In the early nineteen-seventies, as Brazil was under a military controlled political regime, an acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker popularized the expression “ideological patrolling” to describe what he understood to be the following:

The organization of people or groups that, sharing the same ideological orientation, act in such a way as to preserve this theoretical line against other forms of criticism or revision of the ideology defended.[i]

 ²⁴ A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵ And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. ²⁶ But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. ²⁷ For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:24-27

Christmas is a time of joy, colorful lights, carols, Christmas trees and fellowship with family and friends. It’s time to look back at the year has gone and get ready for the year to come. Particularly, this is the time of the year I love the most. At home, we already set up the tree, turned the lights on, and the joy is all around. 

If the qualifications for the office of elder essentially cluster around his knowledge, character, skill, and heart, we will focus in this material on the last: the disposition of the shepherd’s heart. Mike Sharrett is a Teaching Elder in The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and an individual member of the WRF. He has developed a program for workshops to be used by Churches in the training of Elders. Mike has graciously offered the program guide for the use of members of the WRF.

How should churches respond to its members who identify as same-sex attracted, yet are intentionally remaining celibate? Should they be celebrated for their chastity? Taught to repent of these illicit desires? The confessional Reformed world over the past 15 years has with one voice affirmed that sex is reserved for the bounds of marriage, a divine institution which is to be exclusively between men and women. However, there remains disagreement in both theology and pastoral practice in how to address those who claim a same-sex attracted identity while remaining celibate.

[Editor´s Note: This item is posted on the website of the WRF because its author is an individual member of the WRF and because the item will have considerable relevance to our many members in Australia and, indeed, to ALL of our members in various denominations around the world.]

Readers of The Australian may be puzzled by the announcement of a new Anglican Diocese of the Southern Cross. Claims of schism in the Anglican Church of Australia and even the absurd claim that the new Diocese is a cult, by one retired bishop, have only exacerbated the confusion.

I distinctly remember an incident that happened in my Worship class over 30 years ago.   I was teaching in an evangelical and Reformed seminary.   The seminary stressed the importance of the Bible as the Word of God, and an appreciation of the Westminster Standards and the Reformed tradition.  If my memory serves me correctly, I was, on that cold, winter day (unheated classrooms) in the late 1980s, teaching the Genevan order of worship used by Calvin.  

In modern day Christianity the integral relationship between sharing the good news of the gospel and pursuing biblical justice has been eclipsed. There are many people today, including many Christian pastors, who are calling for justice. But rather than allowing God to define what justice is, what it entails, and how we are supposed to pursue it, they redefine it to suit their own purposes.

Today we hear a lot about ‘divine child abuse.’ That’s what some people call Good Friday, when Jesus died in our place on the cruel cross, taking upon himself his Father’s judgment on our evil lives. Isn’t it a lot better to think of it this way, they say, that God just loves us so much that he makes everything better for us through Jesus? Do Easter without Good Friday.

This is a preliminary report on our ongoing survey of how churches that are connected to the WRF have responded over the last 10 months to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The preliminary report only brings you the direct data (distribution of responses) and analysis will come once the survey is completed.

One of the big ecclesiological questions that arises as Christians have moved into isolation is whether communion can be served via live-streaming. While it is an understandable pastoral desire, this introduces some major questions about the nature of the sacrament.

Should a Local Church Session Administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper During the Present Lock-Down Situation?