What Doth Bono Have to Do with Rick Warren? - Christianity Today Magazine

I know that people have many different opinions on U2 and their influence on Christian and Social issues. I was wondering what people on the WesleyBlog roll think that U2's legacy will be. Do they really make a difference in the world or just use these "causes" for publicity to sale records and tours?

Weblog: What Doth Bono Have to Do with Rick Warren? - Christianity Today Magazine

Pastor Apologizes for "Koran" Sign

Update on the "Flush the Koran" Baptist sign.

-- Beliefnet.com

Wesley Blog: Church Music & Your Soul

I'm sure many of you have already read this excellent column. I have to say that I agree with Shane's opinions and hope that many more of our churches would be willing to accept change, and not grow stagnant, eventually die. Seven last words of the church "We never did it that way before".

Wesley Blog: Church Music & Your Soul

Church sign sparks debate

What are your thoughts? I know that I believe that the Bible is above every book, and that the Koran does not lead one to faith in Christ (or enter heaven). I can understand the thinking behind why they put up this sign. I guess being from N.C. and know people like this on a personal level also helps me to understand this position.

But, is this the way to reach others with the gospel? I know some will say that Jesus sometimes took on people and used this time of approach. Jesus also was a friend of sinners and won them with love. Which one should we be doing? I know there are some who believe in different styles of evangelism (door to door, special nights of visitation, friendship, street preachers, etc). Which one do you think is the most Biblical?

The Digital Courier: Church sign sparks debate

One of those days : )

"I had one of those days" today. It seems like nothing went according to plans, or did not after the first hour. I had good intentions to get our Vacation Bible School posters and other promotional stuff done today. Those were worthy goals, but would not get done. The computers in the church office were not able to hook up to the internet, so I decided to call our internet provider, and this began at least a 4 hour ordeal. I have heard enough "phone" music today to last a life time. I was also spent time with at least 4 different people, maybe more. I'm not really a phone person, so that did not help today. After 4 hours, I thought the internet problem was fixed. I was able to download a few sites, so my phone friend and I thought it was fixed. I had just hung up, and the computer would no longer work right. I was completely frustrated by this turn of events, that I decided to give up on the internet. I did get a few things done, but most of the day seemed like a waste. I know the old saying goes, "mom said there would be days like this" sure came in handy today.

I also know that "This is the day the Lord has made, so I will be glad and rejoice in it." I know my little problem is nothing to what others have to endure on a daily basis. I realize that I'm truly bless, even if I did not feel like it on the phone for four hours.

Restore Free Speech to Preachers!

I found this article to be very interesting in a couple of ways. I learned a few things I did not know before.

First, "This restriction is not part of the U.S. Constitution. It's a tax law enacted through a legislative maneuver more than 50 years ago by Sen. Lyndon Johnson to silence his political enemies." I did not realize that the IRS threat against the church was so recent.

Second, "The good news is that there's a solution to this injustice. It's called House Resolution 235, the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act. This vital legislation would return the First Amendment protection of free speech back to America's pulpits." I did not know that there was a House resolution that is dealing with this issue. I guess there are many different opinions on this topic.

I'm not in favor of a pastor that spends more time on political issues than shepherding his congregation. I do find that throughout the Bible, God's prophets and leaders did speak out against many government leaders and their immoral practices. I believe that we should share the teachings of God and preach His word.

Charlotte Observer | 05/16/2005 | Restore free speech to preachers

Biblical literacy matters

I do believe that we need to do a better job of teaching the Bible. It will require all ministries within our churches to stress the Bible. I think it's a shame when we have people who don't know the heroes of the Old and New Testament.

I'm also glad to see how the writer reminds us of the influence the Bible has had on our culture. The impact that the Bible has had with our language, books, and other areas. Some in our culture and courts want to wipe out our Judea-Christian heritage from our nation.

Lincoln's struggle to believe

A real interesting read on the Presidency and Faith.

Sports, Superstitions, and God

I know that I do take issue with some of his reasoning (Calvinism) and don't quite interpret the Bible the same way he does. He does forget that Pharoah hardened his own heart first (Ex. 8:15,32 Ex 9:34). I know that I don't want to get into the whole argument on Sovereignity vs Free Will, for it has been argued for centuries. I just found the article amusing and reminded me of some of my own "habits" before a game. I never liked to call them "superstitions", so it was just "habits"

I use to coach basketball for 6 years, and we develop certain things we did before games. We even had a special "Lego Bird" in our pregame ritual. There was something about our pregame routine that brought about a calmness in us before games.

I also disagree with his "feelings toward Duke basketball" since I'm a huge Duke fan here in Tar Heel country (or Tar Hole country as some of us call it).

Last Article on NC Mountain Preacher

This article was in the Charlotte Observer today. I like most of the article, except that the IRS should ever get involved with churches. I'm still opposed to that idea, for it could open up a whole can of worms.

Update on the Stroud Case

I'm glad to hear that we have minister's standing up for the teaching of the Bible. It makes me hopeful that our denomination will still be a voice for truth. I hope that the UM Judicial Council will rule under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and of many years of church teachings.

I was listening to one of my lectures in my Church History Class the other day, and it reminded me of today's church. The professor was talking about how the early church was adopting many of the government style of Rome into the church. Bishops being similar to the Emperors, the hierarchy system in the Roman government and in the church, and other examples.

We have had for the past 40 years in America, people who's ideas are not supported by the laws of our country use the courts to overule the law of the land (Roe vs. Wade, the greatest example to date). We have those same people in the UMC trying to use the judicial system within the church to change the law of God and our church. Please be in prayer for our leaders both in the United Methodist Church and the United States of America.

Servanthood

On Wednesday's, I lead chapel at a local private Christian high school. The lesson today was on servanthood. I was using John 13 and how Jesus Himself came to serve others. The night before He was to die, not only did the disciples have the Last Supper with Jesus, but Jesus washed the disciples feet. Amazing!!!

As I've thought about the idea of Servanthood throughtout the day, I wonder if this is something that the church in the 21st century has forgotten. I know it's dangerous to make statements that are based on a few examples, but when is the last time that your church had a foot washing service. I know that the churches that I've attended, we have never did this simple example of servanthood. I have been at a summer camp, when a few people in the crowd participated with the leaders in a foot washing, and that is the only time. I was wanting to demonstrate this today during chapel, but no one in the room was willing to let me wash their feet.

I reminded them that there are a few keys to servanthood:

1. We have to get rid of our pride
2. We must participate, or be active serving
3. We need to have a passion to help those in need

I also reminded them how Jesus taught that the "First will be last and the last will be first". I also realized today that Pride is something that seeks to be served and not to serve. The sin that led Lucifer to rebel against God, was Pride. I'm sure that Satan has never felt the need to serve others, but only to "kill, steal, and destroy."

I believe that Pride can be the most dangerous sin for leaders in the church. Leaders must remember that God has called and gifted us. Be careful to not allow the "pats on the back" and the "good sermon, preacher" to boost our egos. If we are in an attitude of serving others, then it will help us to "know Him and make Him known".

Pastor in rift over politics leaves pulpit

Here's a update on the NC Mountain Preacher who resigned from the church on Tuesday night.

Jesus Christ Can't Get Driver's License

I know this story is very trivial after the Beth Stroud Case, War in Iraq, and State's Budget issues. I just thought this story was a little strange, like our "Mountain Preacher" here in North Carolina. I do believe the man is a little strange, for wanting to change his name to Jesus Christ, but many in the Muslim world do take the name Mohammed. I know that the name "Christian" is good enough for me and I don't feel the need to change my name to Jesus Christ legally anytime soon.

Happy 45th Birthday Bono :)

Happy Birthday to the lead singer of the greatest band on earth: U2!!!

Church Membership based on Vote for Bush??

I know that this story is making the rounds on a lot of blogs and here in the local news in the Charlotte, N.C. area. This story brings out the following opinions in me.

First, I do not believe that church membership should ever be based on anyone besides Jesus Christ. I believe that you have to be a Christian, which includes a profession of faith and to be baptized as a sign of that covenant, is the only qualifications for church membership that I believe is taught.

Second, I agree that a pastor in the pulpit on Sunday should not publicly endorse a specific candidate, but that pastors should preach the Word of God. If the things that the Bible teaches tend to favor one candidate over the other, so be it. I know there are issues that are taught in the Bible that fall into the platforms for both parties, so the priority of the individual will help shape his political opinions. If someone feels that Abortion is the most important Biblical teaching, then they will probably vote Republican. If someone feels that "Helping the Poor and Widows" is the most important Biblical teaching, then they will probably vote democrat.

Third, the threat of taking away a church's "tax exempt" status over this, and see how the democrats used churches in the past campaign, just seems very Hypocritical to me. I remember John Edwards came and spoke to an African American church in the Charlotte region, and no one screamed for that church to lose their "tax exempt" status. I have seen both parties do this, and it does not really bother me or will not sway me one way of the other in an election. I believe that there are people in the IRS that would love to see this begin, and the dominoe effect that this would have on churches is very scary to me.

Lottery or Video Poker: What's the Difference? $$$

The Senate's budget cuts the corporate tax rate starting in 2007 and trims the rate on the highest income bracket next year while raising taxes on items such as cigarettes, satellite TV and liquor. It creates a state lottery, bans video poker, gives state employees a 2 percent pay raise and lops 57,000 elderly, blind or disabled patients off the Medicaid rolls, shifting them to Medicare.

This is a quote from the Wednesday Charlotte Observer. Our state government has decided to join the "crowd" and form a state lottery. I find it another example of people not willing to take a stand against all types of gambling. I know that there are many people who see nothing wrong with gambling, but most denominations, including ours, southern baptist, and many others stand against gambling, including lotteries.

I do not see any difference in a lottery, where you pay to choose numbers and hope to win a lot of money, and poker, once again where you make a decision with cards and hope to win a lot of money. How could the same people vote for one and not the other? The lottery money will be going for "government programs" and they get no profits from video poker machines. I believe that they are both unbiblical and we should encourage people to abstain from these practices. I know that many people get caught in the trap and it has a horrible affect on their loved ones.

This is just another example of our politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, not taking a stand against "sin" unless it suits their own gain. I believe that this attitude is not just prevelant in our governments, but in our churches. I hope that we will see a rise in the number of pastors and church leaders from any denomination take stands for the teachings of the Word of God.

Bible Teaching in Public Schools

I was really excited to see that this Texas school district was going to allow a Bible course to be taught in it's school district. I know that a class like this was very important in my life. I live in Kannapolis, NC and we had Bible taught in our local, public schools. It was taught once a week in 6th grade, then when you got to high school, you could take it as a history elective. The school offered Bible I and Bible II, so you could actually take 2 years in high school. I was saved at 13, and I learned a lot of Bible facts in these courses. The courses could only teach the Bible as History, and we did not get into any discussions on Baptism, Communion, Sovreignity, Free Will, etc. It was also during this time that the Lord begin to call me into ministry, and the influence of my Bible teacher, Mr. Hazeltine, would lead me to attend the same college that he did.

I know that there will be liberal groups (ACLU, People for the American Way, etc) who will try to scare this school system with lawsuits. I hope and pray that they will not give into this pressure and allow the seed of God's Word to be planted in the lives of our young people. It would also help people know more about the Bible. I taught Bible in Christian schools for 12 years (one a non-denominational and the other SBC) and since becoming DCE in Jan 2004, I'm amazed at the lack of Biblical knowledge the average young person has. I dont want to turn this into a Sunday School debate, and the programs that we have for our young people, but a class in a public school could help our congregations know the stories that we preach about as ministers.

Candidacy Process for UMC Ministers

I was wondering what some of you who have completed this process thought of it. I was wondering what the pros and cons are. I'm currently in the Inquiring phase of the process, and hope to be into the Declared phase by fall. I have a mentor, and I've sent my $$$ for the book to begin the Candidacy Guidebook with my mentor. I know looking at the process on paper, it seems to be overwhelming and a bit burdensome (did the early Methodist preachers have this many hoops to jump through). How does our process compare with other denominations, and what is the average time it took for you to go from a Inquiring candidate to a Local Pastor? I would love to here from as many as possible your stories and opinions on this subject.

Scott

P.S. I was also wondering is there a future for an evangelical, conservative, Bible believing Methodist in the UMC?

Don't Understand the Debate on Homosexuality

I do not understand how there can be a debate on this topic that is raging through many denominations, including my own, the UMC. I believe the Bible (I truly believe that this is where the problem begins when people do not believe that the Word of God is "inspired" and "inerrant" in it's teachings) teaches in both the Old and New Testament that Homosexuality is a Sin. I know that we live in a time when people have tried to push this "alternative lifestyle" down our throat. I'm amazed at how accepted this is now. When I was saved in the 1980, I don't think that this was even a topic of discussion. In the 90's, we had the famous, "dont ask, dont tell" policy that was introduced in our military. Now, we have some denominations believing it's ok to be the leader of Christ's church. I don't think the discussion is about if God loves the homosexual, for the Bible teaches that God does not a respector of persons. God's love is for everyone, but He also has a set of requirements for leadership in the church. I know that it may seem simple, and the "well educated" tend to ridicule people who believe God's word, but if I had to make a choice on the teachings of scripture and modern philosophy, I dont think there's any question on the subject.