Ten Most Significant Changes to the Bylaws
The Elders of West Side have completed a review of the existing bylaws. To be helpful and transparent, we will expand on ten of the most significant revisions to the bylaws. The first three are amendments to our Statement of Faith. The next four are related to elders and deacons. The last three are about voting, church documents, and financial accountability.
Deacons: Roles, Requirements, and Responsibilities
What is the motivation behind asking the question and publishing this essay? Biblical faithfulness—start to finish. While it may seem like a simple issue, it is not. Still, we wish to diligently seek counsel from the Holy Spirit and guidance through the Holy Scriptures.
Preparing Our Hearts for Resurrection Sunday
Our goal is not to recover tradition for tradition’s sake, but to slow down together as a church—to repent, pray, and prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday. In Christ we are free from legalism, yet free to pursue rhythms that help us fix our eyes on Jesus.
A Case for a Responsive Liturgy after the Public Reading of Scripture
We have been asking members of our church—men, women, and students—to participate in the public reading of Scripture. Each week, the reader leads us in a short call and response. Afterward, the reader says, “This is the Word of the Lord” to which the congregation responds, “Thanks be to God.” Most have enthusiastically accepted this while some have wondered why.
7 Ways the Psalms Teach Us to Pray
Prayer is an invitation to bring your emotions, ambitions, and opinions to the Lord. In the kaleidoscope of human life—all its complexities and confusion—we have a God who makes a way for all of it. In the same way that God meets all of our needs through Scripture; we can bring all of our needs to God through prayer.