This part-time position is ideal for those individuals who are considering full-time vocational ministry. The position requires an individual to be musically gifted, able to lead and develop worship teams, do administrative and social media work, and be a theological thinker who can work out his/her reformed theology in real-life kind of ways. The individual should expect to be working closely with the lead pastor in the day-to-day duties: the exciting, mundane, and frustrating....
On Monday, April 19, the Session met from 6:00-11 PM to deliberate on a wide variety of matters pertaining to our church. ...
On Wednesday, May 12, the Session met from 6:00-10:30 PM to deliberate on a wide variety of matters pertaining to our church. Here is a synopsis of what took place!...
How can we be focusing special attention on exceptional hospitality and purposeful welcome? We want people to be able to find their home here and ultimately, to find their home in Jesus. Here are some ideas!...
Hooray! After almost a year, we’re excited to offer a modified Kids Crossing experience! For the months of March and April, nursery and one Kids Crossing class will be provided on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month (March 14/28, April 11/25). (Decisions regarding a schedule for May will be made once we are closer to that time.) We can’t wait to see the kiddos of MDC again!...
According to our Book of Church Order, an elder is called an overseer of the flock and household of God. This means that the elders are required to govern and rule over all the affairs of the church. “It belongs to the office of elder, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to their charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein” (BCO 8-3). This overseeing work involves meeting frequently to deal with matters that require a great deal of biblical discernment and wisdom. Most church members do not realize how important this overseeing function is or realize how great are the sacrifices our elders make for the well-being of this church. Be praying for your Session as they meet tonight....
Scripture and the Book of Church Order charge the Elders of Missio Dei Church "to watch diligently over the flock." This is a daunting task, but it is for your good, the good of the whole church, and for God's glory....
Yesterday morning I spent some extended time in our sanctuary praying for each of you by name. As your pastor and as a fellow human walking through this strange and extremely disruptive and exhaustive season, I want you to know that am concerned for each of you. I know the condition of my own heart (see this Facebook post) and I think I can safely assume it maybe be true of yours in one way or another as well. ...
Friends, I want to thank all of you who responded to the survey from the Elders. Your feedback was very helpful. Here are the results from your brothers and sisters regarding when they feel comfortable returning to a modified form of gathered worship at our normal location (some answered as a household and some answered individually): Now: 51.7% Mid-June: 13.8% Mid ...
Keep ReadingThis Nomination Ballot is one of the first of many steps in the selection of Elders and Deacons to serve Missio Dei Church. We ask that you, after praying, reflecting thoughtfully, meditating over Scripture, and observing the behavior of the potential people, nominate up to four biblically qualified male individuals for elder and four biblically qualified men for deacon, a...
Keep ReadingI pray that Missio Dei Church - PCA becomes a family where deep, authentic, gospel-centered friendships are fostered. You know, the kind where we are willing to risk our temporary discomfort for long-term joy. God, would You make us good friends...
Keep ReadingFor the past couple of years, I have had the personal privilege of serving as the chairman of the Shepherding Committee for the Chicago Metro Presbytery.The committee has a plethora of administrative duties (transferring pastors in and out, making recommendations to the presbytery regarding calls, providing advice to churches, etc.). Ultimately, the committee is challenged...
Keep ReadingWe are excited to start up this fall on Sunday, September 9, 2018. On that particular Sunday, we will not expect anything from the students but to bring notes from the sermon. We will spend some time talking about class expectations (study, memorization, sermon note taking, etc.)....
Keep ReadingThrough Amos we hear God speaking to a people that closed their ears to his word, who had forgotten their God, so the Lord rises up and roars over his people. God’s message, spoken through Amos, is equally uncomfortable, but vitally relevant, for the Church today. Does Missio Dei Church - PCA need the book of Amos? Absolutely! Does the Village of Manhattan need the bo...
Keep ReadingLast year, I asked the elders of our church for a sabbatical for the 2017 calendar year, and they graciously granted my request. So from August 13 through September 10 of this year, I will be on sabbatical. That means I will be disengaged from life and ministry of Missio Dei Church, and my regular work here at the church will be handled by others. Upfront I want to say tha...
Keep ReadingI think we can officially say, "Happy 10th Anniversary!" This weekend, nearly 10 years ago, after fifteen months of learning together and training, we started Missio Dei Church....
Keep ReadingMy church held a congregational meeting this morning, centered around its vision for the future and the legacy we want to have as a community of believers. Such topics can be heavy for anyone, and when ingredients like budget projections and capital campaigns are added to the mix, a palpable tension may even be felt in the room....
Keep ReadingI will never forget my first encounters with Todd Paben. He was a squirrelly teenager with Jimmy Neutron styled hair who was dating a girl who attended my youth ministry at Peace Community Church. I'll never forget how God grasped his heart one particular evening during a series on relationships. I won't forget the countless hours poured into discipling a young man who rav...
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