Many within the church — ministers included — have become dissatisfied with the church where they are members. All kinds of battles take place within the church leading to bitterness and often separation between minister and congregation. This appears to be especially true in the URCNA. It took strong-willed leaders to awaken people to the […]

Central to the biblical teaching concerning the human condition is the doctrine of the fall of man from an original righteousness into the depths of sin. The Reformed theological tradition has strongly emphasized the pervasive impact of sin upon man in its affirmation of total depravity. This does not mean that every person is as […]

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we […]

The Church is Jesus’ “new creation by water and the Word.” As the Belgic Confession has made so clear, to be united to Christ includes being united to his Body, the visible Church. For those not formally belonging to a local manifestation of the catholic Church they are “duty bound” to join it with joy. […]

Our committees met together Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11, in Jenison, Michigan, at the Bethel United Reformed Church. Rev. Douwe Agema, Mr. Chris Nobels, Dr. Christine van Halen-Faber, and Rev. George VanPopta were present from the Book of Praise Committee, while Mrs. Daphne Jasperse, Rev. Ed Knott, Rev. Rand Lankheet, Rev. Dennis Royall, […]

The work of an elder in Christ’s church is a noble and holy calling from God. The elder has reason to rejoice greatly while overseeing professions of faith, baptisms, and celebrations of the Lord’s Supper. It is also, at times, a very distressing and sorrowful task; yet we are comforted knowing that Jesus is the […]

Rob Bell, in keeping with the doctrinal declarations of Mars Hill church states, “I affirm the historic Christian faith, which includes the virgin birth and the Trinity and the inspiration of the Bible and much more”.1 Rob Bell’s View of the Trinity Rob Bell teaches about the doctrine –the flexible spring—called the Trinity with the […]

The book of Revelation has much to teach us concerning the life of the church. We have seen that already in chapters 4 and 5. These chapters have much to teach us concerning the role of the elders of the church—those elders represented by the twenty-four elders. These chapters have much to teach us concerning […]

This summer, traveling to a foreign country was not as foreign an experience. It was wonderful being back in a place that just a year ago I was so afraid I might never see again. But while so much around me was familiar, so much about this year’s mission project was different. And it was […]

The sacraments are, in the nature of the case, visible signs and seals that the Lord alone can appoint for the use and benefit of the church. Because they require divine authorization, the church may not appoint as sacraments any church rite or practice, however useful, that she pleases. Just as in the old covenant, […]