Evangelical churches often start their services with a time of singing. Their tradition started in the Great Awakenings, when there was singing when people came in and took their place. (Hence the term gathering songs.) The singing had the function to emotionally prepare people for when the preacher took the …
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Despite the low number of members, our neighboring church in Surrey decided not to close its doors earlier this summer. When things don’t look good church-wise, we tend to take our logical conclusion, perhaps cutting our losses. However, our logic is not God’s logic, as our thoughts are not God’s …
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Many people know about “The Ten Commandments.” Scripture lists these in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Leviticus 19 also lists the Ten Commandments, however, in an expanded and applied version. For example, verse 14 says: “Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, …
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How was your worship? “Worship works from the top down, you might say. In worship we don’t just come to show God our devotion and give him our praise; we are called to worship because in this encounter God (re)makes and molds us top-down. Worship is the arena in which …
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Studying at a Christian university with a different denominational background is enriching. Three examples: 1. Discussions and disagreements are resolved with an open Bible. (The KJV and ESV are most frequently referenced, with the NIV and Berean Study Bible second.) 2. Considering themes not an issue in my church forces …
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The Israelites sang Psalms. For example, when going up to Jerusalem, they sang the Psalms of Ascent (120-134). And Jesus and his disciples sang “a hymn” at their last Passover celebration: Psalm 118. The early church continued singing of the Psalms. And then the Reformation restores Psalm singing by the …
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Have you ever realized that God that created music, but not as a physical object? Music does not have a shape, colour, smell or taste. Music does not exist until it is made. When the music ends, it ceases to exist. Something else: have you ever realized that you can’t …
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What is the difference between a School of Business and a School of Divinity? These are completely different studies – but what about a course with the same title, like “Leadership”? How is leadership in a church different than in a non-religious organization? Organizational strategy and vision are a good …
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Last night, I submitted a paper titled: “HOW DO THE PSALMS PROVIDE LIFE-LONG SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND GROWTH?” Some brief thought below. Dallas Willard describes spiritual formation as follows: …the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such as way that it becomes like the inner …
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