Pondering the Regulative Principle of Worship 12/22/2019 I’ve been spending time recently, as in the last month or so, looking at the topic of what is known as the Regulative Principle of Worship. First, let me define what that is. According to Wikipedia, which is, of course, the most accurate source of information (sarcasm for those who didn’t get that already) describes it as thus: "The regulative principle of worship is a Christian doctrine, held by some Calvinists and Anabaptists, that God commands churches to conduct public services of worship
I’ve been spending time recently, as in the last month or so, looking at the topic of what is known as the Regulative Principle of Worship. First, let me define what that is. According to Wikipedia, which is, of course, the most accurate source of information (sarcasm for those who didn’t get that already) describes it as thus: "The regulative principle of worship is a Christian doctrine, held by some Calvinists and Anabaptists, that God commands churches to conduct public services of worship
We Step Out; God Steps In 11/15/2019 The Prayer Walk succeeded in one way – the churches were brought closer together. There was consensus for moving forward; next we hope to have a joint worship service. Every church reported the enemy’s opposition – must be doing something right. Taking outside employment has also had results. The saints have come forward to fill the gaps unasked. They are mostly older than me, but ready workers. Better still, we have seen forward if incremental movement. We had two returnees the Sunday
The Prayer Walk succeeded in one way – the churches were brought closer together. There was consensus for moving forward; next we hope to have a joint worship service. Every church reported the enemy’s opposition – must be doing something right. Taking outside employment has also had results. The saints have come forward to fill the gaps unasked. They are mostly older than me, but ready workers. Better still, we have seen forward if incremental movement. We had two returnees the Sunday
Spiritual Transformation 10/04/2019 For the Christian transformation is not optional it’s mandatory. Spiritual transformation is the result of ones commitment to have a heart and character that reflects God and is the process whereby our beliefs, feelings, habits, and choices are changed from the inside out. Paul admonishes the brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice not conforming to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans
For the Christian transformation is not optional it’s mandatory. Spiritual transformation is the result of ones commitment to have a heart and character that reflects God and is the process whereby our beliefs, feelings, habits, and choices are changed from the inside out. Paul admonishes the brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice not conforming to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans
August Outreach and Updates 09/03/2019 The outreach in nearby Wissinoming Park was a wonderful day. The weather was far nicer than predicted and the turnout was – counts varied between 60 and 80 visitors. Results: two weeks later we had a visit from a family in the apartment building behind us. Rick Erb has some contact info on one family – follow-up continues. Certainly, many good contacts were made. Thanks are due to our friends at Grace BFC, Wallingford, PA and their leader, Pastor Mark Bickel. Their investment and time
The outreach in nearby Wissinoming Park was a wonderful day. The weather was far nicer than predicted and the turnout was – counts varied between 60 and 80 visitors. Results: two weeks later we had a visit from a family in the apartment building behind us. Rick Erb has some contact info on one family – follow-up continues. Certainly, many good contacts were made. Thanks are due to our friends at Grace BFC, Wallingford, PA and their leader, Pastor Mark Bickel. Their investment and time
July/August 2019 Update 08/15/2019 Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, We are in midst of an outreach sponsored by the saints from Grace BFC, Wallingford. We have done all the lead up outreach, now we look to the Lord for results. On Saturday, the outreach will move to nearby Wissinoming Park and have a whole family approach. Please pray. Next month, the evangelical churches of Wissinoming will be joining together for a Pray Walk of our neighborhood. The walk will begin here and work through the areas surrounding the four
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, We are in midst of an outreach sponsored by the saints from Grace BFC, Wallingford. We have done all the lead up outreach, now we look to the Lord for results. On Saturday, the outreach will move to nearby Wissinoming Park and have a whole family approach. Please pray. Next month, the evangelical churches of Wissinoming will be joining together for a Pray Walk of our neighborhood. The walk will begin here and work through the areas surrounding the four
May/June 2019 Update 06/22/2019 Dear Friends, This picture is always going to be a favorite for me. The Lord has allowed many children to pass through our lives. Many are still in touch in various ways. We thank God for the privilege He gives to us in sharing His Kingdom with the future Church. Pray that God would renew that privilege to WBFC and the Ritters soon. May and June have been good months for the Lord’s work here, but not in terms of stats. Many were sick or away in May which has a big effect on a small
Dear Friends, This picture is always going to be a favorite for me. The Lord has allowed many children to pass through our lives. Many are still in touch in various ways. We thank God for the privilege He gives to us in sharing His Kingdom with the future Church. Pray that God would renew that privilege to WBFC and the Ritters soon. May and June have been good months for the Lord’s work here, but not in terms of stats. Many were sick or away in May which has a big effect on a small
Creative Evangelism 05/02/2019 When people think of evangelism, they immediately think about people knocking on doors or walking up to people on the street and giving them a Christian tract about the plan of salvation. Perhaps this is an idea of the past that has caused many people to feel threatened and harassed. Has God ever given you an idea that appears to be out of the box that could be used for evangelism? This my friend is “creative evangelism”. Today we are competing for the hearts of men and women who are fascinated
When people think of evangelism, they immediately think about people knocking on doors or walking up to people on the street and giving them a Christian tract about the plan of salvation. Perhaps this is an idea of the past that has caused many people to feel threatened and harassed. Has God ever given you an idea that appears to be out of the box that could be used for evangelism? This my friend is “creative evangelism”. Today we are competing for the hearts of men and women who are fascinated
"Because the gospel was shared...." 02/04/2019 I would like to share with you my response to the WORLD report of the passing of Edward Plowman. Mr. Plowman was much accomplished in the Christian community. Here you will read the spiritual back-story of his life. Dear Brother Olasky, You know so many people that I suspect you will not remember me. My son, R. Edward Snyder-Ritter, was a student at The King’s College when you were there. He graduated from King’s in 2011 as valedictorian. Something you certainly will not know is that Edward
I would like to share with you my response to the WORLD report of the passing of Edward Plowman. Mr. Plowman was much accomplished in the Christian community. Here you will read the spiritual back-story of his life. Dear Brother Olasky, You know so many people that I suspect you will not remember me. My son, R. Edward Snyder-Ritter, was a student at The King’s College when you were there. He graduated from King’s in 2011 as valedictorian. Something you certainly will not know is that Edward
3 Challenges in Urban Ministry 01/16/2019 While cities are an excellent place for gospel advancement, urban ministry is not without its challenges. Some of these challenges can be better explained by three words: depravity, longevity and community. Depravity is everywhere, not just cities Quite a few Christians view cities as depraved. Undoubtedly depravity seems more evident in a city because there are many people in close proximity. The reality, however, is that sin and brokenness are everywhere. In the midst of the overwhelming
While cities are an excellent place for gospel advancement, urban ministry is not without its challenges. Some of these challenges can be better explained by three words: depravity, longevity and community. Depravity is everywhere, not just cities Quite a few Christians view cities as depraved. Undoubtedly depravity seems more evident in a city because there are many people in close proximity. The reality, however, is that sin and brokenness are everywhere. In the midst of the overwhelming
