Church & Ministry

Here’s an issue that I would like to get some thoughts about at a very practical level. I pastor a smaller single-elder/deacon type church (175 years old, independent Baptist). We are making some significant strides (in my opinion) in moving towards a more biblically centered position in a variety of areas (music, Bible versions, depth of discipleship, small group discipleship, etc). One of the areas we are working through is the relationship between the Pastor, deacons, and trustees on a practical “whose head is on the chopping block in that situation” type level.

We are blessed to have a faithful organist who has been serving our church since before my time (I have been here 31 years). But when she is no longer able to play, I suspect our organ will be rarely played. What is your church’s “organ situation?” Will the organ become a novelty instrument, much like the accordion is in disuse in the popular genre?

Poll Results

Does your church’s main service feature an organ?

I grew up in churches that used predominately Gospel songs and choruses (Jesus Saves, Washed in the Blood, Love Lifted Me, Climb up Sunshine Mountain, etc.). I then found myself in a more traditional hymn oriented environment (O For a Thousand Tongues, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, etc.) and the Psalter with a side jaunt in “nit-picking hymnody” that corrected lines like “emptied Himself of all but love” and “thou hast for all atonement made” and considered “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” ludicrous.

I am looking for advice as to how to handle a situation that has arisen in relation to paedobaptism and confirmation.

The situation relates to a Christian who was baptised as a child by her non-believing (nominal Christian parents). Later that person became a believer and as an expression and declaration of her Christian faith was confirmed within the Anglican (Church of England) as this was the practice of the church she was attending at that time.

I would love to have some conversation around this topic that was originally posted at re:THINK.