Overcoming Pride in Ministry
Few things are more dangerous in the life of the church than prideful leaders
“Men who aspire to one of the separticular offices ought not to aspire to having a title in the church, but ought rather to aspire to reflect the only One who is worthy of praise, glory, and honor—Jesus. Such a perspective keeps us from checking the bulletin and annual report to see if our names... Continue Reading
4 Reasons Christianity Isn’t Actually Dying
Reports of churches declining and Nones growing are actually a case of mistaken identity
So is Christianity dying? No. Like Mark Twain’s demise, the report of the inevitable death of Christianity is also exaggerated because of mistaken identities. It will frustrate its critics and comfort its followers, but Christianity is still alive and well. Prompted by Pope Francis’s recent historic visit to the United States, Bill Hemmer did a special broadcast for... Continue Reading
Faithful Christian Communities in a Darkening Future
Rod Dreher, conservative writer and commentator, addressed a Faith and Law gathering on Capitol Hill on Oct. 9 regarding his proposal of the “Benedict option”
Today we are faced with a civilizational disaster, Dreher asserted. It is a comfortable collapse, but a collapse nonetheless. Now a new Benedictine rule is needed to teach Christians how to order their lives. We need practice for resilient and faithful Christian communities. No longer can we identify Christianity with the American Empire. We must... Continue Reading
Anglican Church Wins Land-Use Fight with Florida City
After a two year legal battle, a Florida Anglican congregation finalized an agreement with the city of Jacksonville Beach for a special permit to build a church
Senior pastor David Ball found an affordable piece of property, about 1.5 acres, on the small town’s main drag. He thought the location would be ideal for attracting worshipers around the community. But the land was zoned for “residential, single family” use, and it was split down the middle by a city-owned sewer station. Organizations... Continue Reading
South African Church Latest to Fold on Same-Sex Marriage
The Dutch Reformed Church (NGK) in South Africa has voted to recognize same-sex marriages
The move to allow same-sex marriage in the church should not come as a surprise to observers. In July, the church decided it was time to pursue equal rights for homosexual pastors. The church had been contemplating the change since 2007, when it opened its doors to openly homosexual members and refused to exercise church discipline... Continue Reading
Church And State Collide at Florida Capitol Over ‘Pastor Protection Act’
“Look at the true intent of this bill,” said Rev. Harold Thompson of Miami Beach
Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, said his proposal (HB 43) is an “extra layer of protection” intended to assure that clergy do not have to perform same-sex marriages if they violate their religious beliefs or moral convictions. Church and state collided Wednesday in a Capitol hearing room crowded with dozens of clergy members as a... Continue Reading
Episcopalians Continue Bleeding Members, Attendance at Alarming Rate
While the Episcopal Church has established a continued pattern of steady decline since the early 2000s, the unbroken trend is relatively recent
“We have lived for too long like that shamed and bleeding woman. She’s had to endure finger-waggers blaming her for her own illness. Anger and anxiety over membership loss in this church has frequently prompted finger-waggers to use that image of unstoppable hemorrhage – and it’s been going on for almost exactly 12 years, since... Continue Reading
There’s More to Calvinism than the Five Points of Calvinism
The five points of Calvinism did not originate with John Calvin, and they were not the sum total of his teaching
Although the Synod affirmed five points of doctrine as opposed to the five points of remonstrance, it never intended that anyone would limit Reformed theology or Calvinism to these five points. That would be like taking one court case and regarding it as definitive of the entire American justice system. Fascinating Fact #1: The five... Continue Reading
Justin Welby’s Wager and the Threat of a ‘Liquid’ Anglican Communion
Characterised by fewer traditional institutions and structures, there will be greater flexibility, looser geographical boundaries, ease of movement and constant change
“First, there is little agreement on how to evaluate the current situation in the Anglican Communion. Second, given the lack of details in the announcements regarding what the Archbishop of Canterbury actually has in mind, many commentators are assuming the worst.” With some leaders of the Anglican Communion accusing others of not being “Christian,”... Continue Reading
Websites of Most Individual Protestant Churches Cannot Be Located Through Denominational Website
Only a 32% chance one will find a link for any given Protestant local congregation when visiting a denominational website.
Most Protestant denominations have a website that includes a function to help users find a local church. But denominations provide accurate links to the websites of only 32% of all local churches, even though three out of four churches have their own website. Much of the information on denominational websites about member churches is simply... Continue Reading
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