February 21, 2012
I had expected much more. From outside, the Hindu temple in Dehra Dun, northern India, was ornate and impressive. But as Anand Samuel and I entered the temple, it was just a big room with cold concrete flooring. (We had removed our shoes before entering.) There were no priests, no teaching, no choirs, although music played outside all day long over loudspeakers. Painted flowers and Hindi signage covered the walls inside, warning adherents not to offer money to Shiva, the "Destroyer," and not to be flippant in their acts of worship but to take them seriously.
by: John Folmar | Categories: Missions
February 13, 2012
Churches can be big or small for all the right reasons. Or for all the wrong reasons. We simply should not conclude that bigger is better or smaller is more sanctified. In God's eyes, the success of your church and your pastor are measured by criteria more important than weekend attendance.
by: John Welkner | Categories: The Church
January 5, 2012
According to the forty-seventh Psalm, we are to sing the praise of the Lord "with skillfulness." I will leave the musical instruction side of that commandment, with its pitches, note reading, beat, proper breathing, harmonizing, etc., to those more gifted than I am in this area (which would be quite a number of people). Yet a congregation can make vast improvements in its singing even without choral training. How? Simply by listening to and obeying the Word of God's instruction on how we are to sing in the presence of God. Consider applying in a purposeful way these short exhortations to your singing as you go to the house of the Lord the next time.
by: John Welkner | Categories: Church Fellowship
December 15, 2011
As a young boy I certainly believed in Santa. We made the annual cookie oblation and went to bed under the conditional covenant that he would not come if we did not sleep (or at least stay in bed). Nevertheless, I think I began to doubt the faith earlier than some. We did not have a fireplace and the idea of someone, even Santa, coming through the front door in the middle of the night was a little creepy.
by: John Welkner | Categories: Uncategorized
December 1, 2011
"The responsibility of the church in the new age is the same as its responsibility in every age. It is to testify that this world is lost in sin..."
by: John Welkner | Categories: The Church
October 23, 2011
Break out your favorite picnic cuisine, some blankets, dust off the ole' rugby ball and frisbee! This weekend UCCD will be gathering at Safa Park for another church picnic! Come to Safa gate two, head to your left towards the bar-b-que area and enjoy a great time of fellowship!
by: John Welkner | Categories: Church Fellowship
October 4, 2011
Serious pastry and coffee consumers may have noticed that something is now missing from the Sherbeck’s Cafe downstairs, namely, the pastries and the coffee. Be at peace, caffeine and sugar addicts, there is a good reason for their disappearance.
by: John Welkner | Categories: Church Fellowship