President’s Blog
Synod 2023
Dear CTS Community: Prior to Synod 2022, I prepared a Medenblog that anticipated that there was going to be disappointment and asked “how would we approach the results of Synod…
The Most Important Day of Synod
As a leader in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, I have been asked by a number of people, “What is going to happen at Synod?” Behind that question…
Nearer, Still Nearer – Lent 2022
Have you had the privilege of watching a funeral service recently? I have. One of the benefits that has come through COVID is the use of livestream and the opportunity…
Medenblog: Give them a break!
One of the privileges of serving as President of Calvin Theological Seminary is that you meet with a lot of pastors and a lot of congregational leaders. Meetings have led…
Medenblog: Pandemic Reflections
Holy Week 2021 It has been a long year. It has been a difficult year. When we first began this journey of facing COVID-19, there were hopes that churches could…
Medenblog: Ministering in a Pandemic
Have you ever heard of a “Last Lecture?” At many educational institutions, this is an opportunity for a retiring faculty member to give thanks and provide “one last lecture” of…
Medenblog: 25 years and counting!
This past year, I celebrated 25 years of ordained ministry in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It was 1995. That year also marks a significant transition in the…
Medenblog: Running in Mud
I grew up alongside the muddy Mississippi River on a family farm in Fulton, Illinois. Spring time would bring rain showers and rain showers would bring mud puddles and mud.…
The Medenblog: Faith, Politics, and the First Commandment
I saw a survey recently where half of those surveyed said that at a family and friend gathering they would avoid talking about politics. Why? Because of the polarization in…
Creating a Memory
Last month, I highlighted my parent’s 60th wedding anniversary. I (and my parents) appreciate the responses that I received. I thought I would go a little deeper on one specific…
60 Years, One Day at a Time
Where did the time go? You have heard that phrase and probably said that phrase. In song and poem, there is this line of wisdom – “The days go slow,…
Stand Firm. Whole Hearts. Trust God.
On May 18, 2019, Calvin Seminary celebrated the graduation of 121 students. In his commencement address, President Medenblik challenged and encouraged the graduates as they moved on to the next…