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Pastors, IRS Restrictions And Pulpit Speak

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Political pulpit speak has been getting US Pastors into trouble left, right and centre.  This 2008 General Elections in America seem to be bringing out the worst in some pastors. When a minister risks splitting his/her congregation with partisan statements, that says a whole lot. Since Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the Barack Obama church debacle, comments have been coming hard and fast.

I’m wondering whether pastors are feeling that their constitutional (and even divine rights) are being violated by the Guide from the IRS which has been regulating church’s political involvement since 1954. Some pastors are saying it’s time to throw out that law. They want their freedom to choose political sides.

But what of the congregation? What impact does this have on a congregation that is made up of some Republicans, Democrats, Independents and “Uninteresteds”?  I have my views on that issue.

Read more… When Pastors Politics and Tax Status Do Not Mix

Peace,
Marvia

Popularity: 3% [?]

10 Commandments For Bloggers

These 10 Commandments for Bloggers caught my eye this morning. At first I thought it was a joke until I followed the link and read the story. It was real. Funny, but real.

A group within the UK based Evangelical Alliance came up with these 10 commandments to guide Bloggers. Though intended primarily for their community, they wanted to challenge Bloggers everywhere to be more socially responsible with their Blogging space.

Even if you are not big on Moses and the original 10 commandments in the Bible, you’ll find these interesting. Let me state up front that this is no way an endorsement of these commandments. Neither am I a member of the Evangelical Alliance. However I found this an interesting enough item to share. Plus some important reminders are there for all who Blog or are thinking about getting into Blogging.

I’ve listed them here and you may read the full story at the Evangelical Alliance’s website.

  • 1. You shall not put your blog before your integrity.
  • 2. You shall not make an idol of your blog.
  • 3. You shall not misuse your screen name by using your anonymity to sin.
  • 4. Remember the Sabbath day by taking one day off a week from your blog.
  • 5. Honour your fellow-bloggers above yourselves and do not give undue significance to their mistakes.
  • 6. You shall not murder someone else’s honour, reputation or feelings.
  • 7. You shall not use the web to commit or permit adultery in your mind.
  • 8. You shall not steal another person’s content.
  • 9. You shall not give false testimony against your fellow-blogger.
  • 10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s blog ranking. Be content with your own content.

I particularly love 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10.  Too funny, but really true. All who suffer from Blog envy and discontent over their neighbour’s content, Google PR and Alexa ranking should copy this and paste it on their wall.

Love it!
Marvia

Popularity: 2% [?]

Use Reggae Rhythms To Refresh Your Worship Music

Jamaica’s Reggae music is already a force to be reckoned with in the global music industry. Reggae Gospel music out of Jamaica has been receiving a lot worldwide attention over the past 2 decades. Historically, Reggae music has been identified with Rastafarians, the most prominent of them being Reggae music icon Bob Marley. Over the years, this genre of music has received a lot of flack from church leaders in Jamaica.

I was among the many youth (back then!) of my generation who rejected the demonizing of what I identified as our music – coming out of my homeland. I was appalled at the double-standards we held to music in the church. The politics of music was not lost on me then, still isn’t now.But I promise to get into that story another time.

Right now though, if you want to add some Irie vibes and Zaz to your morning/evening Praise songs or outdoor gatherings – encourage your musicians and worship team to experiment and mix it up a little with music from around the world. Take my biased opinion and start with Reggae.Don’t know how to play Reggae? Well that’s why I’m sharing this with you…

Watch these Reggae music instructions in a nice instructional video with musician Paul Baloche. I’m no musician, but I can tell you he got it right. Hey maybe I should make my own video teaching you the dance moves! Now that’s an idea to get me de-frocked!

Anyway, do  enjoy the video and hope you learn how to kick it on a drop chord rhythm. Niiccee stuff. Who knows maybe you’ll be ready for some Dancehall Gospel soon.

Oh and please, when you watch the video pick up the music tips, but do not pick up Paul’s pronunciation of Reggae as ‘Raygay’. It’s ‘Re’ (as in red), ‘ge’ as in get. So Reggae = Re-ge. Very good!

Peace,
Marvia

Popularity: 3% [?]

DVD To Help Christians Confront Pornography Addiction

While some churches won’t even allow the word ‘sex’ to be used within their ‘holy walls’, it is good to hear of others who are helping Christians and congregations confront Pornography. Of course, the church is still in denial about this issue. Pornography? Oh no. We don’t have such sins in here. Yea right!

Last year, I undertook a month long Bible Study series for my congregation to deal with this issue. The youth were the most appreciative of the discussion. The adults struggled hard to cover their embarrassment. Many confessed that they do not normally talk about ‘such things’ in church. I can imagine they must have been a little bit scandalized by me. Thankfully, some younger mothers who were present were very happy for the information especially some of the tips they received on how to monitor what their children are doing on the Internet.

I recently learnt of a Christian DVD produced by Steve Siler (musician and director of Music For The Soul). Somebody’s Daughter is said to be about:

Three men and a husband and wife share their personal struggle with pornography confronting the lies and darkness of this addictive force with compelling honesty and hope.

I only read that it was out and liked the idea that the subject is receiving attention in church circles. Of course having not watched it yet, I can only hope that it is not a very myopic look at the issue. I am yet to be convinced that the church is comfortable talking about sexuality. Neither have we acknowledged our own double-standards that we entertain.

Who knows, we might one day be able to produce a DVD called ‘Somebody’s Son’. Men and under aged boys are involved in the porn industry too. But this is our hypocrisy you see. It is assumed that it is the nature of men and that only women are being exploited. The idea that people can become addicted to sex is a highly controversial issue. In some ways I agree that treating ‘sex addiction’ as a thing in itself without addressing deeper personality flaws and weaknesses is not a good idea.

This is a highly debatable issue.  Recently when X-Files star David Duchovny disclosed that he was a “sex addict” psychologists were split on the issue of whether or not there is such a thing called ‘sex addiction’. No manly man would ever see it as anything but natural for men to be overly interested in sex. And some women will not have men behave any other way. Statistics show that women are also addicted as well.

Watch this interview with David Siler reveal more statistics on porn addiction of Christian men and women.

Well I expect that the DVD will spark the kind of discussion that will cause our proper Christians to lose the blinkers and admit to what is taking place right in our churches.

But I’ll restrain myself from saying anything else until I see the movie.

Have you see the DVD? Do share your comments with us.

Peace,
Marvia

Popularity: 3% [?]

Worship And Church Membership Without Committment

Lack of commitment now characterizes much of modern church life. People are joining churches. They want a special comfortable place that they can attend on Sunday to hear a good sermon. If they are adults they don’t mind the odd social gathering. If they are ‘youngish’ with a family they want a nice safe place with lots of kids-friendly activities. You know something like one of those chicken nuggets outlets with a mascot with a bright red nose.

What they do not want is to be made to feel uncomfortable. Like you are trying to disturb them and prick their consciences or something. They do not want to hear about the starving people in Africa. For heaven’s sake, don’t we have enough hungry people on the streets of our communities. Enough already!

Worship is supposed to be a Happy Place. They come every Sunday for a filling. They make it clear they are there to feel good. And trust me, they have very discriminating taste. They shop around – just like they do for the best gas prices. And they know what they want too. They want louder music, more anointing, and lots of vibes flowing. Yea that’s the spirit moving right there. Keep massaging that ego-spot. Can’t you feel the love?

But they are the first to ask, what’s that about the queer guy doing in our church? Did you say that teen had an abortion? Some still shun single-moms and lament at their awful kids and dysfunctional family. Thank God, our family is not like that!

Today, the fastest growing seem to be big on diversity. Aren’t those multi-ethnic people pictures on their church website precious. Awwww. They think the church photos are so cool. Sunday night news brings a dose of reality. What’s that about Obama being Black? Who are all those Middle-Eastern terrorists? Why are those Asians taking our freaking jobs?

This is the church to join. It’s a beautiful place to be. And the pastor knows just the right inoffensive words. And he (we don’t want no she-pastors around here!) doesn’t pressure us to do anything you know. We don’t have to even be baptized – or any of that deep-heavy-way-out-serious kinda stuff, you know. So we are happy here.

Welcome to the church where worship, church membership and lack of commitment is seeing church membership records ballooning. Its called modern easy church growth – without commitment.

Are you in one of those happy comfortable churches where you feel no conviction to commit your life to doing something more? Well I’m not your pastor, so I can afford to tell you the truth.

If you are comfortable in your church and feel no demands or sense of conviction to do something more with your life, and to make a difference in the lives of others and in the world then you need to either quit that happy place or seriously start to read your Bible and ask the Spirit to speak to and breath life into you. To quicken your sense to hear the call to move from comfortable to convicted and then to obedience to allow your life to actually mean something. You’ll be truly happy when you learn how to say, “Lord use me!”

Tired of all this boringly nominal Christianity being bandied about as Church. Oh please!
Marvia

Popularity: 1% [?]