Wednesday Link List: Drive-Thru Prayer, Praise Dancers, and More

There's something here for people at every age and every stage, including links to stories of interest to lay people and clergy, liturgists and charismatics. Or at least that's the theory.

The Gideons are no longer welcome at an Alabama Air Force base.
While being confronted about his infidelity, a Connecticut pastor dropped dead in the pulpit.
So will resurrected bodies have gender and corresponding gender roles to what we have now? An organization promoting the Biblical view of such things may have overstepped Scripture in saying yes.
13-Step Program: How to make a mess of Scripture interpretation.
The problem with church metrics: When the focus is all about parking spots and seating.
Pastor Must-Read: Six ways to avoid finding yourself in an embarrassing ministry situation.
If you studied classical philosophy or Catholic theology, or perhaps you just like donuts, here's a refresher to enjoy with coffee.
Giving it up for Lent: A Baptist writer thinks we should give up criticizing people who do or do not observe the 40-day tradition.
Analyzing the "nones" finds many of them to be unaffiliated believers, not atheistic. ("Nones" never works verbally; people think you mean "nuns.")
How to spiritualize a preference: Don't like Daylight Saving Time? Turn your dislike into a sermon.
On the one-year anniversary of their son Matthew's death, Kay Warren says not to tell grieving people it's time to move on.
Infographic: The social media, music, books, conferences, and controversies that shaped the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement, aka The New Calvinism.
Mark Driscoll has withdrawn his claim as a New York Times bestselling author in the wake of both criticism of his actions and exposure of the process that afforded that status.
Whether you're a pastor or author or neither, if you've gained a platform on social media, you can monetize it without selling your soul. (33 minute podcast with Michael Hyatt)
With the relaunch of the TV show Cosmos, Phil Vischer asks why religion and science can't just get along.
Essay of the Week (1): Shauna Niequist talks about her one-year older sister. You know her as Willow.
Essay of the Week (2): Do Roman Catholics worship relics? The artifacts are important, but this writer thinks worship is the wrong word.
Essay of the Week (3): In two U.S. states smoking pot is no longer illegal. Does that mean Christians are free to light up?
Intermission: A 3-minute film based on an article by Pete Wilson.
Orthodox Church leaders will meet for a rare summit in 2016; the last such meeting was 1,200 years ago.
A New Mexico student pastor gets an "I am your father" message on Facebook which turns out to be true. (Actually, it was a little less Star-Warsy.)
Marriage Checklist: Twelve reminders to keeping your spouse as your best friend.
Need a little redemption after a long day at work? A Florida church offers drive-thru prayer in the church parking lot.
Some see it as an extension of the church's regulatory obligations, but here is an argument in favor of church membership …
… Unless of course your church has these praise dancers. (Video clip not safe for church office, or possibly anywhere else.)
The Pope's first year: A video highlights reel …
… and Shane Claiborne reflects on the pontiff's first 365 days on the job.
If you call your ministry Eternal Perspectives, it's only a matter of time before you write about growing old …
… at the same site, Randy Alcorn's daughter Angela offers wisdom in using Facebook that applies to church leaders and everyone else.
Book your flights; according to this rundown, Christian conference season is in high gear …
… speaking of which, on my own blog this week we crash an InterVarsity staff conference.
Christianity and Culture: A review of Popcultured by Steve Turner.
Video of the Week: The Fundamentalist classic, Be A Missionary.
Seriously, Video of the Week: From Paul Baloche's about-to-be released album recorded live in Toronto, He is Risen.
Finally, an Easter gift for the person who has (almost) everything. For only $299, a full size replica of the Shroud of Turin.