worship and its end

A staff member encountered this during a class and sent it over. I think it typifies where I am regarding worship, and by some extension where Calvary is.

Read the article, focusing more in the theology and philosophy of worship behind it than the anecdotes within it. As we approach a new season at Calvary regarding worship, this article may provide us with entrance into some church-wide discussion.

slow church

Some interesting pieces on a new church movement; submitted by one of Calvary's most eloquent story tellers:

This author has a forthcoming book on it: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slowchurch/2011/09/29/the-slow-church-conversation/

Here is an article in the Houston Chronicle about Slow Church: http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Slow-food-movement-serves-as-church-inspiration-2080311.php#page-2

Also, here is another article on Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling Alone, and his research on church-based friendships. http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200867.htm

wall street and the customer as king

Very forthright resignation letter decrying the lack of morality at Goldman Sachs by Greg Smith, (former) executive at Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs here stands in for the Wall Street culture at large.

cellphones in church

The Presbyterians have found an answer to electronic use during church. You may witness their presbyterian service announcement here.

That most Presbyterians are Calvinists, I'm trying to figure out where providence, sovereignty and election fit in with electronic usage. Maybe that will come in the second psa.

this american life

This American Life radio show featured the municipal madness that is Trenton, New Jersey. I consider Trenton my adopted hometown. And, I know most of the folks in the piece. I played basketball with Lt. Mark Kieffer; Michael Walker was a neighbor; Marge Caldwell-Wilson was a campaign supporter.

You can listen to the piece here; it's the first act.

As a companion, Trenton's public buildings were, until today, mired in tp-gate. To read more about this, go here.

Joel on Lent

The lectionary reading for Ash Wednesday in this high, holy season of Lent came from Joel 2.1-2, 12-17. Dennis Olson, a former pastor and current professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, provided some commentary on this scripture reading at workingpreacher.com. His reflections at the end of the piece I believe provide us with six critical insights about Lent.

1. Judgment is coming.
2. God calls us to repent.
3. God's call to repentance comes out of love.
4. God loves us freely.
5. The time to respond is now.
6. As we repent, we pray that others respond to this call as well.

I think that sums up what these 40 days are about.

Real estate bubble hits churches

Church foreclosures are on the rise.