Schlabach, Gerald W. Unlearning Protestantism: Sustaining Christian Community in an Unstable Age. Brazos Books, 2010. ISBN: 9781587431111. Meet the Author Gerald W. Schlabach is an associate professor of theology and director of the Justice and Peace Studies program at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. He is the founder and currently serves as the executive director of Bridgefolk, which is a movement of Mennonites and Roman Catholics who come together to Read More …
Megachurches Shaping American Protestantism (#0144)
Leadership Network just released their bi-annual Large Church Salary and Benefits Report, which explores the results of their latest survey of many of the largest Protestant churches in America and Canada. For the purpose of the research "large churches" are those with 1000+ in average weekly worship attendance while "megachurch" status is reserved for those with 2000+ in weekly worship attendance. For those interested in more details, the full 31 page Read More …
Poorer = More Religious? (#0143)
Gallup recently published an article explaining the results of their 2009 survey on global religiosity, which consisted of telephone and face-to-face interviews with approximately 1,000 adults in each of 119 countries. The data shows that "religion continues to play an important role in many people's lives worldwide." Specifically: The global median proportion of adults who say religion is an important part of their daily lives is 84% Money matters: lower per-capita income is Read More …
Celebrating my Twitterversary (#0142)
Happy Twitterversary Sowhatfaith I joined Twitter one year ago today, which makes today my first twitterversary. Initially, I tweeted sparingly (between 31 and 56 times a month). Once I felt more familiar with the discipline , I tweeted a bit more (between 89 and 97 times a month). Last month I fully embraced tweeting and posted more than ever by some margin (276 tweets). This month I am on pace for about the same number of tweets as last Read More …
I Quit! – Sermon for September 12 (#0141)
I Quit! (Text: I Corinthians 1:10-17) Let us pray. Holy One, you are still speaking God – enable us to be a still listening people. May my words and the conversations they produce draw us closer to Jesus and to all who seek to follow him. Amen. Church fights happen more often than we like to admit and can do more harm than a damage assessment report might suggest. Arguments can begin with something as routine as choosing new carpet for the fellowship hall or Read More …
Call to Worship for Sunday, September 12 (#0140)
Call to Worship Love is what draws us here. Our desire to be loved entices us. Brother-Sister love invites us. God’s creative love unites us. Love is what fills us here. A friendly embrace warms us. Holy conversation informs us. Christ’s Read More …
Prayer of Invocation for Sunday, September 12 (#0139)
Prayer of Invocation and the Lord's Prayer Leader: No matter who you are – what you have done or have left undone / No matter where you are on life’s journey – how widely you have traveled or how persistently you have sought to stand still /In this house of worship, all are welcome to experience the indescribable and immeasurable love of God. Together, let us pray to the Triune God . . . All: Most Gracious God, we greet you once again in this sacred space. We have come Read More …
Glenn Beck the Spiritual Leader? (#0138)
Glenn Beck is best known as a conservative news commentator and host of The Glenn Beck Program. In recent months, he has made comments and taken actions that lead many to believe he is seeking or has assumed a new role as a religious leader. During his March 2 radio program he said: I beg you, look for the words "social justice" or "economic justice" on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Read More …
Review of Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites . . . and Other Lies You’ve Been Told (#0137)
Wright, Bradley R. E. Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites . . . and Other Lies You've Been Told: A Sociologist Shatters Myths From the Secular and Christian Media. Bethany House, 2010. ISBN: 9780764207464 Meet the Author Bradley Wright is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut. After keeping quiet about his Christian faith early in his career, Wright became more open after gaining tenure. His specialties include religion, social Read More …
Review of Mere Churchianity (#0136)
Spencer, Michael. Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way Back to Jesus-Shaped Spirituality. WaterBrook Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780307459176. Meet the Author Michael Spencer is best known for founding and serving as the primary writer of the Internet Monk, which was consistently rated among the top twenty Christian blogs for many years. Spencer earned a seminary degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, preached each week at a private school and a Presbyterian Read More …