Ryken on Ministry

What scripture sets the tone for Phil's ministry?
What circumstances led him to Westminster? To Oxford? To Tenth?
What are his toughest choices in a day?
When does Phil have his strongest sense of being an unworthy sinner?
How does he select the hymns for a worship service? How does he and Paul collaborate?
What does he think of his pastoral staff?
And the most important question of all: What does he think about the Executive Minister's role?

Find out by listening to an interview conducted by Mark Devers on March 31. Click here.

Cincinnati Move

Someone is moving to Cincinnati next week and is looking for a good church. Any recommendations? Post in the comments section.

TV Brand

Scott Moreau sent in this notice:

Radio Bible Class will be airing a 3-part documentary across the nation on God's work through Paul and Margaret Brand. I looked it up and looks like these will air Sunday mornings 6/25, 7/2 and 7/9 at 7:30am on WPPX (Ch. 61) here in Philly - on a show called "Day of Discovery". Though I've never heard of this channel I just checked and we get it fairly clearly (and don't have cable). In case you are interested, click here.

Homily Posted

My homily for George Welsh's funeral is now posted on the DMC Messages site. The link is on the right.

PCA Statistics 2004

For the statistical year of 2004 the PCA had a reported total membership of 330,182, a net increase of 9,782 over the previous year. The PCA ended 2004 with 1,553 churches, a net decrease of 22 churches. Though our church planting activities continued apace in areas of population stability or growth, several Presbyteries dissolved a number of struggling churches in areas of population decline. There were 10,978 professions of faith in PCA churches in 2004, an increase of 479. Total reported local church disbursements were $546,317,651, an increase of $15,815,849. The General Assembly approved overtures from Pacific Northwest Presbytery, Northern Illinois Presbytery, and Philadelphia Presbyteries to form a total of five new Presbyteries (Western Canada, Wisconsin, Chicago Metro, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia Metro West Presbyteries). With the formation of the new Presbyteries, the total number of PCA Presbyteries will reach seventy-three.

GA Report

Here is today's agenda for General Assembly. As you will say, it is mostly made up of information reports by the different agencies. The personal resolutions can be interesting as it is a means for individuals to present issues for action affecting church government and policies. Tomorrow's agenda will have the reports that require action. The committee report that has the most actions to be discussed and voted on is the Bills and Overture Committee. Aaron is serving on it this year. For an overview of all the issues they will be addressing, go here.

10:00 am
Assembly Reconvenes
10:30 am
Partial Report of the Review of Presbyetery Records Committee
11:00 am
Presentation of Personal Resolutions
11:15 am
Report of the Committee of Commissioners on Interchurch Relations
12:00 pm
Recess for Lunch
1:30 pm
Informational Report of PCA Retirement & Benefits, Inc.
1:45 pm
Informational Report of the Administrative Committee
2:00 pm
Special Order: Report of Ad Interim Committee on Strategic Planning
3:00 pm
Informational Report of Mission To The World
3:15 pm
Informational Report of Reformed University Ministries
3:30 pm
Informational Report of Covenant Theological Seminary
3:45 pm
Informational Report of Covenant College
4:00 pm
Informational Report of Mission to North America
4:15 pm
Informational Report of Christian Education & Publications
4:30 pm
Informational Report of PCA Foundation
4:45 pm
Report of the Committee on Constitutional Business
5:00 pm
Report of the Standing Judicial Committee
5:30 pm
Recess for Dinner
7:30 pm
Worship Service

Prayer Request

Be in prayer for Lev Hojda whose father passed away yesterday.

GA Moderator

General Assembly elected TE Dominic A. Aquila as moderator. Dr. Aquila is president of New Geneva Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs, Colo., and also serves as the editor of the PCA Byfaithonline Newsletter. Dr. Aquila has pastored churches and served as seminary professor and administrator. He will be blogging during the General Assembly at http://pca34thga.blogspot.com/.

Welcome, Johanna!

Rich and Ana and Jacob Shoemaker welcomed little Johanna Florence into the world Sunday, at 7 lbs 1 oz after a quick labor. They are coming home today and all seem to be doing well.

Teaching Positions

City Center Academy, the college preparatory high school at Tenth Presbyterian Church, is accepting applications for 2006-2007: full time mathematics, full time science, part time visual and performing arts, and part time computer science. Teaching experience with teenagers is desirable. Forward resume to Ray Withers, Principal, to 315 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or fax to 215-731-0515.

Missions Luncheon

This Sunday is the June Missions Luncheon at 1pm in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to come and hear about God's work in the world. The McKeever family is going to share about their transition back to the US and Mike's new role with Wycliffe. They will be joined by an elder from their church in Cameroon, Mr. Elisee Mendo. Ken and Gabrielle (newly married on June 17) will also bring a greeting and share about their plans for work together in France.

We have a number of visiting workers who will share during our summer services, so keep your ears and eyes open . . .we can't publicize all of them online because of security concerns.

Funeral Service

I am on my way to officiate the funeral of George Welsh, Holly Canavan's father. The service is at 10:30. Pray for comfort for the family and that God will be glorified in this service which commemorates a child and servant of God.

Beating the Rush

We've run out of the Speaking the Truth in Love manuscripts the last two Sundays - 150 copies so far. Will have more this coming Sunday. You, my blog readers, smile at the thought of worshippers rushing to get copies when you already have direct access on your computer. Just click Speaking the Truth in Love on the right hand column.

News from North Africa

Our friend Steve in North Africa writes . . .
The team arrived safe and sound Saturday afternoon. They were able to visit the babies later that afternoon. Paul did a great job leading worship this morning! After church, we ate lunch at McDonald's and then we took a walk in the old city. This evening, Betsy took them to the youth meeting and then we had dinner at their hotel. Tomorrow morning they'll have an Arabic lesson in the morning, in the afternoon they visit the girls' detention center and then they come to our house for Bible study. The Lord is blessing!

Samuel and Jesse

I attended Saturday's CCA graduation service. The two sons of Tenth stole the show. Samuel Riggs gave the Salutatory speech and Jesse Whitley the Valedictory. Really, these were the finest student speeches I have ever heard at a commencement. I was teary eyed listening to Jesse. I've asked both men to send me their speeches so I can post them. Both gave stirring testimony to their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesse spoke of meeting weekly with his best friend Kristin Green-Hayes for prayer, and for his conclusion invited Kristin up to give a prayer. Now this was a glorious moment!

Funeral Service

The viewing and funeral service for George Welsh, father of Holly Canavan, will be held on Tuesday, June 20 at the Frank C. Videon Funeral Home on Sproul and Lawrence Rds. in Broomall, PA. The viewing will be at 9am followed by the service at 10:30am. Internment will be at Arlington Cemetary in Drexel Hill, PA.