Russian Orthodox Church opens its arms and hands to the deaf
"Ministry for the deaf is well established in Western Christian denominations," explains The Moscow Times. "But in Russian Orthodoxy, a small group of devoted activists at the Church of Our Lady of Tikhvin are blazing a new trail. They have developed, almost from scratch, an Orthodox liturgical sign language. And according to [Priest Pyotr] Kolomeitsev, they measure their success against the depth of involvement of their churchgoers, rather than the sheer number of them." The paper also notes that while Orthodox liturgy "appeals strongly to senses other than hearing" with its icons, incense, and other practices, some changes to the liturgy have become necessary. For example, Kolomeitsev faces his congregation rather than the altar.
Jesus film showing canceled in Chekhov
Elsewhere in Russia, evangelicals hoping to show the Jesus film on Christmas (the January 6 one, not the December 25 one) in Chekov were denied by the government after initial approval. Days before the showing, a leading government official in the area said the license to show the film was being revoked because "the movie film about Jesus Christ is propaganda of a foreign, non-Orthodox faith." The churches are appealing the decision and hope to show the evangelistic film in February.
Alaskan pastor experiences an apparent resurrection
Reverend John Loper was sure the deer was dead when he found it on a rural Alaskan road and put it on the roof of his car. But a couple of miles down the road, people started honking. The deer, apparently, wasn't so dead after all. "It stood up there like a golden retriever on a joy ride," says Loper. Other pastors around the country are no doubt jealous for the sermon illustration …
Pastor wants church members on the streets | Trained teams would connect with troubled youths and try to bring them into churches. (The [Syracuse, New York] Post-Standard)
With corporate consolidation in worship music, more entities are invested in the songs sung on Sunday mornings. How will their financial incentives shape the church?
The late pastor theologian gave strong counsel to me and so many others in ministry.
With corporate consolidation in worship music, more entities are invested in the songs sung on Sunday mornings. How will their financial incentives shape the church?español
The Spirit’s descent at Pentecost is a model for diverse and distributed leadership.
