With this post I resume with a topic that generated the most heated debate at the Church of God 2010 General Assembly: the admission of women to the rank of Ordained Bishops. (For my Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox friends, the term "Ordained Bishop" has a different meaning than a diocesan: in addition to including those …
Muslim, Christian or Citizen of Your Country First?
Take a look at the interesting graph on the right that appears in Chan Akya's article on why European countries want to ban the burqa and the US is in no hurry to do so. I have a few observations about this: It's ironic that France, where a larger proportion of Muslims consider themselves a …
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The Digital Age Underscores the Need for Grace
As the New York Times observes, in the digital world it's the end of forgetting, and in the midst of this Jeffrey Rosen draws from the Jewish world: In addition to exposing less for the Web to forget, it might be helpful for us to explore new ways of living in a world that is …
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Take the Celebration to the People
As many of you know, for me, in one sense, this is it: at the end of August, I will be leaving as Ministries Coordinator of the Church of God Department of Laity Ministries. Next week is our General Assembly in Orlando, in many ways the place where I will make my parting "social." As …
Is This The Last Act for Civil Marriage?
Coming from a blog like First Things, it could be: Legal recognition of marriage would become a purely civil matter. A couple who wanted to marry would have to get a license and go to a civil magistrate. If they then wanted their union sacramentalized, they would go to the Church. If the Church refused …
Driving the Church Underground in the U.S.: The Decline in Personal Evangelism
It's taking place amongst American teenagers, even Evangelical ones, according to a recent Barna survey: The most striking change was the fact that teenagers today seem much less inclined to have spiritual conversations about their faith in Christ with non-believers. The survey question specifically asked if the survey respondent had “explained your religious beliefs to someone …
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My Thoughts on the 2010 Church of God General Assembly Agenda
Now that I've published this, it's time to move on and consider what's in front of our church at its 2010 General Assembly in Orlando next month. The agenda is online and can be found here. This review is not intended to be comprehensive. It is informed by more than a quarter of a century …
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An Aggie Explains John 10:11-16
Where we read the following: I am the Good Shepherd; and I know my sheep, and my sheep know me-- Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep besides, which do not belong to this fold; I must lead them …
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge: A Pentecostal Saga
Back when I was growing up, we'd descend from Palm Beach and venture to the Florida Keys for vacation, navigating waters such as shown at the right. One of the more memorable side trips we took was a visit to a museum where artefacts from sunken Spanish galleons were on display. The Spanish were most …
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Ted Haggard Gets Back in the Saddle
Pastoring, that is, his new church in Colorado Springs: Christianity is all about second acts, and disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard is the latest conservative Christian to exploit that role to the hilt. Haggard announced Wednesday that he is starting a new church in the same town -- Colorado Springs -- that he left in …
Positive Infinity 