Sometimes I hear the complaints of monotonous elements of the worship service, and a desire to shake it up and change. But often people don’t have much of an idea about the background of what happens in church. If adults don’t know, they can’t explain it to the youth either, […]

The Canadian Reformed churches want to sing more hymns. Regional Synod West has confirmed that in their meeting November 5 2018. Local churches, ministers, and church musicians have confirmed this desire. The limitation of the songs that can be sung in church, is the primary issue. Regional Synod West states […]

“A mentor important in mastery. Literally, physically observe and absorb their energy and spirit. You are not just watching them, you are experiencing them inside yourself. It is a very powerful way of learning. It’s an emotional relationship with someone you respect and admire.” (Robert Greene, author of Mastery) When […]

Singing Hymns and Psalms When churches add more hymns to their ‘repertoire’, often the assurance is given that more hymns will not replace the Psalms. Yet, practically this does not work out. Going to church as a teenager, I remember singing after the Lord’s Supper, in response and echoing the […]

I am impressed by how much people know about their sports clubs (here in Canada: ice hockey). Every club is different, but a person’s favorite club is untouchable in their eyes. – They know the rules, – have memorized the players and captains, – the past-players, – the goals and assists, – hat-tricks, – have in […]

I received my first appointment as an (amateur) church organist in a small Reformed church in Baarn, the Netherlands when I was 15 years old (still learning). The consistory provided with a document outlining their expectations. Every year I had a review and was reappointed. I translated this document hoping […]

Look at this picture of a church. It is a work of art by Laurens Kolks en Dennis Lohuis. A wonderful building on the outside, but it is hollow from the inside. We see the shape of a church, but without any content. No windows, and a fake door. An […]