MC News
Rev. John Nunes, president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief, and others (me included) attempt to explain how well-intended government programs developed during the “war on poverty” initiatives help to destroy the urban black family, community, and especially low-income black men. Nunes also explains from the New York Times Magazine how there is no evidence that any government program made any improvement in any urban area anywhere. As a matter of fact, the welfare programs of the 1960s made matters worse in the black community.Read more of this story.
About 300 men and women, representing more than one dozen area churches, gathered at Bethesda Christian Fellowship on East Washington Avenue last evening for a Solemn Assembly. The gathering was called by Tom Flaherty, pastor of Mad City Church, who had introductory remarks at the beginning of the program (shown above).
WASHINGTON — When the medieval church wanted to communicate the biblical narratives to a largely illiterate society, it used stained glass windows to illustrate the stories. So as the modern church looks for ways to reach a generation unfamiliar with the Bible, the most obvious medium, they say, is movie theaters."Theaters are our 21st century stained glass," said Joel Schmidgall, one of the pastors of National Community Church, a congregation that meets in four campuses — three movie theaters and a church-owned coffeehouse– around Washington.Read more of this story.
KHIRBET QEIYAFA, Israel — Overlooking the verdant Valley of Elah, where the Bible says David toppled Goliath, archaeologists are unearthing a 3,000-year-old fortified city that could reshape views of the period when David ruled over the Israelites. Five lines on pottery uncovered here appear to be the oldest Hebrew text ever found and are likely to have a major impact on knowledge about the history of literacy and alphabet development.Read more of this story.
A quick video primer on Halloween, All Saints Day, and why St. Frances Cabrini is the patron saint of parking spaces from the guys at Busted Halo. Check out this interesting video.
When she was director of religious outreach for John Kerry’s Democratic presidential campaign four years ago, Mara Vanderslice could hardly have seemed lower on the campaign totem pole."I had one unpaid intern who didn’t have a phone," she said. "We didn’t have a budget, and they never let me talk to the press."Read more of this story. Obama Redraws Map of Religious Voters – National Public RadioMisunderstanding Sarah Palin – Christianity Today EditorialA Variety of Evangelical Politics – Christianity Today Book ReviewYour Wisconsin Vote – Wisconsin Family CouncilWhen Christians Fail to Vote – Baptist PressPraying for the President – Serious…
AMMAN, JORDAN (ANS) — In a strategic gathering of Middle Eastern, European and American Christian leaders, westerners were given an inside view of the Middle Eastern Church’s struggle in a war-torn land. Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding’s (EMEU) Sounds of Hope II conference was held in Amman, Jordan on Oct. 15-18. Read more of this story.
COMMENTARYI’ve been surprised by the number of Christians who have given up on politics this year. “I don’t like either candidate, so I’m staying home,” I’ve heard all too often.Okay, I get fed up with the vain posturing and empty promises of politicians as well. But, as I note in this month’s Christianity Today, voting is never an option—it’s both our civic duty and sacred duty. Voting is required of us as good citizens and as God’s agents for appointing leaders.Read more of this story.
With more Americans describing themselves as "spiritual but not religious," one researcher set out to find what that statement really means. The Rev. Linda Mercadante, a professor of theology at Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio, conducted research on this growing segment of the American population and found possible reasons why the "spiritual" tend to stay away from the church or religious practices. Read more of this story. FURTHER READING – George Barna study on American Spirituality
WYOMING, Mich. — David Karel does not know what comes next for him and his 1,500 fellow workers at the GM metal stamping plant, following last week’s announcement it will close by December 2009.But of one thing the Baptist minister is certain: God will be there for them.Read more of this story.