks to the Lord because that is a blessing. If, like me, you did not grow up in a church that taught the Confession, then take the time to study it now.
Pray For Your Denominational Meetings June 07, 2022 It is the synod and assembly season in the reformed world. Many of our NAPARC sister denominations are meeting or just have met. These are important meetings that impact the church in many
Calling a pastor A Plea To Pulpit Committees May 10, 2022 Often, pulpit committees will talk with several candidates at one time, even interviewing multiple candidates at one time. There is no hard rule against this practice, but there is some wisdom for not doing it this way.
pastoral ministry Rethinking Pastoral Ministry Post-Covid April 12, 2022 There is something special and powerful about being with someone in-person. These opportunities do not need to be lost by pastors and elders, or regular members. We need to have the touch of a sympathetic hug. We need to be able to wipe away the tears. We need to feel the reverberations of a laugh.
Stand On The Rock March 08, 2022 The Lord is our Rock! The Psalmist expresses this truth in the second verse of Psalm 18. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in
habit Why Spiritual Habits Are Good February 08, 2022 I grew up on a small farm on a dead-end road in South Carolina. My parents worked full-time jobs, but we had about ten cows, four horses, 30 chickens, and an occasional goat
Winston, I Have A Feeling We Are Not In South Carolina Anymore January 10, 2022 Dorothy delivers the famous line to her dog in The Wizard Of Oz. "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." She was right! They had been swept away by a
love The Need For Christian Love December 14, 2021 The church is a place where worldly distinctions are melted away by an intense love fired by a common salvation, a shared hope, and the powerful indwelling by Holy Spirit. It is a love that is active and involved.
The Ruling Elder The Need For Ruling Elders November 09, 2021 Now is a time for the Ruling Elder! Presbyterian denominations face great difficulties at the local, Presbytery, and Synod (General Assembly) levels. The input of our ruling elders at every level is crucial
