I don't usually write an introduction to the news and opinion selections here, but I wanted to say that while it's not represented in these pieces, it's difficult to ignore what CNN called "Religion's Week From Hell." Our thoughts are with the brothers and sisters worldwide and their families who have experienced horrible atrocities committed against them simply for being Christians. It's hard to find words. "…We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us …" (Rom 8:26 NIV)
Leadership Library – Something completely different to kick off this weekend, a book list. "Churches can’t say they don’t have resources for effecting change. … 33 books that help you do just that. All have something helpful, but I have bulleted ones that have stirred my passion for change." How many of these do you own?
Must Read: Christian Moms of LGBT Kids Speak Out – "This week … took me to one of the most sacred spaces yet; a private online support group for a couple hundred Christian moms of LGBT children. Each day they gather virtually, to share a unique, incredibly difficult journey. I was there as a temporary guest, to be a resource for those present; to answer questions, and to encourage them in any way that I could. During my three days with these amazing women, I was incredibly moved by their honesty, their vulnerability, their thoughtfulness, their strength, and most of all, their deep and abiding faith. It was inspiring and humbling … Knowing they were safe to speak honestly in anonymity, I asked these moms of LGBT children one simple question: 'What do you want Christians and church leaders to know about you, your kids, and your family?'"
Maximizing a Snow Day – I know, we should have had this at the start of the week. "My weeks are full and if I don't go into the office on a day I had planned to be in the office, everything I had planned on that day backs up to a future day. I feel so trapped and unproductive." Sample: "Special projects. What is a new project you've wanted to think about and haven't had time?" Seven short suggestions to keep on file.
The Scriptures in Their Own Place and Time – Because of my interest in John Walton's The Lost World of Genesis One, I was interested to see what reviewers said about his new release (co-authored with D. Brent Sandy), The Lost World of Scripture. (I guess this is a brand now!) One reviewer explains, "The primary emphasis in the book regards the distinction between literary production in a hearing-dominant world and literary production in a text-dominant world." Another review quotes, "If we question the continued sufficiency of the term inerrancy, it is not that we now admit that the Bible has errors. It is rather that the term inerrancy may no longer be clear enough, strong enough or nuanced enough to carry the weight with which it has traditionally been encumbered … if the term inerrancy, however, has become diminished in rhetorical power and specificity, it no longer serves as adequately to define our convictions about the robust authority of Scripture."
The US Has Testamints, The UK Has The Real Easter Easter Egg – "When in 2010 a team of Christians decided to launch a chocolate egg that contained the authentic message of Easter—and which also used high-quality Fair Trade chocolate and gave away a hefty portion of their profits to charity—it was met with a complete lack of interest by mainstream retailers. The Meaningful Chocolate Company might have had great chocolate and a noble ethic, but their religious meaning didn’t sit too well alongside Lindt bunnies and Chocolate Krispie chicks. So the company turned directly to churches and church schools, and received an overwhelming response." Now some of the region's top retailers realize they made a mistake.
Giving Up Lent for Lent – "God has called me, and you, into ministry to serve God. Not to have a paying job, not to pay back our seminary loans, not to create the programs we’ve dreamed of. No. We’ve been called into ministry because God called us and we said yes. At least, that’s my story. I was thirteen years old, and I felt God’s call to ministry. Some days I lose sight of that. I am frustrated at a board meeting or sitting at a blank screen trying to type a sermon, or looking at the decreasing funds and wondering if they can afford to pay me in the next few months, but I need to go back and remember, I am in this because I said yes to God."
They Sure Get a Lot of Press Coverage – A UK Christian magazine is the latest to devote a cover story to Christian rap music. "I loved the music and I loved the culture, but as I became more of a fanatic I realized that most of the content stood against everything that I stood for. The glorification of drugs, money and misogyny never sat well with me, not to mention the bad language. Back then, clean versions of records were few and far between, so I found myself rapping along but taking a deep breath of silence whenever a swear word appeared. That all changed one day while I was watching a Christian TV channel …"
Bobby Schuller's Two Churches to Merge into One – I kept thinking I'd heard this story before; it's reminiscent of the situation where Tullian Tchividjian assumed the pastorate of Coral Ridge and the church merged with New City Presbyterian, which he had founded. "Tree of Life Community church, founded by the Rev. Bobby Schuller, will merge into Shepherd's Grove church, home of Crystal Cathedral Ministries and the Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller television program, on March 1. Members of both congregations approved the consolidation last month. Schuller had pastored the two churches since assuming leadership of Shepherd's Grove in January 2014. 'This move is a natural progression of what we feel God wants to do with our ministries,' said Schuller. 'The transition from Crystal Cathedral to where we are now was seamless, and the Hour of Power continues to grow and reach more people with the gospel.'"
Paul Wilkinson blogs at Thinking Out Loud and edits the C201 daily devotional.
