Springs Church is the latest in non-denominational charismatic churches to branch out. Billed as one of the 'fastest growing churches' in Canada (which they aren't, not sure why they'd irresponsibly throw that term around) people are wondering what they're about. They are certainly popular, flashy, and appealing. Do they teach sound doctrine? From what I've heard and what people have said it's hit and miss with a slight skew to the 'hit' side.

One thing's for sure, they are hardcore prosperity gospel. Even in one of the messages from Winnipeg import preacher Leon proclaimed:

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Popularity: 56%

Turns out the highest paid ministers out there are Presbyterians. The worst paid? Evangelical ministers and baptists. Turns out all those people screaming condemnation on non-Christians are in fact the cheapest. Women too are higher paid on average than their male counterparts.

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Popularity: 18%

It's in your church right now, maybe on the staff computer. Pornography has grown rampant in an age where the internet fulfills all desires and people yearn to meet spiritual needs in an orgy of sexuality.

In a poll of 1,000 respondents, 50 percent of Christian men and 20 percent of Christian women were found to be addicted to pornography. Conducted by ChristaNet.com, a popular Christian marketplace website, the poll asked visitors about their personal sexual conduct.

Personally those numbers are quite low. They did not say the difference between married and singles, however, I'm sure the numbers fluctuate. What's sad is two things, a) the rampant expansion of the problem, and b) the unwillingness for churches (particular evangelicals or are the most 'high and mighty' of the bunch) to address the issue head on.

Ever been to a series of sermons about porn and sex addictions? Didn't think so.

What can you do in the mean time? Perhaps an internet filter? Accountability buddies?

Pomotheo.com will post online resources that we have checked and tried out so you can add it to your resource list.

• Hedgebuilders is an internet filter that operate on a 'no-list'. We've tried it, it works really well. It stops 99% questionable material. If you're a missionary or clergy then you only pay 24 bucks a year!

An no, these are not paid reviews.

Technorati Tags: porn church, pornography in church, help with porn

Popularity: 22%

Art Pawlowski Demands to be Shot

It appears trouble is a brewing in downtown Calgary between by-law officers and a street ministry. Lately, people have been complaining that the minister is loud, their sound system that operates on the sidewalk is disturbing nearby residents. Apparently minister Art Pawlowski believes he has the right blast his sermons into the homes of those near him without a fine. Frankly, I would call the by-law officer too if a speaker system was blaring noise into my home.

But, then again, I don't know the circumstances so I won't be hasty to judge. Perhaps it's not really THAT loud. But then again, what kind of message is this sending? Christians insist on being shot, that they should have the right to set up shop on the sidewalks and project the Gospel message through amplifiers on public property?

Believe me, I'm all for the ministry, I'm all for the public preaching, but man alive guy, why you gotta bother people for no reason? This isn't by-law office vs. Christians, this is you vs. by-law officers because you're making a ruckus and people can't sleep in on Sunday's. What good is it if you keep getting all this negative press because you can't respect your neighbours?

My solution? Keep on trucking friends, preach till your heart's content. But please, put away the mic, of course, that doesn't mean you can't yell really loud.

Popularity: 27%

Red and yellow, black, and white, sing together at last.

Apparently going to a concert on Sunday morning to watch a show is how we do worship. I understand the megachurch model provides seeker services Sunday mornings, but man, since when do you revel in 'multi cultural worship?'

Let me give you some context. America is notoriously incapable of supporting multicultural congregations. Christians in America (and Canada) just can't get along. You see it most of the time, your congregation is a bunch of white people with the token black and asian couple.

Well apparently some 'megachurches' are leading the way by offering services that have more multicultural people. Well duh, everybody from every walk of life likes a concert, don't matter who's behind it. (I suppose it is a socialization thing too as 'multicultural' people (non-white) start earning more money and 'move up the ladder' :P) BUT, is this a 'great trend for the emerging church?' HECK NO.

Since when is it 'correct' to lump everyone together in worship?! Only a dumb megachurch (or a writer of an article) would thing that's a good idea. Listen, the form of your corporate worship can look like many things, it doesn't need to be vanilla. If certain cultures worship better together than by golly, let them worship with their own culture. No need to assimilate into the 'anglo cracker worship lite' offered at your local mega church.

Popularity: 17%