Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.

In this fifth installment, Elder Tom O'Boyle reads his article entitled, “Let's Not Cancel the CREC a Second Time.” In this article, Elder O'Boyle recalls the Evangelical Presbyterian Church's demand that our church cease all communication and association with Dr. Peter Leithart, a CREC pastor and theologian. Yea, let's never go through that again.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.

In this fourth installment, Pastor Pete reads his article entitled, “Putting the Bible First.” In this article, Pastor Pete discusses an important clause in the CREC's Constitution: "In all matters of doctrinal discussion and debate, an appeal to Scripture will always be the first resort." Here is a communion of churches that takes the Bible very seriously.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.

In this third installment, Pastor Pete reads his article entitled, “Structurally Sound.” In this article, Pastor Pete discusses our need to join a denomination and his reasons for why he believes we should join the CREC. Because the Bible comes first. Because the local church has authority. Because we have personal responsibility.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.

In this second installment, Pastor Nate reads his article entitled, “On Principle.” In this article, Pastor Nate discusses the work of Thomas Witherow, a nineteenth century Irish Presbyterian minister, who wrote about being principled when it comes to joining a denomination. Whatever we do, we have to be principled.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Over the next few episodes of We Make Christians, Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle will be discussing the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article will read their article and then it will be discussed.

In this first installment, Pastor Nate reads his article entitled, “The Only Thing Harder . . .” In this article he addresses the difficulty some might have in returning to a denomination after what our church has been through. He gives a lay of the land—noting where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Constitutions are like boundary markers: They say, “This is who we are (and who we aren’t).” They say, “Here’s how you inhabit this space.” They say, “No trespassing (this or that).” They say, “This is what we expect of each other and what our God expects of us.” They notify, clarify, and solidify.

And like boundary markers, sometimes constitutions need to be reread and even updated. Like King Josiah hearing the Law read and realizing that Judah had not followed what the Lord prescribed (2 Kings 22:8-23:25), churches need to reread their constitutions and update their handbooks, as needed.

In this episode, Pastor Nate, Pastor Pete, and Pastor Kyle pull back the curtain to show how the handbooks are made. As part of the Constitution and Handbook Committee, along with elders Bob Barron and Tom O’Boyle, they dive into how handbooks help us make Christians.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

A Christian can never experience too much conviviality. Yes, there needs to be balance when it comes to our expressing our emotions, but conviviality is different. It’s not a mere sentiment, it’s a state of being. A virtuous state of being.

You can fall into a ditch of somberness or seriousness, for example, but conviviality doesn’t really have a ditch. Because conviviality means living life together as we worship the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

In this third and final installment of episodes on conviviality, Pastor Nate, Pastor Peter, and Pastor Kyle discuss the “highs and lows” of covenant renewal worship, whether a ranch is a house flipped on its side (or a dressing), and what makes Peter a Labrador and Kyle a crow.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

Welcome to more conviviality!

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In this second installment of a three-parter on conviviality, Pastor Nate, Pastor Peter, and Pastor Kyle apply their reflections on conviviality to the Lord’s Supper and the serving and partaking of the elements.

How should we come to the Lord’s Table? Shamefaced, guilt-stricken, dour? Looking like we’re dragging ourselves to the gallows? Or with abundant joy and eager to be nourished? Like we are ready for refreshment and renewal?

How we carry ourselves to receive the bread and the wine is a sure indicator of the presence or absence of conviviality. And it tells us a lot about how we perceive Our Lord and what He is offering us at the Table.

He is not only our Savior who spilled blood for us. He is also the Creator of grain and grapes, and the King who likes to throw banquets. So be of good cheer! Come with thanksgiving in your heart! Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

P.S. We hope you enjoy the intro and outro of the podcast, which comes from our very own Elder, Chad Winkler! The piece is an arrangement of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, the Jupiter movement. It’s guaranteed to be a shot of joy in the arm!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/