Reposting to remind people - we are packing the truck this week, and leaving Monday!
Also check out comments...
As if 4 children 5 and under weren't enough adjustment...
I have accepted a call to pastor Covenant Heritage Reformed Fellowship, in Newport News, Virginia, soon to be a part of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches. We will be moving some time in late September, probably.
We have been at North Blendon Reformed Church, part of the Reformed Church in America in which I was born and raised, for nearly 3 years - too short, it would seem, but God has called us to Virginia.
Please pray for us as we are leaving virtually all of our family and friends behind in West Michigan. Neither Sara or I have lived elsewhere for an extended time.
There are theological and lifestyle differences between the two denominations and congregations, and I may post a series on those as time allows in the busy months ahead!
Steve, it is sad to see you going to another denomination as the RCA needs all the strong conservative ministers it can find. You will be missed, but at least I will keep up to date with you blogging. Maybe you will make it out to the Banner next year so we can meet in person.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, RogueMonk
Steve, I have a query.
ReplyDeleteThe church that you are moving to, is a church that at first glance I'm not sure I would want to attend. Why? They don't encourage women bible studies. Women are basically to only learn from their hubbies or the regular church service, while the men are encouraged to learn more through two monthly meetings.
Their reasoning is that women and children should be taught at home by their husbands/fathers. the line I refer to is "but we do not place a strong emphasis on "women's meetings" since the women are having daily Bible study with the husbands and their children, and are involved in the regular worship services of the church. "
So what happens in a situation where:
1. woman attends whose husband is not a believer
2. woman attends whose husband is not a good teacher but tries to be
3. woman attends whose husband simply doesn't 'do' family worship
How is this woman's needs to grow deeper in fellowship with the Lord supposed to happen? I know that a lot can happen attending morning worship. And for many women that is sufficient. But how about those who just need or want more? where do they go?
it wouldn't be easy for the women in positions two and three to say...frankly my hubbie doesn't do family worship, or he's really not a good teacher. How would a woman show respect for her hubbie in that situation? It would not be easy for a woman to say in a home visit that this is an area of struggle/difficulty.
Don't misunderstand me, I do think it is good for a church to encourage headship and leadership principles are per biblical standards. I just wonder what a woman would do if they are aren't exercised as they aught to be in the home.
Steve
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to explain your reasoning behind what your new church will be doing.
I haven't thought everything through as ... I"m starting to get into vacation mode and getting things ready but these are the thoughts ever so briefly on my brain...
I still think that you are putting a lot of onus on the woman to speak up. Perhaps you have a different understanding of many women than I do, but I do know that many women would be hesitate, if after approaching their husband, to go to the church and say hey...this is a problem for me. I would be... and I have a hubbie who's for the most part a very good hubbie and head of household BUT won't engage in bible study with me. PRIMARILY I think because we learn differently. He learns best by reading different commentaries and studying the verse and doing a lot of internal mental work. I, on the other hand, need that engagement back and forth---it somehow helps me to think the passage through more clearly. So I can't and don't fault him for this.
I have learned to appreciate his.... so, study it more, as it does force me to look at things more. But I dislike that when I have questions that's all he says...is go study it more. I like to engage in conversation with others it, helps me to think new thoughts and to get feedback and to .. what can I say...I"m a woman...I like to engage in conversation and have that back and forth stuff. I don't get that with him on a one-to-one level.
SO... I have found a women's bible study where I can get that. You are telling me that in your church I wouldn't be allowed to have that on a weekly basis BECAUSE my hubbie should do that with me.
Hmm... leaves me between a rock and hard place doesn't it? At least that's how it feels. Maybe it's that your new church doesn't want to set that kind of thing up formally, BUT informally you wouldn't discourage small group discussion????
I don't know Steve...part of my reaction to this is coming from a church where... if I disagreed with what was taught on the pulpit... I was either ignored or "patted on the head" and told there there dear..you just misunderstood WHEN I know I hadn't because I had a copy of the sermon, and had asked other people what they thought they heard.... and therefore I had put together a sound scriptural arguement as to why what was taught was WRONG. blatently wrong.
AND when I pushed for someone, anyone with whom I could have serious bible study with was asked why on earth would I want to do that? Sunday morning and mid-week should be more than enough for me. I felt so frustrated and so... ignored and stupid for wanting more. And I would just hate for a woman to have to feel like that in your church -- beacuse your church in many other ways sounds like a church I would like...scriptural, God-fearing, and biblical in it's leadership.
So maybe this vacationing brain of mine is over-reacting....but I just wonder if you are throwing the baby out with the bathwater in an over-reaction to the potentials of abuse in women led FOR women bible studies.
Steve, kudos then to the men in your new congregation. I think it is SO cool when men take themselves and their positions within the church seriously...AND expect other men to do the same.
ReplyDeleteMay God's favour rest upon you and your new church. And may the women grow in the nuture of the Lord as well. :) My prayers will continue to be with you and yours.