NPTS

Learning to Love

1 Comment » Written on May 13th, 2013     
Filed under: Current Events, Local Church, NPTS, NPU, Writing and blogging

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Today’s post is written by Geoff Twigg, Adjunct Professor at North Park University in Chicago. Geoff is a pastor, singer/songwriter, worship leader and ministry consultant, and serves the ECC as a member of the denomination’s Commission on Worship.

Apologies to one and all that this blog entry is somewhat late appearing. I hadn’t anticipated that the coincidence of Graduation weekend and Mothers Day would be quite so busy. Silly of me, really, as one look at the schedule would have revealed that information. More than a year into this strange combination of jobs at the Seminary and the church, I still have a lot to learn.

About the middle of last week I read a blog somewhere warning us off the celebration of Mothers Day. The writer (she made several good points) said that while we are thanking mothers and celebrating the motherly contribution to family and church life, many women are left out because they are not mothers and are made to feel second-class, or criticized by implication. If a couple have been trying to have children but are as yet unsuccessful, this correspondent reported that such an occasion heaps condemnation upon the woman.

My senior pastor doesn’t always take the mothering topic on this festival, but he did on this occasion. Rather than simply commending mothers, he focused on love and how we learn to love from our parents, particularly our mothers. He spoke in appreciation of mothers who serve those they love and support them with encouragement and devotion. His sermon was good; it was a fine balance of commendation and encouragement that we could all express our faith by loving and serving in these ways. Instead of the minefield of hurt feelings the blog-writer warned about, this was a warm pastoral encouragement to learn to love.

The ceremonies here at the seminary were upbeat and encouraging celebrations. From my perspective, this is perhaps because we’ve had a year with our new Dean, and also because I have personally met and worked with an increasing percentage of the students. These people have given a great deal of time and energy to their studies, and the depth of their new-found knowledge has enriched them. Some of the Masters theses that were discussed over the last few weeks are quite revealing in their insights; I’m looking forward to reading a couple of tracts to help my thinking on issues of identity and doctrine. I have a lot to learn.

The Summer lies before us, and there are papers to write, events to organize and attend, a teaching trip to South America and a growing pile of books and articles to read. My life as a part-time academic and part-time pastor is taking shape, and I’m enjoying it. But there’s so much to learn.



Devotional for a pilgrimage…

1 Comment » Written on January 12th, 2013     
Filed under: Better Together, Bible, Event Worship Resources, Events, NPTS, Resources for Worship, Scripture, Songwriting

Today’s post is written by Geoff Twigg, Adjunct Professor at North Park University in Chicago. Geoff is a pastor, singer/songwriter, worship leader and ministry consultant, and serves the ECC as a member of the denomination’s Commission on Worship.

As we leave the Holidays behind and focus on a new calendar year, Covenanters everywhere across North America see another milestone in the near future; the Midwinter Conference. I’ve had a lot of preparation to do before the Conference this time, and so I have an even greater sense of anticipation than in previous years.

I’m reminded of a great Hebrew tradition, honed by many years of repetition, a tradition that can inspire us as we approach this new year, and particularly if we’re planning to gather together in San Diego. The practice leads us to focus on a subset of the book of Psalms, called the Psalms of Ascents (Psalms 120-134) which form useful devotional guidelines as we consider our pilgrimage.

No, dear reader, don’t worry; I’m not misinterpreting the Midwinter Conference as being more than it is. However, it can be a time when we seek the Lord for new revelations about our practice, or a time of refreshment and renewed spiritual vitality. In fact, I am praying that’s true for each of us, even those pastors and staff who have to stay home so that others can go.

I should, however, mention here that there is a rich offering this year for those involved in worship ministry. We have workshops, conversations planned over lunch, the opportunity to record your own song ideas or talk over how best to approach recording, a full class on worship and the Bible, an open-mic night, a hymn-sing… the list goes on and on. You can sing in the choir, or just ‘chill’ in sunny San Diego.

Meanwhile, back to the point; getting ready to let God re-focus your vision. In this devotional for a pilgrimage, we find a wide range of subjects covered. Be open; any or all of them might have special meaning for you. Here is a cursory analysis of the topics covered, roughly in order. You might care to hear them spoken by a variety of voices:

“It is God who protects and helps us” (I lift my eyes to the hills…), “it’s good to get together to worship God!” (and we pray for peace of our city and our Kingdom).

God shelters us and we’re devoted to God; “we thank God for constant help and protection”, (remember how God helped us in history?). There are reminders that unless the work is established by God it’s all in vain; that despite opposition I’m flourishing through God’s help…

I’m desperate for God, “I trust God as a child trusts”, (remember how David established this special place, and was rewarded?), and a reminder that working together in unity brings a special blessing. We end with a final song of praise in celebration.

This year, when we’re finally at Midwinter, our thoughts will be guided towards God’s preparation of his servants (Ps.139), God’s protection (Ps.46) and the provision of everything we need to do God’s work (Ps.126).

Before we get there, however, would you care to join me as we consider the themes that formed the thinking of believers on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, for many centuries past?



A Possible Next Step?

5 comments Written on September 9th, 2011     
Filed under: Arts, Better Together, Formation, Leadership, NPTS, Resources for Worship

Today’s post was written by Geoff Twigg, a pastor, singer/songwriter, worship leader and ministry consultant in Bedford, New Hampshire. Geoff serves the ECC as a member of the denomination’s Commission on Worship.

This blog entry should have a preface: “The opinions promoted here do not reflect the current policies of the denomination.”

That’s because I’m reporting and commenting, as usual, on the conversations that center on the “Better Together” page… but in particular, I’m going to focus on a discussion that occurred over a couple of weeks in August, started by this question: “Will the Covenant ever create a “department of worship ministries? Does it even need anything like that?” which prompted a strong correspondence over the next week or so.

The original contributor went on later: “A Department of Christian Worship… ideally would oversee the development of worship leaders – both those currently called to churches and those who are looking to a future call. It would strengthen the entire denomination to have worship leaders trained in how to plan and lead worship, recruit and equip volunteers, gain exposure and expertise in diverse worship styles and languages, and to have an understanding of what the Covenant is all about – especially as it related to our worship life.” Continue Reading »



Update on Michael Van Horn’s Condition

1 Comment » Written on January 5th, 2010     
Filed under: Network, News, NPTS, Prayer

This update comes from a regular email sent out by NPTS to students. We’ve made no attempt to edit the report. Please pray for our brother, the professor, Michael Van Horn.

Saturday morning, January 2, 2010

From Michael’s father: Mike is responding to light. He closes his eyes when they shine a light into them. He blinks when you move your hand toward his eyes. He squeezed my finger slightly yesterday and today (Thursday and Friday). However the doctor could not get the same response. He seems to be more alert also.
Verlin Van Horn

Wednesday afternoon, December 30, 2009

Michael was transferred from the ICU of Detroit Receiving Hospital to Select Specialty Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI late this morning. Select Specialty is a sub-acute rehabilitation center, which specializes in weaning patients from oxygen support. While Michael is able to breath on his own, his blood gas (oxygen) tends to slip below acceptable levels. Consequently, he has required near constant oxygen support. This dependency on extra oxygen needs to be eliminated before Michael can be considered for more traditional rehabilitative care. Select Specialty Hospital occupies the second floor of Bronson Methodist Hospital and is located at 601 John Street. Subsequent to successful weaning, Michael will be transferred to either an acute rehabilitation center (perhaps at Bronson Hospital) or to a more traditional nursing care facility.

The doctors at Detroit Receiving Hospital have repeatedly commented that Michael responds to those people he knows. While he may not yet be able to speak to us, it seems evident that he recognizes us and is “excited” when we are there. These interactions are good for Michael and may actually aid in his neurological healing. I would encourage each of you to schedule time to visit Michael in the weeks and potentially months ahead. At this writing there is no information available on visiting hours or policies at Select Specialty. The phone number is (269) 341-7134.

Calvin

Wednesday evening, December 23

Michael’s physical condition continues to improve. His lungs appear to be clearing, he remains fever free, and his heart rate and blood pressure are stable and within “normal” parameters. He is able to keep his eyes open many minutes at a time and frequently turns his head from side to side. The color in his face is good, and he looks much more like himself. He has been receiving low-level, non-pressurized oxygen support, as it appears difficult for him to maintain his blood gas oxygen at desired levels over time. While this and some other minor issues exist, he is considered ready for transfer from the ICU.

As Michael is still receiving oxygen support, he is not currently a candidate for transfer directly to a rehabilitation facility. As an intermediate step, he will be transferred to a special section of the Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, either tomorrow or the Monday after Christmas, where they will focus on weaning him from all oxygen support. Subsequent to being weaned, and contingent upon signs of significant cognitive recovery, he will be transferred to the acute rehabilitation wing of Bronson Hospital for follow-on treatment and therapy. If his cognitive recovery is somewhat slower, he is likely to be transferred to a long-term care (nursing) facility in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Some confusion exists about the word “comatose.” Many of us tend to think of comatose as a state of being where a person is completely unconscious and non-responsive. And of course the opposite is a state of being where a person is lucid and in control of their body. You’re either one or the other. Michael’s doctors do not make this sharp distinction. Rather, they describe a continuum where the transition from one state to another is marked by the ability to respond to command. Even though Michael is able to keep his eyes open for minutes at a time and turn his head from side to side, he remains unable to respond to his doctors’ commands to blink his eyes twice or squeeze their hands. Consequently, he is regarded as still being comatose, even though he appears to be “awake.”

Special thanks to Kathy Kitzmann (cello), Rae Hoekstra (violin) and Mark Wallace (violin), who played Christmas carols for Michael and the others in the ICU this past Saturday. When the first strains of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” started, Michael immediately opened his eyes, and his heart rate and blood pressure jumped noticeably. Clearly, he heard; hopefully he enjoyed it. All the staff present, as well as other visitors to the unit expressed their thanks. And the hospital has asked for a return visit.