September marks the 17^th anniversary of Coram Deo since beginning as a church newsletter in September 1998. It’s a church that we’ve attended since December, 1994 and I became an elder at in March, 1996. This was actually not the first newsletter that our young, small church had attempted. Earlier, a former pastor started one, but became frustrated and gave up after he wasn’t receiving many contributions.

A few things caused Tammy (my wife) and I to start Coram Deo. (See this article from R.C. Sproul about what coram Deo means). First, people in the church knew we went to the movies each Friday night. They would often ask if a particular film was appropriate for their children, or themselves, to see as believers. Writing short reviews of the films was a way to get that information out.

Second, for years I used to do the weekly announcements at the beginning of our church’s worship service. A man, who only got to church about half the time, expressed frustration to me that he missed important information that was announced, but not available anywhere else. The newsletter gave us a vehicle for that information.

Third, we wanted to look at culture – books, music, movies, the issues of the day, etc. from a distinctly Christian worldview or perspective.

Our first issue in September, 1998 was a combination of church specific information and looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview that we continue today with the blog. See the cover page of that first issue below:

That first issue included a monthly article from our lead pastor entitled “Pastor’s Corner”, a church calendar that listed sermon titles, baby showers, local concerts, choir practice, etc., member birthdays and anniversaries, upcoming concerts, movie and music reviews, etc. Originally just four printed pages, we later added electronic copies on the church website, and by the time we sunset the newsletter at the end of 2013 it had grown to thirty pages. In late 2013, we began offering both a blog and newsletter and as of 2014 we moved completely to a non-church specific blog format.

Much has changed since our first issue. I returned to Covenant Seminary in 2005 and graduated in 2014. But today we continue much of what was in that original issue 17 years ago. You can expect music, movie and book reviews. We’ll also have a focus on integrating faith and work, and I’ll share links to articles that I find interesting. We’ll also have occasional guest posts from Tammy and her sister Teri who is director of a local Pregnancy Center.

We hope you enjoy reading the blog as much as we enjoy putting it together for you. Please let us know how we can serve you better. And if you enjoy the blog please tell others about it and have them enter their email address to follow us via email.

Blessings,

Bill and Tammy