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Category Archives: Church Life
The Collision Theory of Community
By Allan Lopez Physicists tell us pressure is the amount of unit force acting per unit area. What usually determines the force that acts on a given area is the amount of collisions that atoms have with the surface and … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Living, Church Life
Reverence in Worship
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) Following up on a theme … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Worship
“Covenants” Study On-Line
Many people come to the Reformed faith through an embrace of the doctrines of grace. They’re enlightened to see the beauty of God’s sovereignty in salvation — including their own — and they seek out a church that shares this … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Theology
Communicant Membership
In June, we will begin to hold a Communicants Class during the Sunday School hour to help covenant children prepare to make a profession of faith and enter into communicant membership in the church. (This means they will be able … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life
What’s Your Sign?
This is a question I’ve been asked several times recently. People are not interested in my astrological sign but in the symbolism of Bethel Presbyterian Church’s logo as featured on our roadside sign. The first thing one notices about the … Continue reading
Posted in Church History, Church Life
Shepherding #6: The Ministry of Elder-Shepherds
In previous posts, we have explored the Biblical background that informs Peter’s command to elders in the church, “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (1 Peter 5.2). We have seen how God sets the pattern for shepherding … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Shepherding
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Shepherding #5: Elders, Shepherds of the Flock
Just as Yahweh (the Divine Shepherd of Psalm 23) appointed human under-shepherds as instruments of His shepherding care in the Old Testament, so Jesus (the Good Shepherd of John 10) does in the New Testament. This happens in two stages. … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Shepherding
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Shepherding #4: Jesus, the Good Shepherd
After Yahweh announced judgment on the self-serving shepherds of Israel, He promised to raise up a true Shepherd for His sheep: “I will rescue my flock…. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Shepherding
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Shepherding #3: Israel’s Shepherds Indicted
If Psalm 23 is the paradigmatic passage for shepherding success, then Ezekiel 34 is the paradigmatic passage for shepherding failure. In the first ten verses of this chapter, Ezekiel brings a word of Yahweh against the shepherds of Israel. Reflecting … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Shepherding
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Shepherding #2: Moses and David, Shepherds of Israel
Yahweh (the Lord God) cares for His people as a shepherd cares for his sheep, and He often accomplishes His shepherding care through appointed under-shepherds. Moses and David are two men whom God raised up to help shepherd His flock … Continue reading
Posted in Church Life, Shepherding
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