Monday Roundup

HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!
I'm still trying to figure out the justification for keeping this "holiday" on the calendar -- other than giving bank and government workers another day off.


CHURCH OF THE WEEK
Each Monday I am highlighting a church from my "favorites" list. Most of these congregations are off the beaten path.

This week I'm directing your attention to a brand new church plant in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina -- Christ Church. This congregation of 180 people meets in a movie theater.

Been there, done that -- and I'd do it again! Sounds exciting.


SICILIAN PAN PIZZA
Old Papa Murphy came out with a winner this time. It's a good thing we only bought a large. I would have eaten the whole thing otherwise.


CHURCH SPAMMERS
Jordon Cooper calls them the "scum of the church." I'd call them on a plague on the church. There is nothing to indicate that they are "of" the church.


COPS GONE WILD
Why is it that when certain cops see a video camera they play to it by beating up a black man? Three NOLA officers have been charged with assault. (Video link is on the left side of the target page.) Sad.


FLASH DRIVES...
are changing the way we compute. Are they making hard-drives and laptops obsolete?


HURRICANE VINCE...
heading toward Spain. Wait a minute -- they don't get hurricanes in Spain. Something is out of whack.


BAD NEWS FOR BLACKBERRY ADDICTS
Your service is about to be terminated -- or so that's the way it looks.


VITICULTURE REVOLUTION?
Rapid aging through electrolysis could change the wine industry.


WHOSE BIBLE IS IT?
Worth noting: Dan Clendenin has a review of Jaroslav Pelikan's new book, Whose Bible Is It? A History of the Scriptures Through the Ages.


CHURCH DROP-OUTS
George Barna's latest research indicates that there are unexpected changes taking place in the church -- a "revolution."

Barna estimates that the local church is presently the primary form of faith experience and expression for about two-thirds of the nation's adults. He projects that by 2025 the local church will lose roughly half of its current "market share" and that alternative forms of faith experience and expression will pick up the slack.

These are people who will attempt a more individualized form of Christianity -- connecting through the Internet, other forums that by-pass the local church communities, or not at all.

I would suggest that theologically and biblically, being a follower of Jesus is inherently a community activity. That is, the first thing Jesus did when he started his public ministry was to form a community of disciples. It is impossible to be truly following Jesus apart from being a part of his community. Note that this is not just a "spiritual" community. The followers of Jesus have an actual connection of physical presence with each other, as well as their master. And it's not always pleasant. Even the first disciples fall into bickering and competition. Yet, that doesn't negate the community. Jesus doesn't cancel church because of their density and nonsensense.

Barna may be correct in identifying a trend. I would suggest that it is consumerism gone amok -- viewing spirituality as a commodity choice -- a product to be customized to our personal preferences and tastes. But it is not a healthy trend.