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5 of 32

Shepherding Military Families
Ruling Elder Mike Cloy talks about how ruling elders and churches can support and shepherd military families. Mike served in a career of 27 years that included combat commands at the battalion and brigade level, and having served and retired in the rank of full colonel.Mike speaks of the dedication to service and the pressures it places upon those serving, and their families. He speaks of the deep bonds formed in combat and of the importance of elders and churches reaching out to those in military service with the good news of Jesus and the power of the gospel.To read more about Mike (and a pair of night-vision goggles) see Christopher H. Wisdom’s article, “A Chaplain in the Lord’s Service” in New Horizons, (Feb, 2020).Mike’s recommended reading…A. Craig Troxel, With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will toward Christ, Crossway, 2020.Nick Thompson, Growing Downward: The Path of Christ-exalting Humility, Reformation Heritage Books, 2022.Nick Thompson, Restless Devotion: An Urgent Call to Godward Discontentment, Reformation Heritage Books, 2025If you would like to contact Mike his email address is [email protected]
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41:42
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41:42
Foreign Missions
Ruling Elder Joe Jager talks to the Ruling Elder Podcast about Foreign Missions. He gives excellent suggestions on how to encourage missions and missionaries. Matthew 9:37-38Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”Post Production Joe recommends the following books as impactful on his walk as a Ruling Elder:The Elder: Today’s Ministry Rooted in All of Scripture by Conelis Van Dam (a friend from the Canadian Reformed Churches) P&R Publishing 2009Provides a biblical foundation for the office of elder.The Elder and His Work by David Dickson, P&R Publishing, 2004Good practical guide. Of course all such manuals must be carefully adapted and used in specific local situations. The Elders Handbook: A practical Guide for Church Leaders by Gerard Berghoeg and Lester De Koster Christian’s Library Press: Grand Rapids Michigan 1979 This was my first introduction when I was ordained as an elder in a Canadian Reformed Church. It provides some very practical guidance for new elders. There is also a companion volume entitled The Deacons' Handbook: A Manual of Stewardship by the same authors.
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32:35
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32:35
Assurance of Faith
Rev. Andy Wilson and Rev. Russell Hamilton talk about Assurance and how The Marrow of Modern Divinity is helpful in untangling this perennial pastoral issue. They clarify of what, exactly, are we assured, what is the relationship between faith and assurance, and how are ruling elders to help people in the search for assurance?As Donald MacLeod says, "A believer can doubt his faith without doubting the Saviour.” (From the Marrow Men to the Moderates, Scottish Theology 1700-1800, p.99)For more on the Marrow of Modern Divinity listen to the earlier podcast, Christ Freely Offered, (Season 2, Episode 12), Available here.Recommended ReadingDane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers (Crossway 2020)Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, (Banner of Truth Trust; 2nd ed. edition, 2021)Harrison Perkins, Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Academic, 2024)Jonathan Landry Cruse, The Christian's True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ (Reformation Heritage Books, 2022)Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction (Banner of Truth Trust, 2013)
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36:53
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36:53
Mental Health, Faith, and Caring Well (Part 2)
In this episode the Rev. Adrian Crum speaks about mental health and faith with the Rev. John Fikkert, a mental health counselor and Director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care, and his wife, Dr. Lindsay Fikkert, a psychologist at Pella Counseling.This episode is the second part of a republication of the recent Reformed Deacon podcast, (with their kind permission). We have divided the original podcast into two parts. Mental health is a tender thing. An episode or a chronic mental health illness can be distressing for the person, their family, and congregations. The soul cries, as the Psalmist did, Psalm 88:1–2 [1] O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. [2] Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! (ESV)
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44:15
Mental Health, Faith, and Caring Well
In this episode the Rev. Adrian Crum speaks about mental health and faith with the Rev. John Fikkert, a mental health counselor and Director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care, and his wife, Dr. Lindsay Fikkert, a psychologist at Pella Counseling.This episode is a republication of the recent Reformed Deacon podcast, (with their kind permission). We have divided the original podcast into two parts. Part 2 will be published next month. (D.V.)Mental health is a tender thing. An episode or a chronic mental health illness can be distressing for the person, their family, and congregations. The soul cries, as the Psalmist did, Psalm 88:1–2[1] O LORD, God of my salvation,I cry out day and night before you.[2] Let my prayer come before you;incline your ear to my cry! (ESV)
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47:11
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47:11