Day: September 8, 2008

Hocus pocus for Jesus

Some people like a little razzle-dazzle with their proclamation. The Fellowship of Christian Magicians attempt to bring together the theatricality of their craft as illusionists with the call to proclaim the Gospel. The results can sometimes be tacky, sometimes moving, often fun, but is it also distracting?

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Recovering apprenticeship for the newly ordained

The Alban Institute and the Lily Endowment are beginning a project to assist the newly ordained make the transition from seminary to ordained ministry, as well from the life as a lay person in a congregation to pastoring a congregation.

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A window into Pentecostalism

The Pew Forum writes that just as coverage of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s fiery former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, opened a window into life inside some black churches, Palin’s candidacy is introducing many Americans to the conservative theology of Pentecostalism.

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Conservative churches unite to challenge IRS rule

The conservative Alliance Defense Fund is organizing pastors to directly endorse political candidates by name from the pulpits on September 28. The want to provoke the IRS into investigating them so they can sue the agency. Their goal is to remove the ban on direct political activity in churches.

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Women in secular and church leadership

The On Faith blog at the Washington Post posed this question to a panel of fifty religious leaders: “Women are not allowed to become clergy in many conservative religious groups. Is it hypocritical to think that a woman can lead a nation and not a congregation?”

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Faithful rethink food

Some Christians who are thinking about how God might want them to eat in light of new research on health, working conditions in food supply chains and environmental crises.

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I am religious, but not spiritual

The statement “I’m spiritual but not religious” has a way of raising a wall between a regular, church-going sort of person and a friend who has no intention of becoming a regular, church-going sort of person. It says, “Back off. I know all about you ‘religious’ folks. You want to tell me I’m going to hell or imply there’s something wrong with me. Well, I have my own way of connecting with God. So shut up.”

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Prayer is natural

Prayer is the fundamental activity of the Christian; to be in the image of God means to communicate with God. Many people are intimidated by prayer, believing that there is a right and wrong way, and thinking that they will somehow offend God or make fools of themselves if they do it wrongly.

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