• Confessional Churches?

    May 22, 2012 By in Confessional Church, Post-Reformation

    When a church or denomination has a statement of faith, a creed, or confession, what does this mean? The reality is that there are a variety of possibilities–ranging from a historical memory, general appreciation, to a present and full commitment on the part of ministers, elders and the church body as a whole. The answer really depends on the way confession, adherence, or subscription vows are implemented and maintained. Issues relating to confessional subscription continue to vex confessional churches, as they have in the past.

    In a historical context in some respects similar to that of the present day, a Scottish theologian named John Dick argued in 1796 before the Associate Synod for a biblical charity, wisdom, and commitment toward those who no longer believed in the necessity of a fully subscribed confessional theology and church order.(1) Continue reading →

  • Shower Up-Grade

    May 21, 2012 By in Church Life, Women

    At some point, the congregation where I grew up had a great idea. They decided to re-examine what they were doing at baby and bridal showers given by the congregation to brides and new mothers.

    Here were times where all ages and stages of women got together, and while the food was always great and the games were fun, we really could be redeeming the time a little better. We were willing to help a woman at a new stage of life prepare materially by giving her gifts, and had a brief devotional but we weren’t doing much at the shower to help her prepare spiritually for her new calling. Continue reading →