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"How do people who sing with their eyes closed know all the words? It’s uncanny. You watch them, and even on the new songs that a music minister introduces or the choruses that a special music performer asks the congregation to join in, they don’t miss a beat.
Do they get advance warning on what the songs are going to be? Are they coming to church early each Sunday and memorizing what’s going to be performed? Are they doing the “watermelon” and just mumbling “watermelon, watermelon” in a holy-looking way so that it looks like they’re singing along with the words? How in the world does someone singing with their eyes shut know all the words to all the songs in the world?" (more…)
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"Much has been made over the last few months about the decline, or potential decline, of various Protestant subgroups. The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) singled out the Mainline churches, there was the op-ed piece by Michael Spencer on "The Coming Evangelical Collapse", and last week Newsweek had one of their famous, or is that infamous, C&E (Christmas and Easter) articles on "The End of Christian America." And that does not count the current debate about whether the United States is now or was a Christian nation to begin with (some say yes, others say no, and some say that it depends on the context and what you mean), a debate sparked by the President's recent comments in Turkey. There is also an NPR piece today about the secularization of Britain."
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"It made me wonder how many ministries out there have gone “paperless” or who are moving toward that direction? I wonder how many more ministries haven’t even considered that this might be something looking into?
I think the Church should be an example of how to best preserve and protect the planet. I’m not sure that I can say that now, but perhaps by the time my kids grow up that’ll have changed."
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"Over the past few years I have become more and more convinced that if the church hopes to reach out to folks in meaningful and effective ways, we MUST embrace the power of social media.
Shocker I know
It is pretty simple really, with more and more folks using the internet to find all of the things they need in life – doctors, pre-schools, support groups, social gatherings – shouldn't we, as the church, be there too? Of course, word of mouth and personal invitations will always have a place, but the ways in which the internet allows folks to do more research about all of life's needs, including a place of spiritual growth, must not be ignored. "
Archive for April, 2009
The leadership event of the year is coming to Ingersoll, Ontario.
The Spirit Centre at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church will be one eight sites in Ontario hosting this year’s Maximum Impact Simulcast leadership event on Friday, 8 May 2009.
The event features ten of the world’s most inspirational and creative leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, golf legend Jack Nichlaus, Disney’s Al Wiess, “360 Manager” John Maxwell and many more. Over 70,000 people worldwide participate in the event.
I spoke with Rev. Lonnie Atkinson, minister at St. Paul’s, Ingersoll, about how the Spirit Centre became involved in Maximum Impact, and what it meant to the congregation and the community.
“St. Paul’s, Ingersoll, created a leadership centre called the Spirit Centre five years ago. It’s hope was to offer affordable, accessible, world class leadership events in a small town setting. We believed the church needed to encourage strong spiritual leadership in all areas of our community life.
“We sought to reach leaders in health care, education, community development, business and in the church. Our leadership team included community and business leaders.
“Two years ago a young bank executive approached us about becoming a host site for John Maxwell’s Maximum Impact Simulcast. This annual event showcased ten or more business and community leadership experts sharing in a one day simulcast experience.
“We thought it would be a unique opportunity for St. Paul’s to extend our reach and offer care and support for corporate and non-profit leaders.
“Last May we launched our first simulcast event. Up went the satellite dish, in came the people, and together we shared a wonderful day of learning and networking. Folk from United Way agencies, churches, real estate agents, small business owners, local health organizations and others shared in the first event.
“This year a local financial advisers group have come forward to sponsor the day, one of whom is reconnecting to our church after many years of inactivity.”
“We are excited at the outreach and leadership development opportunities presented by this event.”
Cost is $75.00 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register for the Ingersoll site event, call 519.485.3390 or email stpauls@execulink.com.
For more information about Maximum Impact, go to www.maximumimpactsimulcast.com.
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Yesterday was April 1st – April Fool’s Day. For those who read blogs daily it was a very long morning discerning the prank posts from the real deal. Sigh.
For this reason, the Communications Office specifically waited until 12:01pm (ish) – the traditional end of April Fool’s shenanigans – to make a very important announcement on PCConnect-Daily. That announcement was that Rev. Harvey Self would be the sole nominee for Moderator of the 135th General Assembly.
Rev. Harvey Self
If you missed the news yesterday, you might want to consider subscribing to PCConnect-Daily which you can do right here: http://www.presbyterian.ca/subscribe
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