Synod affirms that Scripture teaches, as summarized by the Creeds and the Three Forms of Unity: The authority and perspicuity of Scripture (Belgic Confession V; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day VII). Necessity and sufficiency of Scripture (Belgic Confession VII; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day . . . Continue reading →
URCNA
Notes From URCNA Synod Visalia 2014
Reporting from URCNA Synod in Visalia, California. In Reformed church government there are four deliberative bodies that make decisions, a consistory (ruling elders and ministers of a local congregation), a council (ruling elders, ministers, and deacons of a local congregation), classis (a . . . Continue reading →
Growing A New Reformed Congregation In Missoula
Guest post by the Rev. Mr. Jared Beaird. He took his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and his MDiv from Westminster Seminary California. He’s a native of Montana. § Covenant Reformed Church of Missoula, Montana was provisionally accepted into membership . . . Continue reading →
Church Order Of The United Reformed Churches In North America
Church Order Of The United Reformed Churches in North America (10th edition) 2024 RESOURCES Subscribe To The Heidelblog! Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play Browse the Heidelshop! The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed . . . Continue reading →
Can’t Plant A Psalm-Singing Congregation In An Urban Metro?
Don’t tell that to the brothers and sisters at Grace URC in Torrance, California. They’ve been in existence for 12 years and are completing a significant expansion of their worship facility as needed by their growing congregation. Mrs Heidelblog and I spent . . . Continue reading →
Kloosterman: No Official Version
Since no English version of these confessions has been officially adopted, we are using those found in the 1959 edition of the Psalter Hymnal. —Rev. Dr. Nelson Kloosterman, “On The Level Of Doctrinal Commitment” [In the URCNA] Position 1, (Acts of Synod, . . . Continue reading →
A Serious, Treatable Cancer
An HB Classic
A pastor wrote recently to ask how he should introduce his elders to the fact that there are supporters of the FV in his denomination (federation). It’s a good question. It can be discouraging to hear about things such as the FV. . . . Continue reading →
What Henk Navis Means to Me
Unlike Father Neuhaus, I guess few readers of this space will know who Henk Navis was, but he died today. Henk did not participate in any famous negotiations with anyone. He did not leave one communion for another. He wasn’t celebrated or . . . Continue reading →
William Godfrey Ordained to Ministry of Word and Sacrament
Every Christian Sabbath is a day of joy. After all, by God’s grace we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Yesterday, however, was a particularly joyful Lord’s Day at Grace URC in Torrance, CA since WSC graduate William Godfrey was ordained to the Ministry of . . . Continue reading →
Reach the 112th Congress with the Reformed Faith
Christ Reformed Church in DC has a unique opportunity. They’re planning a special outreach to incoming members of congress and their staffers. You can help. Pastor Brian Lee explains here.
URCNA Church Planting Conference Mar 28-30 2011 (UPDATED)
Info here (HT: Jared Beaird). It’s great to see confessional Reformed folk getting together to talk, pray, and plan church planting. We have a great mission, a great message, great opportunity, and the great God above all God’s. Pray for God’s blessing . . . Continue reading →
Missoula Reformed Bible Study Begins Dec 17
There’s a Reformed Bible study beginning in Missoula, MT this month. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in a confessional Reformed congregation in Missoula, here’s the info.
Ventura URC Bible Study (UPDATED)
UPDATE Glenda Mathes has an update. Unfortunately, things are a little more uncertain now than they were in late 2009. Brothers and sisters, God is sovereign and can do what he will but in his ordinary providence church planting fraught with difficulty. . . . Continue reading →
URCNA Church Plant in Missoula
Confessional Reformed congregations are sparse in the Mountain West region but a new confessional Reformed church plant is underway in Missoula, MT. Click on the link for more information. Learn a little more about the WSC MDiv student, Jared Beaird (and here), . . . Continue reading →
The URCNA Justification Report Stands
More good news from the floor of the synod of the URCNA. Despite the pre-synod opposition from a few sources (e.g., Nampa, ID) the justification report was not only strengthened by synod but it also passed without audible dissent. Apparently the body . . . Continue reading →
The Nine Points Stand!
Thanks to our reporter at synod in London, Ontario we learn that the Nine Points of Pastoral Advice, adopted by Synod 2007, will remain in force. The appeal brought by the consistory of Hills URCNA (on procedural grounds) was rejected. Synod 2007 . . . Continue reading →
A Modest Proposal Renewed
Yesterday I got an email from a confessional Reformed Christian in Germany. It’s a “big deal,” because there aren’t very many Reformed folk left in Germany. His letter was a plea for help. It’s his impression that the confessional Reformed churches in . . . Continue reading →
Beach Replies to Nampa (Pt 2)
…Nampa here (inadvertently) makes the Study Committee’s point for it by presenting materials that illustrate FV ambiguities and the theological haze the FV spreads. First, we meet FV statements that report that baptism and covenantal membership constitute nothing short of divine salvation . . . Continue reading →
The Cost of Doing Nothing at Synod 2010
My URCNA ministerial colleague, Steve Swets, has weighed in on the “Nampa Critique” of the URCNA study committee report. You can read his comments here. His chief concern seems to be that if we adopt this report the costs will be too . . . Continue reading →
The Arminius Paradigm (The Basement Tapes)
In order to understand the FV controversy you really need to understand the tactics of the Remonstrants. Chris Gordon gets it. The FV have become our Remonstrants. They want to turn the church courts into debating societies. The Remonstrants also tried to . . . Continue reading →