Author: Gordon Govier

Two new reports on the size and strength of American congregations present contrasting pictures of church life today. The newest trend in church growth is exemplified by the No. 2 ranked church’s cross-country reach. Lifechurch.tv transmits pastor Craig Groeschel’s worship services from the church’s studio home in Edmond, Okla., to 13 locations, reaching 26,776 people in average weekend worship attendance.

The New York Times obituary of "Green Revolution" pioneer Norman Borlaug did a great job of answering journalism’s basic Who, What, When, Where and How questions, providing a fascinating overview of Borlaug’s work with plant breeding and crop management, his global impact, and the debates that have surrounded his work.But the obit failed to address the big Why question, leaving readers wondering what motivated Borlaug’s lifelong crusade to combat hunger and famine by increasing food production [and didn’t mention Borlaug’s family roots in rural Dane County].

Jim Stevens of Cottage Grove swam, biked and ran through Sunday’s Wisconsin Ironman triathlon as a man on a mission. He was among 53 of the 2400 Ironman athletes who participated in Ironman’s Janus Charity Challenge, using the grueling event to raise donations for non-profit organizations.Stevens was able to raise $88,621.96 for Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County. To that Janus will add $8,000, since Stevens was the second leading Janus fundraiser for this event. He was the only local Janus participant among the top five fund raisers recognized at Monday’s Ironman banquet at Monona Terrace.

When it comes to ultimate Frisbee, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia don’t mess around.On a recent afternoon, a dozen young sisters, dressed in full-length habits or in postulant uniforms — white shirts, black skirts, black vests — and wearing sneakers and blue aprons, gathered at the edge of the convent’s playing field.Then they screamed at the top of their lungs, and rushed another group of nuns as a white Frisbee flew overhead. "Did you see that?" said Sister Mary Emily, watching over her young charges. "They’re trying to intimidate the other team."There are 23 postulants this year at the…

Chester Cook knows he can always find a lost soul at the re-ticketing counter in Terminal A at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. So he goes there each day, plants himself near the line and scans faces. "I’m normally looking for someone who’s having a meltdown," Cook says.

COMMENTARYFor many years, Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago was the model that many evangelical churches sought to copy. Its growth, facilities and programs seemed to scream “success.”That is, until Willow Creek took a closer look.The “look” was in the form of two-year comprehensive study that sought to determine which of its programs were helping it members to mature spiritually. The shocking answer was “not many.”

A veteran fashion photographer who is used to having his works featured in Vogue, GQ and Elle, is releasing his most “rewarding” collection – “Journeys with the Messiah” – on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks."I was in New York prepping for a photo shoot a week after 9/11 and saw many people searching for something," recalled Michael Belk, who created the Jesus photo collection out of his Christian faith. "Similar to 9/11, I think many Americans don’t know where to turn in the midst of the current worldwide financial crisis.”

Creating a Facebook profile for the first time, Eric Heim hadn’t expected something so serious. Hunched over his laptop, he had whipped through the social network Web site’s questionnaire about his interests, favorite movies and relationship status, typing witty replies wherever possible. But when he reached the little blank box asking for his core beliefs, it stopped him short.

The dialogue over health care is intensifying. A lot of the debate seems to be agenda-driven. Clearly we should be able to find a better way to provide better health care, so that people can take responsibility for their own health. With careful deliberation lawmakers should be able to insure that health care is dispensed fairly. What people seem most concerned about is inequities in the system. A Christian nation, a civilized nation, should have health care that is compassionate, dispensed with fairness, and available in a timely matter to those who need it.Two articles that seem to address the…

Anne Graham Lotz wowed the homeless crowd at the Bowery Mission in New York City. Taking time off from a tour promoting her new book about Abraham, The Magnificent Obsession, Lotz told the men and women at the mission about how she deeply wanted a more vital relation to God.Read more of this story.