We Make Christians

After two years on the outskirts, Beverly Heights has a seat at the table. In September, our congregation voted to join the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), and at the end of the month the Bucer Presbytery voted unanimously to receive us. Pastor Nate and Pastor Peter report on the trip to Nashville, explain how the CREC’s broader courts work and why its General Council meets only every three years, and share what they saw of a communion that reaches from Eastern Europe to Japan.

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

It's underway! This past Sunday, Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle started a five-week Adult Christian Education class on the CREC and our upcoming denominational decision. They focused on the CREC's Memorials. Subsequent classes will cover rhetoric, polemics, cultural engagement, theology and polity, and an honest conversation about what, if anything, will change if we enter the CREC. 

In this episode, our three pastors discuss the CREC "scaries," which will be the topic of our next ACE class. What, really, are we afraid of when it comes to the CREC? Is it the way Doug Willson talks online? Allowing toddlers to take communion? Defining gender roles? Being compelled to know what you believe and why? We have nothing to be afraid of; fear nothing but the Lord. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

This past Sunday, Pastor Kyle finished an Adult Christian Education class on public theology and the need for Christians to honor and serve the Lord in every area of life— including how we associate and affiliate with others. 

This upcoming Sunday, Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle will be starting a five-week Adult Christian Education class on the CREC and our upcoming denominational decision. How should we think Christianly about this? 

In this episode, our three pastors discuss the upcoming ACE class and sketch its schedule. They forecast their discussion of the CREC Memorials, liturgy and covenant renewal services, and how things might change for us as a congregation. If at all. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.  

In this seventh and last installment, Elder Chad Winkler reads his article entitled, “Trips to Moscow, ID.” In this article, Elder Winkler gives readers a worm's eye view of life at Christ Church, Moscow—a hub, of sorts, of all things CREC. Here's what you can expect: loads of cheerfulness, joy, reverence and also a little bit of Handel. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.  

In this sixth installment, Pastor Kyle reads his article entitled, “Reformed and Always Renovating.” In this article, Pastor Kyle discusses the "complete and comprehensive Lordship of Jesus Christ" and how the CREC is a communion of churches that takes this very, very seriously. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.  

In this fifth installment, Elder Tom O'Boyle reads his article entitled, “Let's Not Cancel the CREC a Second Time.” In this article, Elder O'Boyle recalls the Evangelical Presbyterian Church's demand that our church cease all communication and association with Dr. Peter Leithart, a CREC pastor and theologian. Yea, let's never go through that again.  

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.  

In this fourth installment, Pastor Pete reads his article entitled, “Putting the Bible First.” In this article, Pastor Pete discusses an important clause in the CREC's Constitution: "In all matters of doctrinal discussion and debate, an appeal to Scripture will always be the first resort." Here is a communion of churches that takes the Bible very seriously. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.  

In this third installment, Pastor Pete reads his article entitled, “Structurally Sound.” In this article, Pastor Pete discusses our need to join a denomination and his reasons for why he believes we should join the CREC. Because the Bible comes first. Because the local church has authority. Because we have personal responsibility. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their discussion of the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article reads their article and then it is discussed.  

In this second installment, Pastor Nate reads his article entitled, “On Principle.” In this article, Pastor Nate discusses the work of Thomas Witherow, a nineteenth century Irish Presbyterian minister, who wrote about being principled when it comes to joining a denomination. Whatever we do, we have to be principled. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Over the next few episodes of We Make Christians, Pastors Nate, Peter, and Kyle will be discussing the articles written in the most recent Scattered Seeds Newsletter, which is entitled, “Why the CREC Is a Good Choice: Essays on Choosing Our Next Denomination." In each episode, the author of an article will read their article and then it will be discussed.  

In this first installment, Pastor Nate reads his article entitled, “The Only Thing Harder . . .” In this article he addresses the difficulty some might have in returning to a denomination after what our church has been through. He gives a lay of the land—noting where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!  

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/