Map?

josh p

This is just a suggestion. Is there any consideration of putting together some kind of a map that shows the distribution of SI members? It would interesting to see and could also be a guide for churches to visit when traveling.

Discussion

A SharperIron Design Update this Weekend

Aaron Blumer

If my notes are correct, SI’s last design update was about three years ago. That would make us way overdue for a face lift! It turns out one has been in the making behind the scenes for several months, and the site will go offline for much of the weekend to transition.

The underlying framework, for those interested, is still Drupal 7, but theming for Drupal — and for websites in general — has improved a good bit in the last couple of years. There are some powerful tools available now for themers … and I don’t how to use any of them!

But the good folks at More Than (Just) Themes provided a great starting design and excellent support along the way so, Lord willing, an updated look will be operational and about 90% actually “finished” before Monday morning October 30. Most of you probably won’t notice the 10% that will still be under construction.

Discussion

A Prayer for the Survivors of the Las Vegas Shooting

Ed Vasicek

Lord, we are grieved that at least 59 people have died from the Las Vegas shooting, and that hundreds more have been injured. Father, we know that evil is a reality in our world. The curse that resulted from Adam’s sin brought with it death, disaster, and hardship. It also left all humans with a sinful nature, one that resists being tamed.

Lord, we especially want to pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Many lives were quickly snuffed out. Their loss is a grievous one, and the suddenness of it makes it even more painful. These loved ones feel the emptiness, the helplessness, the loss; dark clouds hover over their lives, lives that were forever changed in an instant. How can this be?

Discussion

What is your marital status?

Ed Vasicek

Our views regarding divorce and remarriage differ quite a bit in this discussion forum. Such differences reflect our individual attempts to harmonize a number of Scriptures and Biblical pinciples, not from a “liberal-conservative” continuum.

SI is a very conservative website, but all our members live in the real world in a real culture. Our lives are never ideal, but some of us have more traditional situations than others.

Discussion

Communicating Criticism to Other Leaders

T Howard

I need some wisdom on how to appropriately communicate criticism I receive from congregation members.

When someone in your congregation sends you an e-mail, text message, letter, etc. that is critical of others in leadership (and you yourself are in leadership), how should you respond?

Discussion

How often and how severely do you struggle with depression?

Ed Vasicek

Some of the godliest people struggled with depression. Elijah was one of them. Whether Jesus, as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” was ever depressed may be a matter of semantics.

Depression can come from various sources, IMO. Some people are genetically predisposed to operate in a mildly depressed state — at least most of the time. Others rarely struggle with depression.

Discussion

How Many Times Have You Read Through the Entire Bible?

Ed Vasicek

Although it is always hard to get an accurate assessment, how many times would you guess you have read through the entire Bible?

This should be based upon reading programs — whether from Genesis to Revelation or some other schedule — in addition to personal guesses.

For example, if you preach/teach through the Word, you might be reading through the entire Bible doing a survey course, etc.

Discussion

How Many Times Have You Read Through the Entire Bible?

Ed Vasicek

Although it is always hard to get an accurate assessment, how many times would you guess you have read through the entire Bible?

This should be based upon reading programs — whether from Genesis to Revelation or some other schedule — in addition to personal guesses.

For example, if you preach/teach through the Word, you might be reading through the entire Bible doing a survey course, etc.

Discussion