Phil Cooke is a filmmaker, author, and speaker. Additionally, he is the founder and CEO of Cooke Pictures. In light of the non-response by Christian television to the conflict in Syria, he shared his concern about the growing irrelevance of their product: Christian television continues to grow more and more irrelevant because we refuse to take the time or trouble to address issues that really matter—when they matter. If you work at a Christian station or network, think about it. I’m Read More …
Worship Songs & Copyright (#1200)
Steve Thorngate's "Revise Us Again: Should Churches Alter Worship Texts?" (October 2, 2013 print edition of the Christian Century, also available online) is important enough that its content should find its way onto a committee, board, or other standing leadership body's meeting agenda at every house of worship in America. At issue is the legally and ethically appropriate use of worship songs and hymns, including making modifications to words in order to more accurately convey the theology Read More …
Catholics, Protestants, & Sexual Abuse (#1199)
For the last several years the Catholic church has received considerable attention related to clergy sexual abuse. In reality, such an issue is not confined to the Catholic Church. Boz Tchividjian is a Liberty University law professor, executive director of Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), and the grandson of Billy Graham. Last week at the Religion Newswriters Association conference he stated that the response by Evangelical Read More …
Reinventing Liberal Christianity (#1198)
Last week I read Theo Hobson's new book: Reinventing Liberal Christianity (2013). It is the sort of work that warrants deeper and more thoughtful consideration than my first read allowed. Since I am not likely to return to it for awhile yet find the content engaging and relevant, I will forgo a book review in favor of a book recommendation. Those interested in a thoughtful and thought provoking exploration of what liberal Christianity (largely Protestantism) is Read More …
Church Social Media Community Building Opportunity (#1197)
Marcus Cylar, itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is seeking your help with his Doctor of Ministry project centered around the question: "What are the characteristics and benefits of an effective, life-giving online pastoral support group in a social media setting?" The working title for this project is Examining Social Media's Role in Community Building and Spiritual Formation. Get Involved Marcus is looking for 30 participants of all ages (3 groups of 10) Read More …
Sermon: The Best Sermon (#1196)
Sermon Text Matthew 5-7 Sermon Excerpt I begin in a way I never have before and likely never will again by offering a bold guarantee. I assure you that this morning's sermon will be the best sermon you will ever hear. With this in mind, let us pray . . . As those who seek to follow the way of Jesus, may his wisdom continue to be our guide. Take and use the words I will speak to empower our imaginations, awaken us to new possibilities, and embolden us in our actions. Amen. When Read More …
What Should Pastors Wear? (#1195)
What should pastors wear during worship? Joseph Yoo, pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara (CA), recently addressed this question in a post titled "Pastor Dress Code." He writes: What is the appropriate attire that a pastor should wear on Sunday mornings? And, is it really that important? Apparently, the issue is much, much bigger than I had ever thought it would be. So What? I found myself spending more time reading the comments than the original Read More …
Tweeting at Quality Matters (#1194)
This week I have been in Nashville, TN attending the Quality Matters annual conference. According to their website, Quality Matters "is a leader in quality assurance for online education and has received national recognition for its peer-based approach to continuous improvement in online education and student learning." It is the standard Hodges University has chosen to adopt, and will soon be implementing. As has been the case at all of the professional conferences I have attended Read More …
WHCB: Summary & Next Steps (#1193)
I have devoted most of my posts over the last week to exploring an important topic: "What's Holding Christianity Back." Using a list of five items proposed by Christian Piatt, I considered church buildings, denominations, worship, church boards, and fear. So What? These factors are quite real. They must not be ignored. Reading these posts, pondering your own church experiences, and considering how an awareness of these issues may prove helpful as you live in the Read More …
WHCB: Fear (#1192)
Christian Piatt includes fear on his list of five things that are holding Christianity back. He suggests that "too often, our actions in church are governed principally by a response to what we fear might happen, rather than faithfully discerning what God is calling us to do." Reality Check Most congregations are risk averse. When boards engage in decision making in risk averse organizations the possibilities for the future often look a lot like the successes of the past Read More …