Your weekly guide to the Bible and prayer
Sunday, April 27, 2008
|
"In Atlanta," writes David Gushee in our sister publication, Christianity Today, "few predominantly white churches within the I-285 beltway are growing. Most, in fact, are rapidly declining, despite a variety of reform and renewal efforts. But most black churches and those of other ethnic groups are growing. While I don't fully understand what is going wrong with the white churches, I am beginning to sense what is going right in so many African-American congregations. They are by no means perfect, but life is there. The whole self is engaged there. The Spirit moves there."
"What if it turns out that the greatest source of renewal for Christianity in America is to be found in churches led by those once called 'racial and ethnic minorities'? What if the day is coming, or is already here, when white Christians will have to undertake yet one more release—the release of our sense that we are the ones who know best how to do church? What if we find ourselves crossing those invisible but real racial boundary lines on a pilgrimage to discover where true Christian vitality is to be found?"
This week will challenge you to set out on just such a pilgrimage.
Until next week,
Harry Genet, Men of Integrity managing editor
Your feedback is welcome at Men@ChristianityToday.com.
 Tackle the Ethnic Status Quo
Currently disengaged groups can learn to work together.
 "What Are They Up To?"
David A. Anderson founded Bridgeway Community Church, a multicultural congregation in Columbia, Maryland. He teaches cultural diversity at the University of Phoenix, and hosts Reconciliation Live!—a Washington, DC, radio talk show on race relations.
| Read what David has to say |
advertisement
 Grab the Feelings by the Horns
by Todd Wilson
Hey Dad,
You know one of the great things about traveling around in an RV is that it is good for my marriage—eventually. Unfortunately, it takes about three weeks out on the road before it gets to that point. During the first couple of weeks there is a lot of stress, tears, and frustration.
More …
 Twelve Dates
Here's a fun way to celebrate your anniversary all year long.
by Mike Vander Klipp
It was our 15th anniversary and we were, ah, less than rich. We'd recently moved out of our starter home and into a slightly larger one to accommodate our three kids and 80-lb black lab. Add to that fact that our anniversary is in January, two weeks post-Christmas, and you get the picture of where we found ourselves financially.
| Finish this article |
 Disciplines of a Godly Man
Work up a "spiritual sweat" with this inspirational bestselling guide from R. Kent Hughes, and accept the challenges of godly living—no matter what the cost. |
 Road Warrior
The mental, spiritual, and emotional costs of business travel are bankrupting individuals and families. Stephen Arterburn and Sam Gallucci offer practical insights. |
 The Altar and the Door, CD
With their progressive music, Casting Crowns explores the journey between Sunday and Monday morning, when
everything that seemed so certain can become doubtful. |
 Subscribe to Men of Integrity
From Christianity Today International in association with Promise Keepers, this bimonthly magazine addresses issues men face and includes daily devotionals by well-known Christian leaders. Request a FREE trial issue today! |
 What Difference Does Character Make?
Character-building always involves a cross, but the end result is hope.
by Leslie Williams
An oilman discovered that someone was slant-drilling—illegally extracting oil from his property. When the oilman took his case to court, the other man bribed the judge, throwing the oilman into debt. Instead of declaring bankruptcy, the oilman paid all his debts.
| Finish this article |
The Men of Integrity Newsletter
Delivered free via e-mail to subscribers each week. We encourage you to distribute this newsletter freely and ask only that you not change its contents.
Copyright © Sunday, April 27, 2008 ChristianityToday.com, Christianity Today International
465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
All rights reserved.
|
How has your church related to people in your community from a different cultural background? It has…- Failed to extend a welcome to them
- Tolerated them but didnt encourage to remain
- Welcomed any who chose on their own to attend
- Provided space for them to hold their own services
- Co-sponsored community outreach events with them
- Visited them and actively solicited their attendance
- Created programs designed to cater to their needs
- Integrated elements of their culture into its services
- Worked some of its people into leadership positions
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'. |
How do you see the Ten Commandments as applying to you? They are …- Instructions by a loving, wise heavenly Father: 28%
- A way to live out love for God and people: 20%
- Basic indicators of God's nature and character: 16%
- An ethic from above for the whole of life: 15%
- Your "schoolteacher," leading you to faith: 10%
- A yardstick measuring your spiritual performance: 5%
- Must-keep prerequisites for winning God's favor: 1%
- Given for those who lack common sense: 1%
- An indicator of who'll be excluded from heaven: 1%
- Displaced by a personal relationship with God: 1%
- Irrelevant, decreed only for the Jewish nation: 0%
- Of marginal importance in the Christian era: 0%
- Arbitrarily pronounced requirements: 0%
- Inapplicable, since you are under grace, not law: 0%
|
Living Letters
Calligrapher Tim Botts gives new meaning to familiar words.
The Wait of War
How the conflict in Iraq is testing, and strengthening, military families.
|
|
If this page is not displaying correctly, please click here. 
