
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ray Boltz: I'm Gay

Labels:
Gay Issues,
Music
Church Members Giveaway $750k
A church near Abilene, Texas gave away nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in cash and goods at a recent service. The Kingdom Life Fellowship in Clyde asked those with pressing financial needs to come forward. The church then gave away $338,000 from a nest egg and the congregation added cars and other items until about $750,000 exchanged hands between the 300 or so members. They meet in a Junior High auditorium.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Megachurch Study
Megachurches are growing larger as they duplicate many of the functions of denominations. A study by Leadership Network and Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows churches with weekly attendance of 2,000 or more are multiethnic and emphasize contemporary worship. Trends would include offering more services in multiple locations, a new emphasis on community service and the role of small groups. Here are some other findings:
▪ 78% of megachurches use contemporary worship
▪ The average megachurch income is 6.5 million dollars
▪ Half of the income goes toward salaries with the rest divided between buildings and missions along with programs
▪ Seven out of Ten have internship/residency programs to train potential staff and ministerial candidates
The full report can be found here.
▪ 78% of megachurches use contemporary worship
▪ The average megachurch income is 6.5 million dollars
▪ Half of the income goes toward salaries with the rest divided between buildings and missions along with programs
▪ Seven out of Ten have internship/residency programs to train potential staff and ministerial candidates
The full report can be found here.
Labels:
Megachurch Leaders,
Studies
Church Loses Property Dispute
An Oklahoma megachurch is losing its property. Kirk of the Hills congregation cut ties with Presbyterian Church, USA in 2006 and aligned with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The Tulsa church wanted to keep the property because it has been making payments on the property for decades. But the denomination filed a lawsuit because the church constitution says congregations of the PCUSA only held property for the denomination. Now, a judge has ruled in favor of the denomination. An appeal is planned.
Labels:
Oklahoma,
Presbyterian
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Palin's First Interview

Labels:
Politics,
Sarah Palin
Presidential Poll
John McCain now leads Barack Obama among white Evangelical voters 61% to 25% according to a new Fox News poll.
Labels:
Barak Obama,
John McCain,
Politics
Rick Warren and Sarah Palin
Megachurch pastor Rick Warren got a call from Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Warren says she wanted some advice- along with Bible verses dealing with unjust criticism. Warren interviewed John McCain and Barack Obama at his Saddleback Church last month.
Labels:
John McCain,
Politics,
Rick Warren,
Sarah Palin
The Largest Bible Publisher
The biggest printer of Bibles in the world is not in the US. It’s in South America. The Bible Society of Brazil puts out more than 7-and-a-half million Bibles each year. But overseas sales have taken a down turn. The Society ships to more than 100 countries but the number has fallen in both of the last two years.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Dem Compares Obama to Jesus
Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee compared Barack Obama to Jesus and Sarah Palin to Pontius Pilate on the floor of the House.
Labels:
Barak Obama,
Politics,
Sarah Palin
The Collider and God's Existence
Associated Press offers this explaination of the powerful particle collider going online today in Europe concerning whether it could prove the existence of God:
"The experiment will examine what happened shortly after the universe was created. It does not seek to confirm or deny the existence of any supernatural being."
"The experiment will examine what happened shortly after the universe was created. It does not seek to confirm or deny the existence of any supernatural being."
Prayer against Crime
There's a movement in Jacksonville, Florida to come against violence and crime by getting the community to pray. WTEV-TV reports:
Biggest US Megachurches
Here's a list of the top five megachurches in terms of attendance along with the percentage change from the year before.
1. Lakewood Church Houston - Joel Osteen 43,500 -.7.4%
2. Second Baptist Church Houston - Ed Young Sr. 23,659 -2.6%
3. North Point Community Church Alpharetta, Ga. - Andy Stanley 22,557 +15.2%
4. Willow Creek Community Church South Barrington, Ill. - Bill Hybels 22,500 +8.7%
5. LifeChurch (13 locations in 6 states, online at secondlife.com) -Craig Groeschel 20,823 +4.6%
Source: Lifeway Research
1. Lakewood Church Houston - Joel Osteen 43,500 -.7.4%
2. Second Baptist Church Houston - Ed Young Sr. 23,659 -2.6%
3. North Point Community Church Alpharetta, Ga. - Andy Stanley 22,557 +15.2%
4. Willow Creek Community Church South Barrington, Ill. - Bill Hybels 22,500 +8.7%
5. LifeChurch (13 locations in 6 states, online at secondlife.com) -Craig Groeschel 20,823 +4.6%
Source: Lifeway Research
Labels:
Megachurch Leaders
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Politics in the Pulpit
The Alliance Defense Fund wants pastors to talk politics from the pulpit on Sunday, September 28. Endorsing candidates would challenge IRS rules that prohibit tax-exempt churches from engaging in partisan politics. The “Christian ACLU” considers it an act of civil disobedience in defend free speech. An IRS investigation of a church could be challenged in federal court.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Alaska Homosexuality Conference
Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out Conference will be held at Abbott Loop Community Church in Anchorage, Alaska this weekend. It’s also being promoted by Sarah Palin’s home church, Wasilla Bible Church. The group promises to teach attendees how to "respond to misinformation in our culture" and help them "overcome" homosexuality. Because of Palin's connection, the event may draw protesters.
Labels:
Alaska,
James Dobson,
Sarah Palin
Sarah's Story

Labels:
Books,
Politics,
Sarah Palin
Palin's Faith
Sarah Palin grew up attending an Assembly of God church. CNN files this report on her ties to the Pentecostal denomination.
Labels:
Politics,
Sarah Palin
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Obama Tries to Clarify Abortion Comment
“What I intended to say is that as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding. All I meant to communicate was that I don’t presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions.”
Barak Obama on ABC’s This Week explaining his answer to a question about abortion during Saddleback’s forum last month. Obama had said answering the question of when life begins was “above my pay grade.”
Barak Obama on ABC’s This Week explaining his answer to a question about abortion during Saddleback’s forum last month. Obama had said answering the question of when life begins was “above my pay grade.”
Labels:
Abortion,
Barak Obama,
Politics
Biden on Abortion

"Back in 'Summa Theologia' when Thomas Aquinas wrote "Summa Theologia," he said there was no--it didn't occur until quickening, 40 days after conception. How am I going out and tell you, if you or anyone else that you must insist upon my view that is based on a matter of faith? And that's the reason I haven't. This is a matter between a person's God, however they believe in God, their doctor and themselves."
Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Meet the Press
Palin's Church Talk & State Funds

Labels:
Politics,
Sarah Palin
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