We are tempted to see Ruth as a one-dimensional love story, but it is much, much more than that. The narrative of Ruth shows us a young Moabite widow who comes to know the covenant love (Hebrew: hesed[1]) of the one true God and the joy of belonging to His people.

(Gregg Caruso here) Yesterday (9/25) Dr. Tom Wilkens, Executive Director of VitalChurch Ministry (VCM), zoomed in to address the HRAC congregation directly after the sermon and informed the congregants that the VCM Executive Team was making a change in the Intentional Interim Pastor role at HRAC.

John Piper is a pastor, theologian, and accomplished author. In 2000 he spoke what may be his most famous sermon to about 30,000 young people in Memphis at a conference for (mostly) college students. The sermon has been referred to since then as the “Seashells Sermon.”

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV.

This is the second of three articles I am writing on behalf of the communication committee to describe our church governance structure at HRAC and the people who fill the leadership roles.

What will a new normal for our congregation look like? How will we “do church” in the Post-Covid era? Will people re-engage?

Asked to describe who in the church determines its vision and direction, many of us in the congregation might immediately say the pastor. However, according to scripture and to our church by-laws, that would only be partly true.