Things I've heard

Here are some things I've heard. If you've been around "church" long enough or if you're in a church leadership position you know where I'm coming from...
(This is just a small sample)

• The music is too loud.
• We love the band.
• Guitar solos are fleshly.
• Guitar solos are awesome.
• The music is too slow. (traditional service only)
• We stand too long.
• We should use our Bibles more & Powerpoint less.
• We like having the scripture & songs on the screen.
• We don't pray enough. Who can oppose this one?
• We like communion in unison.
• We need to change the way we do communion.
• Communion meditations take too long.
• We shouldn't rush communion.
• We should dress up for church.
• We shouldn't dress up for church.
• We like the way we used to do it.
• WE LIKE THE WAY WE USED TO DO IT.
• We need Wednesday nights at the church building.
• We prefer small group meeting in homes.
• We should put out offereing boxes and stop passing the plates (or bags).
• Offering is an "act of worship" & should be a part of the service.

Meanwhile back in the world people are headed toward eternal destruction.

Unplugged

I've been on a kinda sorta fast you might say. Recently, my radio went out in my car. I quickly realized that it is always on. I must have "turned it on" dozens of times before accepting reality. Also, about the same time, we got some new bedroon furniture which resulted in the temporary removal of the TV from our room. I was so disconnnected, literally and figuratively, that I missed breaking political news, "March Madness" and many other things. Ir eally don't what's happening with American Idol and I haven't watched a TV show it a couple of weeks. The interesting the thing is that it's been good for me. The radio, however, has probably been the bigger withdrawal. I'm a talk radio junkie and withdrawing from it has resulted in me not getting so fired up about so much mess that gets constantly pumped into my head. It's nice to have some time to unwind and to reflect too. Now the other positives are that I'm reading and studying with more fervor. This is subjective to some degree but I sense an increased desire for time in the Scripture. Now, I don't want to become culturally ignorant or turn into a modern hermit, but some priority changes and adjustments have been in order. So, here's my recommendation: Take a break from all the "noise" and see what happens.

Dan Majerle

Simply amazing!

Christian Radio

We have a "Christian" music radio station in our area (one of many actually). This particular staion focuses on the popular "praise & worship" music of our day. You probably have a similar station or perhaps even the same one. With simulcast capability it very cost effective to have one station airing in many markets at the same time. I find it interesting that this new breed of station is very upfront in being music only with no preaching, etc. I admit I find little value in the "preaching" stations so that's not a major problem. Here's my concern: Many church folks listen to Christian music stations constantly. Now, in itself, that's not inherently a problem. The greater issue is twofold. First, much of this modern music is lacking in scripturally instructive value, which is at least one purpose for music (Col. 3:16). Second, and more importantly, it can become a substitute for weightier things like Scripture reading/study & prayer. I was a huge fan of contemporary Christian music and it still has its place in my life today. I've just begun to notice that sometimes the biggest music fans aren't always the most biblicaly discerning. Yeah, here I go again... Consider how many church people know virtually every new contemporary song, but can't seem to explain the plan of salvation or answer a basic doctrinal question. There are exceptions of course, but let's all be sure to turn off the music occasionally and open the Book.

Easter?

For a well balance approach to Easter check out Douglas Jacoby. I saw this article mentioned at Roy Ingle's Arminan Today. Yes, I really dig this guy's blog. He's a big fan of Jack Cottrell and has loads of good stuff from an Arminian perspective which is very hard to find. Anyway, I think Jacoby avoids extremes and gets it right about Easter.

The "Christian" Bookstore

From Arminan Today:

"Today my family and I were in another city and I happen to come upon a
Christian bookstore. The store was fairly large and so I decided to browse
through. The same is true of nearly every book store that I visit that labels
itself Christian. First, the fiction books have taken up the front of the
bookstores. I imagine that sales for Christian fiction are up and so the desire
to make money puts them first. Second comes the Christian living section which
features some good and some not so good books from various authors devoted to
the Christian life. Third will usually be parenting,
men, women, teens, and finances. Fourth will be the commentaries, theology, and
church leadership books. Unfortunately this has become one of the smallest areas
of books in the store along with the prayer/devotion section. While devotional
books are high, actual books on prayer and how to pray are low.

This tour of this bookstore is a picture of the average Christian church
in the United States. It is sad to admit but the New Testament Church is hard to
find in most of our cities. What men call "church" looks nothing like what I see
in the book of Acts. Christian fiction and running after the fictional dreams of
this world are high while theology is low. Preaching today is based more on
fiction and the watered down books found in the Christian living section than
upon sound exegesis of the Scriptures. Tour the Bibles section of your local
Christian bookstore and you will find that dynamic equivalent translations (and
even non-translations such as The Message) are selling more than literal
translations are. Why? Because we are a generation caught up on pleasing
ourselves more than pleasing God. We want a soft, easy, non-abrasive gospel that
doesn't call us to repentance but gives us freedom to live in our sins and call
ourselves children of God. We want the world to like us and not hate us and we
do not want any persecution or any attacks upon our faith because we just want
to love everyone and get along."

Wow! How true is that? I've noticed the same things, but never put my thoughts down. Now, I guess, I don't need to.

To read the entire article click here.

Arminian Today

I ran across a new blog recently that I'd like to recommend. The Arminian Today blog has a a lot of helpful informtaion along with a wide array of articles. Recently a series featuring Jack Cottrell was posted there. I've liked much of what I've read so far. It's good see a few Arminians still kicking out there. Many of the blogs I enjoy these days are written by Calvinists, so I welcome this new discovery. Readers here at WTBW? will likely be pleasantly surprised buy Arminian Today's take on baptism too. Maybe Cottrell has had an influence there. You might also notice that the receommended reading on baptism includes Cottrell as well as Beasley-Murray.

MICHAEL KATSIDIS

Katsidis vs Casamoyer - March 22

Many readers here are probably unaware of a new boxing phenom named Michael Katsidis (23-0, 20 KO’s) . East Side Boxing called him "boxing’s latest action hero." Form Wikipedia: "When entering the ring, Katsidis wears a Greek warrior helmet and in bouts his trunks often resemble a warrior's skirt both showing that he is proud of his Greek heritage." I know that sounds a little goofy, but it's actually pretty cool. I first saw Katsidis on the undercard of a another fight (Hopkins - Wright) last year. His was the best fight of the night. This guy is ferocious. He's non-stop and he was big time power. He's on the cusp of boxing stardom and recognition. This weeked he fights Joel Casamayor for the Ring Magazine Lightweight World Championship. The current champ, Casamayor said,“Katsidis is a good fighter and he will be on top of this division someday, but this is still my time and I'm not about to lose to him on March 22.”

Metinks someday is Saturday.

I am...

Stealing an idea from Brian Mclaren’s Generous Orthodoxy, I thought I’d make a list that describes my views on some important matters…

I am…

Biblical
Conservative
Orthodox
Progressive
Evangelical
Innerantist
Amillenial
Arminian
Restorationist
Complimentarian
Presbyterian
Missional
Cessationist
CHRISTIAN

What about you?

Not a video blog...

WTBW? is not becoming a video blog (though that might be an upgrade). I just came upon these 2 vids below. I ilked them both as they make good points in the midst of good humor (some probably will disagree with me). Sadly, these vids aren't as unrealistic as we might think. They illustrate some of the nonsense and excess that abounds in the "church" today.

Church of the Week: Smoker's Church

Real Preachers of Genius: Seeker-Sensitive Mega Church Guy

I liked this.

Brett Favre : Legend is Born

He was a good one and fun to watch too. I hope he enjoys retirement.

No Secretary..

We are currently without a secretary. Boy, you don't realize how important some people are until they're gone. I always knew our secretarty, Peggy, was important, but I just didn't realize how central she was and how much day to day stuff he handled. Needless to say it's been busy around here - for me at least - answering the phone, checking the mail & email, answering to door, doing the bulletins, etc. AND, all the while, I'm trying to find a new secretary! Well, Gotta go...