Rotundus.com

Recently some attention has come to a website which argues that the CanRC was wrong to consider any number of churches sister churches (for a response to this check out Bredenhof's Xanga). One of their reasons for this was the lack of fencing of the Lord's Supper.

I've been looking at Q&A 81 and 82 of the Heidelberg Catechism and the scripture passages referenced by them. Some thoughts: 1 Corinthians 11:28,29 seems to refer to personal responsibility and personal judgement (as translated in the NKJV - is this also the indication of the original text?). Of the other passages referenced 1 Corinthians 10:22 is the only one that references "we" in regard to provoking the wrath of God (and it's not quoted in association with this particular point). It makes sense that the church should exercise discipline over those sinners known to be unrepentant, but at the same time how should others such as visitors to the church be dealt with (as recently asked)? (Interestingly Bible Gateway is now referencing the NKJV for these requests when I don't know of a CanRC that uses some translation other than the NIV, RSV, or NASB in its worship services).

I recognize discipline to be an important thing, and do think that we should mutually encourage each other in this regard. I hold to the belief that amongst Christians the "none of your business" argument does not apply and that there is no statute of limitations other than repentance. When it comes to larger congregations, experience has rendered me cynical over this issue and the consistory's ability to exercise discipline appropriately. To quote Michael Horton, "In far too many cases, at least in my experience, elders are chosen because of their general leadership skills, success in business, high position in the community, and other worldly considerations. Surely an elder is not disqualified for possessing these gifts, but they do not necessarily qualify him either" (A Better Way, p. 236).

This has meant that over the past years I have existed largely outside the formal power structure of the church. The last time my district elder and I exchanged anything more than cursory greetings was back in either 2000 or 2001, although at the same time I have been seeking the wisdom and guidance of others (a group not void of consistory members). The issue of discipline also largely explains my current status as a nomad in more ways than one. Over the years I think that I have largely lost the ability to trust at any scale beyond a one-to-one basis.

Saturday, July 1, was a historic day. Not just because it was Canada Day, but also because it spelled the end of the Oil City Central model railroad. Scott was on hand to witness the final runs of freight and passenger trains. With those over, dismantling (or abandonment) began in earnest. I saved one piece for inclusion (after heavy modification) in a modular railroad. It may be built to freemo (info here) standards. Any thoughts on them? Most of the remaining track has been lifted and salvaged for future use.

For those who are interested, the section being saved is the long narrow part along the west side. Instead of the original plan of flat country plus a lake, it is going to be a mountainous section reminiscent of the Three Valley or Summit Lake areas west of Revelstoke.

There is more work to be done yet (specifically, finish salvaging track, then unscrew and remove the support structure), but I do plan to work at it some more tomorrow. I took a number of photos of the last trains, and a couple shots showing the abandonment progress at the end of the day. They may or may not find their way online in the near future. Until then, Letrain out!

This morning I finally managed to find the North Ridge Presbyterian Church (PCA). It was a little hard to find, as it does not have a building of its own, has no outside sign (this apparently is a also a restriction of their rental agreement as in the St. Albert CanRC), and is not a massive congregation.

I've had a little trouble finding anything official regarding the relationship between the PCA and the CanRC other than one rather ambiguous comment. However, the PCA is a member of NAPARC, an organization which includes as members the RCUS, the OPC, and the ERQ (which the CanRC considers sister churches). Apparently, through NAPARC there is a membership transfer agreement in place between these churches. I also heard when talking to people after the service that the pastor of the other PCA in town would be preaching at the local URC this evening, so the relationship between the URC and PCA also appears good (at least locally).

As far as names that you might recognize, according to Wikipedia the denomination's membership includes such individuals as R.C. Sproul, Ligon Duncan (president of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals), Marvin Olasky as well as (musically) Steven Curtis Chapman and at least one member of the group Caedmon's Call. These are just a few, though, of the denomination's 330000 members in around 1500 churches.

I've seen some churches in which there is modern music but no little to no theological depth, yet in this church modern instrumentation was using while still singing songs with meaning to them. This was also a church unafraid of modern technology. While hymnals were still distributed and lyrics to any songs outside the hymnals were printing in the liturgy sheet, an LCD projector was used to project lyrics.

My Rio Carbon is still holding together after a year and a half, so at the moment I have no real use for an iPod. Yet if I purchase a MacBook I can acquire one for a price much lower than retail. Just wondering if there might be interesting in acquiring an iPod as it seems likely that the MacBook is the direction is which I'm headed.

My general view of a fair price is the midpoint between what this would cost you and what this would cost me.

(I'd also probably be getting rid of my existing iBook once I have a replacement for it - although this would at least need a new power adaptor to get working again).