Search the encyclopedia
109 articles found for “responsive readings”
Responsive Reading
[Worship & Rites]A responsive reading is an element of worship, and also the text used for it, in which the leader and the congregation read a passage of Scripture, usually from the Psalms, alternately verse by verse. In Korean Protestant churches it is also known as seongsi gyodok, "the alternate reading of sacred poems."
Scripture Reading
[Worship & Rites]Scripture reading is the part of a worship service in which a biblical text is read aloud. Many churches read the sermon text before the sermon, while churches that emphasize liturgy read several appointed passages according to the church year.
Heresy Counseling
[Heresies & Cults]Heresy counseling is a Protestant counseling and educational ministry that helps people who have joined groups that denominations have designated as heretical or pseudo-religious return to established churches, and that educates church members in advance so that they are not drawn into such groups.
Nehemiah 3
[Bible]Nehemiah 3 is a list recording who was responsible for each gate and section of the wall during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. It begins at the Sheep Gate, proceeds around the city, and returns to the Sheep Gate.
Senior Adult Department
[Christian Life]The senior adult department is the church department responsible for worship, education, fellowship, and care for older members of the congregation. Its work is also called silver ministry or senior ministry.
Pastor
[Church Offices]In Protestantism, a pastor is an ordained minister responsible for preaching, administering the sacraments, and caring for church members. Qualifications and ordination procedures vary by denomination.
Council of Trent
[History]The Council of Trent was a council of the Roman Catholic Church held from 1545 to 1563 in Trent (Trento) in northern Italy. In response to the Reformation, it defined Catholic doctrine and reformed the internal life of the Church.
Jeduthun
[People]Jeduthun was a Levite musician in the time of David who was responsible for praise in temple worship. With Asaph and Heman, he was one of three leaders who directed the singing and instrumental music.
Captain of the Guard
[Bible]"Captain of the guard" is a biblical title for the head of a unit responsible for guarding an ancient king and carrying out executions. Nebuzaradan of Babylon and Potiphar of Egypt held related titles.
Elementary Department
[Christian Life]The elementary department is the division of a church school (Sunday school) responsible for children of elementary school age. Also called the children's department, it provides worship and Bible instruction suited to children's level of understanding.
Predestination and Free Will
[Controversies]Predestination and free will is a debate over whether salvation depends on God's election or on the human response. Calvinism, followed by Presbyterians, and the Arminian-Wesleyan tradition, followed by Methodists, Holiness churches, and Full Gospel churches, explain the question differently.
Canons of Dort
[Doctrine & Theology]The Canons of Dort are a Reformed confessional document adopted by the Synod of Dort in the Netherlands in 1618–1619 in response to the teachings of the Arminians (Remonstrants). They address five doctrines concerning salvation by grace and predestination.
School Chaplain
[Church Offices]A school chaplain is a pastor attached to a school founded on Christian principles who is responsible for worship, religious education, and counseling for students, faculty, and staff.
Amen
[Bible]Amen is a Hebrew word meaning "truly, it is so" or "so be it." In the Bible it serves as a response of assent to prayer, praise, and proclamation, and the church today continues to use it widely as a response in prayer and worship.
Julius
[People]Julius was a Roman army centurion mentioned in Acts 27. He was responsible for escorting Paul, then a prisoner, from Caesarea to Rome.
Arioch
[People]Arioch appears in Daniel 2 as the captain of the guard (the chief of the officials responsible for the king's protection and for carrying out executions) under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. During the episode of the king's dream, he brought Daniel before the king.
Postmodern Theology
[Doctrine & Theology]Postmodern theology is an umbrella term for various movements that arose in the late twentieth century in response to postmodernist thought. These movements critique the modern, reason-centered understanding of truth, emphasize the roles of language, community, and tradition, and seek to rethink theology.
Evangelist (Jeondosa)
[Church Offices]In Korean Protestant churches, an evangelist (jeondosa) is a minister who serves in a congregation before ordination as a pastor and is responsible for duties such as education, pastoral visitation, and preaching. The position is usually held by theological students or seminary graduates.
Repentance
[Doctrine & Theology]Repentance is sorrow for sin together with a turning of heart and life toward God. Protestants regard it, together with faith, as the response by which a person comes to salvation.
Abraham
[People]Abraham is the ancestor of the people of Israel described in the Book of Genesis. He left his homeland in response to God's call, and Christians often call him "the father of faith."