Transforming Worship Spaces – With the recent attention being given to a Barna Study on the preferred choice of church architecture by Millennials, this four minute video from the summer is worthy of much consideration. "We have the tools of modern technology which allow us to transform our modern spaces into powerful storytelling canvases. My fear is that with all the modernization of culture we often don't leverage the tools beyond the simple inclusion of technology." Watch the video with your tech team.
Church Decline Parallels Decline of the Middle Class – A pastor writes, "From the very beginning, Christian communities were composed of urban dwellers of the middle class. Saint Paul’s travels were focused on cities that had established synagogues and vibrant marketplaces. He engaged the intellectual establishment, praised those who patronized the early movement, and described his work in Rome as a fundraising trip for the poor church in Jerusalem." The argument is that it's all about economics. Agree?
Essay of the Week – Using music and food as examples, the author grieves a Western appropriation of cultural properties from other places, "I am concerned that we are falling into a trap so easy for our American culture, of seeing something we like, taking it as our own, and disregarding the people who created it." Have we become what might be called worship colonists?
Of the Writing of Articles on Homosexuality There is No End – First, at the website Biblical Counseling, a lengthy and complex look at Reparative Therapy. "It appears to provide an explanation for homosexuality, but comes up short. It actually does not explain why some struggle with homosexuality, and others do not." Next, at Christianity Today, Ronald Sider challenges the church to look at how it approaches the topic, in an excerpt from a forthcoming book.
Anne Graham Lotz on Mars Hill – So many have spoken out on the situation at Mars Hill Seattle, yet perhaps none are as outspoken as Anne Graham Lotz: "[I]t's better that a millstone was tied around their neck and then thrown into the sea than it is to face a holy God when you have damaged his people like that." The controversy has coincidentally taken place when her latest book is about being hurt by the church.
One Nation Under Here-We-Go-Again – Yes, it's time for another round of legal battles over the phrase under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. This time it's New Jersey. NBC News notes that, "In May, the highest court in Massachusetts ruled in a similar case that the words "under God" in the pledge reflect a patriotic practice, not a religious one." State Superior Court Judge David Bauman promised to issue a written ruling soon.
When Nobody Reaches for the Baton You're Passing – Previous generations worked hard to build the church, both the building itself and its attendant ministry programs and procedures. So it's gotta hurt when the next generation simply doesn't share the same passion for the location or the ministry agenda. A letter to the frustrated older generation.
The Gospel According to Linus – One of the greatest prime time proclamations of the gospel wasn't a Billy Graham special, but Linus Van Pelt reading the story to Charlie Brown from Luke chapter two 50 years ago, and each year since. (Though the program almost didn't happen.) Now comes word that a Peanuts movie will release for Christmas 2015, and while we don't know to what extent it's Christmas-themed and will need to wait a year to find out, at least we already get to watch the trailer.
New Updates are Available for Your Bible – A writer for the NBC show Parks and Recreation offers some updates that will make your Bible more friendly to certain types of users.
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