Weekend Roundup
I had a couple of shorter items to put on here, so I’m just putting them in one post.
First, make sure you are signed up to receive the monthly e-newsletter “For Youth Ministers, By Youth Ministers.” The May issue should be released next week. This issue will include a great article by brother Dale Jenkins about the problems associated with pornography, both for youth leaders and for young people. To get on the mailing list, email Kurt Hankins.
In other news…
Have you seen the newest advertisement by the United Churches of Christ? This group comes along with radical commercials that can confuse many who do not know the difference in the churches of Christ and the United churches of Christ. Please take a moment and read Drew Kizer’s article, which discusses some contemporary concerns, found here.
Anyway, back to the commercial. The setting is a worship service and a woman walks in and sits down with a crying baby. You then see a hand pushing a red button, and the woman and baby are “ejected” from their seat–flying up in the air and off-screen. It is the next “ejection,” though, that should raise your ire. There are two men, one with his arm around the other, and they are ejected from the worship service; presumably because they are homosexual.
After a few more ejections, the “tag line” comes on. It says, “God doesn’t reject people. Neither do we.” Then it talks about how anyone is welcome.
What a horrible depiction. Friends, let me say this as kindly as I can. I hope that NO ONE is rejected from our worship assemblies. After all, we have all sinned (cf. Romans 1:10; 3:23). BUT, people need to change from their sinful behavior! We cannot accept “sin in the camp.” The church at Corinth had a litany of problems, including homosexuals, but they had been forgiven of the sin, and were now faithful Christians. Why were they accepted? THEY WERE NO LONGER INVOLVED IN THE SIN.
The United Churches of Christ is taking advantage of a mindset that says that religion is “close-minded.” Maybe they need to be reminded that the way is narrow which leads to life.
To watch the 30-second spot on Real Player, Windows Media Player or Quicktime, click here.
Finally…
Let me remind members of the 9th Avenue family that NEXT Sunday (April 30th), we will begin our work for Lads to Leaders 2006-2007. We are beginning a more year-round approach to help our young people be more organized. If anyone reading this has suggestions as to how better to do this, please post a comment or send an email to adfaughn@excite.com. Make the subject of the email “Year Round L2L.” Thank you for all your suggestions.
