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Apr
22

O American Church, Where Art Thou?

Recently, Francis Chan (whose book “Crazy Love” we have been following recently), announced he was resigning as senior pastor of his church. As I viewed the video, there was something that stood out to me, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed it except for the carefulness in which it was expressed. “There is no immorality, no discipline… no issues with the elders”. It...
Jun
15

Do You Like Women’s Bible Studies?

I went to the first “woman’s Bible study” that I have attended for a long time. I was among a number of women who stated that they did not particularly care for these… but we were there, and it was probably partly due to the fact that our church is new and it matters whether you support things that are getting started. But it sort of got me thinking…for those of us who have...
Jun
9

A Woman’s Place

This was originally published on Intellectuelle Part 1, in the Church I don’t know of a more hot-button topic for both the churched and unchurched than this one. For that reason, we should probably try to take a fresh new look at threading out the various views on just what a woman’s place in society consists of. It seems as if there are more presumptions on what the Christian scriptures say...
Jun
4

The Executive Pastor’s Guide to Social Media

The Right People “anyone can be trained to use the tools, but the ones who have a deep rooted passion and interest in web technology are pretty safe bets. Why? Because people who are already engaged have a sustainable interest that will far exceed any tool, initiative, campaign, or...
Dec
28

Are You A Christian Luddite?

That’s OK. Really. And in a minute I’ll tell you why I think so. First, for those who aren’t sure, here is the definition of a Luddite: “…the term Luddite has been used derisively to describe anyone opposed to technological progress and technological change.”~ wikipedia Christians have often enough taken the reins in that seat (a metaphor which might well be Luddite...
Jul
29

Gender Issues: defining the categories

In Complegalitarian: Making Distinctions, Part 1, Letitia of Complegalitarian has written a really excellent clarification of the terms and the thinking in the gender debate. This debate is finding top headlines in many Christian blogs. I appreciate her fine distinctions and clear explanations, and if I would compile a must-read list for understanding the discussion- this would be first on my list. I...
Nov
2

Theological Gobbledegook

Absurdities of the religious I could call it, and this post is likely to make some people angry I suppose. No one likes their carefully constructed ideals poked at, but then I don’t like foolishness under the guise of well thought out theology. I read through some teaching on “the use and application of the manifestation gifts”, and started parsing out the veils and layers of high...
Aug
23

Bon Mots

Some good words picked up from pursuing conversation @ Intellectuelle: John Piper had to say this in conclusion on his post about the Barna statistics on Evangelical immorality rates: Good Doctrine Makes Better (Teenage) Saints :: Desiring God Sider lists the kinds of behaviors this more doctrinally rigorous group tend to show. They are nine times more likely than all the others to avoid “adult-only”...
Aug
15

Just Who Are These ‘Church Ladies’?

Inspired by Sarah Flashing who is doing an admirable job of providing commentary on our culture, and recently on specific Church culture, I started to think about how I define this term that I have used, ‘The Church Lady‘. I pretty much presumed that we all know this lady and have similar thoughts and feelings about her. As she has become defined, however, I am not so sure I presumed...
Jul
19

Hesed, A Strong Mercy

In looking at women’s roles, especially those ascertained by the Church within Christianity, it was apparent there was a difference between the picture of scripture and the usual set of conclusions that are taught and widely written about in the gender issue. There is something wrong with the way the roles are played out, on both side of the equation. Egalitarianism becomes a free-for-all that...
Jul
6

Showmanship Religion

This is not a gender problem, but it is one that women have not changed. When did our religion become so much about showmanship and so little about substance ? I like being entertained as much as the next person, and I think I have simply become inured to the fact that so much of what is represented by “church” has been in the form of an entertainment company and less in the form of a...
Jun
26

The Great White Dwarf Hope

In the Agora: The White Dwarf Church …where European Christianity truly exists it burns hotter and stronger than ever. “Its convinced adherents represent a small but vigorous minority,” Jenkins says, “. . . more passionate, enthusiastic, and rigorously committed to personal holiness. To use a scientific analogy, when a star collapses, it becomes a white dwarf — smaller in...
Jun
18

Thinklings gave me food for thought

Oh, About Those “Felt Needs” . . . posted by De quoted and linked to a provoking selection that includes this thought: The new (false) gospel starts with a wounded “us”. The truth is not that we are wounded but that we are dead! That idea alone would put some urgency back into our evangelism and prayers. On that note a favorite quote of my own: I preached as never sure to preach again, And...
Jun
5

Pushing The Evangelical Envelope: Giving The Right Answer

With Michele’s discussion, internetmonk’s complaint, and the addition of a post on male Christian leadership, some thoughts are beginning to percolate. First of all, I genuinely identify with internetmonk in his self described characteristics: I’m an analytical person, and if someone could be paid to diagnose problems, I could probably make a good living. If you’re a reader of this...
Jun
1

MaxedOutMama Reports: Interfaith Murkiness

MaxedOutMama The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Jacksonville had a theological dispute with their bishop. I don’t know quite what it was over.I do know my mother drew the line in HER diocese when the Druids and so forth were acceptable ministers but the orthodox ministers were being deposed by their Bishop (in PA), and when PA bishop met with her vestry, the bishop insisted that there were many...

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