Culture
Normally, I don't write about politics because it's a sure way to alienate at least half of your readers. But I just read Wendell Griffen's article titled, Obama Protects the Powerful Over the Poor. Griffen contends that President Obama needs a prophetic voice in
Culture
Today I was talking to a friend, Jim Stovall, who teaches journalism at the University of Tennessee, and is a pioneer in developing and teaching web journalism. In our conversation about how the internet is changing newspapers and journalism, Jim said, “I tell my students to start now, to become
Culture
While total estimated charitable giving edged up by 3.8% compared to 2009, gifts to churches and religious organizations actually declined when adjusted for inflation. Philanthropy toward other human services groups, like those which sought funds for the Haiti earthquake disaster, fell even more, registering a 1.5% decline when
Culture
MSNBC reports this morning that "For the first time, minorities make up a majority of babies in the U.S., part of a sweeping race change and a growing age divide between mostly white, older Americans and predominantly minority youths that could reshape government policies." But not only
Culture
Recently I cancelled my Linked-In and Plaxo accounts. I had previously cancelled my Twitter account, but now have one under @PeaceFriendsCom to promote my blog, PeaceFriends.Com. I mostly look at my own family's Facebook posting and photos, and spend almost no time posting to Facebook, except for
Culture
Married couples no longer are the majority of U.S. households according to the 2010 U.S. census, the New York Times reports. For the first time ever, families without a traditional husband-and-wife now comprise 52% of households, with families headed by married couples comprising 48%. But the misperception that
Culture
It is obvious that gas prices are rising quickly again. In 2007-8, I wrote several posts on the prospects of gasoline hitting $4-$5 per gallon - you can read those posts here, here, and here. We were well on the way to those numbers in the United States, and
Culture
Rob Bell’s newest book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, And The Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived sits at number three today in Amazon’s book sales list. Love Wins will no doubt hit the New York Times bestseller list this week. Bell obviously has churned
Culture
Seth Godin asks How long before you run out of talking points? His point is that those who "live into" rather than just "talk about" (my words, not Godin's) what they espouse are the real deal. Then he says, There's a lot
Congregation
You need to read The Future of Evangelicalism: A Conversation With Rick Warren over at The Pew Forum. It's long, and covers a lot of territory, but in it Rick talks about how megachurches do the small church thing (my words, not his). Here's a quick
evangelism
Outreach magazine's annual small church issue is on its way to subscribers right now. For those of you who don't subscribe, you can order this single issue from Amazon. That's right, the entire issue is available to you today from the friendly folks at
Culture
Michael Kelley gets to the heart of small church authenticity over at Ed Stetzer's blog today. Here's an excerpt: The reason we have something to learn is that we have tried to be Starbucks. We've tried to be slick, trendy, and hip. We'