Does your church have a vote of confidence/reaffirmation of pastors/elders?

Greg Long
Recently I was reading through the Constitution and Bylaws of John Piper’s church, Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis (can be accessed here: http://www.hopeingod.org/ConstitutionByLaws.aspx). I was interested to note that every elder must be reaffirmed by the congregation every three years. I have never been a part of a church that has a regularly scheduled vote of confidence or vote of reaffirmation in its pastor(s) or elders.

What do you think about this practice? Does your church do it?

Discussion

Easter Plans 2010

Anthony Hayden
I know this is really early, but barring the rapture (for those pre-trib, pre-mil folks), I am considering Easter plans.

I am looking for something based on the 7 cries from the cross, in the tradition of Dubois, but not as classical or inaccessible for my 15-20 voice volunteer choir. I potentially will use this as a Good Friday service and set up Resurrection Sunday. If necessary I’ll make my own with octavos.

Any suggestions for octavos to match the following phrases?

1. Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

Discussion

Cartoon?

Jamie Hart
I’m looking for a cartoon I saw years ago that I would like to use in a sermon illustration…here’s the jist…and I’m doing it from memory do I will probably botch this up.

Two guys meet on the street and they begin to talk about their churches. The first guy says, “I’m a Baptist.” the second guy says “Me too. I’m a Calvanist”…”Me too! Superlapsarian or Sublarpasarian?” “Sub”…”Me too!” and so on…until they finally get to a minor point of disagreement and one yells at the other “Heretic!”

Anyone know where I can find it?

Discussion

Baptizing a cohabitating Christian???

Jonathan Charles
My wife and I have a visit to make this Tuesday. A young lady who professes to having come to faith in Christ wants to be baptized. The problem is that she is living with a boyfriend. She has 2 sons by a previous relationship, so sexual immorality has been an ongoing issue in her life for quite a while. I tend to immediately respond to things in a cut and dried way. John said, “bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.” If there is not evidence of repentance, then she should not be baptized.

Discussion

Request: closed churches-pictures

Doug Smith
I’m not sure if this is the best forum to post this in (tried to pick the closest thing, thought outreach might be it), but I am looking for pictures of churches that are actually closed/disbanded. I am looking for Protestant church buildings. I prefer rural buildings but can probably use a variety. I am especially interested if there is one you have a picture of that you have personally seen (I know I can search google images, etc. — I’m asking here for what I might not find there… or may have overlooked).

Discussion