This week contains many links that will be of interest to pastors and church leaders, along with the usual dash of quirkiness.
- The video of the week consists of a bunch of grumpy old men describing why Christian hip-hop music is spiritually incongruous. (For balance, there’s this.)
- When a pastor is asked to pray before a public event, should the prayer be vetted first by non-Christians?
- A play in Oklahoma City that puts a gay spin on the Bible is the subject of a protest by area clergy.
- An Albuquerque pastor has organized a social media blitz for today to call attention to the plight of Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned in Iran.
- At $14.2M, a copy of Psalms is now the most expensive book in the world.
- TBN Television founder Paul Crouch died over the weekend at age 79.
- Identifying as “Christian” could put you in the highest of risk categories.
- Still stuck for what to get that special congregation for a Christmas sermon?
- A seven-year old boy in India is murdered, and the assumption—in an area known for persecution—is it’s because of his strong Christian faith.
- Despite the trend toward secularization in the US, the Holy Family postage stamp is back for another year.
- A pastor draws a parallel between the societal trend toward delayed adolescence, and similar spiritual immaturity among parishioners.
- Making the case: Sharing your faith in the face of apathy.
- Essay of the Week: Some insight, both pro and con, into the clergy housing tax allowance.
- Analogy of the Week: Joel Osteen is using up too much of God’s bandwidth.
- Focus on the Family re-aired their interview with Bono on Monday, an interview which brought 80% support and 20% criticism. (Select the 12/02 broadcast to listen.)
- The band For King and Country is the latest group to set up shop in the K-LOVE studios, this time with a new Christmas song.
- Phillip Yancey condenses a Willow Creek Q&A with representatives of different faith groups.
- To avoid the usual holiday fatigue you need margin. But you also need rhythm.
- A church planter in downtown Toronto gets some practical advice taking a photography course.
- An expert on aging has data suggesting that when retirement hits, the Boomer Generation will return to church.
- There’s something for everyone on your list at the Religious News Service Gift Guide …
- … One of which is the Awkward Moments Children’s Bible (not recommended for children).
- On my own blog this week, the real Christmas story is more than just the Luke narrative …
- … and a great idea for a Christian situation comedy.
- Another reason for pastors staying put at a single church for the long haul.
- When you think “missional,” do you picture smaller, grassroots churches? Can you be missional and megachurch at the same time?
- Growing up Evangelical: A well-known author gives five reasons to celebrate her spiritual heritage. (#4: Potlucks)
- Growing up Fundamentalist: A new blog—just days new—titled Plymouth Brethren Dropout.
- If your church numbers are declining, here are seven things not to do.
- Enliven your reading of the Old Testament with this eight question checklist …
- … And from one year ago, the next time someone suggests there really isn’t a clear prohibition of premarital sex in Scripture, you’ll be ready if you bookmark these three responses.
- Brad Lomenick continues the tradition of monthly celebration of the next generation of Christian voices.
- For the church staff member or parachurch organization leader on your shopping list, you could consider this, but sadly, only for a male recipient.
Link list curator Paul Wilkinson writes from Canada where by law, all blog posts must be in both English and French. You can read the English editions at Thinking Out Loud and Christianity 201. For Christmas, he wants more Twitter followers.
