1. Things are done decently and in order.
2. Our polity does not allow for public slander.
3. Matters of doctrine cannot easily be discussed.
4. The standing orders normally require that notice is given before motions are put forward.
5. It is difficult to swing a surprise.
Once I would have considered #1, 3, 4 and 5 bad. Now they seem very good.
Assembly is coming folks. Just 10 short weeks away. Alert but not alarmed, Andrew says.
Showing posts with label presbyterian-ness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label presbyterian-ness. Show all posts
Monday, April 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
more grown up play
I've been asked to consider taking on a particular role on the committee I've been part of for the last couple of years. I'm not sure if I should.
Reasons to do it:
- I am probably capable of it
- I would really enjoy 70% of the job (maybe more)
- It would take a burdensome load off someone else who is already overworked
- I believe in the cause. The work of this committee really matters.
- I understand the issues at stake at least as well as most others
- No other woman in my denomination is doing a job like this. My taking on this job would make our denomination slightly less of a men's club.
- I'd get to hang out with interesting people.
- They've offered to reshape the job so that I could do it.
- It would make me feel important.
Reasons not to do it:
- I already do quite a lot of things.
- Doing this should mean not doing something else. I can't think what I'll give up.
- It is a trellis task, not a vine task. (But the vine does need this trellis.)
- It doesn't have anything directly to do with people in my church now.
- It has nothing (immediate) to do with ministering to women. Should I focus on that?
- It would make me feel important.
Suggestions?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
I'm good with this
I. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days; and all very good.Just saying.
II. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter IV, Of Creation.
You?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Ten reasons why your church plant should be denominational
Writing this post officially pushes me into mid life. And yes, I've only told one side of the story. But anyway...
1. Denominations are like families. When a new child enters the family, it shares the parent's DNA and surname. Except in disfunctional situations, the grown children remain a part of the family through adulthood. The church that a baptist church begets will be genetically baptist. A presbyterian church will give birth to another presbyterian church. For a parent church to encourage its daughter congregation to disown its heritage and name and become independant is a sign of disfunction. It is a very loud vote of no confidence in the denomination from the parent church and others are right to hear it as such.
2. Denominations provide a structure in which older ministers can guide younger ministers. This doesn't always work, but is very nice when it does.
3. Denominations are a way of acknowledging that churches do not exist independently of each other. Things like good quality theological education does not happen for free. Churches group together to form bible colleges. We owe a lot to the Sydney Anglicans for paying for much of our theological education. Yes, we paid fees, but these wouldn't have come close to covering the cost of the library books we used, the unit we stayed in, the buildings we learnt in, the lecturers we learnt from... Most likely, your independent church isn't actually independent at all.
4. Denominations are a way of humbly acknowledging that we didn't make it up. Our doctrines, our understanding of the bible, our pastoral skills, our way of running church services have all been handed down to us from others. Denominations put tags on particular traditions and stop some potential ministerial arrogance. (Perhaps for this reason, independent churches can tend to be more personality driven...)
5. Denominational churches are more stable than independent churches. There are clear process for dealing with issues and (while annoying) these are actually useful to have. There are allocated people outside the local church to help if things get tricky. Financial and theological accountability (though often poorly done) are available through denominational structures.
6. Theoretically, denominations should be better at defining the bounds of orthodoxy and stamping out heresy than independent churches. (Practically I'm not sure.)
7. Denominational churches have fewer financial decisions to make. Many churches struggle to know how to spend that left over 10% of income. Denominations take away the burden of this decision (by taking the cash!)
8. Denominations are a way of showing that we need and want each other. I'm doing my thing over here, but I care about what you are doing over there.
9. Denominations (should) co-ordinate our efforts in carrying out Jesus' big mission. If I know others are ministering in Mt. Isa, I'll be better able to focus on what I'm doing in my patch.
10. Denominations often come with cash and buildings. Not to be overlooked...
Ten reasons why your church plant should be denominational
1. Denominations are like families. When a new child enters the family, it shares the parent's DNA and surname. Except in disfunctional situations, the grown children remain a part of the family through adulthood. The church that a baptist church begets will be genetically baptist. A presbyterian church will give birth to another presbyterian church. For a parent church to encourage its daughter congregation to disown its heritage and name and become independant is a sign of disfunction. It is a very loud vote of no confidence in the denomination from the parent church and others are right to hear it as such.
2. Denominations provide a structure in which older ministers can guide younger ministers. This doesn't always work, but is very nice when it does.
3. Denominations are a way of acknowledging that churches do not exist independently of each other. Things like good quality theological education does not happen for free. Churches group together to form bible colleges. We owe a lot to the Sydney Anglicans for paying for much of our theological education. Yes, we paid fees, but these wouldn't have come close to covering the cost of the library books we used, the unit we stayed in, the buildings we learnt in, the lecturers we learnt from... Most likely, your independent church isn't actually independent at all.
4. Denominations are a way of humbly acknowledging that we didn't make it up. Our doctrines, our understanding of the bible, our pastoral skills, our way of running church services have all been handed down to us from others. Denominations put tags on particular traditions and stop some potential ministerial arrogance. (Perhaps for this reason, independent churches can tend to be more personality driven...)
5. Denominational churches are more stable than independent churches. There are clear process for dealing with issues and (while annoying) these are actually useful to have. There are allocated people outside the local church to help if things get tricky. Financial and theological accountability (though often poorly done) are available through denominational structures.
6. Theoretically, denominations should be better at defining the bounds of orthodoxy and stamping out heresy than independent churches. (Practically I'm not sure.)
7. Denominational churches have fewer financial decisions to make. Many churches struggle to know how to spend that left over 10% of income. Denominations take away the burden of this decision (by taking the cash!)
8. Denominations are a way of showing that we need and want each other. I'm doing my thing over here, but I care about what you are doing over there.
9. Denominations (should) co-ordinate our efforts in carrying out Jesus' big mission. If I know others are ministering in Mt. Isa, I'll be better able to focus on what I'm doing in my patch.
10. Denominations often come with cash and buildings. Not to be overlooked...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
10 reasons why I love being part of a denomination
1. I have a sense that the kingdom is bigger than just my local church, and I have an easy forum in which I can see and watch and help it grow elsewhere.
2. I have fellowship with great people that I don't go to church with. Andrew and I are connected with a network from our denomination who we meet with each quarter to eat, chat and pray. They care about how our church is going and we care about their churches.
3. I share a common enemy with others. My pressy friends and I can get together and whinge about The Denomination or The Code or The Confession or Presbytery or whatever demon is haunting us at that moment. This is fun.
4. I get to enjoy group jokes. (Anyone seen the latest newdirections?)
5. If we go all heretical, someone will (probably) pull us up for it.
6. Research* has shown that people in denominations feel more connected and loved than those not in a denomination.
7. Someone else cares about stuff that I don't want to care about (like money and insurance and child-safe).
8. Being part of a denomination makes you look (slightly) more legit and less cult-like to those on the outside.
9. There is money we can borrow for building projects and stuff.
10. All the cool people are in my denomination.
* Sample size, 2 people.
2. I have fellowship with great people that I don't go to church with. Andrew and I are connected with a network from our denomination who we meet with each quarter to eat, chat and pray. They care about how our church is going and we care about their churches.
3. I share a common enemy with others. My pressy friends and I can get together and whinge about The Denomination or The Code or The Confession or Presbytery or whatever demon is haunting us at that moment. This is fun.
4. I get to enjoy group jokes. (Anyone seen the latest newdirections?)
5. If we go all heretical, someone will (probably) pull us up for it.
6. Research* has shown that people in denominations feel more connected and loved than those not in a denomination.
7. Someone else cares about stuff that I don't want to care about (like money and insurance and child-safe).
8. Being part of a denomination makes you look (slightly) more legit and less cult-like to those on the outside.
9. There is money we can borrow for building projects and stuff.
10. All the cool people are in my denomination.
* Sample size, 2 people.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
no posts today...
I've been too busy playing grown-ups on a denominational committee. Glad it's over, but I drank two cans of pepsi max to get me through it so may not sleep for a while.
How was your day?
How was your day?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mike Bird lecture
I listened to this lecture at a meeting tonight. PCQers out there might be interested to watch it too.
Good stuff, of course, but can you go wrong with the royal Psalms?
Good stuff, of course, but can you go wrong with the royal Psalms?
Things I know
1. Wasabi Peas clear the nasal passages.
2. The Eras fonts were cool 7 years ago.
3. God sticks his finger up at the strong by choosing the weak.
4. The BBC can be trusted to choose the next doctor.
5. It's important to know when to stop.
6. Knowledge, faith and passion are a compelling combination.
7. Baldness can be excused.
8. A hairy face must be forgiven.
9. Presbyterian men should shave more.
10. Glory is hidden in the dirt.
11. It will be worth the wait.
12. Ties with large or irregular patterns should not be worn.
13. After the second hour, I start passing notes.
14. After the fifth hour, everyone starts passing notes.
15. After 11pm it doesn't matter.
[written during a long meeting]
2. The Eras fonts were cool 7 years ago.
3. God sticks his finger up at the strong by choosing the weak.
4. The BBC can be trusted to choose the next doctor.
5. It's important to know when to stop.
6. Knowledge, faith and passion are a compelling combination.
7. Baldness can be excused.
8. A hairy face must be forgiven.
9. Presbyterian men should shave more.
10. Glory is hidden in the dirt.
11. It will be worth the wait.
12. Ties with large or irregular patterns should not be worn.
13. After the second hour, I start passing notes.
14. After the fifth hour, everyone starts passing notes.
15. After 11pm it doesn't matter.
[written during a long meeting]
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