Pray for our Gospel effort this June in Vineland, 30 minutes west of us. We are going to do a lot of door-to-door and literature canvassing, to share the good news and try to get folks to come to some special, bilingual evangelistic meetings on three consecutive Saturday evenings.
Archive for the ‘Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts’ Category
RPM: Vineland summer mission advert
Posted in Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on May 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »
RPM February Quarterly Update
Posted in Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on April 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Here is the latest quarterly update. If you missed the last one about our move to S. Jersey and my new endeavor to go full time with RPM, you can read it here.
For more information about RPM or to make a donation, click here.
RPM: a sample leaflet I use in the parish
Posted in Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on April 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The following is a trifold that I use to introduce myself and the church, and to get something of Jesus into the hands of the lost. I’ll occasionally change up the contents, but this is the basic format.
RPM: framed scriptures & quotes
Posted in Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on March 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »
As I’m raising funds to support myself with Reformed Parish Mission (RPM), I’m putting some of my artistic aptitudes to use here. For a gift of any amount to RPM until the end of this month (March 2024), I will be happy to ship you a framed (4×6) Bible verse or quote from our Reformed forbears. I am also open to special requests. Drop me a note to let me know which one you’d like — michael@reformedparish.com.
RPM November Quarterly Update
Posted in Parish in American Context, Parochial Strategy, Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on December 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Here is the latest quarterly update. If you missed the last one about our move to S. Jersey and my new endeavor to go full time with RPM, you can read it here.
For more information about RPM or to make a donation, click here.
RPM: Drunk despair & a shoe on the other foot!
Posted in Parish in American Context, Parish Theory & Practice, Parochial Strategy, Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on December 20, 2023| 1 Comment »
Over the last few weeks, I’ve made more progress door-to-door in Woodbine. It’s got some character to be sure. There are some nice, even stately old homes alternating with run-down and abandoned shells. The one below had the front door completely knocked in to the ground. With poorer judgment, I could have just walked throughout the place.
I’ve encountered and visited with a number of Spanish speakers here in Woodbine. One had me inside. And not long into this first round I’ve discovered just how many African Americans there are. And their relatively openness to talk and comparative friendliness from past experience elsewhere has been mildly surprising–and definitely encouraging.
One of my most recent encounters was with “Dequan.” As I walked up to his house, he stood there, music blaring from his car. He looked late 20s, dressed in typical urban street-wear. As I introduced himself and handed him a leaflet, he very quickly got exercised and said that there was ‘no forgiveness for him–he killed a man!’ I noticed beer on his breath. Hard to say whether he was serious or not; but I had little reason to doubt him as the conversation progressed. I spoke to him of the infinite love of God in Christ who willingly died for wicked sinners like him and like me. I told him, as for his despair of pardon, that there was a great believer in the Bible who killed a man, and yet God forgave him. “Moses!” he replied. I was thinking David. (This fellow probably had a Christian upbringing, maybe even a godly mother or grandmother still praying for him. O, let us never despair of our prodigals!) So now Dequan had two witnesses of divinely pardoned murderers, and “in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” I was grateful that he did not brush me off for who I was, and I certainly treated him with the dignity he deserved as a human being. But, I explained to him, he and I were both in the same boat. We are helpless sinners in desperate need of mercy! I got his phone number. Then I asked if I could pray with him? He had quite calmed down by now. As I prayed for Dequan, he volunteered an arm around me. So touching, and I responded in kind as I led our poor souls to the throne of grace.
(more…)Protected: What is Reformed Parish Mission?
Posted in Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on September 3, 2023|
RPM August Quarterly Update (& can you possibly help me?)
Posted in Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on September 2, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Friends, this next update is a major one for me. In addition to taking a new call in South Jersey and so expanding the urban mission efforts of our presbytery, I’m making a major appeal for regular support so that I can increasingly dedicate myself to this cause full-time.
Could you please help with a monthly recurring donation of any amount, however small? Even a $10/month commitment would be a blessing. Or a one-time gift of any amount. But above all, please pray for the Lord’s blessings in our transition and the expansion of the work in the urban Northeast.
Finally, a special ‘thank you’ to those who are already supporting. Your part is so vital; may the Lord bless you for it!
RPM: Sample class on catechesis
Posted in Care for the Youth, Catechesis, Español, Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on July 22, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Curso de catequesis
Posted in Care for the Youth, Catechesis, Church Order & Discipline, Confessional Subscription, Español, Reformed Parish Mission (RPM) Posts on June 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Inscríbase en un curso del seminario sobre la teoría y la práctica de la catequesis. El costo del curso es de sólo $10 USD; y hay vacantes disponibles gratuitamente para un número limitado de quienes deseen auditar el curso.
Más información sobre el curso: https://www.facebook.com/str.iprbolivia.org
Comprensión teológica: Los estudiantes adquirirán una sólida comprensión de los principios básicos y las ventajas de la catequesis como disciplina teológico-pastoral dentro de la Iglesia. Serán capaces de analizar y aplicar estos conceptos fundamentales en su vida y práctica cristiana.
Formación doctrinal: El curso capacitará a los estudiantes para formar a otros en las doctrinas fundamentales de la fe cristiana. Aprenderán a transmitir de manera clara y efectiva estos principios, tanto a adultos convertidos como a menores bautizados, fomentando una comprensión profunda y significativa de la fe.
Profesión de fe personal: Los estudiantes desarrollarán la habilidad de realizar una profesión de fe personal y creíble. A través del conocimiento adquirido en el curso, podrán articular su fe de manera coherente y convincente, fortaleciendo así su relación con Dios y su plena pertenencia a la Iglesia.
Página web del seminario: https://iprbolivia.org/strinfo/
West Port Experiment 