Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church; edited by Patricia E. Clawson & Diane L. Olinger; published by The Committee for the Historian of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church; cloth, 470 pages; © 2016 This is a dangerous book. Like Proverbs 31, it can make women feel inferior if they begin to … Continue reading A dangerous book
URC seeks right house for worship in DC
For the last five years, Christ Reformed Church (URCNA) has met for worship in the historic Grace Reformed Church building, located on 15th Street in downtown Washington, DC. Like other Gothic Revival style churches, the building features lofty spires and luminous stained-glass windows. But the architecture stands alone in its sculptural tributes to key … Continue reading URC seeks right house for worship in DC
OPC church plant in Wisconsin: unique outreach efforts
Next time you vacation in the Wisconsin Dells, plan to drive less than 20 miles southwest to Reedsburg and worship with the saints at Grace Reformed Church. You’ll find sound preaching and warm fellowship in a congregation that reaches out in unusual ways. The church began as a mission work of the Presbytery of the … Continue reading OPC church plant in Wisconsin: unique outreach efforts
Smooth Sailing for RCUS Synod in California
No controversial issues came up during the 270th Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States, when it met from May 16-19, 2016, at Grace Reformed Church in Bakersfield, CA. “I would have to say that this year’s Synod was unique in that there were no major decisions or position papers to approve,” … Continue reading Smooth Sailing for RCUS Synod in California
Pella’s heritage: Broken teacups and blooming tulips
During the first week of May, 300,000 tulips in beds lining streets and filling parks of Pella, IA, usually bloom. Whatever the condition of blossoms, local people celebrate their Dutch heritage with an extravaganza of colorful parades, folk dancing, interesting exhibits, and delicious food. Copious amounts of food. Visitors can feed their inner child … Continue reading Pella’s heritage: Broken teacups and blooming tulips
God’s faithfulness in the fire
A massive fire destroyed much of the Faith United Reformed Church building in West Olive, MI, on May 13. No one was inside at the time, and Pastor Matthew Nuiver was one of the first to notice smoke as he drove up that morning. “Initially I thought maybe it was a brush fire,” he … Continue reading God’s faithfulness in the fire
Reaching out in Jersey City
What do you know about Jersey City? It’s the second most heavily-populated city in New Jersey with an ethnic diversity befitting it as the home of Ellis Island. It’s also the location of a young URCNA church plant, Grace Reformed Church. When the work began meeting for worship on September 1, 2013, a core … Continue reading Reaching out in Jersey City
Faith community rallies around a church after fire damages building
“Ridiculously surreal.” That’s how Senior Pastor Stu Kerns described the phone call informing him of a fire at Zion Church (PCA) in Lincoln, NE. This was the second time he’d received such a call. The previous building at a different location had been completely destroyed by fire in 2007. “I felt like this is … Continue reading Faith community rallies around a church after fire damages building
Seminary’s alumni conference focuses on conflict
You or your pastor may be all too familiar with conflict within the church. According to Rev. Jeff De Boer, Director of Enrollment Management at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, it is the primary reason for pastors leaving the ministry. “Preparing for and reflecting on conflict is very important for the continued well-being of the church,” … Continue reading Seminary’s alumni conference focuses on conflict
Independent Reformed church seeks URCNA affiliation
After more than forty years as an independent congregation, Immanuel Fellowship Church in Kalamazoo, MI, hopes to affiliate with the United Reformed Churches in North America. At a meeting on March 2, 2016, Immanuel’s congregation voted unanimously in favor of affiliation. The consistory of Covenant URC in Kalamazoo brought an Article 32 recommendation regarding … Continue reading Independent Reformed church seeks URCNA affiliation
Glenda Faye Mathes 