Pearls of the Christian Blogosphere #4 February 27, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Theology.Tags: church issues, critical issues, critical thinking
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Our fourth Pearl of the Christian Blogosphere may technically not be a ‘blog’, but it is nevertheless an important stopover whilst surfing and blog reading. Blogs by their nature are side dishes filled with bite sized snippets of wisdom or comment. Every now and then you need to munch on a juicy steak. [Apologies to veggieheads].
I challenge you to a better steak out there to feed on than this pearl. (more…)
Stressed Are The Peacemakers February 26, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Pastor's Stuff.Tags: conflict resolution, peacemakers
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Yeah OK I know Jesus said ‘blessed’, but I think its closer to ‘stress-ed’ are the peacemakers. From time to time in my role as a pastor I am faced with the challenge of mediating reconciliation between people who have intractable differences.
I usually try and avoid this like the plague, for some very good reasons. I guess you can be the judge of whether they are ‘very good reasons’ or thinly veiled cop-outs. (more…)
Great Tips for Cutting Your Church Budget February 26, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Pastor's Stuff.Tags: Church budget, church offerings
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Don’t you just hate it when you have to cut your budget back? It’s a hard process trying to work out who’s going to lose out. The first place you start is the pastor’s salary and various slush expense accounts. Don’t slash these, hedge them! Protect them, and make sure the deacons don’t get their grubby hands on your stash.
The next thing you do is what Senior Pastor Mark Hammond from Living Word Christian Centre in Twin Cities, Minnesota did: you sell your private business jet. (more…)
Finding your place on the theological spectrum February 25, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Theology.Tags: conservative theology, emergent, emerging, evangelical, theological spectrum
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Have you ever tried to explain to a new believer what the difference is between conservative and liberal, evangelical and Pentecostal, Pentecostal and charismatic, liberal and orthodox?
I have. Plenty of times. I fail miserably every time. I figure as long as they never buy Calvinism they’ll be alright. Funnily enough, the most helpful tool to ‘place yourself’ and describe the various spectrums that I’ve come across in years is from Calvinists. (more…)
Vale Larry Norman February 25, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Uncategorized.Tags: Christian Rock music, Contemporary Christian Music, Larry Norman
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This last weekend saw the end of an era. Arguably the man who did more to take Christian music out of the museum and into popular culture passed away. Larry Normon blazed a trail that had never been trod before, and opened up a gateway whereby Christians could express themselves through something other than hymns and 2-chord kumbaya arrangements. Subsequently he is known as the ‘Father of Christian rock music. (more…)
Missionaries Making Millions in Zimbabwe February 22, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Missional.Tags: chip-in, missionaries, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwebound
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When Andrew & Jodie left Australia for an uncertain existence in Zimbabwe, I feared for their well being and also for their financial well being. I imagined them struggling to make ends meet, praying for God’s provision on empty stomachs. Imagine my surprise when I found out that they making millions.
Yep that’s right. Forget the image of returning missionaries in circa 1975 clothing, hairy legs and hairstyles that would make the Adams family blanche. These two missionaries are in the money! (more…)
When Pastoring Makes Perfect Sense February 21, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Pastor's Stuff.Tags: Pastoring, pastoral successes, young adults
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Tim never really had birthday parties. There was always a critical shortage of the most important factor involved in parties - friends. Tim has a mental disability and so throughout his school life he had to get by without friends.
Tim always lived in the shadow of his two brothers who were very outgoing and sporty, and who never had a shortage of friends. That all changed dramatically after he left school and his 21st birthday party was beyond anything he or his parents imagined. (more…)
What gets measured, gets done - or does it? February 20, 2008
Posted by fredsnod in Books.Tags: 40 Days of Purpose, church growth, Rick Warren
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40 Days Of Purpose
Over the years it has been interesting to hear numbers of people talk about the impact of 40 Days of Purpose. For those who have not come across this concept, it is where the local church reads through the Purpose Driven Life book by Rick Warren and follows a preaching series and group of events that link back to the book.
Many churches that I have spoken to proclaim the merits of engaging in the 40 days program. (more…)
Baptist Liturgy #IV February 20, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Worship.Tags: Baptist liturgy, Communion invitation, words of invitation
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Whilst listening to the amazing worship artist Lianna Klassen’s ‘Veni Sancte Spiritus’, I wrote these alternative words of invitation for communion: (more…)
Benny does Brisbane February 20, 2008
Posted by Gordon in Uncategorized.Tags: Benny Hinn, fleecing the flock, prosperity preacher, t.v. evangelist
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Benny never disappoints. The limo at Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre [no pun intended] delivered the man replete with his self-styled inter-Galactic white silk ensemble to the waiting throng. They came fore healing, some lined up in their wheelchairs. He came to get their money. It’s a fair deal if you look at it from that perspective. Only problem is, he never keeps his side of the deal. (more…)
