Category Archives: Church of Christ Doctrinal Issues

Renewing Our Worship: Emailed Announcements, Part 3

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Another short one: The Open House Party for Paul Smith is from 2:00 to 5:00 this Sunday, February 1. We will shower him with gift cards so he can purchase what he needs for his new home. Everyone is welcome … Continue reading →

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Letter to a Disfellowshipped Reader: Thanks

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Jay F Guin

When I received the email from my disfellowshipped reader, I wrote her, saying, “I have some thoughts, but I find the readers often have wisdom that would never have occurred to me.” And, boy, was I right! I was hoping … Continue reading →

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Letter to a Disfellowshipped Reader

Posted on March 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Dear Reader, I’m glad you chose to write me because I love being amazed at the courage and faithfulness of God’s children. I mean, I’m just astonished that you’ve managed not only to extricate you from a horrible situation, but … Continue reading →

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Renewing Our Worship: Emailed Announcements, Part 2

Posted on March 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

These next two are short announcements, but they have great stories behind them — Relief Team Coming Through: A team on their way to work in Mississippi will spend the night in our building this Saturday. If you will assist … Continue reading →

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A Reader’s Email about Being Disfellowshipped

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Jay F Guin

I get emails. This tragic email is lengthy but important. A reader wants to know how to respond to having been disfellowshipped. Readers, what do you think? (Edited for length and privacy. Posted and edited with permission.) Hello, I have … Continue reading →

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Renewing Our Worship: Emailed Announcements, Part 1

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Jay F Guin

In an earlier post, I mentioned how important announcements are to our worship: they fulfill the injunction of Heb 10:24-25 to spur one another on to love and good works. And lately I’ve received some very encouraging announcements from my … Continue reading →

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Renewing Our Worship: Testimony

Posted on March 1, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Just like in church, we need to start with a song —

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Renewing Our Worship: Authenticity

Posted on February 28, 2009 by Jay F Guin

If you read the literature on reaching Postmodern people and young people, you’ll find a huge emphasis on “authenticity” in our worship. If you read older material on worship, you’ll find that “authenticity” is not a new concept. It’s just … Continue reading →

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Renewing Our Worship: Uniformity

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Jay F Guin

I’m an elder at a 700-member congregation. I fully realize that many of my suggestions are impractical for a small church. A congregation of 50 isn’t likely to need or want an 8-person praise team or to worry about its … Continue reading →

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Renewing Our Worship: Contemporary Christian Music and the Apocalypse

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Jay F Guin

We have members of my congregation who are firmly persuaded that contemporary Christian music is a sign of the Apocalypse — rather like sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts. It’s just one more way for people to suffer. And so, … Continue reading →

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