July 2008 New Horizons

One Plus One Equals One

by Ross W. Graham

Once in a while God arranges the pieces of a church-planting story in such a dramatic way that when you hear it you just know that something very special has happened. The Orthodox Presbyterian Church has a new congregation in St. Louis. But the story of how Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Hazelwood, Missouri, came to be received by the Presbytery of the Midwest on April 6, 2008, is one that is truly unique. St. Louis is the home of many congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Even the PCA's own Covenant Theological Seminary is there. And the OPC respects the " Comity Agreement " drafted by the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC), of which we are a member. That agreement states in part that "we will be sensitive to the presence of existing churches and missions ministries of other NAPARC churches and will refrain from enlisting members and take great care in receiving members of those existing ministries." So how did the OPC find itself in St. Louis? Answer: you ... Read more

Home Missions

by Ross W. Graham

Redemption in Gator Country Redemption OPC in Gainesville, Florida, had a short gestation period. Some groups take several years to develop into worshiping bodies of believers who are ready to call an organizing pastor. But the people of Redemption OPC took just six months to form themselves into a vibrant, growing congregation and to call Rev. Joel Fick to be their pastor. The people who gathered were looking for a church that was enthusiastically and intentionally Reformed. As they began to meet, it was clear that they had a common desire for gospel-centered preaching in the context of joyful and reverent worship. In January, Joel Fick arrived from Southern California to serve as their organizing pastor. He came with a wealth of experience. Since graduating from Westminster Seminary California, he had been serving as the associate pastor of a congregation in a sister denomination. Joel is the son of a pastor and the grandson of a pastor and church planter. Joel says, "Although I consider ... Read more

Helps for Worship #31: After the Sermon

by William Shishko

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22) What happens when the sermon is over? For some, this is simply the indication that worship is about to conclude. But that response, while all too common, is hardly a godly response to the privilege of hearing Christ's ministers explain and apply his word. Usually there is a "hymn of response" following a sermon. Sometimes this is used as a kind of congregational prayer, asking the Lord to bring to us the specific gospel blessings that have been opened up in the preaching. At other times, the hymn following the sermon is evangelistic in nature, calling all present to entrust themselves to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. At other times, the hymn is contemplative and reflective, calling us to specific repentance and new obedience. At other times, there is no hymn of response. That is not because the minister forgot to include one (nor usually because the service has run too late!), but because the minister believes that any ... Read more

For Goodness' Sake

by "Glen Roberts"

Dear James, I'm sorry you missed the ordination of Charles Greene last month. I know he was your favorite Sunday school teacher, and session always admired the way he encouraged junior high students to memorize the Shorter Catechism. Ben sometimes complains, but when he stands back and realizes how far he has come, even he is surprised by Mr. Greene's persuasiveness. At the reception, I spoke to your mother, again enjoying her abilities in the kitchen. (I can certainly appreciate your complaints about dorm food.) She mentioned your socializing with your hall mates and that you have been attracted to one of their Roman Catholic friends. I think her name is Jill. I am certainly not going to advise you about romance. Your parents are more than competent in such matters. I'm sure you know that marrying outside the faith is wrong. I'll leave it at that. I'm also not about to tell you how to pick your friends. As much as I hope you avoid harmful influences and temptations, I don't think having Roman ... Read more

Women's Ties across Churches

by Patricia E. Clawson

Three years after the Orthodox Presbyterian Church began in 1936, Marie Kuiper, wife of Westminster Seminary professor R. B. Kuiper, presided over more than 125 women who gathered for the organizational meeting of the Presbyterial Auxiliary of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. The gavel she used to adopt the constitution was constructed from the wood of a Chinese idol. After a violin solo, the Rev. Henry W. Coray spoke about his five years as a missionary in Harbin, Manchuria. A June 1939 article in The Presbyterian Guardian encouraged women in other presbyteries to follow their example and organize a women's presbyterial to promote missionary interest in the churches. The Philadelphia presbyterial lasted about fifty-eight years, until interest waned and busy schedules kept many away. While at least twelve presbyteries once had women's presbyterials, today only five still do. The decline of women's presbyterial was slow, but steady, over the years. In 1950, seventy-three women, including thirty-three ... Read more