The SUV as Ministry

The new devil is the SUV. It is the symbol of consumerism (having more than you need), status-seeking, and environmental irresponsibility. All three of which plague the church and present a challenge for the Church.

(I'm pausing to let you all nod your head in sober agreement and concern.)

The congregation numbers about 150. On Sunday, a family with small children within the church was moving out of town, and needed help loading the rental moving van. Many came out (I don't know how many) The next day, Memorial Day, another family in the church, living 25 minutes away, was moving into the town.

Take away the elderly, infirm, those out of town for the weekend, and those who simply had other plans. Thirty people took half their day off on Memorial Day to come out, move the family into town. They came with their SUV's, gigantic pick-ups (who needs a vehicle that big?), and trailers, loaded them up with boxes, furniture, and odds and ends, brought them to town, and unloaded them.

So when you see somebody with driving a vehicle far larger than what you believe anyone would need, judge not, lest ye be judged.

On Baptism

Something I posted over at Rev. Lemonholm's spot:

My personal opinion, unbacked by theology, is that an infant's parents ought to be baptized before the infant, as a sign and promise that the baby is actually going to be raised in the Kingdom of God.

Beyond that, did John the Baptist turn away anyone from baptism? (Yes, he tried to turn away one)

"Open baptism" should probably be available to everyone. It might make a better evangelistic tool than preaching and personal "witnessing." The Church could say, "Come, be baptized!" If some come as a lark, that's their responsibility. The Church should not deny anyone a birth certificate in the Kingdom of God.I would view baptism as the very first sign of discipleship, and what comes afterwrds is the responsibility of the disciple.

BIOLOGY OF BELIEF

Of religious interest, this post at my Independent Country site. Feel free to comment at either blog:

Independent Country: BIOLOGY OF BELIEF

From a friend (on a political e-mail list):

"On a personal level, I am not a religious person ... I see far more examples of death, scorn, division and elitism from this institution than the good works their individual members wish to practice."

I wonder if the problem/failure of "personal evangelism" is not that Christian believers are embarrassed by the Gospel, but rather that they are ashamed of the Church, for the very reason stated above?

Joyce Meyer's millions

Joyce Meyer made millions, records say.

Nobody should care, except, how in the world can a Christian middle-age or late-middle age couple spend so much money? On parties? Prostitutes? Alcohol? Rolls-Royces? What are they doing making multi-six-figure salaries?

I'm not asking in a judgmental way; how do people like that spend their money?

When Stereotypes Come True

The Billy Joel line "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints" has never been truer. Who'd want to spend eternity with these Christians?

World Magazine Blog: Christian sense of humor

Every Member a Minister

Dave Black says that there is no Biblical foundation for the office of "pastor." I wonder if this means that any and every baptized communicant in good standing is authorized to adMINISTER the sacraments?

Or is there genuine "apostolic succession?"

Anyone can preach; anyone can pray. But can anyone administer the sacraments?

I don't know.

Every Member a Minister