Monday, August 15, 2005
Read a great article...
I just finished reading a great article on "How to attract a crowd to your church." This was written by two pastors (Tim Stevens and Tony Morgan) of Granger Community Church, Granger, Indiana. These same two men also have written a couple of books "Simply Strategic Church Growth" and "Simply Strategic Stuff." In their article, which is taken from their church growth book, they cover pumping up your worship, engaging the unbeliever, increasing the opportunities for people to attend your church, and impressive children's ministries to name just a few things. I think many churches could learn much from this article and these books. I like that they are Christ focused and growth intentioned.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Cool plane photo...
Yes, that is a real photo. Above is a water tanker flying about in the Boundry Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) working to put out a forrest fire. The plane holds 1400 gallons of water. That is crazy flying. Don't blink or sneeze Mr. Pilot!
Most liberal and conservative cities...
Somewhat flawed, but interesting nonetheless. I would guess places with higher than average homosexual populations also greatly influence this subject.
NEW STUDY RANKS AMERICA’S MOST LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE CITIES
Detroit tops liberal list; Provo, UT most conservative
BERKELEY, CA – A new nationwide study released today by the nonpartisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research (BACVR) ranks the political leanings of every American city and finds that Detroit, Michigan is the most liberal and Provo, Utah the most conservative.
In all, the BACVR researchers examined voting patterns of 237 American cities with populations of over 100,000 and ranked them each on liberal and conservative scales.
The list of America’s most liberal cities is dominated by cities with large African American populations that are concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest and California. Conversely, the study found that the staunchest conservative cities are clustered in the South and interior West and have extremely low numbers of African American residents.
“Detroit and Provo epitomize America’s political, economic and racial polarization,” said Jason Alderman a BACVR director. “As the most conservative city in America, Provo is overwhelmingly white and solidly middle class. This is in stark contrast to Detroit, which is impoverished, black and the most liberal.”
Gary, Indiana, a rust belt former steel town, comes in as America’s second most liberal city, followed by Berkeley, California, which ranks third. Washington, D.C. comes in as the fourth most liberal and Oakland, California comes in fifth.
On the list of the nation’s most conservative cities, Texas cements its reputation as America’s most rock-ribbed state, having three cities in the top five. Lubbock and Abilene, Texas rank as the second and third most conservative cities, respectively, followed by Hialeah, Florida in fourth place and Plano, Texas in fifth.
BACVR researchers found a direct correlation between a city’s political ideology and its racial makeup. “The great political divide in America today is not red vs. blue, north vs. south, costal vs. interior or even rich vs. poor – it is now clearly black vs. white,” said Phil Reiff, a BACVR director.
“While there are a few liberal cities without large African American populations, these wind up being the exceptions. College towns like Berkeley and Cambridge have modest black populations but remain bastions of upper middle-class, white, intellectual liberalism. These liberal white communities, however, are more reminiscent of penguins clustering together around a shrinking iceberg than of a vibrant and growing political movement,” Reiff said.
The Bay Area Center for Voting Research is a nonpartisan think tank based in Berkeley, California. A full copy of the report and the complete list of rankings for all 237 cities are available at www.votingresearch.org.
-30-
America’s 25 Most Liberal Cities
(in descending order)
Rank City State
1 Detroit Michigan
2 Gary Indiana
3 Berkeley California
4 Washington, D.C. Dist. of Columbia
5 Oakland California
6 Inglewood California
7 Newark New Jersey
8 Cambridge Massachusetts
9 San Francisco California
10 Flint Michigan
11 Cleveland Ohio
12 Hartford Connecticut
13 Paterson New Jersey
14 Baltimore Maryland
15 New Haven Connecticut
16 Seattle Washington
17 Chicago Illinois
18 Philadelphia Pennsylvania
19 Birmingham Alabama
20 St. Louis Missouri
21 New York New York
22 Providence Rhode Island
23 Minneapolis Minnesota
24 Boston Massachusetts
25 Buffalo New York
America’s 25 Most Conservative Cities
(in descending order)
Rank City State
1 Provo Utah
2 Lubbock Texas
3 Abilene Texas
4 Hialeah Florida
5 Plano Texas
6 Colorado Springs Colorado
7 Gilbert Arizona
8 Bakersfield California
9 Lafayette Louisiana
10 Orange California
11 Escondido California
12 Allentown Pennsylvania
13 Mesa Arizona
14 Arlington Texas
15 Peoria Arizona
16 Cape Coral Florida
17 Garden Grove California
18 Simi Valley California
19 Corona California
20 Clearwater Florida
21 West Valley City Utah
22 Oklahoma City Oklahoma
23 Overland Park Kansas
24 Anchorage Alaska
25 Huntington Beach California
NEW STUDY RANKS AMERICA’S MOST LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE CITIES
Detroit tops liberal list; Provo, UT most conservative
BERKELEY, CA – A new nationwide study released today by the nonpartisan Bay Area Center for Voting Research (BACVR) ranks the political leanings of every American city and finds that Detroit, Michigan is the most liberal and Provo, Utah the most conservative.
In all, the BACVR researchers examined voting patterns of 237 American cities with populations of over 100,000 and ranked them each on liberal and conservative scales.
The list of America’s most liberal cities is dominated by cities with large African American populations that are concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest and California. Conversely, the study found that the staunchest conservative cities are clustered in the South and interior West and have extremely low numbers of African American residents.
“Detroit and Provo epitomize America’s political, economic and racial polarization,” said Jason Alderman a BACVR director. “As the most conservative city in America, Provo is overwhelmingly white and solidly middle class. This is in stark contrast to Detroit, which is impoverished, black and the most liberal.”
Gary, Indiana, a rust belt former steel town, comes in as America’s second most liberal city, followed by Berkeley, California, which ranks third. Washington, D.C. comes in as the fourth most liberal and Oakland, California comes in fifth.
On the list of the nation’s most conservative cities, Texas cements its reputation as America’s most rock-ribbed state, having three cities in the top five. Lubbock and Abilene, Texas rank as the second and third most conservative cities, respectively, followed by Hialeah, Florida in fourth place and Plano, Texas in fifth.
BACVR researchers found a direct correlation between a city’s political ideology and its racial makeup. “The great political divide in America today is not red vs. blue, north vs. south, costal vs. interior or even rich vs. poor – it is now clearly black vs. white,” said Phil Reiff, a BACVR director.
“While there are a few liberal cities without large African American populations, these wind up being the exceptions. College towns like Berkeley and Cambridge have modest black populations but remain bastions of upper middle-class, white, intellectual liberalism. These liberal white communities, however, are more reminiscent of penguins clustering together around a shrinking iceberg than of a vibrant and growing political movement,” Reiff said.
The Bay Area Center for Voting Research is a nonpartisan think tank based in Berkeley, California. A full copy of the report and the complete list of rankings for all 237 cities are available at www.votingresearch.org.
-30-
America’s 25 Most Liberal Cities
(in descending order)
Rank City State
1 Detroit Michigan
2 Gary Indiana
3 Berkeley California
4 Washington, D.C. Dist. of Columbia
5 Oakland California
6 Inglewood California
7 Newark New Jersey
8 Cambridge Massachusetts
9 San Francisco California
10 Flint Michigan
11 Cleveland Ohio
12 Hartford Connecticut
13 Paterson New Jersey
14 Baltimore Maryland
15 New Haven Connecticut
16 Seattle Washington
17 Chicago Illinois
18 Philadelphia Pennsylvania
19 Birmingham Alabama
20 St. Louis Missouri
21 New York New York
22 Providence Rhode Island
23 Minneapolis Minnesota
24 Boston Massachusetts
25 Buffalo New York
America’s 25 Most Conservative Cities
(in descending order)
Rank City State
1 Provo Utah
2 Lubbock Texas
3 Abilene Texas
4 Hialeah Florida
5 Plano Texas
6 Colorado Springs Colorado
7 Gilbert Arizona
8 Bakersfield California
9 Lafayette Louisiana
10 Orange California
11 Escondido California
12 Allentown Pennsylvania
13 Mesa Arizona
14 Arlington Texas
15 Peoria Arizona
16 Cape Coral Florida
17 Garden Grove California
18 Simi Valley California
19 Corona California
20 Clearwater Florida
21 West Valley City Utah
22 Oklahoma City Oklahoma
23 Overland Park Kansas
24 Anchorage Alaska
25 Huntington Beach California
Friday, August 12, 2005
Holy, Holy, Holy
Words: Reginald Heber, 1826. Heber wrote this hymn for Trinity Sunday while he was Vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire, England.
Music: “Nicaea,” John B. Dykes, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Lawn ornament Jesus...
Notre Dame has a touchdown Jesus, Banana and I have a lawn ornament Jesus. I just like this photo, and thought I'd post it. I'm not even sure where this Jesus figure came from. It's banged up, missing both hands, but I felt it would look good among the flowers in the planter in front of the house. So there he stands, watching the lawn (and weeds) grow. Don't draw some deep theological meaning from this though.
The Real Cause of Church Growth...
David Wayne (AKA Jollyblogger) is posting on The Real Cause of Church Growth. DW's writing is generally well reasoned and thought out and worth reading, not just on this subject.
I also bought one of DW's tee-shirts last month, with the logo found below:
I also bought one of DW's tee-shirts last month, with the logo found below:
Church Growth...the Biblical Way...
Doug McHone at CoffeeSwirls is posting some interesting stuff about Church Growth.
Amazing Grace: History and Theology of Calvinism DVD
(HT: Tim Challies)
I wanted to make you aware of a great sale over at Monergism Books. They are offering Amazing Grace: History and Theology of Calvinism DVD for the lowest price you've ever seen - a mere $19.95, which is $10 off the regular price (and, I believe, $10 lower than you'll find it anywhere else). It is an excellent presentation and certainly well worth the cost. If you are interested in Christian theology, this video is definitely going to challenge you and open your eyes to some profound biblical truths.
Click here to read more.
Just as an FYI, I have this DVD on order. Get one for yourself and/or church library!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
The Beast movie...
This was passed onto me from Mind & Media, and I generally don't post things like this, but it concerns me enough to bring it to your attention.
____________________________________________
The Beast - Opening 6*6*06
Over the weekend Janet Parshall spoke at the National Women's Convention for Precept Ministries and she told everyone about the upcoming release of this absolutely anti-Christ movie.
Watch the trailer here .
ABOUT THE MOVIE
The Beast is currently in pre-production.
The cast and crew are legally sworn to secrecy.
The theory that Jesus Christ never existed, while largely unknown to most lay Christians, is gaining credibility among scholars. Historians do not consider the Gospels to be historically accurate accounts. The authors of the Gospels, writing 40 to 90 years after the supposed life of Christ, never intended for their works to be read as biographies. There are no credible non-Christian references to Christ during the period in which he is said to have lived.
BEHIND THE MOVIE
The Beast is directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brian Flemming. Flemming's work has been called "a parallel universe" by the BBC, "jaggedly imaginative" by the New York Times, and "immensely satisfying" by USA Today. The Fox News Channel dubbed him "a young Oliver Stone." Flemming won the New York Times Claiborne Pell Award for Original Vision for his groundbreaking feature film Nothing So Strange, which was released theatrically in 2003 and is currently distributed on DVD in more than 200 countries.
Flemming is a former fundamentalist Christian. An in-depth interview with him is available in the first issue of The Beast newsletter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MOVIE FROM THE WEBSITE
When her father, a biblical scholar, mysteriously disappears, a Christian high school student named Danielle investigates. She discovers that he had stumbled across a cover-up of Christianity's best kept secret: That Jesus Christ Never Existed.
Now that she possesses proof of this dangerous fact, Danielle must confront two strong forces: A band of fundamentalist Christians who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth, and her own desire for Jesus Christ to be real.
Diving into factual territory well-explored by scholars but largely hidden from the view of the public, The Beast is an epic story of innocence lost, faith in crisis, and the astonishing power of the truth to survive.
You can also view their Discussion Board if you're interested in talking about this upcoming movie.
From the Makers of Beyond Belief Media who also made The God Who Wasn't There which is currently available on DVD.
Pass this on to every Christian you know. We need to get the message out and warn the Church and those who are in our spheres of influence. Jesus is Alive and He is real. That is the Truth.
____________________________________________
The Beast - Opening 6*6*06
Over the weekend Janet Parshall spoke at the National Women's Convention for Precept Ministries and she told everyone about the upcoming release of this absolutely anti-Christ movie.
Watch the trailer here .
ABOUT THE MOVIE
The Beast is currently in pre-production.
The cast and crew are legally sworn to secrecy.
The theory that Jesus Christ never existed, while largely unknown to most lay Christians, is gaining credibility among scholars. Historians do not consider the Gospels to be historically accurate accounts. The authors of the Gospels, writing 40 to 90 years after the supposed life of Christ, never intended for their works to be read as biographies. There are no credible non-Christian references to Christ during the period in which he is said to have lived.
BEHIND THE MOVIE
The Beast is directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brian Flemming. Flemming's work has been called "a parallel universe" by the BBC, "jaggedly imaginative" by the New York Times, and "immensely satisfying" by USA Today. The Fox News Channel dubbed him "a young Oliver Stone." Flemming won the New York Times Claiborne Pell Award for Original Vision for his groundbreaking feature film Nothing So Strange, which was released theatrically in 2003 and is currently distributed on DVD in more than 200 countries.
Flemming is a former fundamentalist Christian. An in-depth interview with him is available in the first issue of The Beast newsletter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MOVIE FROM THE WEBSITE
When her father, a biblical scholar, mysteriously disappears, a Christian high school student named Danielle investigates. She discovers that he had stumbled across a cover-up of Christianity's best kept secret: That Jesus Christ Never Existed.
Now that she possesses proof of this dangerous fact, Danielle must confront two strong forces: A band of fundamentalist Christians who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth, and her own desire for Jesus Christ to be real.
Diving into factual territory well-explored by scholars but largely hidden from the view of the public, The Beast is an epic story of innocence lost, faith in crisis, and the astonishing power of the truth to survive.
You can also view their Discussion Board if you're interested in talking about this upcoming movie.
From the Makers of Beyond Belief Media who also made The God Who Wasn't There which is currently available on DVD.
Pass this on to every Christian you know. We need to get the message out and warn the Church and those who are in our spheres of influence. Jesus is Alive and He is real. That is the Truth.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Church Membership...and the Unchurched...
First, there is some good discussion going on over at the Founders Ministries Blog about church membership rolls in the Southern Baptist Conference. I am not a SBC member, but I appreciate their willingness to discuss this issue. They are not the only Denomination with bloated rolls. I was part of a church who went through the difficult task of culling the membership list a few years back. It was a worthwhile process, and it allowed the church to make contact with many who had moved over the years and still had fond memories of their "old" church. It was done in conjunction with the beginning stages of a Constitution re-write and piggy backed on the 75th anniversary celebration for that church. Many who were dropped off the membership rolls who still had strong feelings for that church came back for the celebration, some traveling half way across the USA.
Second, Dr. Albert Mohler had a great post today about the work Thom Rainer has done in studying the unchurched. I have enjoyed Dr. Rainer's work, and look forward to reading anything and everything he writes. If you have an interest in the unchurched (and you SHOULD!) then give it a look, and check out Thom Rainer's books and materials.
Second, Dr. Albert Mohler had a great post today about the work Thom Rainer has done in studying the unchurched. I have enjoyed Dr. Rainer's work, and look forward to reading anything and everything he writes. If you have an interest in the unchurched (and you SHOULD!) then give it a look, and check out Thom Rainer's books and materials.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Because He Is God
Steve Camp has a great post today titled "Because He is God". I'll give you a copy below, but I highly reccommend you read it all for yourself, on his site. Steve can at times be heady, but he always gives glory and honor to Christ, and it is very much worth the effort and thinking to make your way through his posts.
__________________________
Because He is God, He must be reckoned with. Because He is God, He must not be trifled with. Because He is God, we must love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength-and love our neighbor as ourselves. Because He is God, we ought to worship Him in spirit and truth. Because He is God, we esteem Him with an undivided heart as First Love. Because He is God, we must approach Him clothed in contrition and we tremble at His Word. Because He is God, we give Him the preeminence in all things.
Because He is God, he has given us His grace instead of His wrath; His love instead of His enmity; His mercy instead of His justice; joy unspeakable in glory instead of torment in hell for perpetuity. Because He is God, I have no right to myself. Because He is God, I must walk in love, and love others, as Christ loved me and gave Himself for me. Because He is God, I must be willing to forgive as God in Christ has forgiven me. Because He is God, we love the brethren. Because He is God, I cannot harbor anger, wrath, clamor, bitterness, and malice in my heart toward another. Because He is God, I must turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and give someone my cloak if they want my coat too. Because He is God, I must be willing to suffer the loss of all things, to gain everything. Because He is God, I can rest in the surety that He is orchestrating all things for our good and His glory. Because He is God, I cannot repay evil for evil, wrong for wrong, hurt for hurt. Because He is God, we may rejoice when our hearts are breaking and our world has been shaken. Because He is God, our trials are blessings-invited guests and not strangers.
Because He is God, we keep our vows to our spouse even when he or she seems unlovable, unapproachable, unteachable, or uncaring. Because He is God, we train our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Because He is God, we cannot take another to court and sue for reparations. Because He is God, we have the right to be wronged. Because He is God, we love His Word more than daily food. Because He is God, pastors should preach the Word of God instead of being clever raconteurs. Because He is God, the church must discipline sin and not wink at it. Because He is God, I cannot cherish my sin, but must daily repent of it. Because He is God, I've made a covenant with my eyes. Because He is God, I must guard my heart. Because He is God, I must not be motivated by mans applause, but by His "well done." Because He is God, we cannot become unequally yoked with an unbeliever in any spiritual ministry or enterprise. Because He is God, all our possessions are for the Master's use-they are not ours; they belong to Him. Because He is God, we must deny ourselves, daily take up our cross and follow Him.
To do all to His glory, according to His divine purpose, under the authority of His Word, to seek His will more than earthly reward, to embrace the fellowship of His sufferings rather than the pleasures of this world even for a season, to live self-sacrificially in unreciprocated love and service to others-to do all this for no other reason than… because He is God!
__________________________
For the original of this post, read HERE. I suggest you pass this post onto all your friends. We call him Lord, but quickly many of these things fall out of practice. We need frequent reminders of all that is said by Steve Camp in this post. I am reposting it in it's entirity because it is much too good to loose, so by archiving it here I know I will always know where to find a copy of it.
__________________________
Because He is God, He must be reckoned with. Because He is God, He must not be trifled with. Because He is God, we must love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength-and love our neighbor as ourselves. Because He is God, we ought to worship Him in spirit and truth. Because He is God, we esteem Him with an undivided heart as First Love. Because He is God, we must approach Him clothed in contrition and we tremble at His Word. Because He is God, we give Him the preeminence in all things.
Because He is God, he has given us His grace instead of His wrath; His love instead of His enmity; His mercy instead of His justice; joy unspeakable in glory instead of torment in hell for perpetuity. Because He is God, I have no right to myself. Because He is God, I must walk in love, and love others, as Christ loved me and gave Himself for me. Because He is God, I must be willing to forgive as God in Christ has forgiven me. Because He is God, we love the brethren. Because He is God, I cannot harbor anger, wrath, clamor, bitterness, and malice in my heart toward another. Because He is God, I must turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and give someone my cloak if they want my coat too. Because He is God, I must be willing to suffer the loss of all things, to gain everything. Because He is God, I can rest in the surety that He is orchestrating all things for our good and His glory. Because He is God, I cannot repay evil for evil, wrong for wrong, hurt for hurt. Because He is God, we may rejoice when our hearts are breaking and our world has been shaken. Because He is God, our trials are blessings-invited guests and not strangers.
Because He is God, we keep our vows to our spouse even when he or she seems unlovable, unapproachable, unteachable, or uncaring. Because He is God, we train our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Because He is God, we cannot take another to court and sue for reparations. Because He is God, we have the right to be wronged. Because He is God, we love His Word more than daily food. Because He is God, pastors should preach the Word of God instead of being clever raconteurs. Because He is God, the church must discipline sin and not wink at it. Because He is God, I cannot cherish my sin, but must daily repent of it. Because He is God, I've made a covenant with my eyes. Because He is God, I must guard my heart. Because He is God, I must not be motivated by mans applause, but by His "well done." Because He is God, we cannot become unequally yoked with an unbeliever in any spiritual ministry or enterprise. Because He is God, all our possessions are for the Master's use-they are not ours; they belong to Him. Because He is God, we must deny ourselves, daily take up our cross and follow Him.
To do all to His glory, according to His divine purpose, under the authority of His Word, to seek His will more than earthly reward, to embrace the fellowship of His sufferings rather than the pleasures of this world even for a season, to live self-sacrificially in unreciprocated love and service to others-to do all this for no other reason than… because He is God!
__________________________
For the original of this post, read HERE. I suggest you pass this post onto all your friends. We call him Lord, but quickly many of these things fall out of practice. We need frequent reminders of all that is said by Steve Camp in this post. I am reposting it in it's entirity because it is much too good to loose, so by archiving it here I know I will always know where to find a copy of it.
I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
From time to time I will be posting some songs, mostly hymns, that resonate with me. Songs that frequently give me that chill up the spine when I sing or hear them sung. Below is the first of these posts. Feel free to comment on your feelings about the songs, and even throw out what ones you like. Maybe we'll share some common favorite songs.
Words: Annie S. Hawks, 1872.
Music: Robert Lowry
Annie Hawks wrote:
One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me.
After writing the lyrics, Hawks gave them to her pastor, Robert Lowry, who added the tune and refrain. The hymn was first published at the National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1872. Some years later, after the death of her husband, Hawks wrote:
I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity
I need thee every hour
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Refrain
Words: Annie S. Hawks, 1872.
Music: Robert Lowry
Annie Hawks wrote:
One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me.
After writing the lyrics, Hawks gave them to her pastor, Robert Lowry, who added the tune and refrain. The hymn was first published at the National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1872. Some years later, after the death of her husband, Hawks wrote:
I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity
I need thee every hour
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Refrain
Friday, August 05, 2005
I will sing and Hope to carry on...
I will sing and Hope to carry on as performed by Rich Mullins and Caedmon's Call. It was the music of Rich Mullins who introduced me to these two great songs, but lately I've been listening to Caedmon's Call and their version is outstanding as well. When I hear and sing I will sing, I get chills from it, and I've been listening to it for 12+ years. Rich Mullins is probably my all time favorite musician in any category. He was always interesting, and was a great song writer. His music, as much as anything, early on in my Christian walk challenged me to examine what I claimed to believe. I have included both I will sing and Hope to carry on as they always came together, one did not seem to exist without the other for Rich (and Caedmon's Call has carried this tradition on).
I will sing
I will sing for the meek
For those who pray with their very lives for peace
Though they're in chains for a higher call
Their mourning will change into laughter when the nations fall
In spirit poor
In mercy rich
They hunger for Your righteousness
Their hearts refined in the purity
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
Hope to carry on
I can see Jesus hanging on the cross
I can see Jesus hanging on the cross
I can see Jesus hanging on the cross
He came looking for the lost
And love has come
Love has come
Love has come
And He's given me hope to carry on
I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive
I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive
I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive
What a thing He did
Love has come
Love has come
Love has come
And He's given me hope to carry on
And I can see love
Love is all I want to see
Love could make a beggar rich
He could set a prisoner free
I know He could do it for you
God knows He did it for me
And I can see love
Love is all I want to show you
Love
Love's the only way to go
Love
Love is all a man might need to know
This I know
You know Peter put away his sword
I can see Peter, he's putting away his sword
I can see Peter, he put away his sword
He won't fight no more
Love has come
Love has come
Love has come
And He's given me hope to carry on
Copyright 1989 - Edward Grant, Inc.
I will sing
I will sing for the meek
For those who pray with their very lives for peace
Though they're in chains for a higher call
Their mourning will change into laughter when the nations fall
In spirit poor
In mercy rich
They hunger for Your righteousness
Their hearts refined in the purity
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
Hope to carry on
I can see Jesus hanging on the cross
I can see Jesus hanging on the cross
I can see Jesus hanging on the cross
He came looking for the lost
And love has come
Love has come
Love has come
And He's given me hope to carry on
I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive
I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive
I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive
What a thing He did
Love has come
Love has come
Love has come
And He's given me hope to carry on
And I can see love
Love is all I want to see
Love could make a beggar rich
He could set a prisoner free
I know He could do it for you
God knows He did it for me
And I can see love
Love is all I want to show you
Love
Love's the only way to go
Love
Love is all a man might need to know
This I know
You know Peter put away his sword
I can see Peter, he's putting away his sword
I can see Peter, he put away his sword
He won't fight no more
Love has come
Love has come
Love has come
And He's given me hope to carry on
Copyright 1989 - Edward Grant, Inc.
Indulging in expensive and decadent cheesecake...
Last night I had the pleasure of eating at Cafe Latte on Grand in St. Paul with Banana, her parents, her younger brother and his wife. I have been to Cafe Latte a handful of times in the past 3 years. Every time I go I am amazed at the quality of desserts they create. Banana isn't as adventurous as I am in this area, and she always goes with the Turtle Cake, which is a huge gooey chocolate cake with lots of carmel and pecans. It's one of her all time favorite desserts. Last night I tried something new, and had a piece of cookies and cream cheesecake. I actually got my piece to go, as I was pretty full from a sandwich and scone I had earlier. It was one of the two or three best cheesecakes I have ever had. In fact it might rank in the top 5 or 6 desserts of my life, and that is really saying something. I normally am not a dessert person, as I am not real big on sweets (other than Mt. Dew). If I do go for desserts, I tend to go for heavy cheesecakes, bread puddings, and things of that nature. This was pure eating pleasure. I should've taken a picture of it, but after the first fork full, there wasn't much time until the last bite. If you are in the Twin Cities, it's worth finding for dessert. I've never been really impressed with anyting else they serve, except their fresh pizzas, but they are worth the trip for just the dessert. Other desserts I have enjoyed there are the lemon blueberry cheesecake, and the incredible cherry almond. I am luke warm on the raspberry white chocolate cheesecake, and the two bites I have had of the black forrest cheesecake didn't distinguish themselve from other ones I have had elsewhere.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Gay men recruiting minors...
(while I disagree with the theology of this pastor in some areas, we agree on this issue)
Pastor Uses Blog to Expose Web Ad Promoting Pedophilia
Caution... This article contains descriptions not suitable for children
By Jim Brown
August 3, 2005
(AgapePress) - A support group for "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth" in Virginia is being accused of encouraging illegal sexual interaction between men and boys.
Atlanta Pastor DL Foster recently noted on his personal web log that the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY) had an ad on its website endorsing pedophilia. The ad asked "all ROSMY men and boys" if they wanted "to go to some of Richmond's hottest gay clubs for free" or "educate men about the importance of safe sex and condom use."
Shortly after Pastor Foster exposed ROSMY on his blog, he says the group took down its ad.
"[B]ecause young people are vulnerable, because they are at a place where they can be taken advantage of sexually by older men who are already in the homosexual lifestyle, I just find [that type of thing] alarming, right on its face," the pastor exclaims.
Foster heads Witness Ministries, a group that helps those in the black community who have unwanted homosexual issues. Since using his blog to expose the group's ad, the pastor says he has heard from individuals like "Mark," who used to attend ROSMY youth groups.
"What Mark said, and I quote, was that at times they had guys up to 24 with 14-year-olds. He said the topics were always highly sexual, and the truth is, we had a lot of sex afterwards," Foster continues. "He said that he was 14 at the time, and this was three years ago."
ROSMY is receiving financial support from Wachovia Securities, Capitol One, GE Financial, and Hunton & Williams. The group's event coordinator, Gregg Johnson, refused to grant an interview for this article.
Pastor Uses Blog to Expose Web Ad Promoting Pedophilia
Caution... This article contains descriptions not suitable for children
By Jim Brown
August 3, 2005
(AgapePress) - A support group for "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth" in Virginia is being accused of encouraging illegal sexual interaction between men and boys.
Atlanta Pastor DL Foster recently noted on his personal web log that the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY) had an ad on its website endorsing pedophilia. The ad asked "all ROSMY men and boys" if they wanted "to go to some of Richmond's hottest gay clubs for free" or "educate men about the importance of safe sex and condom use."
Shortly after Pastor Foster exposed ROSMY on his blog, he says the group took down its ad.
"[B]ecause young people are vulnerable, because they are at a place where they can be taken advantage of sexually by older men who are already in the homosexual lifestyle, I just find [that type of thing] alarming, right on its face," the pastor exclaims.
Foster heads Witness Ministries, a group that helps those in the black community who have unwanted homosexual issues. Since using his blog to expose the group's ad, the pastor says he has heard from individuals like "Mark," who used to attend ROSMY youth groups.
"What Mark said, and I quote, was that at times they had guys up to 24 with 14-year-olds. He said the topics were always highly sexual, and the truth is, we had a lot of sex afterwards," Foster continues. "He said that he was 14 at the time, and this was three years ago."
ROSMY is receiving financial support from Wachovia Securities, Capitol One, GE Financial, and Hunton & Williams. The group's event coordinator, Gregg Johnson, refused to grant an interview for this article.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Who do you think that I am?
The following is a Gospel Tract created by Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA. (home to John MacArthur and Phil Johnson among others). The actual tract is more attractive (see their site) and is available for purchase. Call 800 55-GRACE for information.
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well. Consider what the Bible says about Him
JESUS IS GOD
While Jesus was on earth there was much confusion about who He was. Some thought He was a wise man or a great prophet. Others thought He wasa madman. Still others couldn't decide or didn't care. But Jesus said,"I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). That means He claimed to be nothing less than God in human flesh.
Many people today don't understand that Jesus claimed to be God. They're content to think of Him as little more than a great moral teacher. But even His enemies understood His claims to deity. That's why they tried to stone Him to death (John 5:18; 10:33) and eventually had Him crucified (John 19:7).
C.S. Lewis observed, "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to" (Mere Christianity [Macmillan,1952], pp. 40-41).
If the biblical claims of Jesus are true, He is God!
JESUS IS HOLY
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13).
As God, Jesus embodied every element of God's character. Colossians 2:9 says, "In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."He was perfectly holy (Hebrews 4:15). Even His enemies couldn't prove any accusation against Him (John 8:46)
God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
JESUS IS THE SAVIOR
Our failure to obey God--to be holy--places us in danger of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The truth is, we cannot obey Him because we have neither the desire nor the ability to do so. We are by nature rebellious toward God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible calls our rebellion "sin."According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And we are incapable of changing our sinful condition. Jeremiah 13:23 says, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."
That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. We might even be involved in various religious or humanitarian activities. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. The Bible says, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one" (Romans 3:10-12).
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death:"The soul who sins will die" (Ezekiel 18:4). That's hard for us to understand because we tend to evaluate sin on a relative scale, assuming some sins are less serious than others. However, the Bible teaches that all acts of sin are the result of sinful thinking and evil desires. That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problemor eliminate its consequences. We need to be changed inwardly so our thinking and desires are holy.
Jesus is the only one who can forgive and transform us, thereby delivering us from the power and penalty of sin: "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior, who paid the penalty and died for sinners: "Christ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26). John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." He alone is "our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13).
JESUS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH
Some people think it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere. But without a valid object your faith is useless.
If you take poison--thinking it's medicine--all the faith in the world won't restore your life. Similarly, if Jesus is the only source of salvation, and you're trusting in anyone or anything else for your salvation, your faith is useless.
Many people assume there are many paths to God and that each religion represents anaspect of truth. But Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). He didn't claim to be one of many equally legitimate paths to God, or theway to God for His day only. He claimed to be the only way to God--then and forever.
JESUS IS LORD
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Confessing Jesus as Lord means humbly submitting to His authority (Philippians 2:10-11). Believing that God has raised Him from the dead involves trusting in the historical fact of His resurrection--the pinnacle of Christian faith and the way the Father affirmed the deity and authority of the Son (Romans 1:4; Acts 17:30-31).
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is more than simply being sorry for sin. It is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue holiness (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15); and "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John8:31).
It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. Their faith is not genuine. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus is the sovereign Lord. When you obey Him you are acknowledging His lordship and submitting to His authority. That doesn't mean your obedience will always be perfect, but that is your goal. There is no area of your life that you withhold from Him.
JESUS IS THE JUDGE
All who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will one day face Him as their Judge: "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31).
Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel ofour Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
Who does the Bible say Jesus is? The living God, the Holy One, the Savior, the only valid object of saving faith, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous Judge.
Who do you say Jesus is? That is the inescapable question. He alone can redeem you--free you from the power and penalty of sin. He alone can transform you, restore you to fellowship with God, and give your life eternal purpose. Will you repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well. Consider what the Bible says about Him
JESUS IS GOD
While Jesus was on earth there was much confusion about who He was. Some thought He was a wise man or a great prophet. Others thought He wasa madman. Still others couldn't decide or didn't care. But Jesus said,"I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). That means He claimed to be nothing less than God in human flesh.
Many people today don't understand that Jesus claimed to be God. They're content to think of Him as little more than a great moral teacher. But even His enemies understood His claims to deity. That's why they tried to stone Him to death (John 5:18; 10:33) and eventually had Him crucified (John 19:7).
C.S. Lewis observed, "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to" (Mere Christianity [Macmillan,1952], pp. 40-41).
If the biblical claims of Jesus are true, He is God!
JESUS IS HOLY
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13).
As God, Jesus embodied every element of God's character. Colossians 2:9 says, "In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."He was perfectly holy (Hebrews 4:15). Even His enemies couldn't prove any accusation against Him (John 8:46)
God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
JESUS IS THE SAVIOR
Our failure to obey God--to be holy--places us in danger of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The truth is, we cannot obey Him because we have neither the desire nor the ability to do so. We are by nature rebellious toward God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible calls our rebellion "sin."According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And we are incapable of changing our sinful condition. Jeremiah 13:23 says, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."
That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. We might even be involved in various religious or humanitarian activities. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. The Bible says, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one" (Romans 3:10-12).
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death:"The soul who sins will die" (Ezekiel 18:4). That's hard for us to understand because we tend to evaluate sin on a relative scale, assuming some sins are less serious than others. However, the Bible teaches that all acts of sin are the result of sinful thinking and evil desires. That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problemor eliminate its consequences. We need to be changed inwardly so our thinking and desires are holy.
Jesus is the only one who can forgive and transform us, thereby delivering us from the power and penalty of sin: "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior, who paid the penalty and died for sinners: "Christ... died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26). John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." He alone is "our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13).
JESUS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH
Some people think it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere. But without a valid object your faith is useless.
If you take poison--thinking it's medicine--all the faith in the world won't restore your life. Similarly, if Jesus is the only source of salvation, and you're trusting in anyone or anything else for your salvation, your faith is useless.
Many people assume there are many paths to God and that each religion represents anaspect of truth. But Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). He didn't claim to be one of many equally legitimate paths to God, or theway to God for His day only. He claimed to be the only way to God--then and forever.
JESUS IS LORD
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him
The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Confessing Jesus as Lord means humbly submitting to His authority (Philippians 2:10-11). Believing that God has raised Him from the dead involves trusting in the historical fact of His resurrection--the pinnacle of Christian faith and the way the Father affirmed the deity and authority of the Son (Romans 1:4; Acts 17:30-31).
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is more than simply being sorry for sin. It is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue holiness (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15); and "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John8:31).
It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. Their faith is not genuine. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus is the sovereign Lord. When you obey Him you are acknowledging His lordship and submitting to His authority. That doesn't mean your obedience will always be perfect, but that is your goal. There is no area of your life that you withhold from Him.
JESUS IS THE JUDGE
All who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will one day face Him as their Judge: "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31).
Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel ofour Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power."
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
Who does the Bible say Jesus is? The living God, the Holy One, the Savior, the only valid object of saving faith, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous Judge.
Who do you say Jesus is? That is the inescapable question. He alone can redeem you--free you from the power and penalty of sin. He alone can transform you, restore you to fellowship with God, and give your life eternal purpose. Will you repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Cohabitation Hurts Kids
From Focus on the Family's Pastor's Weekly Briefing email 7/22.
The State of Our Unions 2005, an annual report issued by the National Marriage Project at New Jersey's Rutgers University, says divorce is on the decline in the USA, but may be due more to an increase in people living together. Couples who once might have wed and then divorced now are not marrying at all.
The U.S. divorce rate is 17.7 per 1,000 married women, down from 22.6 in 1980. The marriage rate is also on a steady decline: a 50 percent drop since 1970 from 76.5 per 1,000 unmarried women to 39.9, says the report.
Cohabiting couples have twice the breakup rate of married couples, the report's authors say. And in the USA, 40 percent bring kids into these often-shaky live-in relationships. "As society shifts from marriage to cohabitation — which is what's happening — you have an increase in family instability," concludes the` study.
In the USA, 8.1 percent of coupled households are made up of unmarried, heterosexual partners. Our country also has the lowest percentage among Western nations of children who grow up with both biological parents (63%), the report says. "The United States has the weakest families in the Western world because we have the highest divorce rate and the highest rate of solo parenting."
The State of Our Unions 2005, an annual report issued by the National Marriage Project at New Jersey's Rutgers University, says divorce is on the decline in the USA, but may be due more to an increase in people living together. Couples who once might have wed and then divorced now are not marrying at all.
The U.S. divorce rate is 17.7 per 1,000 married women, down from 22.6 in 1980. The marriage rate is also on a steady decline: a 50 percent drop since 1970 from 76.5 per 1,000 unmarried women to 39.9, says the report.
Cohabiting couples have twice the breakup rate of married couples, the report's authors say. And in the USA, 40 percent bring kids into these often-shaky live-in relationships. "As society shifts from marriage to cohabitation — which is what's happening — you have an increase in family instability," concludes the` study.
In the USA, 8.1 percent of coupled households are made up of unmarried, heterosexual partners. Our country also has the lowest percentage among Western nations of children who grow up with both biological parents (63%), the report says. "The United States has the weakest families in the Western world because we have the highest divorce rate and the highest rate of solo parenting."
Monday, August 01, 2005
More Megachurches?
From FOTF's Pastor's Weekly Briefing (7/29)
New research reveals that the number of megachurches in America may have been underreported by as much as 50 percent.
A cooperative project being undertaken by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and the Leadership Network — two organizations that have been studying megachurches for years — discovered that the actual number of churches with at least 2,000 in weekly worship is over 1,200. In the past, it was commonly assumed that the number was 850. The discrepancy was found when the two groups, each of which keeps a separate list of megachurches, compared their records and realized that there were about 350 churches that were not on both lists.
As part of an ongoing study, questionnaires are being sent to over 1,700 very large churches in order to verify the actual number of megachurches in the country. Warren Bird of Leadership Network believes that the number could be as high as 1,600.
Preliminary analysis of the data shows that:
* The 1,200 churches represent just three-tenths of one percent of all congregations.
* The megachurches account for more than four million weekly attendees, and possibly as many as eight to 12 million members.
* Megachurches are found in 45 out of 50 states.
* The states with the most megachurches are Texas with 174, California with 169, Florida with 83 and Georgia with 64.
* The greatest number of megachurches are nondenominational or Southern Baptist.
For more information, visit either www.leadernet.org or www.hartsem.edu/events/news_mega.htm.
New research reveals that the number of megachurches in America may have been underreported by as much as 50 percent.
A cooperative project being undertaken by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and the Leadership Network — two organizations that have been studying megachurches for years — discovered that the actual number of churches with at least 2,000 in weekly worship is over 1,200. In the past, it was commonly assumed that the number was 850. The discrepancy was found when the two groups, each of which keeps a separate list of megachurches, compared their records and realized that there were about 350 churches that were not on both lists.
As part of an ongoing study, questionnaires are being sent to over 1,700 very large churches in order to verify the actual number of megachurches in the country. Warren Bird of Leadership Network believes that the number could be as high as 1,600.
Preliminary analysis of the data shows that:
* The 1,200 churches represent just three-tenths of one percent of all congregations.
* The megachurches account for more than four million weekly attendees, and possibly as many as eight to 12 million members.
* Megachurches are found in 45 out of 50 states.
* The states with the most megachurches are Texas with 174, California with 169, Florida with 83 and Georgia with 64.
* The greatest number of megachurches are nondenominational or Southern Baptist.
For more information, visit either www.leadernet.org or www.hartsem.edu/events/news_mega.htm.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
The toe-hold of Fad-Driven churches...
Yes, my mind does work in strange ways. Also this is a work in progress, so I haven't fleshed out each component.
I was watching PBS's "Ask this Old House" while reading Phil "Pyromanic" Johnson's blog and comments and it got me to thinking about some things. I was reminded of how through watching the guys on ATOH I have been able to do a number of home projects I might not have had the courage to attempt before. Since I was reading Phil's thoughts on the Fad-Driven church at the same time (hey Phil, are you going to copyright that phrase?), I began to have thoughts of how this ties into ministry. I think one area many local churches are failing in, in miserable fashion, is modeling/grooming leadership. I think this is where Fad-Driven things gain their toe-holds in otherwise well intended churches.
Example:
Seventh Baptist church has some great leaders, but they are unfortunately of the mindset "If you want it done right, you do it yourself." The result of this is that new leaders are not being trained to replace those who move/die/burn out. As time passes, there are fewer and fewer leaders, and those in leadership are somewhat protective of the positions, as they have always been the ones to take care of everything. This leads to what we see in many churches across the country - atrophy. So along comes a new pastor (the old one took the heat for the atrophy), and he brings in a new set of ideas. He correctly identifies the problems of the church, but he chooses a quick fix to the problems, and employs a Fad-Driven method. Initially there is some success from these changes, but they usually are not sustainable, so they have to move onto the next Fad and so on and so on. It becomes a cycle for Seventh Baptist.
Of course this is just an example, and I could come up with many others. I think the solution to this is intentional mentoring/grooming of new leaders. Christ did this with the Apostles, Paul did this with Timothy. Had Seventh Baptist had a program of developing new leaders, they would not be in this situation.
Another thought I had is that I think a core issue with Fad-Driven churches is laziness or overworked staffs. Some/many pastors are stretched pretty thin. It is often easier to pick up an entire program and just implement it throughout the church. Purpose Driven Life is one such program. That is not to say that every church using these materials is due to laziness or being strecthed to far, but certainly in some churches that is the case.
I have a lot more thoughts bouncing around in my head on these issues at the moment, but I can't seem to get the clarity of thought to put it in print yet. My final thought are a call out to all who read this to begin to examine how their churches groom new leaders. I think this is of top level importance. If you don't have a system currently, get on it. It takes time to develop the system, and then it takes time to begin to identify and develop your future leaders. There's no better time to start than today. Get after it. Do it for God's glory.
I was watching PBS's "Ask this Old House" while reading Phil "Pyromanic" Johnson's blog and comments and it got me to thinking about some things.
Example:
Seventh Baptist church has some great leaders, but they are unfortunately of the mindset "If you want it done right, you do it yourself." The result of this is that new leaders are not being trained to replace those who move/die/burn out. As time passes, there are fewer and fewer leaders, and those in leadership are somewhat protective of the positions, as they have always been the ones to take care of everything. This leads to what we see in many churches across the country - atrophy. So along comes a new pastor (the old one took the heat for the atrophy), and he brings in a new set of ideas. He correctly identifies the problems of the church, but he chooses a quick fix to the problems, and employs a Fad-Driven method. Initially there is some success from these changes, but they usually are not sustainable, so they have to move onto the next Fad and so on and so on. It becomes a cycle for Seventh Baptist.
Of course this is just an example, and I could come up with many others. I think the solution to this is intentional mentoring/grooming of new leaders. Christ did this with the Apostles, Paul did this with Timothy. Had Seventh Baptist had a program of developing new leaders, they would not be in this situation.
Another thought I had is that I think a core issue with Fad-Driven churches is laziness or overworked staffs. Some/many pastors are stretched pretty thin. It is often easier to pick up an entire program and just implement it throughout the church. Purpose Driven Life is one such program. That is not to say that every church using these materials is due to laziness or being strecthed to far, but certainly in some churches that is the case.
I have a lot more thoughts bouncing around in my head on these issues at the moment, but I can't seem to get the clarity of thought to put it in print yet. My final thought are a call out to all who read this to begin to examine how their churches groom new leaders. I think this is of top level importance. If you don't have a system currently, get on it. It takes time to develop the system, and then it takes time to begin to identify and develop your future leaders. There's no better time to start than today. Get after it. Do it for God's glory.
Pre-seminary reading...
posted by Ligon Duncan on the Reformation 21 blog. I have imported it here for my own archiving purposes so I can reference it in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have already heard from a number of seminarians and prospective seminarians who are asking: "what books should I be reading now, or what books should I read before I go to seminary?" The following list is one response to such a query.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This reading listed emphasizes biblical piety, the doctrines of grace, a Reformed view of Church and ministry, and is designed to be a challenge to the student to consecrate his whole heart (not just his intellect) to ministerial preparation. The list gives a suggested order of reading (from 1 to 15), covering issues such as fundamental doctrinal commitments and understanding, ministerial call and godliness, basic Bible knowledge, and critical contemporary concerns. These recommended volumes are intended to help the beginner "catch up" quickly on reading which will feed his soul, strengthen his mind, encourage his walk, warn him of pitfalls, and prepare him for a new world of ideas and terminology which he will meet in seminary training.
1. Westminster Confession of Faith (Free Presbyterian Publications)
substitute the Second London Confession (1689) if you are Baptist
2. Edmund Clowney, Called to the Ministry (P & R)
3. B.B. Warfield, The Religious Life of Theological Students (P & R)
4. J.I. Packer, Knowing God (IVP)
5. Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life (Banner of Truth)
6. Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (Banner of Truth)
7. John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress (Christian Library)
8. William Hendriksen, Survey of the Bible (Evangelical Press)
9. Andrew Bonar, Memoirs and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (Banner of Truth)
10. J.I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness (Crossway Books)
11. A.A. Hodge, Evangelical Theology (Banner of Truth)
12. John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Eerdmans)
13. J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism (Eerdmans)
14. J.C. Ryle, Holiness (Evangelical Press)
15. David F. Wells, No Place for Truth (Eerdmans)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have already heard from a number of seminarians and prospective seminarians who are asking: "what books should I be reading now, or what books should I read before I go to seminary?" The following list is one response to such a query.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This reading listed emphasizes biblical piety, the doctrines of grace, a Reformed view of Church and ministry, and is designed to be a challenge to the student to consecrate his whole heart (not just his intellect) to ministerial preparation. The list gives a suggested order of reading (from 1 to 15), covering issues such as fundamental doctrinal commitments and understanding, ministerial call and godliness, basic Bible knowledge, and critical contemporary concerns. These recommended volumes are intended to help the beginner "catch up" quickly on reading which will feed his soul, strengthen his mind, encourage his walk, warn him of pitfalls, and prepare him for a new world of ideas and terminology which he will meet in seminary training.
1. Westminster Confession of Faith (Free Presbyterian Publications)
substitute the Second London Confession (1689) if you are Baptist
2. Edmund Clowney, Called to the Ministry (P & R)
3. B.B. Warfield, The Religious Life of Theological Students (P & R)
4. J.I. Packer, Knowing God (IVP)
5. Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life (Banner of Truth)
6. Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (Banner of Truth)
7. John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress (Christian Library)
8. William Hendriksen, Survey of the Bible (Evangelical Press)
9. Andrew Bonar, Memoirs and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (Banner of Truth)
10. J.I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness (Crossway Books)
11. A.A. Hodge, Evangelical Theology (Banner of Truth)
12. John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Eerdmans)
13. J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism (Eerdmans)
14. J.C. Ryle, Holiness (Evangelical Press)
15. David F. Wells, No Place for Truth (Eerdmans)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)