Another week that started with, "I think we'll only do about 20 links this time;" and ended with …
- The idea of "technical virginity" while appearing honorable, may be placing in teens and young adults a flawed notion of what constitutes true purity.
- A case for more announcements in church. Wait, what? Shouldn't that read fewer announcements? …
- … In either case, an announcement or two might have been helpful when the pastor says, "Oh, and by the way, I sold the church building last week."
- Many preachers speak from the security of a typed manuscript. However, here are some thoughts if you decide to drive off road.
- Church History Lesson: Read a preview of chapter one of Matthew Paul Turner's book, Our Great Big American God, releasing in two weeks. (Pentecost, American Style happened long before 1906.)
- Is the age of celebrity pastors with adoring fans slowly waning?
- Known online only as Eagle, he shares his story as well as the things he wrestled with; the things so many wrestle with. (There will be four parts to this, part two is now available.)
- Buried in this story: Johnnie Moore is transitioning from Liberty University to Chief of Staff for TV producer Mark Burnett.
- Big news around PARSE's CT headquarters last week was the launch of The Behemoth. No it's not a theme park ride …
- … The same week, PARSE's Skye Jethani launched a daily service whereby he will wake you up each morning. (Breakfast not included.)
- Theology on tap: If you like some beer with your Bible study, there may be a small group just for you.
- Vocational ministry: There's an online assessment test you can take to verify your calling, though in several places, the website is clear that it's for men only. (Question 1: Do you have a …?)
- Greeting one another in church with a holy kiss may not be the next big trend, but here are some things to think about the touchy subject of touch.
- The Pastor Gig: Keeping your feet on the ground when recognition, affirmation, and people-pleasing come knocking at the door.
- Including the story of Adam in your gospel presentation may be problematic, and here's why …
- … In other apologetics news, William Lane Craig dares to suggest that all those rapture party napkins and favors will never get used because the "great snatch" ain't happening.
- Best camp pickup-day story ever.
- A better picture of how Paul's epistles were written goes something like, "Tertius, step into my dungeon and take a letter." The Bible's dictation factor …
- … And those little notes at the top of each Psalm can be really complicated.
- This story just broke me this week.
- If you're a male in church leadership, you've got it made, though you might want to consider the impact this has on the women in your church.
- Worth sharing: Some practical considerations for starting spiritual conversations.
- Phil Vischer's What's In The Bible series is partnering with Seeds Family Worship ministry for live events across the U.S.
- A side of Stephen Colbert you haven't seen before. Or click here to watch the 10-min. video.
- Testimony: "If I was discipled to anyone in middle school, it was to the pop stars of the contemporary Christian music scene." The case for K-LOVE.
- While your son or daughter may be off to an evangelical college, it's also highly likely a LGBT-friendly club exists on campus.
- At a younger level, an 18-year old in process of leaving high school offers advice to some girls who are just entering high school.
- Making the case for church-based bookstores. (Omitted possibility: Doing this in partnership with a brick-and-mortar store, if one is nearby.)
- Essay of the Week (1): While many of us are secure in our tribes, there are some benefits to being on the margins …
- …or as this author refers to himself, as "an evangelical expat". (Get to know them; they're increasing in number.)
- Missed this one last month, and didn't want you to. I tell ya … teenagers these days.
- A more measured look at the Driscoll situation and its implications for other megachurches.
- I'm all for giving this apologetics book visibility, though this review really got into a lot of detail. Here's my own overview of what the book sets out to accomplish.
- On the sixth day of creation, the Father gave to me: "Take tomorrow off, okay." The six day work week and the story of origins.
- This list is hardly exhaustive, but with everybody and his brother doing their own Bible translation, you can't tell the players without a program. (Absent when photo taken: The Voice and N.T. Wright's NT, to name a few.)
- Just days from now, on the UK August Bank Holiday, the Greenbelt Festival 2014 lineup features a seemingly endless list of presenters and performers. (I got to be on the grounds at Greenbelt for a measly three hours once; would love to go back!)
- Essay of the Week (2): Those "What on earth was I thinking?" moments.
- More than architecture, the ministry story is also highlighted in a look at the three famous Orange County, CA churches.
- Nadia Bolz-Weber returns from sabbatical and lets her congregation know how much she missed them. (Click the link to listen to the 12 min. sermon as you read.)
- Music Resource of the Week: Getting your worship time running on all cylinders.
- Song of the Week: This remake of Hillsong United's "Oceans." (By the band I affectionately call Garfield Minus Garfield.)
- Book Trailer of the Week: This book released a few weeks ago, but engaged and pre-engaged women will especially appreciate A Christ Centered Wedding.
Oh oh! The internet meter just expired again and I'm out of quarters.
Paul Wilkinson is widely regarded as the world's best writer who does a column called Wednesday Link List for PARSE, and blogs the rest of the week at Thinking Out Loud and Christianity 201.
