In addition to classroom time…students will gain practical ministry experience by serving in churches alongside area pastors or in the K-12 Christian school that is housed in the same building as the college. "One of the things every church planter in New England that I know of is starving for is more help. Practical experience is good for the student, but in New England, it's critical for the churches."

Fernandez compared the voluntary relationship churches and pastors have with the Florida Baptist Convention to that of lawyers' required membership in the Florida Bar. In contrast to Baptist pastors and their relationship to the convention, attorneys are required to be members of the bar, which stipulates its members must attain and maintain certain educational standards, are licensed and can have their license removed. Nevertheless, the Florida Bar cannot be sued if one of its members violates the law.

Many fathers, she says, are looking for something special to do on Father's Day, and are less likely to attend a normal church service. Having a special event, however, gives them a break from the routine and can be a great way to draw them in.

I am writing this on the train home from the Servants of the Word conference. It was a joy to hear Alastair Begg, Tim Keller, Dick Lucas, and others and to share in great Gospel fellowship.

One possible explanation is that conservative churches tend to be more vibrant and viable and therefore be in a better position to attract and retain members. Another possible explanation is that larger churches simply by virtue of their size are in a better position to strike out on their own, or join a fledgling group like the ECO, while smaller churches are dependent on some of the resources of the larger denominational structure, including monies paid into the pension plan.

“God’s covenant with the body of Christ, while sufficient for an open source Christian, does not deny the truth and benefit found in other religious and wisdom traditions. We trust that the God who has given us freedom in Christ has acted to ensure the freedom of all creation. There is no need to say that our understanding of God’s actions (revealed to us in the work and person of Jesus Christ) in any way limits or affects the truths of other religions.”

Nongeographic presbyteries. The strongest response from the executives was that such a change would lead to fragmentation. More than four in five respondents said it would contribute to fragmentation and less connectionalism, and about half said it could lead to rivalries among presbyteries.

The Presbyterian Church of India “traces its origin to the Welsh Presbyterian Church Mission and is concentrated mainly in the northeastern states. Insurgent underground groups have been active in all except one of the seven states in northeast India, and the church has an important role to play in promoting peace and harmony. Its primary mission focuses are evangelism and church development.”

“We will not stand alone. We covenant to work alongside each other and to labor alongside our fellow Christians who hold to the Biblical faith in our effort to confront fallen culture and equip struggling churches.

A KIRK congregation has become the first to split from the Church of Scotland over the issue of gay clergy. (Former pastors of this church include Eric Alexander and Sinclair Ferguson)