Serving the Christian Reformed Church under an altered mandate.

Although I am resigning in protest, I am not bitter or angry. I am disappointed, of course, but I have gone through a discerning process.

Power-over is coercive, controlling, and manipulative. Power-with is collaborative and authoritative.

How do these two things connect?

Like the psalmists of old, I have been lamenting lately, honestly sharing my griefs, fears, and frustrations with God. Allow me to share some of them with you.

Psychologists suggest that empathy is crucial in helping people who are struggling. Can we truly love our neighbor as ourselves if we do not have some level of empathy?

Bible scholars say the phrase “knowing good and evil” in Genesis 3 is a Jewish merism. It is an idiomatic Hebrew way of saying, “the potential to unlimited knowledge.”

In our divided world and divided church, we need media that break down divisions, not reinforce them.

For author and pastor Tim Keller, both the younger brother and the elder brother in Jesus’ parable are lost, but in different ways.

We often think our riders, our conscious reasoning, are in control, but really our elephants, our subconscious intuitions, rule.

I dearly love the Reformed doctrine of God’s grace.

I might not understand why God allows crisis and upheaval, but I trust the promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

The Pharisees complained about Jesus eating with “tax collectors and sinners.”

I was often puzzled by the sudden turn in the crowd’s mood in Luke 4:16-30.

My time as a campus minister taught me that one of the best tools we have to deal with people’s spiritual doubts is patience.

I suspect you cannot properly love God without loving your neighbor nor properly love your neighbor without loving God.

Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). I believe this means speaking the truth not only with loving intent, but also in loving, kind, and gentle ways.

The Reformed doctrine of the clarity of Scripture teaches that what is necessary for salvation is clear in Scripture. It does not teach that everything in Scripture is clear and easy to understand.

Jesus not only brought us peace with God, but gives us the peace of God in our hearts.

This is just one example of how well-meaning Christians, all with valid reasons, all respecting Scriptural authority, can in good faith have different interpretations of the same passage.

Exploring the interconnectedness of faith and love.

I am curious as to why Jesus, in this instance, chose to emphasize love, rather than faith or belief, as the key to salvation.

May this 2002 synodical report guide us in leading with compassion and help bridge the divisions among us.