‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ Singer Oliver Anthony Reads Scripture to Crowd at Grand Ole Opry

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December 21, 2023

Viral sensation Oliver Anthony made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday (Dec 17). During his performance, Anthony, who skyrocketed to fame with his controversial song “Rich Men North of Richmond,” read Scripture to the crowd gathered in the historic Ryman Auditorium.

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree,” Anthony said, reading from Matthew 24:32-34. “As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

Adding his own paraphrase of Matthew 24:35, Anthony continued, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus’ words will never pass away.”

The words, originally spoken by Jesus Christ, come from the Olivet Discourse, a notoriously difficult sermon to interpret in which Jesus prophesied about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem as well as his own second coming.

Anthony is known for reading Scripture at his performances, often mixing biblical language with rural working class values.

Anthony’s song “Rich Men North of Richmond” went viral in August, garnering both praise and criticism. While many saw the song as an anthem for the working class, some criticized Anthony’s portrayal of the urban poor as accepting government handouts while working class rural communities struggle to survive. The song also made a passing reference to far-right conspiracy theories.

Despite the pushback, the video of Anthony performing the song has been viewed tens of millions of times.

For his part, Anthony has expressed disinterest in becoming a political icon.

In a video released shortly after he became a viral sensation, Anthony referenced the fact that his song was discussed at a Republican presidential primary debate, saying, “It was funny seeing my song at the presidential debate because I wrote that song about those people. So for them to have to sit there and listen to it cracks me up.”

Nevertheless, Anthony expressed gratitude for the fact that people have connected with his music.

Compassion Fatigue

By

Full Strength Network

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December 21, 2023

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been tirelessly tending to your congregation, offering support, guidance, and love to those you lead. But sometimes, even the most dedicated shepherds find themselves teetering on the edge of burnout. That’s why today, we want to talk about something many of you may be experiencing—compassion fatigue—and offer you three biblical steps to help you overcome it.

Compassion Fatigue: What Is it?

First off, let’s get on the same page about compassion fatigue. It’s more than just feeling tired or emotionally drained. Compassion fatigue is when the demands of caring for others, whether through counseling, visiting the sick, or simply being a listening ear, become so overwhelming that they start to take a toll on your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. You might find yourself feeling detached, irritable, or even questioning your purpose in ministry.

Step 1: Self-Care and Boundaries

Remember that even Jesus, the ultimate example of compassion and love, took time for self-care and set boundaries. In the Gospels, we see Jesus withdrawing to pray and recharge, often going to a quiet place to spend time with His Father. In Mark 1:35, it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” This is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to step away and take care of yourself.

Don’t be afraid to set healthy boundaries in your ministry. Delegate tasks, say no when necessary, and seek support from fellow pastors or counselors. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and taking time to rejuvenate will make you a more effective shepherd.

Step 2: Reflect and Reconnect

It’s easy to get so caught up in the daily grind of pastoral duties that we lose sight of our purpose and calling. Just as the Israelites often strayed from God’s path, we, too, can find ourselves spiritually adrift. Take time to reflect on why you entered ministry in the first place. What called you to serve your congregation?

In Psalm 23, we’re reminded that the Lord is our shepherd, and we shall not want. Remember that you are merely a vessel, an instrument of God’s grace. He’s the true shepherd, and you are his faithful servant. When you reconnect with your calling and seek his guidance, your compassion will be renewed, and you’ll find the strength to continue your ministry.

Step 3: Community and Support

One of the most beautiful aspects of being a part of the body of Christ is the support system it provides. In Galatians 6:2, it’s written, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Don’t be afraid to lean on your fellow pastors, church members, or a trusted friend for support. Share your struggles, your doubts, and your fears.

You are not alone in your journey. By allowing others to bear some of the load, you’ll not only alleviate some of the emotional weight but also strengthen your connections within your faith community. Remember, the people you serve need a healthy shepherd, and reaching out for support is a testament to your faith and humility.

When Churches Find Out About Alleged Abuse, Calling the Police Is Not Enough

By

Bob Smietana

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December 21, 2023

churches abuse — (Photo by Karolina Grabowska/Pexels/Creative Commons)

(RNS) — When leaders of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, found out in 2016 that a former church staffer had been accused of sexually abusing a child, they called the police and reported the information.

Then they went silent for seven years.

An assistant director of children’s ministry, Patrick Stephen Miller was arrested, charged with second-degree sexual assault and later convicted of a lesser offense. Immanuel Baptist pastor Steven Smith and other leaders never informed the congregation.

In early December, Smith finally explained the episode to Immanuel Baptist’s members, but only after the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette had reported on Miller’s attempts to have his court records sealed. Smith apologized for withholding information about the abuse and Miller’s conviction.

“I wish we had told you about these crimes sooner,” Smith, the son of a former Southern Baptist Convention president, said at a church service on Dec. 10, according to a recording posted online by the Democrat-Gazette.

Earlier this year, Smith had informed the congregation of another incident, in which a former volunteer had been allowed to remain in ministry after sexting with a teen at the church, according to the Democrat-Gazette. In that case, church officials reportedly did not inform law enforcement for years.

Smith has since resigned as a faculty member of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was named a preaching fellow in 2017.

“Dr. Smith recently informed the seminary that he’s stepping away from external ministry responsibilities, including Midwestern Seminary, to focus on Immanuel Baptist Church during this season of ministry. Thus, he’s not currently serving on our faculty,” a spokesman for the seminary told the Democrat-Gazette.

The delay in telling the congregation at Immanuel Baptist echoes a similar case in northern Illinois, where Bishop Stewart Ruch of the Upper Midwest Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America delayed telling members of his diocese that a volunteer at a church in the diocese had been arrested on sexual abuse charges for nearly two years. That volunteer, former ACNA lay pastor Mark Rivera, was sentenced to 15 years in prison this past March after being convicted of felony child sexual abuse and assault. He was later given six additional years.

Ruch told members of the diocese that church leaders were waiting for the legal process to be completed—and that caused the delay. Ruch would eventually take a leave of absence and is now facing a church trial on allegations of mishandling cases of abuse.

While churches have made progress in recent years toward addressing abuse, including contacting law enforcement when learning about allegations of sexual abuse, they can still be reluctant to inform people in the pews about abuse that may have happened in their midst, said Jimmy Hinton, a longtime advocate for survivors of abuse.

Historic Vatican Sentence Leaves Questions About the Power of the Pontificate

By

Claire Giangrave

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December 21, 2023

Vatican Angelo Becciu — Cardinal Angelo Becciu attends a consistory inside St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, on Aug. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — When Cardinal Angelo Becciu, once a top-ranking Catholic prelate, was sentenced for embezzlement of church funds on Saturday (Dec. 16) — the first cardinal in history to be tried and sent to prison — it was a clear victory for Pope Francis’ mission to clamp down on corruption in the Vatican.

But the trial, heard by a Vatican tribunal over three years, was so unprecedented that its central figure seemed in awe of the historic moment — “I was shocked,” Becciu told the Italian media in apparent disbelief Tuesday, “a cardinal is condemned” — and it left many questions about what was next for the cardinal and eight other defendants found guilty of colluding to defraud the Vatican of millions of euros.

Vatican judges ordered all of those convicted to pay about $200 million in fines, and their assets, totaling $180 million, will be confiscated. Seven were also given prison sentences totaling 37 years. But it’s not certain how those sentences will be carried out if they hold up on appeal.

For the time being, none of the accused will be arrested and the money will stay put.

The trial, which involved 10 defendants in all, centered on the church’s 2014 purchase of a building in London’s Chelsea neighborhood, a former Harrods department store warehouse that was slated to be transformed into luxury apartments.

The Vatican’s Secretariat of State retained an Italian entrepreneur, Raffaele Mincione, to broker the purchase, but in 2019, having discovered a previously undisclosed debt on the property, church officials hired another financier, Gianluigi Torzi, to negotiate an exit from the deal. Torzi structured the transaction so that the church ended up paying millions to gain full ownership of the property.

The Vatican eventually sold the building at a $100 million loss, according to Vatican prosecutors. The sentence of the Vatican tribunal on Saturday sought to at least partially remedy the massive drainage of Catholic funds, already depleted after financial scandals and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the defendants, including Torzi and Mincione, were found guilty of crimes related to the real estate deal. Becciu was also convicted of funneling Vatican funds to a company owned by his brother in his native diocese of Ozieri in Sardinia and of paying thousands of euros to Cecilia Marogna, a self-proclaimed intelligence officer, ostensibly to pay the ransom of a kidnapped nun in Mali, but which were instead used to buy luxury goods and vacations.

The seven who were found guilty can now bring their cases to the six judges of the Vatican’s Court of Appeals and may continue to appeal at the Court of Cassation, the highest Vatican court.

Becciu’s defense team has already announced that it will appeal the Vatican tribunal’s decision. Marogna’s lawyers also announced that they will make an appeal.

Vatican judges are also entangled in another thorny case, against the former Vatican financial auditor Libero Milone, who claims he was unjustly ousted by Becciu in 2017 for attempting to investigate his financial dealings.

To complicate matters, foreign courts in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, where much of the assets ordered to be forfeited are held, will have to sign off on the Vatican judges’ sentence. In addition, Mincione is currently suing the Vatican Secretariat of State for reputational damage in British court, where the Vatican hasn’t found much success: In March 2021, British Judge Tony Baumgartner reversed the Vatican’s seizure of Torzi’s assets, describing the Vatican filings as “riddled with inconsistencies.”

R.C. Sproul: What Does ‘X-Mas’ Mean?

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R.C. Sproul

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December 21, 2023

The X in Christmas is used like the R in R.C. My given name at birth was Robert Charles, although before I was even taken home from the hospital my parents called me by my initials, R.C., and nobody seems to be too scandalized by that.

X can mean so many things. For example, when we want to denote an unknown quantity, we use the symbol X. It can refer to an obscene level of films, something that is X-rated. People seem to express chagrin about seeing Christ’s name dropped and replaced by this symbol for an unknown quantity X. Every year you see the signs and the bumper stickers saying, “Put Christ back into Christmas” as a response to this substitution of the letter X for the name of Christ.

There’s No X in Christmas

First of all, you have to understand that it is not the letter X that is put into Christmas. We see the English letter X there, but actually what it involves is the first letter of the Greek name for Christ. Christos is the New Testament Greek for Christ. The first letter of the Greek word Christos is transliterated into our alphabet as an X. That X has come through church history to be a shorthand symbol for the name of Christ.

There’s a long and sacred history of the use of X to symbolize the name of Christ, and from its origin, it has meant no disrespect.

We don’t see people protesting the use of the Greek letter theta, which is an O with a line across the middle. We use that as a shorthand abbreviation for God because it is the first letter of the word Theos, the Greek word for God.

X Has a Long and Sacred History

The idea of X as an abbreviation for the name of Christ came into use in our culture with no intent to show any disrespect for Jesus. The church has used the symbol of the fish historically because it is an acronym. Fish in Greek (ichthus) involved the use of the first letters for the Greek phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” So the early Christians would take the first letter of those words and put those letters together to spell the Greek word for fish. That’s how the symbol of the fish became the universal symbol of Christendom. There’s a long and sacred history of the use of X to symbolize the name of Christ, and from its origin, it has meant no disrespect.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Loving Jesus More Than Theology

By

J.A. Medders

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December 21, 2023

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

One of the greatest dangers for studious Christians is loving the study of God more than God himself. We love books. We love to love God with our minds. Yes and amen. So did the Apostle Paul; he asks Timothy to bring his cloak and his books (2 Timothy 4:13). God commands us to love him with our minds (Matthew 22:36–37). But the key to the Great Commandment is that we are commanded to love Him. Not merely the study of Him. Not only books about him, but God himself. And if we are honest, we get these confused. A shelf of hardback books doesn’t fulfill the great commandment. Study of scripture cannot be separated from loving God and others. If it is, we are washing the outside of the cup more than we realize.

Loving Jesus More Than Theology

As a Calvinist, I must stand guard against the sin of the Pharisees. They loved sentences more than they loved God and others. Has that ever been true of you? It has of me. I’m a recovering theological trophy hunter.

Theological trophy hunting is when you read the Bible to get more verses on your side, more points mounted on the wall so you can win an argument, or show how much you know. It’s for recreation not transformation. It’s when your Bible reading is less like someone in awe on a safari, and more like a poacher, someone robbing and abusing the gifts of God. And in this poaching or trophy hunting, you don’t even eat the meat. You got what you needed: the reference, the horns, the head on a wall. Where is loving Jesus in all of this? Is the aim of your reading Christ or to bolster your Calvinism? Real Calvinism doesn’t even have Calvinism as the apple of its eye—it’s enthralled with Christ.

Doctrine is dangerous. We must handle it with care. Paul reminds us that, “Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). Love is the aroma of theology. Love for Jesus, love for others, and love for truth. And Paul warns us what happens when we swerve from love being the goal, “Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on” (1 Timothy 1:6–7). Without love, Paul says we don’t even know what we are talking about. We are noisy gongs, feed-backing microphones, nothing burgers (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).

If Christ isn’t loved in our Calvinism, it’s a sham. And if our neighbors aren’t loved, it’s an undercooked Calvinism. The tulips are rotten. Throw them out and start over again. Real Calvinism is a Christ-centered, Christ-enjoyed, Christ-spreading Calvinism.

The Points Point to a Person

To really understand Calvinism, we must get beyond the talking points, zoom out, and see where they lead us. We need to see Jesus as the point of the points. Calvinism must be Christ-centered because the Bible is Christ-centered. Since we believe the doctrines of grace are coming from the Bible—not Augustine, Luther, or Calvin—every point, sub-point, and parenthetical thought must eventually lead us to behold the glory of the Lord.

I think about all of the times I searched the Scriptures to argue with an Arminian friend, or to lose-lose an internet debate while missing the entire point of the Scriptures I was flinging around. “You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me” (John 5:39). I was searching for right-ness, all while missing his royal highness. Proof-texts have something to prove; the points of Calvinism point us to a person: Jesus of Nazareth.

Calvinism is a precious doctrine for Christians because it offers us glimpses of Christ. Who is the only one that isn’t totally depraved—yet became our sin so we could be made righteous? Jesus. Who are we chosen in before the foundation of the world? Jesus, the Son of God. Who died for his bride, securing her pardon? Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. How are we drawn to faith? By the Triune God’s work and word about the Son, Jesus the Messiah. Who holds us in his hands and keeps us from stumbling till the end? Our big brother, Christ the Lord. Calvinism is meant to show us Christ.

Like C.H. Spurgeon, we should enjoy the points only when they are connected to Christ:

“How I do love the doctrines of grace when they are taken in connection with Christ. Some people preach the Calvinistic points without Jesus; but what hard, dry, marrowless preaching it is…let every believer remember he does not get these doctrines as he should get them, unless he receives them in Christ.”

Loving Jesus

Let’s love Jesus and doctrine because it leads us to a greater love. Let’s thank our books, preachers, and theological arrangements for guiding us to where our hearts, souls, and minds must find true love—the triune God. May we never love doctrine for doctrine’s sake; love doctrine for the aim of loving Jesus. No more knockoffs. The real thing is ready.

This article about loving Jesus originally appeared on TheGoodBook.com. Used with permission.

How To Know When a Leader Trusts You

By

Brian Dodd

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December 21, 2023

Trust is one of the most important resources for a leader.

A Leader Who Was Not Trusted

In 1998, a company’s executive leadership team was meeting to begin the process of setting up its automatic phone system. This particular project required the writing of multiple scripts and the subsequent implementation of its entire messaging system. Included in this process was the welcome message and then multiple prompts based upon what a customer needed.

For example, “To make a payment, press 1. To speak to a customer service representative, press 2. To report a missing or stolen card, press 3.” and so on and so on.

When the manager asked for a volunteer to head up this project, a young man raised his hand. When doing so, the other leaders looked at each other with raised eyebrows and serious doubt. It was obvious and uncomfortable. Perhaps you’ve been in a similar meeting.

The manager reluctantly allowed the young man to lead the project but assigned a very skilled leader to work alongside him as back-up.

The young man who raised his hand was me. I was A LONG way from becoming Brian Dodd On Leadership! Because of some previous failed initiatives, the other leaders lacked confidence in me. They did not trust me, particularly my attention to detail and follow-through skills.

Recently, I thought about that humbling experience 25 years ago.

A Tale Of Two Leaders

This past Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Cleveland Browns 47-42. It was a high-scoring, thrilling game.

Rather than choosing to punt, on four different occasions each team went for it on fourth-down. Even though these were high-risk decisions, the Chargers converted each of their four opportunities into first-downs. Why was head coach Brandon Staley so aggressive? One reason may be the Browns were scoring so often he had to go for it. But the main reason is because of Staley’s confidence in the person executing the fourth-down plays, 2nd-year superstar quarterback Justin Herbert.

Tom Brady once said, “To me what separates really good players from great players — executing well under pressure. The biggest game. The biggest stage. That’s what playing quarterback is all about.” And Justin Herbert knows how to play quarterback.

5 Places to Find New Group Members

By

Adam Erlichman

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December 21, 2023

new group members — Adobestock #250356022

Need more people in your small group? Not sure where to find them? Surely, not everyone’s already in a group in your church? Where are they hiding? How can you find them? Don’t worry, sometimes Christians hide, and that’s ok, but we don’t want them to stay hidden. Other times, they’re looking for you too. Here are 5 places you can find new group members.

Don’t know anyone or where to find people to invite? Here are five places (actually, more) you can find people to invite.

5 Places to Find New Group Members

#1 – Sunday Service

Before the service, after the service, in between services (if you have multiple services), coffee bar, Kids/Preschool check-in areas, student ministry entrance area, or sit in the same seating section for the worship service. Most are creatures of habit. Church folks are quite ritualistic about their seats. They traditionally will go back to the same seat or section out of familiarity. You will likely find them there the next week and can get to know them, talk to them, and invite them to your group.

#2 – Your Neighborhood

Next door, down the street, or across the way, people who don’t attend church and don’t belong to a group are likely living in your neighborhood. Every day you may cross paths with your neighbors for various organic reasons. Invite them to your small group. If you think they’ll feel uncomfortable in a bible study setting, host a casual social gathering with your group they can attend first. If your small group meets in your home, as a courtesy, you can write up a letter explaining extra cars will be parked out front of your home every _____ day your group gathers and that they are invited to join your group.

#3 – Your Workplace

Where do you spend most of your time in life . . . . ? Sleeping . . . Ok, maybe not everyone sleeps as much as others. Your workplace is where you spend the most time of your week. Depending upon your occupation, you may rub shoulders with dozens of people for hours every day, five days a week. Opportunities to ask meaningful questions, develop relationships, and cultivate friendships build bridges to invite coworkers to your small group. Don’t overlook this opportune place to invite coworkers. They need God, and God’s people to discuss God’s Word so they may be filled with God’s Spirit.

Ten Christmas Songs For Ten Christmas Prayers

By

Jeremy Sauve

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December 21, 2023

ten Christmas songs — Adobestock #123699007

How do you feel about Christmas music? When fall ends and the Christmas season is ushered in with enthusiasm, you begin to hear Christmas songs everywhere; what is your reaction? You either love it, hate it or tolerate it. Are ten Christmas songs enough? Too much? Here in Ottawa, Canada, we have a radio station that starts playing Christmas music right after Halloween ends. Every. Single. Song. Is. Christmas.

In our family, some of us do not like this (me), and some love it (everyone else). As a result of the familial imbalance, every car ride is flooded with the whole spectrum of holly, jolly…and sappy Christmas songs ever created.

Honestly, I’m not a huge fan, but seeing the rest of my family singing along to their favourites with smiles on their faces is fun (I’m not fully Grinch).

Have you ever wondered why some of us get so annoyed with Christmas songs? It may be because they are played too early in the year or because they’re played too often. It may be that we’ve heard them so often that our ears can’t handle yet another rendition!

As a result of these questions, I began thinking: what if these songs triggered something in me other than disdain? Could they lead me to a more intimate relationship with God and lead to spiritual growth? What if these songs did this for you and those you lead? Could we turn the whole Christmas-music-everywhere thing into a spiritual exercise that saw us approach God and advocate for those in our world and our lives?

Well, sweet partridge in a pear tree, sign me up for that! With only two weeks left until Christmas, here are ten Christmas songs linked to ten prayers to take you, and those you lead, on a more profound journey this Christmas season.

Ten Christmas Songs For Ten Christmas Prayers

1. All I Want for Christmas is You

Pray that we will not lose sight of our need to know God more deeply in the busyness of the Christmas season.

2. Mary, Did You Know?

Pray that people will respond to the arrival of Jesus with faith that will result in life transformation.

3. Little Drummer Boy

Pray that we will live out our faith through simple acts of love in the communities God has called us, building irresistible bridges between Jesus and unchurched people.

Hulk Hogan Describes Recent Baptism as ‘Greatest Day of My Life’

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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December 20, 2023

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer and retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, shared a video on social media Wednesday (Dec. 20) of him and some of his family members getting baptized.

“Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment…only love,” Hogan captioned alongside the video and images he posted of him and his wife, Sky Daily, getting baptized. The 70-year-old Hogan married Daily (45) earlier this September. This is Hogan’s third marriage. Also pictured in Hogan’s photos are two children who appear to be Daily’s from her previous marriage.

In the video, Hulk Hogan can be seen baptizing his wife alongside Aaron Filippone of Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, FL.

Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love! pic.twitter.com/gB43hTcLU6

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) December 20, 2023

Hulk Hogan’s Faith

The WWE superstar has always been open about his faith, sharing in interviews and on social media how he accepted Christ as his savior when he was a teenager.

This past Easter, Hogan posted:

I accepted Christ as my savior at 14yrs old, and the training, prayers and vitamins kept me in the game but now that I am one with God, the main event theme of surrender, service and love makes me the Real Main Event that can slam any giant of any size through the power of my Lord and Savior and so it is, even now brother, AMEN!

Hogan encountered some controversial situations throughout his career, one being the scandal of steroid use in the WWE, and another being a leaked sex tape that was secretly recorded of him in the early 2000s and later leaked online.

“As long as I made the right choice and followed my faith more than what people were saying, more than what the newspapers or tabloids were saying, and didn’t get sucked into that. None of that stuff is real,” Hogan said in a video regarding how he relies on his faith to get him through tough times. “The only thing that is really real is the stuff that’s going to last forever. Your faith and your belief in God and knowing that once you’re a Christian, you’ve accepted Christ as your savior, you’re not gonna perish but have everlasting life.”

“That belief in itself and that faith,” he added, “is what’s pretty much the only thing that’s real to me.”

The Pope Has No Right To ‘Bless What God Calls Sin’–Franklin Graham Warns Against Calling ‘Evil Good’

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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December 20, 2023

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, denounced Pope Francis in a Facebook post on Monday (Dec. 18) for approving Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.

“So-called ‘blessings’ from religious leaders won’t save you from the judgment of God,” Graham said. “Pope Francis has now approved Catholic priests ‘blessing’ same-sex couples. But none of us, including the Pope, has the right to ‘bless’ what God calls sin.”

Quoting Isaiah 5:20, Graham warned the Pope and others who agree with him that they have no right to “call evil good and good evil.”

“The Good News is that right now God will forgive sin,” Graham said. “But we have to come to Him His way, on His terms by repenting of our sins and placing our faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Otherwise, the Bible says, ‘The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed (Isaiah 1:28),’” Graham added.

On Monday, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declared in its Fiducia Supplicans that Catholic priests are permitted “the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.”

Although these “blessings” of same-sex couples are now permitted, the declaration made it clear that the sacrament of marriage is still only between a man and a woman, stating “the Church’s doctrine on this point remains firm.”

“God never turns away anyone who approaches him! Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the declaration stated. “The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live. It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”

Pastor’s Grandson Arrested and Charged With Embezzling $470K From North Carolina Church

By

Janna Firestone

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December 20, 2023

Police have arrested Jordan Shortridge, grandson of Pastor D.R. Shortridge, for felony larceny. Shortridge has been accused embezzling $470,000 from his grandfather’s church, Dallas Church of God in North Carolina.

Pastor D.R. Shortridge has led the congregation for nearly 50 years, and the entire family is involved in the church.

“It’s sad for the community, it’s sad for the church body, and I hate it for the Shortridge family as well. But at the end of the day, none of us are above the law,” said Police Chief Robert Walls to Fox 8.

Jordan Shortridge Charged With Embezzling Money From Grandfather’s Church

According to Fox 8, “the whole Shortridge family is involved in the church,” and Shortridge had been mentioned on the church’s website as a drummer and member of the AV team. The information has since been taken down, and many pages on the church’s website are listed as “under construction.”

On Dec. 18, the Town of Dallas Police Department in North Carolina shared a press release updating the community on the investigation.

“We have to do what’s right,” said Police Chief Walls.

According to the press release, it was on Monday, July 31, that members of the Dallas Church of God went to the police to report “fraud/larceny/embezzlement” that happened between 2018-2023. The police department launched a criminal investigation that same day.

The church has been cooperating with the police and has submitted evidence. Walls said in the release, “Documents and financial statements that were provided showed that church funds, totaling over $470,000.00, were used for non-church related purchases including the purchase of items via PayPal.”

Back in 2021, “the Dallas Church of God accounting department began to find discrepancies in the church funds which resulted in an audit being conducted of the church’s financial transactions from their banking institution,” Walls stated in the press release.

“The audit established that there were unknown withdrawals and payments made through PayPal that led to the conclusion that there was some type of fraud/larceny/embezzlement occurring from the church funds beginning in 2018,” the statement went on to explain.

As the investigation progressed, “detectives were able to develop Jordan Blake Shortridge as the primary suspect in this case.” Shortage was arrested at his home on Dec. 8 and charged with “Felony Larceny.”

Walls commented that the police are still investigating why the church took so many years to report the financial discrepancies. “There could be more charges, there could be more people involved once this thing finishes out,” Walls explained.

The Power of Personal Invitations: 10 Tips for Bringing People to Church

By

ChurchLeaders

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December 20, 2023

personal invitiations — Adobestock #85260045

In a world dominated by social media, churches are wise to create systems that enable them to meet their community in digital spaces. Nevertheless, when it comes to evangelism, nothing will ever replace the power of a personal invitation.

In fact, people are far more open to the idea of taking the first step of attending a church service than we tend to realize. All it takes is for a friend or acquaintance to invite them.

Be that as it may, inviting people to church can sometimes feel like a daunting task. So here are 10 tips as you seek to love your neighbors by inviting them into a community centered on Jesus.

1. Authenticity Is Key

When extending a personal invitation to church, authenticity is vital. People can often sense sincerity, and it builds trust. So share your personal experiences, why your faith matters to you, and how your church community has positively impacted your life.

Authenticity breeds genuine curiosity, making your invitation more compelling.

2. Understand Your Audience

Different people have different conceptions of the Christian faith. They also have different felt-needs.

Before extending an invitation, take the time to understand the spiritual background, desires, and concerns of the person you’re inviting. Tailor your invitation to highlight aspects of your church experience that may personally resonate with them, whether it’s community outreach, relevant sermons, or engaging youth programs.

3. Build Relationships First

Effective invitations are built on the foundation of relationships. Before inviting someone to church, invest time in building a genuine connection. Get to know them, understand their background, and show genuine interest in their life.

People are more likely to accept an invitation from someone they trust and feel comfortable around.

4. Be a Living Example

Your actions often speak louder than your words. So live out your faith in a way that inspires others. Show kindness, compassion, and generosity in your daily life.

When people see the positive impact of your faith in Jesus, they may be more inclined to explore it themselves. Your life can be a powerful testament to the transformative power of the gospel being expressed through your church community.

5. Invite With Purpose

When extending an invitation, be clear about why you think the experience will be beneficial for the person you’re inviting. Whether it is the experience of a supportive community, a sense of belonging, or spiritual guidance, communicate the specific value they can gain from attending your church.

Russell Brand Reveals He Is Reading the Bible and C.S. Lewis Months After He Was Accused of Sexual Assault

By

Jessica Lea

-

December 20, 2023

Screenshot from YouTube / @RussellBrand

Controversial actor, comedian and podcaster Russell Brand recently revealed to his followers that he is reading the Bible, C.S. Lewis’ “The Problem of Pain,” and Lao Tzu’s “Tao Te Ching.”

Brand, who was recently accused of sexual assault by multiple women, has over 6.7 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, where he has interviewed people including Richard Dawkins, Tucker Carlson and Jordan Peterson.

“I am that person who has more than one book on the go!” Brand said in posts on his social media last week that included a picture of the three aforementioned books. “How about you?”

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Russell Brand Faces Sexual Assault Allegations

Russell Brand is a stand-up comedian, actor and former radio host who now hosts several podcasts, including one focused on spirituality and meditation. He appeared in the films “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Rock of Ages” and voiced characters in “Despicable Me,” “Despicable Me 2,” and “Trolls.” Brand has been accused of spreading conspiracy theories.

In September, The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed the results of a joint investigation in which five women came forward with allegations against Brand that included sexual assault and rape, as well as “physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment and bullying.” These incidents allegedly took place between 2006 and 2013. [Editor’s note: The following link contains information some may find disturbing and potentially triggering].

“Over the past few years, reporters have interviewed hundreds of sources who knew or worked with Brand,” said The Times, adding:

Along with these interviews reporters have seen private emails and text messages, submitted freedom of information requests, viewed medical and therapists’ notes, scrutinised Brand’s books and interviews, and watched and listened to hundreds of hours of his shows on the BBC, Channel 4 and YouTube to corroborate allegations.

Brand has denied the charges, saying, “Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.” Noting that he was “very, very promiscuous” during that time period, Brand said his relationships were nevertheless “always consensual.”

Nashville Family Allegedly Assaults Teen Son for Converting to Christianity

By

Dale Chamberlain

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December 20, 2023

A Nashville, Tennessee, teen was treated for injuries after his father, mother, and older brother allegedly assaulted him for converting from Islam to Christianity.

Nick Kadum, 57, Rawaa Khawaji, 46, and John Kadum, 29, were all charged in the incident, according to WSMV.

Law enforcement officials were dispatched to the Kadums’ home on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 12, after the boy’s employer requested a welfare check.

According to The Charlotte Observer, when police arrived at the home, they described the boy as being “wide-eyed,” disheveled, and trembling. He also had a cut along the back of his hand, unevenly cut hair, and lumps on his face.

The boy told police that his family members assaulted him after they discovered he had converted to Christianity. According to the boy, they “demanded he recant and say he was a Muslim.” When he refused, the boy said that his father, mother, and brother “repeatedly punched him and spat in his face,” with his mother going on to cut the back of his hand with a knife.

All three family members were taken into custody.

Nick and John Kadum have been charged with assault and domestic bodily injury. Rawaa Khawaji faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Khawaji denies assaulting her son.

The teen was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Michelle, an assistant general manager at the McDonald’s where the teen works, told WZTV that she was the one to call the police after her and the boy’s pastor told her that John Kadum was threatening to kill the teen.

David Platt on How He Has Been Challenged To Stop Following the ‘American Gospel’

By

Jessica Lea

-

December 20, 2023

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Best of 2023: David Platt on How He Has Been Challenged To Stop Following the ‘American Gospel’

David Platt is the pastor of McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and the founder of Radical, an organization that equips Christians to be on mission from where they live to the ends of the earth. He is the author of three New York Times bestsellers, including “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.” His latest book is “Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully.”

Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With David Platt

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Key Questions for David Platt

-How do leaders cultivate genuine unity? How have you gotten that right and wrong, and why is fighting for unity worth the effort?

-How would you respond to people who say that you are causing the very disunity you are critiquing by speaking out on issues such as social justice?

-What are you taking away from your own writing that you think is especially helpful as we think about the next election coming up?

-What are some ways we express inappropriate pride in our own nation?

Key Quotes From David Platt

“Every book I’ve written has been the overflow of what God is doing in my own heart.”

“Having pastored in metro Washington, D.C., over the last five years, especially amidst everything going on in our country, I’m convinced that it’s not just an American dream that was consuming our lives. It was an American gospel that was hijacking our hearts.”

“The biblical gospel exalts Jesus above everything in this world. And we’ve exchanged that biblical gospel for an American gospel that prostitutes Jesus for the sake of comfort and power and politics and prosperity in our country. And I think the effects of that are all around us.”

“I just think that discouragement and disillusionment is the fruit of a false gospel, that if we would get back to the beauty of the biblical gospel and who Jesus is, it would have major effects in our lives and the church and in the world around us.”

“I think that’s where I’ve been challenged in my own life, that there are issues in God’s Word that I’ve not faithfully addressed in the past, that I’ve found myself addressing.”

On Same-Sex Blessings, Some Catholics Celebrate Change While Others Point to Limits

By

Claire Giangrave

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December 20, 2023

same-sex blessings — Married and same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, on Sept. 20, 2023. Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document released Dec. 18, 2023, explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A Vatican declaration allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples sent shock waves around the world when it was released on Monday (Dec. 18) and deepened an already strong divide between conservatives and progressives in the church.

The document, “Fiducia Supplicans,” issued by the Dicastery on the Doctrine of the Faith and approved by Pope Francis, explicitly states that it made no changes to Catholic teaching on marriage or sexuality, and in fact sets limitations on the blessings for couples considered “irregular” in the church, including same-sex couples as well as unmarried or remarried couples.

But advocates for LGBTQ inclusion in the church have praised the declaration as an unprecedented opening.

The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and founder of Outreach, an online resource to promote the welcoming of LGBTQ people in the Catholic Church, described the document as a “major step forward” that “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence in their loving relationships.”

In an email on Monday, Martin said that the declaration signified a “dramatic shift” for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which in March 2021 banned the blessing of same-sex couples, saying that God “cannot bless sin.”

“This new declaration opens the door to non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, something that had been previously off limits for bishops, priests and deacons,” Martin said, adding that “As many priests will, I will be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex unions.”

The pope signaled an opening to the possibility of blessing same-sex couples in October in his answers to questions posed by a group of conservative prelates on divisive issues in the church. But while Monday’s step does not create a ceremony to validate gay unions in the church’s eyes, it is a step that few could foresee just months ago.

New Ways Ministry, a network dedicated to the promotion of LGBTQ Catholics in the church, also praised the decision, describing it as “an early Christmas gift.”

“It cannot be overstated how significant the Vatican’s new declaration is,” said Francis DeBernardo, the organization’s executive director, in a statement on Monday. DeBernardo underscored that the document states that those seeking the blessing must not be subjected to an interrogation regarding their morality or personal lives.

“Such a declaration is one more step Pope Francis has taken to overturn the harsh policing of pastoral care all too common under his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI,” the statement read.

Members of New Ways Ministry met with Pope Francis in a private audience in October and claimed that the declaration echoed the pastoral approach displayed by the pontiff at the time. “This declaration is proof that church teaching can — and does — change,” the statement read.

Other Catholic organizations cautioned that the road to fully welcoming same-sex couples remains long. In the United Kingdom, the LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council, created by the archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said in a statement that “Fiducia Supplicans” is “a small step towards the radical inclusion of LGBT+ people of God.”

For Years, an Oil Drill Site Stood in the Heart of a South LA Neighborhood. Now a Park May Rise in Its Place.

By

Bob Smietana

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December 20, 2023

For-years-an-oil-drill-site-stood-in-the-heart-of-a-South-LA-neighborhood-Now-a-park-may-rise-in-its- — Community members demonstrate against the Jefferson Boulevard drill site in Los Angeles in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Richard Parks)

(RNS) — For more than 30 years, Richard Parks and his neighbors have been trying to make their South Los Angeles neighborhood a little more like heaven.

Through the power of friendship, prayer and cheerful determination, they’ve run tutoring programs for kids, closed a crime-ridden liquor store that was later replaced by a community market and faced down a major oil company to shutter a nearly 60-year-old drill site in the middle of the neighborhood.

Now they hope, with help from the state of California and community partners, to build a community park and affordable housing on the former drill site, which closed in 2018 after years of community pressure.

“God is giving us beauty for ashes,” said Parks, president of Redeemer Community Partnership, quoting the biblical prophet Isaiah.

Last month, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust closed on a $10 million purchase of the 1.86-acre site, once home to 36 wells, on Jefferson Boulevard from Sentinel Peak Resources.

Almost as soon as the site was shut down, the neighborhood went to work on making plans for the future. Parks and his neighbors worried the site would be bought up by a for-profit developer instead of becoming a community asset. After a series of community meetings, where residents expressed their hopes for a park and affordable housing on the site, they went looking for partners to make those hopes a reality.

Richard Parks, from left, Tori Kjer and Lori Gay at the former Jefferson Boulevard drill site in Los Angeles. (Photo courtesy of Richard Parks)

One of the first people they reached out to was Tori Kjer, executive director of the LA Neighborhood Land Trust, which has been developing small community parks around the city since 2002. With so few undeveloped properties in LA, places like the former Jefferson drill site offer a rare opportunity, said Kjer.

Reclaiming a former industrial site requires costly cleanup on top of the purchase price, she told Religion News Service. Developing the site will take several years and a lot of effort from all the partners involved.

Kjer said a team of partners has already been at work behind the scenes for years, including Redeemer, the Land Trust, their real estate broker and a squad of lawyers. They also got help from California Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who got a $10 million grant for the purchase approved by the state Legislature.

“It was everyone rolling up their sleeves to pull it over the finish line,” she said. “We are very grateful.”

Our World Needs the Authentic Jesus Now

By

Stan Jantz

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December 20, 2023

It’s hard to escape the suffering around us, and it’s no secret that our broken world is hungry for peace. We groan for solutions. We hope that our civic and national leaders will reduce the conflicts, but things just seem to be getting worse. Where can we turn?

There’s only one viable solution, one answer, to a world in distress. And it can be found in just one place, or should I say, in just one person—Jesus.

Jesus is the central figure in history. No one person has received more attention in all of history, and no one has more followers than Jesus. And yet there is disagreement as to who Jesus is. Some see him as a good luck charm. Others consider him merely a symbol. Still, others see Jesus as a superior moral teacher. But that’s not good enough.

What the world needs to see, experience and know on a deep level is the real Jesus, the genuine Jesus—the authentic Jesus. This is the Jesus who changes lives, offers healing and calms troubled hearts.

I have been a follower of Jesus for most of my life. And yet even after a lifetime of knowing Jesus, only recently have I encountered the authentic Jesus. It happened through “The Chosen,” a multi-season television series that has been viewed by nearly 200 million people.

Like many I have talked with about “The Chosen,” I hesitated to watch even one episode because I thought it would be like most of the media portrayals of Jesus I had seen—wooden, formal and lifeless. In a word, inauthentic.

Then I watched the show.

For the first time, I saw Jesus as a loving, caring, likable person. In the episodes, drawn from the pages of Scripture, Jesus relates to people with genuine interest and love, and they are drawn to him. The Jesus of “The Chosen” is clearly divine, but also beautifully human and completely relatable.

This is why, in my work with the Come and See Foundation, our goal is to reach 95% of the world’s population by translating “The Chosen” into 600 languages. Through these efforts, it is our desire to see people from the most remote villages in Madagascar to living rooms across America experience a saving relationship with God through their identification with this authentic Jesus.

Woven into the pages of the Bible are the authentic stories of Jesus healing the lame, making the blind to see, and raising people from the dead. At the same time, Jesus showed compassion for the individuals he healed and for the thousands who gathered to hear him preach. He truly knew and cared for the chosen ones who gave up everything to follow him. I love that a television show brings this so beautifully to life.

What God Calls Atheists: The Story of Charles Bradlaugh

By

Clint Archer

-

December 20, 2023

atheists Charles Bradlaugh — Lightstock #139193

In 1880, Charles Bradlaugh was elected as a member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the Northampton district. His constituents knew he was an atheist who liked to publicly challenge Christians but didn’t think it would affect his work in parliament. They were proven wrong on his first day as their MP. He objected to taking an oath of allegiance before God, on the grounds that God did not exist. He asked to be allowed to make a good old-fashioned ‘cross my heart’ promise and leave God out of it. This request was denied on the grounds that if there were no God then there would be no morality, no right and wrong, no truth or lie, and the oath would be meaningless. So, Bradlaugh forfeited his seat in Parliament, but … I kid you not … he kept sneaking in to vote. On three occasions he voted without anyone noticing that he had snuck in. On other occasions, he was caught and escorted out of the building by police. He thus proved the ruling against him right: that a man that does not believe in God doesn’t believe in any authority.

One of Bradlaugh’s publicity stunts backfired badly when he challenged a pastor, Hugh Price Hughes, to a public debate on the validity of belief in God. Hughes immediately accepted the challenge but added one of his own.

Hughes said, “I propose that we each bring some concrete evidence of the validity of our beliefs in the form of men and women who have been redeemed from their lives of sin and shame by the influence of our teaching. I will bring 100 such men and women, and I challenge you to do the same. If you cannot bring 100, Mr. Bradlaugh, to match my 100, I will be satisfied if you will bring 50 men and women who will stand and testify that they have been lifted up from lives of shame by the influence of your teachings. If you cannot bring 50, then bring 20 people who will say, as my 100 will, that they have a great joy in a life of self-respect as a result of your atheistic teachings. If you cannot bring 20, I will be satisfied if you bring 10. Nay, Mr. Bradlaugh, I challenge you to bring one, just one man or woman who will make such a testimony regarding the uplifting of your atheistic teachings.”

Charles Bradlaugh, after a few days, withdrew his challenge for the debate.

I can’t help but wonder what God thinks of Mr. Bradlaugh’s efforts. Psalm 53 might provide the answer.

4 Adages of Apt Advice Addressed to Avid Atheists

1. Designation of the Godless

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 53:1)

Sometimes by changing the name of something, we change the perception. Short people are “vertically challenged,” unemployed people are “between jobs.” Those who disbelieve God’s existence are no longer called the godless, they are given a respectable sounding sobriquet of ‘a-theist’—without theism.

But the Bible cuts through all that political correctness and goes for the jugular of truth, calling those who reject God…fools.

The designation fool is not exactly what you might have in mind, because in our vernacular it has come to include the connotation that the person is simple-minded. A fool in English could be a person who behaves in a way that is—shall we say—‘educationally challenged.’

But the Hebrew word nabal refers specifically to a moral, willful ignorance, and has nothing to do with intelligence. Atheists can be—and often are—very intelligent, educated, erudite people. But they are fools because they willfully deny reasonable evidence for the existence of God.

They may have multiple degrees in botany from the best universities, but if they can’t look at a flower and know God exists, they are willfully ignorant, they are people who “… by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).

And the irony is that atheists think that we believers are fools for believing in a God we cannot see.

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1. Authenticity Is Key

2. Understand Your Audience

3. Build Relationships First

4. Be a Living Example

5. Invite With Purpose

Russell Brand Faces Sexual Assault Allegations

Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With David Platt

Key Questions for David Platt

Key Quotes From David Platt

4 Adages of Apt Advice Addressed to Avid Atheists

1. Designation of the Godless

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