http://archive.aweber.com/smartministrySmart Ministry newsletterMon, 14 May 2012 10:41:47 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/GzdlU/h/Is_giving_worship_in_your.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! May 14, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Giving is the heart of worship In many churches, the receiving of offerings is the low point of the service. It's ignored, tolerated, or resented by many. But the Bible teaches that God wants our giving to be a deeply meaningful expression of worship in three dimensions--past, present, and future. [continue] (TM)" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=l7JFNQT3BFs=239662.711=0=4=16" width="370"> "Plugged in" vs. building a royal priesthood The greatest number of questions that come my way about volunteers in the church are phrased something like, "How do I plug people in?" I have yet to hear a request that asks, "How do we grow disciples more effectively?" Those questions are symptomatic of a larger underlying problem. [continue] World's First Family-Friendly Domain Registrar Opens for Business by Heather Cirmo | Breaking Christian News Up until now, if you were in the market for a domain name to launch a website, you would be forced into doing business with companies who almost certainly have been profiting from the sale of domain names being used to spread pornography. With the launch of PurityNames.com, consumers and businesses finally have a family-friendly option... [continued] Church, liquor store pull the cork on religion by Lyn Dowling | Florida Today This is Theology on Tap, a monthly ministry of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Viera, and it is so popular that workers from the package store move extra chairs into the lounge so that more people can be accommodated... [continued] School backs down from student wearing Jesus t-shirt by Michael Gryboski | The Christian Post A student who has been frequently disciplined by a Canadian school for wearing a Christian t-shirt is now allowed to attend classes wearing the shirt... [continued] Obama becomes 1st president to support gay 'marriage' by Michael Foust | Baptist Press President Obama Wednesday became the first sitting U.S. president to support gay "marriage" publicly, an announcement that was surprising perhaps only in its timing and one that could impact the general election... [continued] North Carolina passes gay marriage ban Amendment One by Rachel Weiner | Washington Post North Carolina already had a statute banning gay marriage. Amendment One declares that "marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state" -- vague language that opponents say could threaten domestic partnership protections for all couples while closing the door to any sort of same-sex unions...[continued] Nonbelievers flex their political muscles by Kimberly Winston | Religious News Service One of the biggest growth areas in political activism around religion is coming from an unlikely source: the nonreligious. And it's happening far from the marbled corridors of power in the nation's capital...[continued] Why all nonprofits should periodically assess their risk by Joshua J. Mintz | NonProfit Quarterly Many for-profit companies consider a comprehensive risk assessment to be a critical part of their overall risk management process. Regrettably, some not-for-profit organizations do not take the time to perform a risk assessment for a variety of reasons: some do not understand or appreciate the benefits of such an exercise; some believe they adequately understand their risk profile; or some may feel they lack the resources to adequately perform the job... [ continued] "Money missionaries" help struggling families by Byron Pitts | CBS News.com While the American job market is improving, long-term unemployment continues to be a big problem especially in Georgia, where more than half of the unemployed have been out of work for a year or more. That has led churches to ordain so-called "money missionaries," like Kevin Cross, to help families make tough decisions about family finances... [continued] Pastor moves forward with plans to rebuild Henryville houses | WDRB.com The Henryville pastor who pledged to build 100 homes after deadly tornadoes wiped out his town found it much harder than he thought. So two months later, Rich Cheek has changed the plan and is just starting to see the work come together... [continued] Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 14 May 2012 10:41:47 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/Gnqdk/h/Redefining_the_church_and.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! May 7, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Megachurch redefines itself A massive heart attack also led to a spiritual heart examination by pastor Walt Kallestad. It led to a radical shift in focus from structures, mortgages, and staff, to disciples, community, and the priesthood of all believers. [continue] What constitutes church membership? Several young folks in our denomination believe the multitiered membership scheme is as silly as some think the Department of Homeland Security's color-coded terrorist advisory system is. On second thought, perhaps a color-coded membership system wouldn't be a bad idea. [continue] Churches no longer a sanctuary from crime as burglaries rise by Joshua Rhett Miller | Fox News A growing tide of burglaries at houses of worship are signs of both a reeling economy and the end of a social taboo that once protected the money collected to help the poor and the valuables displayed to honor a higher power... [continued] Religious websites most prone to hackers by Bob Allen | Associated Baptist Press A report by Symantec, a company that sells computer-security software, rates websites devoted to religion or other ideologies the ones most targeted by malicious hackers... [continued] White House releases public/private guidelines by Adelle M. Banks | USA Today A new White House report that offers guidance on public/private partnerships between the government and faith-based groups leaves critical questions unanswered and does not resolve the issue of religious groups' ability to discriminate in hiring and firing, church-state watchdogs said... [continued] Pepsi stops using aborted fetal cell lines to test flavors by Steven Ertelt | LifeNews.com After months of pro-life protests and opposition, PepsiCo has indicated it will alter its contract with biotech firm Senomyx Inc., which uses cells from a baby killed in an abortion to conduct flavor testing... [continued] Mormonism is fastest-growing faith in half of USA by Kevin Eckstrom | Religious News Service Mitt Romney may or may not become the first Mormon to move into the White House next year, but a new study shows that Mormonism is moving into more parts of the country than any other religious group, making it the fastest-growing faith in more than half of U.S. states...[continued] Study of prison chaplains sheds light on faith behind bars | Kansas City Star A recent 50-state survey of chaplains by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion and Public Life offered a rare look at the worshipers behind bars...[continued] Hundreds of Christians slaughtered in Nigeria | WND Faith An international Christian ministry that assists persecuted members of the faith says hundreds of Christians have been killed in a series of attacks in Nigeria. This is the African nation where members of the Muslim jihadist group Boko Haram earlier vowed to "eradicate Christianity."... [ continued] Middle East Church Cares for Thousands of Syrian Refugees, Christians and Muslims Alike by Teresa Neumann | BreakingChristianNews.com As violence in Syria's civil war continues to rage, thousands of refugees, many of them Muslim, are finding refuge in a Christian church just over the border in Jordan. "This is our call, to reach out," said the pastor. "Our door is open to Christians or Muslims anytime."... [continued] House hearing recounts Chen's heroic stand for the unborn | Baptist Press A member of the U.S. House of Representatives has reminded government leaders that the international ordeal Chen Guangcheng is currently facing was prompted by China's brutal "family planning" policy that includes forced abortions and unwanted sterilizations... [continued] Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 07 May 2012 07:29:24 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/PB30k/h/Sensing_God_s_absence_Smart.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! April 30, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Sensing God's absence If we believe that leadership "leaks," are we leaking anything to our congregation about spending time with God, just being in the presence of our Friend? Or are we leaking that our top priority is to be busy doing things for God? [continue] Life is messy; get on with it anyway What we usually try to do with ambivalent feelings is decide which of the two feelings is the real, true feeling--and that really messes us up. In our quest for order and control, we ignore the truth: Both poles of feelings are real and true and exist within us at the very same time. [continue] Social media strategies - whom to focus on? by Chris Ruddell | Church Mag Much ado has been made about social media strategies lately. Pundits have lent their expertise to topics such as "how to be more effective on Google+, Pinterest, or Twitter", or "how do I know what to post?" The number of networks and the type of posts people make are so numerous that it causes many people - especially those new to the scene - to feel overwhelmed, confused, and at a loss as to where to begin... [continued] New York City church grows food on rooftop by Michael Gryboski | The Christian Post Metro Baptist Church, whose congregation moved to its present location in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in 1984, grows various food items on its roof for the benefit of several local food pantries... [continued] Spartanburg churches collaborate on project to fight hunger by Dustin Wyatt | GoUpstate.com The churches are each hosting meal packaging events for Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh-based international hunger relief agency that ships bags of rice, soy and dried vegetables to more than 76 countries worldwide... [continued] Belief in God increases with age | Chicago (CBS) The older you are, the more likely you are to believe in God, according to a new University of Chicago study... [continued] Stop working more than 40 hours a week by Geoffrey James | Inc. You may think you're getting more accomplished by working longer hours. You're probably wrong...[continued] Tony Blair establishes 'Faith Foundation' to promote respect for religions | Baptist Press Calling faith "a powerful force for good in the modern world," former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has established the Tony Blair Faith Foundation to promote respect and understanding about the world's major religions...[continued] 90-hour Bible reading marathon begins in D.C. by Rev. Michael Hall | Breaking Christian News The national event serves to honor the Bible, celebrate religious freedom and unite the diverse branches of Christianity around the Bible... [ continued] Millennials rejecting religious doctrine by Jerome Socolovsky | Voice of America College campuses are among the least religious places in America, largely because people tend to drift away from faith when they are young. But a study focusing on 18-to-24-year-old Americans finds many rejecting religious doctrine and orthodoxy in general... [continued] Wycliffe criticized over Bible translations for Muslims by Jeff Kunerth | Orlando Sentinel The idea of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being one and the same is the core belief of Christianity but a concept that is sometimes hard to convey in cultures where missionaries are translating the Bible into the local vernacular... [continued] (TM) with Glowlight" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=l7JFNQT3BFs=239662.718=0=4=10"> Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:53:44 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/ACeX./h/Maintaining_equilibrium_while.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! April 23, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Dealing with ministry kopria Are you familiar with...kopria ("dung" in New Testament Greek; see Luke 13:8 and Luke 14:35)? You might say I have a Ph.D. in the stuff--yeah, that's right, "piled high and deep." While I'm fine with my agrarian roots, I had no idea I'd be scooping so much of the stuff as a pastor. [continue] 10 steps to emotional equilibrium Do you feel pretty content with your life? balanced? Do you enjoy life and have fun? What about stress--are you able to deal with the trials of life and bounce back when circumstances get you down? [continue] More churches producing roll-your-own study materials by Jim White | Associated Baptist Press Not too long ago, hardly any church would have dared to plan, write and publish its own Bible study materials. Before computers, desktop publishing and easy access to the Internet, the task would have been so daunting, few churches would have had the resources to pull it off. These days, all that has changed... [continued] Youth ministries teaching behavior modification, not Gospel? by Audrey Barrick | The Christian Post Ministry leaders are seeing a major problem among youth groups - an emphasis on behavior modification over the Gospel... [continued] Young 'Millennials' losing faith in record numbers by Lauren Markoe | Religion News Service One in four young adults choose "unaffiliated" when asked about their religion, according to a new report from the Public Religion Research Institute and Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs... [continued] Media Matters' Tax Documents Expose Group Is Targeting Christianity by Billy Hallowel | TheBlaze Media Matters for America has made no bones about its stance on social and political issues. While the organization claims that it is continuously "monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media," its targets, at least according to official Internal Revenue Service documents, are specific: businesses, wealthy Americans and right-leaning Christians... [continued] God's incubator: New York church brings Hoppit to life by Hamish McKenzie | PandoDaily Entrepreneur Steve Dziedzic was disappointed to not get accepted into the TechStars New York last year. But he did have another option. He decided to follow the way of the Redeemer. Dziedzic entered a business competition for an unconventional incubator in New York City that goes by the name of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church... [continued] Study: Religious hostility escalates worldwide by Mark Norton | Baptist Press Practicing a religious belief in nearly one-third of the world's countries is increasingly difficult due to government restrictions and public hostilities, according to new data from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life... [continued] Vatican cracks down on U.S. nuns for questioning church by Michael Muskal | dailycamera.com The Vatican has ordered an overhaul of the most important group of nuns in the United States after an investigation found what Roman Catholic Church officials called "radical feminist themes" that questioned official positions on homosexuality and the ordination of women... [continued] Hundreds of churches continue to unite for massive EACH Initiative in Detroit | Northville Patch For the second year, Southeast Michigan residents are coming together from hundreds of churches and organizations to share their faith and offer free medical and dental services, food, housing construction and renovations to tens of thousands of residents in need. It's a continuation of the EACH (Everyone a Chance to Hear) movement that launched last spring... [continued] Washington remembering Watergate's Charles Colson | ABC News Politicians and friends responded to the death of Charles Colson, the special counsel to President Richard Nixon who went to prison for his role in a Watergate-related case and became a Christian evangelical helping inmates... [continued] Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:22:22 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/N1n7E/h/The_emotions_of_change_and.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! April 16, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply The sad and bitter Overhead Projection Lady There's a great difference between jumping on a trend and seeing something as being useful as an expression of worship or as a tool to help others in their worship of God. If there's thoughtful theology behind the change, it's not trendy. [continue] Trekkies and Churchies Remember the mission of the Starship Enterprise? The strategic mission of the church is similar to that of the Enterprise, except that the church needs to return boldly to where the church once went before. [continue] 'Reverts' return to their childhood religions by Cathy Lynn Grossman | USA Today After decades away from faith, "I slowly began to see what I was missing was the relationship with God that I could find in my church," says Boling, 45, settled in with a little Baptist congregation in Hendersonville, Tenn... [continued] The new school choice agenda by Amy Julia Becker | Christianity Today Why Christians in Richmond, Virginia, and elsewhere are choosing to send their children to struggling public schools... [continued] The Resurrection:' Hollywood producer aims for God's sequel to 'The Passion' by Alex Murashko | The Christian Post Eight years after watching the phenomenal success of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," Hollywood promoter and producer David Wood remains steadfast to a vision that he credits to God - the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ told by way of a major motion picture... [continued] Hindu radicals attack Christian pastors during Easter as police stand idly by by Nirmala Carvalho | Persecution.org Two incidents are reported in Karnataka, one in Andhra Pradesh. In both states, members of Hindu ultranationalist groups have insulted, beaten and proffered death threats against believers and clergymen... [continued] Jesus vs. Scientists: Who's better at miracles? by Natalie Wolchove | Live Science Much scientific progress has been made in the 2,000 years since Jesus Christ walked the Earth. In all this time, have scientists managed to replicate his miracles, or does the Son of God still have an edge?... [continued] Faith costs NASCAR driver sponsorship by Trevor Freeze |Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Citing Blake Koch's Christian faith on his personal web site, ESPN rejected a pro-vote commercial, citing "political and religious overtones," leading the "Rise Up and Register" campaign to pull the plug on a 20-race sponsorship... [continued] Easter at the mosque: Sacramento Muslims lend space to churchless Christian congregation | The Huffington Post Hundreds of worshippers in Sacramento, Calif., were able to celebrate Easter together this Sunday thanks to a local Muslim organization that let the Christians hold services in their mosque, the Sacramento Bee reports... [continued] A new dream in Belfast's historic Titanic Quarter by Charlene Winkel | Christian Today he Titanic was called the "ship of dreams". A hundred years after it sank, a church in the Belfast dock where the great ship was built has a new dream for a boat that will bring people together and give them new life... [continued] Muslim opposition grows to religious freedom nominee by Lauren Markoe | The Washington Post More than 50 Muslim and non-Muslim civic and religious groups asked leading senators on Thursday (April 12) to rescind the appointment of an outspoken Muslim activist, Zuhdi Jasser, to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom... [continued] (TM)" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=l7JFNQT3BFsandbids=239662.706andsubid=0andtype=4andgridnum=10" > Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:49:56 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/BJxaE/h/Battling_the_post_Easter.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! April 9, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Low cost, high quality vacations Easter was wonderful, but now you're exhausted and need a break. How can you get some time off, without spending a fortuneand most of your time just "getting there?" [continue] Most non-Christians spiritually satisfied Do you think the people in your church are spiritually fulfilled? If so, what do you think brings them spiritual satisfaction or fulfillment? Two-thirds of non-Christians are satisfied with where they are spiritually. Only 17% of evangelical Christians share their contentment. [continue] Young Americans abandoning cars and churches by Skye Jethani | Leadership Journal Late twentieth century American evangelicalism has been dominated by megachurches, and many congregations that do not rank as "mega" have nonetheless had their approach to ministry shaped by these influential churches. But the values inherent to many of these churches are out of sync with what we are discovering about Millennials... [continued] Atheist activist becomes Christian after believers show him compassion by Jeff Schapiro | The Christian Post A few months ago Patrick Greene was an atheist who was threatening to sue Henderson County, Texas, if the county didn't remove a Nativity scene from its courthouse lawn. Today he is a believer in Christ who underwent a radical change of heart that was catalyzed by the compassion of one Christian woman... [continued] Obama finally talks about Jesus by Joe Kovacs | WND Faith Despite the fact many Americans continue to believe he's a Muslim, President Obama talked in depth today about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, perhaps his most in-depth discussion of the basics of Christianity since he took office... [continued] Christians and Jews rediscover interracial haven by Samuel G. Freedman | The New York Times After the summons to worship, the Lord's Prayer and the first hymn of the morning, the pastor of the South Calvary Missionary Baptist Church here asked the visitors to stand. Among the several hundred African-Americans in the pews on that Sunday last month, about a dozen elderly guests rose to introduce themselves as former neighbors, all of them Jewish... [continued] Iran pastor, still alive, passes 900th day in jail by Michael Foust | Baptist Press As Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani remains in jail -- alive, yes -- but having already passed his 900th day behind bars for being a Christian and still facing a possible execution... [continued] UN expert urges end to restrictions on access to religious sites on divided Cyprus | Associated Press More needs to be done to allow worshippers free and unfettered access to religious sites on the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, a U.N. expert said Thursday... [continued] Colorado 'religious freedom' initiative moves step closer to 2012 ballot by John Tomasic | The Colorado Independent The Colorado Secretary of State's title board on Wednesday approved language for a "religious freedom" ballot initiative submitted last month by Colorado Springs-based evangelical organization Focus on the Family. Supporters of the initiative can now begin collecting the roughly 86,000 valid voter signatures it will take to land the proposal on election ballots this November... [continued] Egypt jails Christian student to three years in jail for insulting Islam | Reuters Staff An Egyptian court on Wednesday sentenced a 17-year-old Christian boy to three years in jail for publishing cartoons on his Facebook page that mocked Islam and the Prophet Mohammad, actions that sparked sectarian violence... [continued] Balancing science, faith: Researchers studying how medical schools help doctors incorporate religious beliefs by McClatchy/Tribune | MCT Information Services "When doctors are dispirited, the care they give to patients is worse," said Dr. Farr Curlin, co-director of the Program on Medicine and Religion. "Patients should be very hopeful that their doctor sees their work as a remarkable privilege, even a holy privilege, that will make the doctor respond to that patient out of joy."... [continued] (TM)" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=l7JFNQT3BFs=239662.706=0=4=10"> Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:32:42 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/L7vBA/h/What_Christian_leaders_can.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! April 2, 2012 What's New? "If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfold--in both ministry and money!"--Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Leadership lessons from Capt. Kirk Christian leaders: are you willing to boldly go where no one has gone before? Turns out, whether you're a Star Trek enthusiast or not, we have much to learn from Captain Kirk's style of leadership. [continue] Getting more spouse time Ever wish you could find just a little more time to spend with your spouse? Try one or more of these suggestions. [continue] Indiana food bank reaches compromise on prayer by Tim Evans | USA TODAY A faith-based food pantry in southern Indiana is back in good graces with the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program and will be allowed to continue asking recipients if they want to pray.... [continued] Report says church giving on the rebound by Annalisa Musarra | Religion News Service The recession and a sluggish recovery have made for a lighter collection plate in recent years, but a new study shows that giving to U.S. congregations bounced back in 2011 as the economy improved... [continued] The religious and political overtones of Hunger Games by Donald L. Brake, Sr | The Washington Times Christians often see religious and political agendas behind every Hollywood production--and often with good cause. "The Hunger Games" is no exception... [continued] Fighting back: Loudon residents respond to 'attack on religion' by Hugh G. Willett | knoxnews.com Hundreds of Loudon County men, women and children gathered on the county's courthouse lawn Thursday to pray in support of religion in their community... [continued] Terror attacks in Europe stoke fears of escalating ethnic, religious hostilities | Associated Press Two atrocities in the space of the year, coming from opposite ends of the spectrum, are raising fears across Europe that a growing climate of ethnic and religious hostility is inspiring extremist violence -- and creating the conditions for deadly clashes... [continued] 'American Idol's' Colton Dixon: Is the heat on to tone fown the religious rhetoric? by Shirley Halperin | The Hollywood Reporter The Season 11 finalist reveals how show producers really feel about his passionate -- and very public -- displays of faith... [continued] IRS allows churches to endorse marriage initiatives, attorney says by Michael Foust | The Baptist Press Erik Stanley, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, says that pastors and congregations have nothing to fear. Under IRS law, churches cannot endorse candidates but they can lobby for specific legislation... [continued] Entire mosques coming to Christ in Sub-Saharan Africa, says former church planter by Michelle A. Vu | The Christian Post The idea of more than 200,000 former Muslims coming to faith in Sub-Saharan Africa within a few short years is mind-boggling. But entire mosques in Sub-Saharan Africa coming to faith? That news is even harder to wrap one's mind around, but it is in fact what is happening according to reports from a former church planter among Muslims in West Africa.... [continued] A new church social: Faith leaders use technology to connect by Michele Bearden | The Tampa Tribune Facebook is the "new front porch" for congregations, says Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, a Nashville-based nonprofit that focuses on the Christian community. If you're not using it, he says, "shame on you." "And the same for Twitter," he says. "Pastors who lead churches without a social media presence might as well be talking in a sanctuary without a microphone, without an audience."... [continued] Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:28:50 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/7l2yQ/h/Knowing_when_NOT_to_shut_up_.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! March 26, 2012 What's New? If our church just follows their advice it will pay for itself more than tenfoldin both ministry and money!Roger Heins, elder and steering committee member, First Presbyterian Church. Can our consulting services help your church, too? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Breaking leadership loneliness My wife and I have a running joke that maybe this year we'll be invited to a Super Bowl party (or Final Four party). The irony of leadership loneliness is that we're surrounded by people. People everywhereand few real friendships. [continue] Knowing when NOT to shut up Talking is now considered a legitimate profession. Flip through television channels and youll find one talk or reality show after another. Everybody seems to be talking more and saying less these days. Well, Christians need to talk more and say more. [continue] Supreme Court denies campus groups' appeal by Bob Egelko | San Francisco Chronicle The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down an appeal from a Christian sorority and fraternity challenging California State University's refusal to provide funding and other campus benefits to student groups that exclude members of other religions... [continued] President Jimmy Carter authors new bible book, answers hard biblical questions by Paul Brandeis Raushenbush | Huff Post Religion Jimmy Carter served as the 39th president of the United States, founded the Carter Center and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. President Carter is also a Sunday School teacher and has followed that avocation since his earliest years... [continued] Newspaper wants church, teens prosecuted for pig chase, BBQ by Todd Starnes | Fox News A California newspaper owned by a well-known animal rights advocate is calling on authorities to file criminal charges against a group of Christian teenagers and their leaders after they held a pig chase and then barbecued the participants... [continued] Catholic Church must participate in child sterilization? | Catholic Online The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in no uncertain terms that sterilization as contraception is an intrinsically evil act. So why is the President, alongside Kathleen Sebelius, a self-professed Catholic, insisting that the Church must now participate in this immoral activity? If there was any doubt that a battle royale is shaping up between the Obama administration and the Catholic Church, it should now be gone... [continued] Atheists to cheer for godless USA at 'Reason Rally' by Cathy Lynn Grossman | USA Today Organizers expect more than 10,000 people to celebrate unbelief, dance to punk band Bad Religion, hear a score of speakers led by celebrity British atheist Richard Dawkins, and shout out for separation of church and state... [continued] Joni Eareckson Tada to receive Wilberforce Award by Melany Ethridge | Breaking Christian News Joni Eareckson Tada, renown for her advocacy on behalf of the disability community, will be honored with the prestigious Wilberforce Award during the annual Wilberforce Weekend held March 30-April 1 in Lansdowne, VA... [continued] Growth of Christianity in Iran 'Explosive' by Alex Murashko | The Christian Post Despite the Iranian government's ongoing crackdown of Christians living in the primarily Islamic country, the number of Muslims converting to become Christians is growing at an explosive rate, according to the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA... [continued] Churches conflicted when it comes to social media engagement by Robert Dilday | Associated Baptist Press "The fact is, if churches don't know why they have a Facebook page, it doesn't matter what they do with it," says Natalie Aho, a Mobile, Ala.-based social media consultant... [continued] Thousands rally for religious freedom nationwide by Barbara Bradley Hagerty | NPR Across the country, thousands of people skipped lunch Friday to protest what they see as a threat to religious liberties in the United States... [continued] Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:46:41 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/C46nQ/h/Conquering_ministry_fears_.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! March 19, 2012 What's New? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Developing your ability to "fear not" Church leadership invites a spiritual wrestling with fear and anxiety. Few other endeavors provide as many occasions to be afraid and anxious. Welcome to Club Burnout. [continue] 20 questions for accountability groups If fear or difficulty has been holding you back, we want to offer a couple of first steps. Take the following survey for yourself. If you're brave, find a friend--maybe a fellow pastor--who will answer the same questions. [continue] Community partnerships bring transformation to unlikely places by Paul Pastor | Leadership Journal Churches are rediscovering their neighborhoods as fertile mission fields, and they're forging dynamic connections with community leaders and organizations. An example is happening in Lents, an under-served neighborhood in Portland, Oregon... [continued] Lent not just for Catholics, but also for evangelicals by Jeff Brumley | Florida Times-Union We don't want Easter to be a one-day event," Johnson said. "We want people to enjoy the journey so Easter will be more meaningful and powerful in their lives."... [continued] NY Times accused of Catholic bashing, double standard on religion | Fox News The New York Times is being accused of having a double standard when it comes to questioning religion, after it ran an ad calling on Catholics to leave their church, but nixed an ad making the same plea to Muslims... [continued] Florida church unveils plans for community park by Tom Hayden | The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press The church plans to build a community park over about 5 acres that will feature three age group playgrounds, a water area for children, a pavilion, athletic field, walking trail around the lake, courtyard and fountain. The centerpiece will be an amphitheater that could seat as many as 5,000 people... [continued] 1,000 Philippine police dedicate lives to Christ after watching 'Courageous' by Michael Grybosk | Christian Post An estimated 1,000 policemen from the Philippines have dedicated their lives to Christ after watching screenings of the American film "Courageous."... [continued] Churches taking back the task of theological education | Leadership Network Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, KY, is developing a training model that Lead Pastor Daniel Montgomery thinks will address the "mutt theology" he sees among aspiring church planters and ministry leaders in the U.S... [continued] British Women Sue After Crucifix Necklaces Cost Them Their Jobs by Lauren Daniels | Time A landmark court case over the rights of Christians to wear religious symbols at work is raising a debate about discrimination and the position of believers in British society... [continued] Ind. tornado victims declare: God is still good by John Evans | Baptist Press A family picks through a heap of ruins that was once their house, selecting a piece of plywood spared by the tornado. They nail the plywood to a tree and spray paint it with a simple message: "God is still good."... [continued] New ministry hopes to offer alternative for children, teens by Rick Longley | Orland Press-Register So the Crowes decided there was a need for a Christian-based center where youth could go for fellowship after school and on weekends. They have turned the basement of the church into a movie theater, coffee house and recreation area -- complete with ping pong and pool tables and other games... [continued] (TM) 8GB" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=l7JFNQT3BFsandbids=239662.659andsubid=0andtype=4andgridnum=0" > Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:25:37 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/smartministry/9A2Yg/h/Christians_and_society_.htm If you're having trouble reading this, open it in your browser. combining timely and timeless Now reaching thinking Christians in 29 countries! March 12, 2012 What's New? Do you need a substitute preacher, special spiritual session (or what they used to call a revival), or interim pastor? See http://preachingunleashed.com/pulpit-supply Civility in society and Christianity We live in an uncivil world. You'll witness it on your morning commute, reading entertainment blogs, listening to talk radio, tuning in to a political debate, and even watching children interact on the playground at a local elementary school. [continue] Who would Jesus list? In the past few weeks, we've heard a lot of lists. Person of the Year, Most Influential, even Best Dressed! Hierarchies just don't seem to fit well with Jesus' teachings such as, "the last will be first, and the first will be last." [continue] Church opening its doors for job center by Diane Turbyfill | Shelby Star A Sunday school classroom at First Baptist Church in Cherryville will soon be used for less traditional purposes -- to teach adults how to find jobs... [continued] Far more Christian than Muslim migrants worldwide by Tom Heneghan | Reuters Christians far outnumber Muslims as migrants around the world, including in the European Union where debates about immigration usually focus on new Muslim arrivals, according to a new study issued on Thursday... [continued] 'Religious Freedom Act' gets OK from Kentucky Senate panel by Jack Brammer | Kansas City Star Kentuckians may get to vote this November on a proposed change to the state Constitution that its backers call "the Religious Freedom Act." The sponsor of Senate Bill 158, Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said it is designed to protect the free exercise of religion from unnecessary restriction by government... [continued] Microsoft VP: God can use whatever you have to spread the gospel by Stephanie Samuel | The Christian Post A Microsoft executive, inspired by her Christian faith to help build a school and rescue center with World Vision for girls escaping female genital mutilation - encouraged Christian women on Monday at a conference to use their passion to serve God... [continued] Post-tsunami, Japanese open hearts to Baptist volunteers by Susie Rain | Baptist Press When Nobuko Tanno closes her eyes, she sees tsunami waves rushing in and destroying her village along Japan's northeastern coastline. She sees cars floating and houses coming off foundations. She hears the roar of the water and desperate cries for help... [continued] Pizza mogul delivers message of faith at JSerra by John Crandall | Lake Forest Patch Faith is more important than money, yachts and luxury cars, the founder of a pizza empire told San Juan Capistrano high school students Thursday... [continued] Chocolate box evangelism by Chris Duffett | Christian Today A few weeks ago some friends and I asked God a question: 'What 10 shops or people can we bless this afternoon?' We bought 10 milk tray boxes of chocolates and had a desire on our hearts to simply give them away, without any lengthy explanation or long winded writing of messages. Who was it that God wanted us to reach out with a symbol of grace?... [continued] Christians rounded up across Iran | Christian Today A 78-year-old woman is among the Christians in Iran who have been arrested by the authorities in recent weeks. According to Barnabas Fund, the Iranian authorities have initiated a wave of arrests across the country, targeting ordinary church members and leaders... [continued] Kirk Cameron receiving support despite anti-gay comments by Shelia Marikar | ABC News "Cameron is thankful for the thousands of emails and comments that he's received from those who value the freedom to express one's beliefs," the actor's rep said in an e-mail statement... [continued] (TM) 8GB" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=l7JFNQT3BFsandbids=239662.659andsubid=0andtype=4andgridnum=0" > Copyright © 2012 BP Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:32:11 -0400