We have seen some self-designated “evangelical” leaders change their position on LGBTQ issue, and very many — for a very long time — on the issue of women pastors/elders. The last conviction standing in the moral/social realm, it seems, is abortion.

Now with the clamor because of the potential supreme court ruling, will many cave-in on this last hold out of Biblical morality?

Poll Results

Will More Mainstream “Evangelical” Leaders Change Their Position on Abortion?

We have long heard of clergy shortages among Roman Catholics and liberal mainline churches. Now, it seems, conservative churches are sharing the problem. It is referred to as “The Great American Clergy Shortage.”

I am in the process of retiring after having been in pastoral ministry for 43 years. I will be retiring by November 1; for months now, I have been trying to work with a pastoral selection committee to find a new pastor. The pickings are very, very slim.

Mental problems. Mental illness. Chemical imbalances. Environmental concerns affecting the brain and body chemistry. Human responsibility. Sin. Societal norms. Dysfunctional people from dysfunctional families. Seasonal depression. Anxiety. Bi-polar. Borderline personality disorder. Wisdom/foolishness. Schizophrenia. Co-dependency. Heredity. Environment. DNA altering foods and chemicals. Autism. Side effects. Chemical dependency. Addiction. Social anxiety. Brain injuries. Genetic (race) memory. Trauma. Phobias.

Most Old Testament translations rely on the Masoretic Text. Some sometimes modify that text based upon the Dead Sea Scrolls and even the Septuagint. Although I think most of us favor the Masoretic Text (MT), can the other traditions be of textual value?

We know there are many principles involved in Biblical criticism, so we are painting with a broad brush.

There seems to be a renewed movement toward respecting the LXX text as a tradition to be reckoned with.

So, what are your thoughts? Have your views on this subject changed? Comments (brief ones esp.) appreciated.

A recent Filings article (link from SI is here: https://sharperiron.org/filings/022222/41022) discusses how a “high up” cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church (who is good friends with the pope) is suggesting that the church is wrong to condemn LGBTQ practices.

So, in your opinion, do you think the RCC will cave into the culture on this issue? And if so, when?

Poll Results

Will the Catholic Church cave in to the LGBTQ agenda?

CRT has been all the rage. Christians have responded in various ways, and even state legislatures are getting involved. Some who have suggested police forces should be disbanded are moderating their views. How should we view this when it comes to church-related responses?

Poll Results

What is your view on the current/predicted status of Critical Race Theory and the church?

We pray the Lord’s Prayer (the Matthew version with the long ending) on a monthly basis. We tried doing that weekly, but it seemed less meaningful. What about your church?

Poll Results

Does your church pray the Lord’s prayer during services?

Every year, the Kingdom of God is challenged by a plethora of problems and issues. Some of the biggest challenges are issues of the times. They are added to the perennial challenges and generic problems like sin, ego, ignorance, selfishness, etc.

Potentially, all or a number of the choices can affect the segment of the Kingdom in which you are involved. I am looking for what you expect to be the greatest challenge in your sphere of ministry.

Please feel free to comment.

I am sure that I left out a big one or two or three, so feel free to share them.

The church I now pastor had, before my time, a tradition of Santa Claus giving out candy at the church Christmas Dinner. We handled the situation by eliminating the dinner (everyone is too busy anyway). In time, we had some people who were very anti-Santa. Some people brought up their children to believe in Santa Claus, others used the Santa motif, but taught their children it was pretend, and then others, like us, were concerned that if our children found us untruthful about Santa, would they think that Jesus is also a myth?

So maybe this seems to be a no-brainer to you, but I am trying to think this through. When I meet a Catholic priest, I may address him as “father,” even though he is not my spiritual father. By doing so, I am not acknowledging his superiority to me, as, perhaps, a Catholic might.