BBC NEWS |link:
Who needs the BBC when we've got Pat Robertson!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Split among American Baptists over Homosexuality is Final
Split among American Baptists:
American Baptist Churches, a 1.5 million member US denomination was rocked this week with the Pacific Southwest region (with churches in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona) voting in favour of leaving the denomination. The issue? Some member churches accept as church members unrepentant, practicing homosexuals.
The response to this saw much of the same old hoogly:
"Tony Campolo, a well-known American Baptist speaker and a professor of sociology at Eastern University, said he also was disappointed. 'The decision hurts some of the finest missionary work in today's world. More important, it runs counter to the prayer of Christ that we might all be one people,' Campolo said.
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Judy Allbee, executive minister of the American Baptist churches in Connecticut, said 'it is a sad day for the cause of Jesus Christ when one part of the body cannot tolerate being with the rest of the body.' She said the decision of the Pacific Southwest region was the result of the region's belief that it was in sole possession of the truth."
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A statement from the Roger Williams Fellowship, an American Baptist group self-described as a "grassroots organization advocating for Baptist principles," said it lamented the withdrawal of the Pacific Southwest region. Their regret, they noted, was "tempered by a repudiation" of the Pacific Southwest region's demand that the denomination enforce its 1992 position statement on homosexuality.
The fellowship also said that the Pacific Southwest region had articulated a "fundamentally flawed vision" of the Baptist tradition and American Baptist life. "We affirm that God alone is sovereign over the individual conscience, and that each local church has the responsibility to determine God's calling for that community's time and mission."
The ABC (USA) has enough problems, but it was good to see that there remains a small segment of sanity. They were right to withdraw.
As for Campolo and his ilk... that is no surprise.
Sola Scriptura.
American Baptist Churches, a 1.5 million member US denomination was rocked this week with the Pacific Southwest region (with churches in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona) voting in favour of leaving the denomination. The issue? Some member churches accept as church members unrepentant, practicing homosexuals.
The response to this saw much of the same old hoogly:
"Tony Campolo, a well-known American Baptist speaker and a professor of sociology at Eastern University, said he also was disappointed. 'The decision hurts some of the finest missionary work in today's world. More important, it runs counter to the prayer of Christ that we might all be one people,' Campolo said.
----------------------
Judy Allbee, executive minister of the American Baptist churches in Connecticut, said 'it is a sad day for the cause of Jesus Christ when one part of the body cannot tolerate being with the rest of the body.' She said the decision of the Pacific Southwest region was the result of the region's belief that it was in sole possession of the truth."
----------------------
A statement from the Roger Williams Fellowship, an American Baptist group self-described as a "grassroots organization advocating for Baptist principles," said it lamented the withdrawal of the Pacific Southwest region. Their regret, they noted, was "tempered by a repudiation" of the Pacific Southwest region's demand that the denomination enforce its 1992 position statement on homosexuality.
The fellowship also said that the Pacific Southwest region had articulated a "fundamentally flawed vision" of the Baptist tradition and American Baptist life. "We affirm that God alone is sovereign over the individual conscience, and that each local church has the responsibility to determine God's calling for that community's time and mission."
The ABC (USA) has enough problems, but it was good to see that there remains a small segment of sanity. They were right to withdraw.
As for Campolo and his ilk... that is no surprise.
Sola Scriptura.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Pyromaniacs: Sister... show mercy!
Pyromaniacs: Sister... show mercy!
As the warmer weather approaches, Dan Phillips addresses the propensity of some women to dress immodestly.
This post first appeared on May 11 but I think it is worth reading if for no other reason than to jolt Christian women into at least thinking about the issue. There are 89 comments as I link to this - apparently a few others have some thoughts too!
As the warmer weather approaches, Dan Phillips addresses the propensity of some women to dress immodestly.
This post first appeared on May 11 but I think it is worth reading if for no other reason than to jolt Christian women into at least thinking about the issue. There are 89 comments as I link to this - apparently a few others have some thoughts too!
A 2 Corinthians Ministry
Live By The Truth: A 2 Corinthians Ministry
David Robinson gives a nice summary of Brad Powers excellent message on pastoral ministry (from the SGF Pastor's Conference).
David Robinson gives a nice summary of Brad Powers excellent message on pastoral ministry (from the SGF Pastor's Conference).
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Photos From SGF Pastor's Conference
We had a great time at the 
Sovereign Grace Fellowship Pastor's Conference this year.
Dr. Stephen Wellum
of The Southern Baptist Seminary (Louisville) was our guest lecturer offering three powerful messages on the substitutionary nature of the atonement. 
David Sitton
preached a call to missions. 
Brad Powers had a moving sermon from 2 Corinthians on the nature of pastoral ministry. Steve Kring gave us the rundown on new developments in the creation/evolution debate.
Food and accomodations
were stellar as always and we experienced record attendance.
Praise the Lord!
(One day I am going to figure out how to post pictures on blogger...)
Sovereign Grace Fellowship Pastor's Conference this year. Dr. Stephen Wellum
of The Southern Baptist Seminary (Louisville) was our guest lecturer offering three powerful messages on the substitutionary nature of the atonement. 
David Sitton
preached a call to missions. 
Brad Powers had a moving sermon from 2 Corinthians on the nature of pastoral ministry. Steve Kring gave us the rundown on new developments in the creation/evolution debate.Food and accomodations
were stellar as always and we experienced record attendance.
Praise the Lord!
(One day I am going to figure out how to post pictures on blogger...)
Ashamed of Jesus?
Ruminations By The Lake: Jesus! And Shall It Ever Be
Ian has a nice post and the text of a hymn his church sang last night... it was new to me and quite good, I thought. Take a read!
Ian has a nice post and the text of a hymn his church sang last night... it was new to me and quite good, I thought. Take a read!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
A Sermon Worth Hearing
David Sitton preached for us at GFC today. David went to Papau New Guinea as a missionary when barely 20 years old. Since then he has continued to preach Christ where He is not known - most recently working with unreached people groups in Mexico.
As a pioneer missionary, he has a few stories!
I highly recommend a listen. The Lord was with us today and we were blessed and deeply challenged.
Listen here either streaming or download.
As a pioneer missionary, he has a few stories!
I highly recommend a listen. The Lord was with us today and we were blessed and deeply challenged.
Listen here either streaming or download.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
The Blogger's Golden Rule - More On Blog Accountability
Tim’s recent post on blog accountability brought to mind something I have recently committed to practice any time I leave a comment, reply or post something on my own blog. This really came into focus while I was preparing my paper on the emergent church.
About three days before the paper was due to be presented there arose the distinct possibility that Brian McLaren would be in attendance. Since so much of the paper had to do with him, I quickly read over the entire piece with a new set of eyes! It ended up I didn’t really change anything – mostly because I had tried to write the paper with the thought that those sympathetic to emergent ideals would be present. I attempted to be forthright, but not hyperbolic.
Now I say all that to say this.
I have been somewhat bewildered by some of the responses I have gotten on my blog of that paper. More to the point, however, I have been very saddened by some of the things I have read about me on other blogs.
Some of these authors I have contacted directly either on their comment string or via email if it was given. To a man (and they were all men) every one was much more gracious in their reply. But this taught me something.
I believe Christian bloggers ought to make it their golden rule to never type anything they would not say to or about a person if they were standing right in front of them.
It seems rather simple, but I have read some very disappointing things on other blogs when the author appears to think his opponent is not reading. I have also read things said about me that seem very inconsistent to what was said to me in person.
I am not foolish enough to think that I have never done this, which confirms that I am not trying to blame anyone nor will I identify examples. I cannot recall when I did it (I can barely remember what I did yesterday!), but it seems too easy a sin to fall in to for me to not have been guilty at some level. For that I ask your forgiveness – and hope for your accountability in the future.
Christian blogging ought to be one more place where our attitudes and actions (and keystrokes) demonstrate the remarkable and supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in us to the glory of God our Father.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Media misinterpret "gay brain" study
Today's Family News - Sexuality - Media misinterpret "gay brain" study:
"According to Dr. Ivanka Savic, who conducted a study on the different responses to sex hormones by lesbian and heterosexual women, the findings of the research have been skewed by the media."
This article links to other interesting ones. It should not be shocking that the MSM has once again tweaked information to fit its agenda.
This link has some interesting perspectives on the issue also.
"According to Dr. Ivanka Savic, who conducted a study on the different responses to sex hormones by lesbian and heterosexual women, the findings of the research have been skewed by the media."
This article links to other interesting ones. It should not be shocking that the MSM has once again tweaked information to fit its agenda.
This link has some interesting perspectives on the issue also.
Challies Dot Com: Accountability Through Visibility
Challies Dot Com: Accountability Through Visibility
Tim has an important post today on being accountable for our words (especially on blogs!) and not hiding in annonymity.
I was going to post on this next week, but he has said more than I ever would - so I think you should read it!
Tim has an important post today on being accountable for our words (especially on blogs!) and not hiding in annonymity.
I was going to post on this next week, but he has said more than I ever would - so I think you should read it!
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