Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:11-14 NIV
Church finds pop sound Congregation taps popular culture to broaden appeal by Robert King, Indianapolis Star...
GRANGER, Ind. -- Your first clue that things are different at Granger Community Church is the bulletin handed to you at the door. The cover has a picture of an Xbox video game controller and the words: "Get in the game."
Inside the massive, dimly lit sanctuary, a group of teens stands on stage, silhouetted against a 50-foot-wide screen that displays a video game in progress: the Wii Nintendo tennis match the kids are playing.
*** another excerpt ***
At Traders Point Christian Church in Whitestown, the Rev. Aaron Brockett said the key is not to cross the line between being culturally relevant and simply being swept up in the latest cool thing.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:14-16 NIV
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, orraise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. Isaiah 42:1-4 NIV
Faithful struggling with finances are seeking out help & hope by Robert King, Indianapolis Star
Tough economic times have reached the day care at East 10th Street Church of God, a tiny Eastside congregation that makes child care its principal service to the community.
Baptisms are always great... and what an added blessing to be able to now share them on the internet via photos, blogs, and in Pastor Mike Rowell's case, even via YouTube.
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." Matthew 19:28-29 NIV
[IndyChristian Ed. Note... Btw, when have you ever heard a pastor say this... he's advocating for using the church website (YourChurch.com) to STUDY & PREPARE for Sunday's worship time together to make the most of it!]
[This from Ed Stetzer, Lifeway Research Director... on the recent Barna Research report on technology...]
"Barna Research recently completed two studies ( here and here) related to Protestant churches and the use of technology. For example, "two-thirds of Protestant churches (65%) now have a large screen projection system in their church that they use for services and other events." From the use of video clips during worship to websites and podcasts our churches continue to explore the relevance and usefulness of technology.
Of note in Barna's research is that a church's size and theology seems to be related to its use of technology. Simply put, smaller churches tend to use less tech than larger churches, and theologically liberal churches tend to use less tech than the more theologically conservative. Interesting..."
[IndyChristian Ed. Note... We've known Peggy through her website from the beginning of IndyChristian.com in 1999. Now 9 years and hundreds of thousands of hits later, she's still at it. What's more, it's been fun recently connecting with Peggy on Facebook. There's nothing magical about using the web to impact lives and communities -- and Peggy's there to demonstrate how. Many blessings, Peggy!]
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV
A Good Year for Planned Parenthood. 290,000 Pre-borns? Not So Much.
[ht: 40Days-Indy.org... This is from American Life League....]
"Planned Parenthood Federation of America has just released its 2006-2007 Annual Report. The report shows that PP has killed 289,750 preborn babies and had a total income of over $1 billion. These numbers again mark an increase over the previous year..."
"But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, 'Suffer the little children come to me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of God." [Mark 10:14]
Memorial Day has traditionally been a day of remembering the many heroes who lost their lives during wars in which the United States has been involved. As you pause to pray for those currently serving in Iraq and other posts worldwide, take a moment to browse through the collection of articles to honor those soldiers.
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 NIV
Indy Christian Geeks... lunching at Saigon... Fri., 5/30
[The following details were provided by our convener, Dr. Thomas Ho, Instructor, IUPUI...]
The 'Indy Christian Geeks' will be getting together for our monthly noon lunch on Friday (5/30) at the Saigon Restaurant, Lafayette Rd (map). Geeks & geek-wannabees *smile* are all welcome. Think of it as a 'lunch & learn'... but mostly it's a good time enjoying other brothers & sisters engaged in innovation here in our city... or who would want to be. Come join us.
Pastor Bryan Hudson has been shooting video we'll hope to see when he returns from Lagos, Nigeria. But for now, here's his photostream that has already reached us. Enjoy.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25 NIV
'Homeless Christians'... Searching For The Perfect Church
[The following article is from Brandon Perry, Religion Editor for the Indianapolis Recorder...]
"In the six years I’ve been blessed to be a writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, a disturbing number of people have shared their disillusionment and frustration with the church as an institution.
“Christ is my man and I still love God, but I can’t stand those toxic church folks,” is the kind of statement that I’ve heard from people who no longer participate at their church.
These brothers and sisters fall in the category of what I call “homeless Christians.” They are believers who still desire to follow Christ but currently have no church home. A number of them have also allowed mistreatment they received by a few people in one congregation to cast doubt about their entire faith and reject all churches.
Don't get too excited. It's just an idea. But maybe one whose time as come.
Could Facebook solve the oil crisis?
While we probably AREN'T willing to ride with strangers, we probably ARE willing... maybe even eager to ride with our friends. Or even to ride with, and get to know, friends of our friends.
So this is perhaps an idea whose time has come!
And it doesn't seem like rocket-science for a Web2.0/Facebook type programmer.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 NIV
According to the Indiana Department of Education, 15 Indiana high schools graduated less than half of their senior classes in 2006. What a difference a little mentoring can make in the life of a high school student.
The school-based Junior Achievement Mentoring Program boasts a 100 percent graduation rate despite many obstacles facing students in the program. Students are facing challenges such as coming from a single parent or low-income home, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
“Statistics about high school dropouts and their impact on society should motivate every able-bodied adult to mentor a student,” said Trecia Holloway, director of education with the mentoring program.
Holloway said high school dropouts are eight times more likely to be in jail or prison than graduates. Financially, on average, dropouts... [continued at Indianapolis Recorder]
I am pleased to announce that we have launched the environment + movement site today and we are ready for the response! If you are a Church leader or you want to see an environmental change in your Church you need to take a look at the new site!
To keep it short here is the environment + movement is a group of people (mostly from ww.youareholy.com) wanting to help churches become environmentally friendly and to start a movement of community sharing as seen in Acts 2:44-45.
Our good friends, John & Nancy Hook (Mission Aviation Fellowship) sent us this in an email today... effectively reminding us to be thankful for we have.
Admittedly, Indianapolis has no ocean front. But...
Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. Luke 6:20-23 NIV
[IndyChristian Ed.Note... Here's another Facebook friend impacting the world for Christ using new-media... and is training young people to do likewise. Even though Dr. Reid now lives elsewhere, he has Hoosier history... Enjoy.]
The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. "Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. No longer will violence be heard in your land,nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:14-16, 18-20 NIV
Celebrate Prayer and Praise at the Statehouse... July 1st
A Public Thanksgiving of prayer and praise to our Great God and His Son Jesus Christ who has heard our prayers and has removed the ban of a Federal Judge on prayer in Jesus’ name at the Indiana House.
But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:8-10 NIV
Ray Bakke's Plenary Sessions at City Impact Roundtable
More than 180 Christian leaders from across the nation came together near Boston in April for the Tenth Anniversary National City Impact Roundtable—“Mobilizing a Diverse Church for City Transformation.”
Urban ministry veteran Ray Bakke gave the plenary addresses for the three-day conference. He presented a message on ministry in the city through long-term, faithful witness, sharing his experiences from over 40 years of cityreaching and urban ministry in Chicago and Seattle, and of advising urban ministry practioners in locations around the world. Bakke offered a perspective of having a biblical mission for justice and mercy in tandem with a biblical mission of personal salvation. He gave both a local and global perspective to the conference, which resonated with the diverse crowd representing various ethnicities, generations, types of ministry and several denominations.
[This is from our blogging friend at Indy Metro... Aaron Story.]
Sunday evening we helped lead a collision of the worlds. A collision of the rich and the poor; of different races; but most importantly a collision of love. One that I pray no one will recover from. An overabundance of love was poured out. I think Paul describes it best in the letter of Philippians, “Poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
[DJ Chuang is a long-time blogging friend -- not to mention Facebook friend *smile* -- and he serves as Director of Digital Initiatives and Asian American Church Research with Leadership Network and as the Executive Director of L2 Foundation. He has various professional experiences in web strategy, pastoral ministry, and software engineering. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Virginia Tech. His personal website at www.djchuang.com is where he has been blogging since 1999 and links to his interests, including digital photography and being a church connoisseur. He now resides in Orange County, California, with his artistic wife Rachelle, and their 10-year old son Jeremiah.]
DJ Chuang
Special thanks to Tony Steward (and Rick Warren) for getting us connected and getting us bloggers access to the Purpose Driven Network Summit this week May 20-22 at Saddleback Church! Tony has dubbed us the 'LIVE Summit Team', which includes Carlos 'RagamuffinSoul' Whittaker, Josh 'morethandodgeball' Griffin, Tony Morgan 'Live', and me.
We, the LIVE Summit team, will be blogging, podcasting, and live-streaming video during the entire conference. We’ll use Twitter too — those of you who twitter at the Summit, please use hashtag #pdsummit08 to be trackable.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A local and national kick-off for the June 2008 weekly Sacred Conversations on Religion, Race, and Electoral Politics will be held Sunday, May 18 from 7-9p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
This local event is part of a national effort to address race relations. Dr. James Morehead, associate producer of the new documentary A Ripple of Hope will participate along with congregations, faith-based institutions and community leaders. The June 2008 Sacred Conversations will feature conversations between five pairings of churches from differing backgrounds. In addition to these conversations, there will be a conversation among community leaders.
A press conference will be held at the conclusion of the conversations on June 29 at 6 p.m. The proposed venue is Light of the World Christian Church.
Contact The Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis at churches@churchfederationindy.org or 317-926-5371 for more information.
Contact: Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith Ph: 317.926.5371 Fax: 317.926.5373 a.walker-smith@churchfederationindy.org
Atheist: 'Is This What Jesus Told You Guys To Do?'
[great catch, Ed!]
"Matt Casper is no stranger to the Christian world, having worked for one of the leading Christian outreach ministries. It sure seems odd to me that he was a professed atheist even then. With an open mind, Matt entered each of the churches and agreed to describe his experience, akin to being a foreigner entering places unknown. His insightful reactions within each church visited may provoke your mind and challenge some of your assumptions (as it did mine) about what we do and why we do it.
Following are several questions Matt asked as he walked back to the parking lot after visits..." [continued at EdBahler.com]
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. Proverbs 10:11-14 NIV
Hutcherson: 'Evan-jellyfish With No Spiritual Vertebrae'
[from OneNewsNow.com...]
An outspoken pastor and pro-family activist is speaking out about Evangelical leaders he says have no spiritual backbone.
Pastor Ken Hutcherson of the Antioch Bible Church in suburban Seattle is known as much for his straight talk as for his former NFL career. And when it comes to Evangelicals who want to disengage from allegedly "political" issues, his comments are as hard-hitting as his tackles.
"Right now a lot of white Evangelicals are just 'Evan-jellyfish' with no spiritual vertebrae," he says.
The following article by Bob Ellis comes from the Dakota Voice...
"The [An] Evangelical Manifesto released a week or so ago has generated several denunciations, including my own.
Briefly, while the document seemed innocuous enough on the surface, it's implications and logical end really cannot amount to anything other than a call for the surrender of commitment to Biblical values and a Christian retreat from the public square.
When I read the list of signers and wrote about it, I noted that there were at least a few names I was surprised to see on the list..."
Overwhelmed by an increase in the number of the homeless seeking shelter and a drop in donations, Wheeler Mission recently had to cut back on its community initiatives.
After news of the retrenchment broke, a group of concerned citizens began wondering how they could help Wheeler address its financial deficit. The result was the launch this month of Operation Restoration. The initiative's goal is to highlight the plight of the homeless, with a focus on how Wheeler not only offers shelter but also provides long-term efforts to help men change their lives and return to the work force.
[This article is from Justin Taylor... ht: James Kubecki]
How many ways to God are there?
One of the truths of Christianity that bothers the world the most is the belief that Jesus is the only way to God. This is what Jesus himself taught: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), as did his earliest followers: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Those who disagree with this are called pluralists (meaning they believe that there are many, or a plurality of, ways to God). Those who belief there is only one way to God and that salvation is only found through believing in Jesus are called exclusivists (or particularists).
Quasi-related: Ryan McCann, Indiana Family Institute, reviews Shane Claiborne's book... and presents his own "Biblical Understanding of Poverty" today at Veritas Rex Blog.
I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Psalms 101:3-4 NIV
International Conference on Computers & Missions... June 6-10
[excerpted from ICCM.org...]
ICCM takes place on the campus of Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.
June 6-10, 2008
The International Conference on Computing and Mission (ICCM) is an annual informal (NOties allowed) gathering of women and men who have a common interest in computers and mission. We share a vision cooperation for effective use of technology bringing the Gospel to every nation.
Keynote for 2008 is Ron Fleming, Global Chief Information Officer for the International Bible Society.
Having previously posted about the recently released "An Evangelical Manifesto"... [here] [and here], what a welcome surprise it was for me today to get to sit in on the Transform Indiana ministry-networking meeting, and hear about 7 churches on Indy's Eastside who are partnering together for the cause of Christ in their community.
Remember the lengthy 'manifesto' which apparently took 3 years to build (and summarize) and is still being explained (and discredited)? By contrast, here's the covenant these 7 churches composed in short order while in the trenches together getting the job done in their neighborhoods...
"We the following pastors come together for fellowship and the transformation of the Near Eastside Neighborhood by the power of God (and the blessing of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ). Being led by the Holy Spirit as gospel preachers, we now commit ourselves to this task. We believe that salvation is by grace through faith, and it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2: 8-9. This salvation is both personal and corporate, (extends to the proclamation) proclaiming that by Christ all things are reconciled to God. Col. 1:20. We further believe that our God is a triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I John 5:7. Affirming (Based on our beliefs,) the Holy Scriptures also (commonly) known as the Word of God, and for the purpose of this great work, we now commit our congregations to fellowship (“marriage”) as brothers and sisters in Christ, and again for the glory of God and fulfillment of the scriptures. Acts 2:44."
I don't know if ALL these pastors are among the 'anti-intellectuals' and 'caricatures' decried in the manifesto, or not... but I think you might agree with me... they pretty succinctly hit the nail on the head as they enumerated their purpose & principles.
God bless you guys! We'll stay tuned -- we can all learn a lot from you.
Mark your calendars folks, and come be with them as they tighten the knot on July 6th, 10:30am at Englewood Christian Church.
The Bible intimates that 'the world' is sometimes more shrewd than believers.
Here in Indiana, we just survived the onslaught of national politicians coming to our state with rolled-up sleeves, riding in our pickup trucks and throwing back a shot or two with us down at ye 'ol Hoosier do-drop-inn.
They recognize that the kiss of death is any inference of 'elitism'.
But now the national Christian community is besieged by (some) leaders deliberately making their stand from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C....
The document on the one hand says that they're not speaking for all evangelicals but at the same time intimates that they are representative of all evangelicals.
"Once all the self-description is out of the way, it turns out that the heart of the document is a kind of urgent appeal: Please don't call us fundamentalists or confuse us with them."
My question: Why was a 'manifesto' by this traditional, white, upscale, please-don't-call-me-a-fundy segment of Christian leaders necessary? Could it be they simply fell victim to the devil's favorite scheme... **sigh**... 'pride & divide'?
But we still love ya, guys. So when all the hoopla is over (and doesn't change a thing), come to Indiana sometime and we'll have pancakes together at the cafe.
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV
And here's the site itself -- An Evangelical Manifesto. At the very least, read the Summary document. And watch the interviews.
What should we think of this -- is it significant? At the very least, it's a stimulus toward some serious reflection & conversation that needs to take place.
Do I concur with the 'manifesto'? That's another question. Before answering, let me first refer you to 'An Evangelical Response' posted yesterday by Dr. Al Mohler -- a non-signer of the manifesto -- so you can get another point-of-view.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalms 62:5-8 NIV
"I was in line at the grocery checkout. A few feet in front of me, a mother guided her toddler ahead, anchored her baby on her hip and elbowed her checkbook open to pay the clerk. In what seemed one single gesture, she retrieved her toddler's hand from the candy rack, tore the check from her book and offered it to the clerk while placing a comforting smooch atop her baby's head. The baby drooled down the mother's shoulder, the toddler clamp-gripped his mom's leg and the mother wrapped her arms about both while waiting for her payment to be processed..."
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV
Harvest Bible Chapel Indy West celebrated its first Sunday service March 9 with more than 240 worshippers in attendance. Since then, attendance has held steady in the 200 range, strong for a new church, said Senior Pastor Doug Helmer.
The church meets in a nontraditional location, at Regal Cinema Shiloh Crossing in Avon, but Helmer said the theater serves the church's mission to become part of the community.
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28 NIV
National African American Fellowship aiding Crossover Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Baptist Press)--Two longtime pastors will be honored during the June 8-9 meeting of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, while Mark Croston Sr. will recap his unprecedented three-year term as NAAF president.
But on Saturday, June 7, the NAAF is encouraging its members to participate in the Crossover Indianapolis by engaging in evangelistic outreach through seven local Southern Baptist churches that minister in an African American context.
"We're encouraging our participants to get to Indianapolis early to participate in the Saturday Crossover activities," Croston said. "This is one way we can join together in God's Kingdom work."
The NAAF, encompassing 4,500 African American churches in the SBC, meets each year in conjunction with the SBC's annual meeting, slated for June 10-11 in the Indiana Convention Center.
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV
[IndyChristian Ed.Note... Ike Randolph is now underway touring some great faith-based community activities going on in our city and state. It'd be a shame not to highlight what he's finding...]
"Jim Raftery is a perfect guy to live next door to you. Now don't get me wrong Don and Dwayne (my neighbors) are great fellas, but you've gotta have a guy like Jim in your neighborhood. Jim loves to work on cars, that's his passion. He also runs the Cars of Clay Ministry at the..." [continued at Front Porch Indiana Blog]
If you are a church in Hamilton County or near this area, we have an opportunity for you! We are looking for a church that would be willing to test a new program that involves the environment and church community sharing (we are going to leave the details minimal at the moment! : )))
I can’t explain how excited I am about it! God is raising a revolution and I am so happy you and I can participate in it!
If any of this sounds intriguing and you want to know more or would like to be a test church for something new please let us know (there is no charge for this at all…infact some of the ideas we have will save the church in general money!). If you are not the person in church at your church…no worries email us anyway and we will get in contact with you!
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they arethe kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:21-24 NIV
"I recently attended my first Indy Christian Geeks lunch, where I was invited a couple of weeks ago by Dr. Thomas Ho from IUPUI’s Computer Information Department (where I’m currently a half-time student). I hear the group is bigger, but there were six plus me last week, and we ate at the food court of an ethnic grocery store where food was available from three countries (we all ate Korean), and I had the Fried Rice with Chicken, which was very good. The Geeks lunch is always on the last Friday of the month, so it’s easy to remember.
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I willglorify your name forever. Psalms 86:11-12 NIV
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 [ht: Aaron Story !]
Heartland Church has made a special connection the past few months with the people of Sierra Leone in northwest Africa through World Hope International. WHI is a faith based relief and development organization. A group from our congregation made a trip to Africa to visit the people of Sierra Leone and see the work that WHI is doing there.
[ht: Aaron Story, IndyBloggers item in our sidebar]
Ryan Graves and Jake DeFord are traveling from Indianapolis, IN to Redwood City, CA (2,301 miles – 1 day, 9 hours) to help Chris Davidson (Peninsula Covenant Church’s Skateboard Pastor) with his skateboard ministry.
So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent," forgive him. Luke 17:3-4 NIV
[IndyChristian Ed. Note... Again we remind you... Lark News is aptly named. It's only a parody... ie, a joke with a point...]
DENVER — Connection Metro Church, which used its foyer coffee bars to attract visitors to its eight satellite churches in the Denver area, has decided to abandon ministry altogether to focus on coffee.
"People liked the coffee a lot better than the ministry, according to congregational surveys, so we’re practicing what we preached and focusing on our strengths," says former teaching pastor and now chief marketing officer, Peter Brown.
Fireside (oops I mean Front Porch) Chats... Every Friday
[IndyChristian Ed. Note... You can take the fireman out of the firehouse, but you can't take the firehouse out of the fireman. *smile* Our friend, former firefighter & city councilor, Ike Randolph, now Director of Indiana's Office of Faith Based & Community Initiatives, is starting a 'conversation' every Friday afternoon, which will proceed throughout the weekend online. Ike, you can't fool us -- we know you REALLY wanted to call it a 'Fireside Chat'. *wink*]
Here's an interesting dialog opportunity opening up to create community-focused conversation online... every Friday afternoon, throughout the weekend(s).
Let's see what Ike has in mind. In fact, let him know what YOU'd like to discuss.
Dear friends of mine, by God's grace, are converting life's worst horror and pain into a new beginning. Read this story of how infidelity and Satan's allure ravaged a marriage and how Christ restored them--and through their testimony He is ministering to multitudes. Be sure to look at the video. It is beyond words!
I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. Isaiah 45:5-7 NIV
Part of a larger drive to get people to the polls, group says Illinois senator would bring hope, unity
[article by Robert King, Indianapolis Star...]
Gathered where another Democratic presidential primary paused amid tragedy 40 years ago, 25 black ministers from across Indianapolis made it clear Thursday that their voter drive has a clear purpose: helping Barack Obama become the nation's first black president.
"A
centralized media site for Greater Indianapolis Christians. We connect & communicate among 'Driven-Christians in the Racing Capital of
the World' to accelerate the Great Commission!"
"If
you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from
his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one
in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but
in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." (Philippians
2)
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