The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

Marks of a dysfunctional church I've come up with my own humorous top ten list of the ways to tell if you're attending a dysfunctional church. You know you're in a dysfunctional church when: 10. The ushers frisk everyone before they enter. 9. Church survey includes option of increasing pastors pay. 8. The worship leader directs the worship practice with a whip. 7. Family Fun Day includes the Titanic ride, and Jumping Castle is named "Ten Plagues of Egypt." 6.  There is a pastor appreciation month every month. 5. There are parking metres in the church parking lot. 4. Session meetings begin with the chairman saying, "Let's get ready to ruuuuummble!" 3. Visitors are required to put their bank account number on the guest form. 2. Requirements for teaching Sunday school students include martial arts training. 1. The Church changes its name and address regularly to avoid complaints. Many ministries have sli...

EPISCOPOS: THE SHEPHERDING ELDER  1 Timothy 3: MULTIPLYING MINISTRY 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer , he desires a noble task.2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Titus 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders  in every town as I directed you---6 if anyone...

4. EPISCOPOS: THE SHEPHERDING ELDER  1 Timothy 3: Qualifications for Overseers 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.   Titus 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directe...

We multiply ministry by multiplying leaders How are we multiplying leaders at HCCC  The Flake Formula Arthur Flake is considered the "father of the modern-day Sunday school." In 1920, just as the Spanish flu pandemic was ending, the Sunday school Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now Lifeway) hired Flake to become its first Sunday school superintendent. He had grown the Sunday school of the First Baptist Church of Wynona, Mississippi, and he had a passion for Sunday school and evangelism. Step 1: Know Your Possibilities There are underserved people in our communities, and perhaps even in our churches. As you look at the kinds of groups your church offers, you may discover there are gaps. If a young single woman showed up at your church for Bible study, would you have an appropriate group for her to attend? Are there people groups in your community for which you would not have a good group option for them? Are some of your current groups too large...