Should Children be tattletales, snitches at school?

FredK
In lessor school offenses, should kids be encouraged to tell on schoolmates? Does repeated snitching raise the likihood of resentment, mistrust, retaliation from peers? Is this just exchanging one problem for another one? In a time when kids are learning how to relate to others, does snitching make it more difficult to see the world as a positive place where one can find his place and fit in?

Discussion

What do you or your church require for baptism

Ed Vasicek

Poll Results

What do you or your church require for baptism

Nothing much — we practice infant baptism Votes: 0
A simple profession of faith Votes: 5
A profession and a brief lesson or two Votes: 4
A simple profession is the minimum, but we prefer to do more Votes: 3
A profession and a completed class series or booklet, etc. Votes: 3
Other Votes: 2
We do not believe baptism is for today Votes: 1

Discussion

The Ordination of Men to the Ministry

Don Anderson

Reprinted with permission from Faith Pulpit (Jan-Mar, 2011). Photo: Baptist Bulletin.

Ordination to the gospel ministry is a significant and solemn event in a man’s life.1 Churches should understand the Biblical teaching about ordination so they can conduct the procedure in a proper manner.

The General Pattern

Ordinations today generally follow the same pattern. The church, after observing its pastor or assistant pastor for a period of time, decides to call a council to consider the advisability of ordaining him. In addition to some of its own members,2 the church usually seeks the input of men from area churches.3 On the designated day the church and the council members convene to hear the candidate give his salvation testimony, state his call to the ministry, and express his doctrinal positions. In most cases, the individual prepares a written statement of each doctrine. During the session the candidate summarizes his views on each doctrine, followed by questions from the council members.

After the examination, the candidate is dismissed and the council members share their thoughts on the man. If the council is satisfied that he evidences a call to the ministry and is orthodox in his theology, it recommends to the church that it proceed with the ordination. The church then votes to ordain their pastor or assistant pastor at an upcoming service.

At the end of the ordination service, the deacons and ordained men in the congregation lay their hands on the man, formally setting him aside for the ministry.

Discussion