Tweets for 2011-04-23

by | Apr 23, 2011 | Twitter

Bring YouTube, Wikipedia, Twitter and more to every page you visit with Apture Highlights. http://bit.ly/apturehighlights # We learned about the last supper tonight-David just wanted to drink the sparkling cider: http://t.co/8FCM2RV # "Mom, may I drink my last supper now?" Emi. That's progress beyond last year. # Worth the read: Worshiping Your Feelings http://bit.ly/gEUMFx # Worth the read: J. I. Packer On Why People Leave Churches http://bit.ly/dGb6Wr # Worth the read: New 'Christianity Explored' Website http://bit.ly/gnVq7d...
iPad and Pastoral Ministry: An Update – Part 1

iPad and Pastoral Ministry: An Update – Part 1

by | Apr 19, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Personal, Technology

Last January, when Apple announced the introduction, I published a post about how I thought ordinary pastors might make use of this new category of computer.  A follow-up post is long over due.  In fact, when looking over which articles tend to be most perused, I find that previous article continually referenced. I purchased my iPad (the original version) just days after it was released.  I immediately began to put it to use in my regular life and pastoral ministry.  Before I chronicle how I currently use my iPad in ministry, let me give a few follow-up comments to the six reasons I proposed that ordinary pastors might benefit from the iPad. 1.  Magazines/Newspapers can now survive. Newspapers have embraced the iPad in mass from what I can see.  I have The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, CNN, and The Daily, all on my iPad.  So far, most of these e-papers do not charge for their content.  Some e-magazines do charge; those who do, have not received any of my cash.  Even though most of the e-papers are free I rarely open up any of their stand-alone apps.  Not that I don”™t consume massive amounts of news articles, I do.  As of today, Time, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Politico, CNN, The Washington Post, and many more are making their content free through Twitter. Subscribing to their Twitter feeds and using the Flipboard app I can bring all of the e-papers and magazines I want into one place for me to read, takes notes from, and...
What is a Church? A Community of the Converted

What is a Church? A Community of the Converted

by | Apr 15, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Preaching

Carefully Think Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Paul writes to “the church of the Thessalonians.”  In the passage what are the characteristics of those who are in this church? Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 10. How does Paul describe the people of this church? Read the following: Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:13, 14; 11:21; 14:21-23. Who were members of the church? Prayerfully Meditate Biblically speaking, who should be members of a church? Who should not be members? If non-Christians are not members, then what role does the church play in their life? What should their relationship to the church be? How would issues like the Lord”™s supper, baptism, church discipline, and church government all be affected by who is and who is not actually a member of a church? Why does it matter who is or is not a member of a local church?  Why is this or is this not an important issue? Actively Respond Do you see the evidence of conversion in your life ““ the kind described in 1 Thessalonians 1?  How so? Why not? Pray for those who will be leading the church in our corporate gathering on Sunday. Pray that they will have a focused attention in leading the entire church in a biblical manner. Pray for all who will be involved in the service (instrumentalists, sound technicians, ushers, etc.). Pray that we will help to enhance people”™s affections for God this week in how we serve the body. Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will sing Sunday (found below). Listen to samples of the music we plan to sing (found below), or download...