050808Christian Leaders Say Evangelicals Too Political /MT/news/archives/050808Christian Leaders Say Evangelicals Too PoliticalAt least 80 conservative Christian leaders have signed a document, released Wednesday, that condemns Christians on both the right and left for allowing the evangelical movement to become too political.

[05.08.08] At least 80 conservative Christian leaders have signed a document, released Wednesday, which condemns Christians on both the right and left for allowing the evangelical movement to become too political and thus diluting the gospel.

With such signees as author Os Guinness and Fuller Theological Seminary President Richard Mouw, “An Evangelical Manifesto” encourages believers to be part of the political process, but describes them as becoming “‘useful idiots’ for one political party or another.”

The result, the document declares, is Christianity’s weakening impact due to a loveless declaration of gospel truth that has “attacked the evils and injustices of others while we have condoned our own sins. … We must find a new understanding of our place in public life.”

Somewhat ironically, one activist who networks with evangelical leaders says without the endorsement of certain high-profile evangelical leaders, the document will have the effect of “throwing a pebble in the ocean.”

[05.08.08] At least 80 conservative Christian leaders have signed a document to be released Wednesday that condemns Christians on both the right and left for allowing the evangelical movement to become too political and thus diluting the gospel.

With such signees as author Os Guinness and Fuller Theological Seminary President Richard Mouw, “An Evangelical Manifesto” encourages believers to be part of the political process, but describes them as becoming “‘useful idiots’ for one political party or another.”

signing1.jpg050208Southern Baptist Number of Members, Baptisms Declining/MT/news/archives/050208Southern Baptist Number of Members, Baptisms DecliningIn 2007 the number of baptisms in the denomination fell for the third straight year to the lowest number since 1987. The total number of members in the denomination also declined in 2007.
[05.02.08] It seems Southern Baptists are failing to live up to their name. In 2007 the number of baptisms in the denomination fell for the third straight year to the lowest number since 1987. The total number of members in the denomination also declined in 2007.
 
David Key, director of Baptist studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, attributes the decline to lower birth rates and the church’s inability to attract minorities.
 
“It’s not just about parents not having enough children, but we also haven’t adjusted our youth programs to target multicultural youth,” he said. “It’s still a very white Southern experience as opposed to incorporating African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians.” [usatoday.com]
[05.02.08] It seems Southern Baptists are failing to live up to their name. In 2007 the number of baptisms in the denomination fell for the third straight year to the lowest number since 1987. The total number of members in the denomination also declined in 2007.
water_baptism1.jpg050108Most Churches Use Technology to Enhance Services/MT/news/archives/050108Most Churches Use Technology to Enhance ServicesAccording to the latest Barna study, Protestants across the nation are using new forms of technology in their churches.
[05.01.08] Using new technology to enhance your church service? You’re not alone. According to the latest Barna study, Protestants across the nation are using new forms of technology in their churches.
 
Sixty-five percent of Protestant churches now have a large screen projection system, 62 percent have a church Web site and 56 percent send e-blasts to their members.
 
Although the study found that the use of new technologies has increased, the rate of increase has slowed over the last two years. [barna.org]
[05.01.08] Using new technology to enhance your church service? You’re not alone. According to the latest Barna study, Protestants across the nation are using new forms of technology in their churches.
 
Sixty-five percent of Protestant churches now have a large screen projection system, 62 percent have a church Web site and 56 percent send e-blasts to their members.
businessmanmt.jpg043008Poll: Americans More Prayerful, Biblically Literate Than European Christians/MT/news/archives/043008Poll: Americans More Prayerful, Biblically Literate Than European ChristiansA new poll shows that Americans are more prayerful and biblically literate than citizens of other Christian-populated European nations.

[04.30.08] A new poll shows that Americans are more prayerful and biblically literate than citizens of other Christian-populated European nations.

Two-thirds of American respondents said they had read from the Bible over the last 12 months while only 20 percent to 38 percent of participants from the other eight countries—Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Spain and Poland—reported reading the Bible over the last year.

According to the study, conducted by GFK Eurisko research group for the Catholic Biblical Federation, nearly all Americans (93 percent) said they had a Bible at home, compared to the French who were the least likely to have a Bible at home (48 percent). Americans also prayed far more than members in other countries.

Most Americans prayed (87 percent), while the French prayed the least (49 percent). [christianpost.com]

[04.30.08] A new poll shows that Americans are more prayerful and biblically literate than citizens of other Christian-populated European nations.

Two-thirds of American respondents said they had read from the Bible over the last 12 months while only 20 percent to 38 percent of participants from the other eight countries—Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Spain and Poland—reported reading the Bible over the last year.

biblestudymt.jpg042508Too Heavenly Minded ? /MT/news/archives/042508Too Heavenly Minded? Brian McLaren, an emerging church leader, recently said that Christianity’s traditional emphasis on hell and the second coming of Christ has prevented Christians from living effectively in this world.
[04.25.08] Too heavenly minded to be any earthly good? It’s a danger, said Brian McLaren, speaking at the Willow Creek annual Shift student ministries conference on April 9.
 
McLaren, a controversial leader in the emerging church movement, expressed his view that Christianity’s traditional emphasis on hell and the second coming of Christ has prevented Christians from living effectively in this world.
 
“Some of us came from a religious tradition or a religious background where our main role was to recruit kids to go to heaven,” said McLaren. “And that’s a good thing. Mortality rates are still pretty high, and we all have to face that decision. But I’m here to challenge you to think bigger and deeper and in more layers and dimensions about your role.” [bpnews.net]
[04.25.08] Too heavenly minded to be any earthly good? It’s a danger, said Brian McLaren, speaking at the Willow Creek annual Shift student ministries conference on April 9.
 
McLaren, a controversial leader in the emerging church movement, expressed his view that Christianity’s traditional emphasis on hell and the second coming of Christ has prevented Christians from living effectively in this world.
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