Wednesday Link List: The Dechurched Project, .Church Domain Names, and More

The link list knows no borders, so you won't find any gloating about Canada's Olympic hockey wins here.

A 78-year old pastor whose church is often considered the mother of all megachurches has been sidelined for financial impropriety. Both he and his son face three years in prison.
Unlike Lot's wife, Pope Francis was turned into a pillar of chocolate …
… But the Pontiff was no match for the wind.
Despite its broad religious history, you can now have your AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting without reference to a higher power.
A California Baptist church is selling off assets from the parsonage in order to help its pastor make bail after an arrest in a firebombing incident.
Essay of the Week: To gather weekly, or not to gather weekly. Here is an answer.
In a big church world, sometimes small churches feel … well … bullied.
Hope you're sitting down for this one: The latest charismatic practice you need to know about is called "grave sucking." Step one: Locate the grave of an anointed Christian leader or revivalist. (Or choose this video.)
Kirk Cameron has a new baseball adventure DVD, but you can't buy it at Lifeway, you can't buy it at CBD; you can only buy it through one retailer.
If you think the worst record of violence against Christians would be held by an Islamic country, according to one study, you would be wrong.
Does your church offer "emotionally healthy" worship music? I'd love to be a fly on the wall this week for Brian Doerksen's course at Prairie Bible Institute …
… And for some people who've been through some storms, getting back to church may not be what they need right now.
All in the Family: Charisma Magazine's article about Katy Perry and PKs who fall away was written by Dale Hudson, but Katy's dad is Keith Hudson of Hudson Ministries. Related?
A reflection on the passing of Arvella Schuller, considered a major force in the founding of the Hour of Power and the Crystal Cathedral.
The Jesus Seminar people should have written this: Turns out Martin Luther didn't say the things attributed to him, including "Here I stand …"
Ministry succession plans: I love what Steve Brown writes on what is currently the top post at the Key Life blog, and what his board members added.
We all use the word, and we know what we mean by it, but one writer takes the time to construct a proper definition of 'reformed.'
People are still talking about Donald Miller's confession that church doesn't fit with his ADD issues. I wonder how he'd feel about a six hour service on Good Friday, from 6:00 PM to Midnight? …
… And if you've got 44 minutes, Miller doesn't retract anything, but regrets posting the article.
Worship team checklist: Do you approach music ministry with the attitude of a volunteer or the attitude of a professional? You may not agree with this guy's criteria.
A DC Catholic hospital chaplain refused to give a heart attack patient the last rites sacrament after learning the patient was gay.
Here's the 411 on how to get a church gTLD or if you prefer, the latest update on how to get a dot-church address.
If you felt cheated on the two Pope Francis stories above, here's an explanation of administrative changes he is making at The Vatican.
One writer sees Missio Alliance as a true coalition and one that is committed to the gospel.
Rethinking the phrase, "I'm in the world but not of it."
Here's a research study at the University of Northern Colorado that you might want to track over time: The Dechurched Project.
At my own blog this week, I couldn't help notice the similarity between the life stories of Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber and a song by the UK Christian band After the Fire. And then, ATF's Peter Banks dropped in …
… and while everyone else was consumed with Steven Furtick's somewhat propaganda-like coloring book for kids, I looked at the practice of "priming the pump" for baptism altar calls.
It's easy to be misunderstood when your ministry focus is reaching the un-evangelized; hence this piece in support of rapper Lecrae.
Culture Watch: When being married with children is considered to be an "alternative lifestyle."
At the end of the day, a leader's job is to lift up others.
Online Bible search tools give us so much information we never had. Favorite Bible verses vary by country.
Bonus points today if you get this one.
Zondervan did so well with The Jesus Storybook Bible for kids, they decided adults also needed a Bible with a strong Old Testament Christology.
Finally, in just a few days, the people right here at PARSE are putting together a one-day leadership conference that takes place in a Chicago glass blowing studio. (Yeah, well you didn't think of it, did you?)