I am happy to announce the publication of my first authored volume, Foundations of Reformed Church Polity: The Rhyme and Reason of the Order. The regulations within a church order are like geometric shapes, and their use depends on us using these pieces to make the same image. However, what happens when we are all … More Book announcement!
The Final final (maybe…?) report of the Vision 2020 Task Force was released. You can read it here. This series of posts will look deeper at the recommendations not just from a pragmatic lens, but also through a theological lens. While many have given up on the reality that the church order is theological, I … More RCA Vision 2020 Report: Restructuring
Like a vast majority of Protestant communions in the United States (and Canada), my church communion, the Reformed Church in America (RCA), has seen a decline in membership and participation during the past several decades. This trend, then, brings questions about the viability of denominations in general, and one’s own in particular. How long can … More Post-Denominationalism, deinstitutionalization, and the future of the church
This is part of a series of posts about the items and topics before the General Synod 2017. Other posts in this series: Commissioned Pastors, Part 1: Foundations Commissioned Pastors, Part 2: Recommendations before General Synod Overtures on Declarative Authority *** While human sexuality will be the topic on everyone’s mind (even if it is … More Reformed Church General Synod 2017: Deacons in Broader Assemblies
This is part of a series of posts about the items and topics before the General Synod 2017. Other posts in this series: Commissioned Pastors, Part 1: Foundations Commissioned Pastors, Part 2: Recommendations before General Synod *** An addition to the General Synod Workbook was recently released containing overtures from the regional synods. There are … More Reformed Church General Synod 2017: Overtures on Declarative Authority
“Every church is like a stream,” the minister’s speech began, “and each stream flows into a large body of water called the Reformed Church.” This speech was in support of a motion to radically shift the lines of accountability. Rather than the clear and generally local accountability that has been historic to the Reformed, there has … More What do we mean when we say “church”?
Church and Order 