The Church of Scotland General Assembly: A Commissioner’s View
What the news articles on the Church of Scotland General Assembly didn’t report
The Theological Forum presented a report and a motion to extend the same status to same sex couples that had participated in a gay marriage rather than a civil partnership ceremony. Although the Theological Forum viewed their motion as simply an extension of the act passed on Saturday, and tried to frame their argument in... Continue Reading
10 Hidden Traps That Trip Pastors Up
If a person is not loyal to you, they will cause you more harm than good — end of story
“Some leaders seem to have an endless supply of energy, enthusiasm, and passion. Even these super-leaders have to take time to feed themselves. If you fail to do this, you will find yourself depleted and weak. Take the time to do something for yourself—those you lead will be glad, and you will be more effective.”... Continue Reading
The Withering Of The Episcopal Church
It would be difficult to overstate the decline in the Episcopal Church in comparison to what it once was
“Permit me to offer my observations about why the Episcopal churches have hollowed out. They are not the result of a scientific survey, but my hunch is that they will ring true with many Episcopalians with traditional views. My observations are based on experiences I had while attending talent shows with a friend at an... Continue Reading
Evangelical Protestants Are The Biggest Winners When People Change Faiths
Why do evangelicals wind up ahead of other Christian sects in this model?
“They’re better at holding on to the people born into their tradition (65 percent retention compared to 59 percent for Catholics and 45 percent for Mainline Protestants), and they’re a stronger attractor for people leaving other faiths. According to Pew’s data on conversion rates, 10 percent of people raised Catholic wind up as evangelicals. Just... Continue Reading
Updated: Church Disciplines Wife for Wanting to Divorce Husband – Church Issues Letter of Apology
A Dallas megachurch is facing accusations that it has failed to deal with one of its members who viewed images of child abuse and instead made his wife a subject of church discipline.
Hinkley issued a statement criticizing the church’s actions. The discovery of her husband’s use of “child pornography”, she said, was “an indescribable shock and triggered a thorough upheaval of every aspect of my life”. However, she said that “what has become even more troubling than the issues that have come to light in Jordan’s life has been... Continue Reading
The Rural Church Dilemma
I love the rural church and hope you do. Some of you will serve all your life in them.
Be energized by the concept that your church could become the most loving church in the world. I find this compelling. There will be many things your church may not be. It may not be the most educated church or the most innovative church, or the most evangelistic church, etc., but it can be the... Continue Reading
Do Churches Fail the Poor?
It’s a more basic failure to reach out, integrate, and keep them in the pews
“This is the striking story of the last 30 years: Despite the stereotype of religion as something that people “cling to” (to quote a different moment of condescension from this president) in desperate circumstances, actual religious practice has collapsed more quickly among Americans with weaker economic prospects than it has among the college-educated upper class.”... Continue Reading
Keeping Faith: The Changing Face of Religion in Canada
Many immigrants come to Canada and bring their religion with them
“An online survey on religion released in March by the Angus Reid Institute suggests that the percentage of God-denying Canadians has doubled from six per cent of the population in the 1970s to 13 per cent now — with about one in four Canadians saying they’re inclined to reject religion.” When the sad time came to say good-bye to her late husband, Marie Diane... Continue Reading
Theology Feud Pits Half of Town’s Protestant Churches Against Another
A feud over theology has led an unusual ecumenical project in a small Arizona town
“Eight churches — including Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and non-denominational congregations—in Fountain Hills have teamed up for a campaign of public banners and sermons aimed at the theology of a nearby Methodist church.” A feud over theology has led an unusual ecumenical project in a small Arizona town. Eight churches—including Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and non-denominational... Continue Reading
Mark Driscoll returns: Ex-Mars Hill Pastor Gets Standing Ovation at Mill Creek Church
The fallen pastor has picked himself up, with none of the mea culpas or public soul searching seen from his former top aides.
Driscoll built the Mars Hill Church, which he co-founded, into a mega church which eventually had 15 “campuses” in five states, and an estimated regular attendance of 13,000. It came crashing down last year, amidst plagiarism accusations, questions about where “church planting” donations designated for Ethiopia and India were really spent, and multiple accusations of... Continue Reading
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