Turning the Tables – Pope Francis is, figuratively speaking, turning over the tables and less figuratively driving the money changers out of the temple. The move to stop selling Papal blessings—somehow reminiscent of the selling of indulgences, leading up to the Reformation—is based on a 2010 decision, but could cost up to 500 jobs.
Meet the Dones – You've heard of the Nones, now meet the Dones. "They’re sometimes called the de-churched. They have not abandoned their faith. They have not joined the also-growing legion of those with no religious affiliation—often called the Nones … [T]hese de-churched were among the most dedicated and active people in their congregations. To an increasing degree, the church is losing its best."
Looking for Platform? – "In pastoral ministry, writing, social media, and blogdom, there is a temptation to pursue being popular; to pursue being a celebrity … This includes denying our desire to be popular, our desire to be celebrities." Ten signs you might be a Christian celebrity wannabe. Sample "#6. You cannot correct the wrong doctrines of your Celebrity Christian heroes or admit when they’re wrong."
Making the Bestseller List and Checking it Twice – If nothing else, the Mark Driscoll situation alerted us to the presence of ResultSource, an organization which helps authors get noticed and possibly rewarded with the right to say, "New York Times Bestselling Author." This week Warren Throckmorton introduced some other names to the discussion, people who acknowledge the help of ResultSource's CEO including David Jeremiah and Les & Leslie Parrott.
Supporting the Brand – In a somewhat rare look at a document originally written for insiders, Hillsong's senior leaders are told that while the vision is global, the church should express itself in a single, unified manner. The words brand or branding are never used but the intention is that there be "singularity in plurality."
Your Church Doesn't Need Publicity Like This – A search engine analysis of the term "Youth Pastor" during the month of October alone turned up some disturbing results. This is not how you want your church to make the news. (The third from the last stands in contrast to the rest.)
Congregational Alerts – Sometimes I find an item online only to realize that it's a sponsored post; someone is ultimately selling something. But this one raises a good point, namely your church having the capacity to send out a mass text message to church members with the push of a single button. Cancellations or reminders are possible uses but of the eight suggested uses, doing a church-wide opinion poll was the most interesting. "Okay people, green carpeting or blue carpeting?"
Accommodation for All – Though schools in one Maryland county will continue to close for Christmas, the name of the holiday, and all religious holidays will no longer appear on school calendars after Muslims complained. Meanwhile in Colorado, a student is suing after being told that a group of students can only pray or sing hymns in an unused classroom when it's outside of actual school hours.
Tony the Tiger Comes Out – The maker of Pop Tarts, Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks isn't popular with the American Family Association after taking out an advertisement in an Atlanta Gay Pride publication featuring Frosted Flakes' Tony next to the caption, "Wear Your Stripes With Pride." An article notes the cereal maker Kellogg "join a plethora of companies that have actively promoted homosexuality."
Paul Wilkinson edits the devotional blog Christianity 201
