This is not National Inquirer stuff! It's so legit that I'm willing to stake my broken leather boots on it.
Jesus' Tomb Found Under Jerusalem Apartment
What? You don't believe? I want to see the movie in the least. BTW, your faith should never rest on "HUGE" discoveries like this. Nay nay.
Here's a good article from Christianity Today chatting about the slave trade that operates wordwide (particularly in Europe where authorities are playing a loosing battle against organized crime.)
It's a tenuous subject, especially when you deal with federal immigration laws (protecting your own citizens.) But the saddest part of this article was this paragraph 3/4 way down:
"In late 2003, the Smiths returned to their Birmingham, Alabama, home. They shared their story with supporting churches. Many churchgoers refused to listen. One church rescinded its speaking invitation after complaints the subject was too distressing. The Smiths politely left. The church slashed their support."
I don't know the situation, I don't know the context, I won't judge. But the church that couldn't 'stomach' the ministry of helping child-prostitution are a disgrace to Christianity.
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.
The majority of Anglican leaders demanded that the US Episcopal Church unequivocally bar official prayers for gay couples and the consecration of more gay bishops to undo the damage that North Americans have caused the Anglican family.
After a tense six-day meeting, the leaders said that past pledges by Episcopalians for a moratorium on gay unions and consecrations have been so ambiguous that they have failed to fully mend "broken relationships" in the 77 million-member Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church, the U.S. wing of world Anglicanism, must clarify its position by Sept. 30 or its relations with other Anglicans will remain "damaged at best." The debate erupted in 2003 when Episcopalians consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Let's get this straight, Gene Robinson (forget he's gay for one minute), is a BISHOP (meaning in charge of pastors), admits he has a relationship outside of marriage and it's OK?! Please, regular people can see through that problem and I am willing to make the jump that the Episcopal church will slowly die out like all the rest of the mainline denominations.
Anglican traditionalists believe gay relationships violate Scripture and they have demanded that the U.S. church adhere to that teaching or face discipline. Funny thing is, Episcopals (some not all) will use the same passages to support their case.
Supporters of ordaining gays believe biblical teachings on justice and inclusion should take precedence.
The convention rejected proposals for a churchwide liturgy for gay partners. However, a small number of US dioceses have moved toward developing local prayers and some dioceses have allowed priests to conduct the ceremonies privately.
The advocacy group Integrity, which represents Episcopal gays and lesbians, accused the leaders of bigotry, and urged Episcopalians to lobby their bishops to reject the demands.
Anglican leaders called on all sides in the conflict to end their lawsuits and recommended the creation of a pastoral council and a special vicar to oversee the minority of conservative U.S. dioceses and parishes that feel they cannot accept Jefferts Schori's leadership. Among the goals of the plan is to create an alternative so U.S. parishes stop affiliating with overseas Anglicans — a violation of communion tradition.
Universal primate??? What the heck does that mean?
Another gay minister plays by his own rules.
We've all heard the stories of the gay minister popping up here and there. They found out they were gay and everyone accepted them for who they were. Well, I'll go out on a limb and say, 'fine, you want to play that game fine'.
Struggling with homosexual tendencies is one thing, but when is it OK for Christian ministers to be gay AND to have a gay partner? The same people who are supposed to uphold the sanctity of marriage are themselves acting against it. I can imagine how the spirituality of these congregations are thrown for loops cause their leaders/shepherds run amok with heresy.
Evolution Exhibit Opens; Creation Museum Nears Completion.
This is why the world could do without nutty professors. Since when does limited fossil evidence translate into proof? Sorry, there are far too many brilliant minds out there who can see that monkey evidence for human evolution is a dumb farce. Small minds believe in that stuff....
Conversely, since when does bad exegesis trump proper scientific method? A new 'creationist' museum will open soon and I won't be going. There are far too many brilliant minds, and regular folks like me, who can read ancient Hebrew and can see this monkey 'Genesis 1&2 have all the answers' as a dumb farce. Small minds believe in that stuff.....
Buck the old church model and get on the post-modern train.
Get with the times, post-modernism has brought about the change in how Western churches should do--well--church! Gone are the days of modernism, embrace the missional church! Churches who refuse to adapt will be left with empty pews, it's not a new story really. However, the problem is becoming evident as pastor's, who were trained in the 70's, are falling behind in their approach.
Do you find that your church has outdated views of the world and has difficulty reaching your community? Maybe the first step is a change in your 'evangelical paradigm'. Maybe Brian Mclaren wasn't so wrong after all.....
It appears that we can't make babies....Actually this is more of a developed vs. un-developed nation argument and not religiously based as the article suggests. Nonetheless, the only way these Muslim countries live (I'm thinking of Africa and mid-East) is because Americans need their oil!
new goods for you kids, again, the image of Christ in contemporary Christian music for the secular world!
http://www.glumbert.com/media/godhates
do we battle just against the forces of evil active in the world, or in our own body of Christ too?
Shalom,
matt