Choosing A New Pope

The conclave of cardinals is about to begin its work to select a new pope.  I'm not quite sure what their process will be but I am certain that it won't be done like this.   Enjoy!

Clergy on the Catwalk

Coming to a PCA church near you?  Let's hope not.  While we have our share of debates in the PCA about worship let's hope that we don't descend to this.

HT - Out of Ur

Homeschool student gets suspended

Homeschool families are often suspect of doing harm to their children.  We all have heard comments that they aren't keeping up with their peers academically.  We have also heard that they aren't socialized very well either.  Some go so far as to allege abuse.

Lark News is reporting that a homeschool student has been suspended for 3 days.  What was his crime?  Arguing with his brother.  Here is an excerpt.

BELMONT, Calif. — After arguing with his brother for the third straight day during class time, Jared Francis, 10, was suspended from homeschool and banished to a backyard tent.

“I’m not just his father, I’m his principal,” says John Francis, 37. “Jared has to take us seriously as administrators as well as parents.”

Read the rest of the story here.

Man Starts a church for Jerks

Lark News is reporting a unique and innovative strategy to reach a new people group: A pastor has begun a church especially for Jerks.

YORBA LINDA — Walk into Mark Hanson’s church and nobody will greet you. The guys hanging around the foyer might even make fun of what you’re wearing, or your haircut. A sign over the entrance reads, “Grab a seat in the back and shut up. Nobody cares what you think.”

Welcome to Jerk Church.

“You know these guys,” says Hanson, the pastor and founder. “They sit with their arms folded the whole time, leave during the altar call, criticize the pastor, snort when other people state their opinions and never create lasting bonds of friendship. Their wives are always really stressed. Bingo — that’s my mission field.”

Two years ago, Hanson noticed a “growing population of total jerks” in his community that nobody was reaching with the gospel.

“They’re like white noise, filler — they’re everywhere but nobody sees them,” Hanson says. “They are trapped in their own jerk-dom. My heart went out to them.”

Read the rest here:  http://www.larknews.com/archives/5007

Remembering Steve Bridges - Friend of the White Horse Inn

Two weeks ago we learned about the death of presidential impersonator Steve Bridges, at the age of 48.  I had heard of him and saw him on TV a few times.  What I didn't know was that he was a Christian, and personal friend of Dr. Mike Horton.

At the White Horse Inn they have posted a nice tribute in honor of Steve Bridges.  They have also included an MP3 file of Bridges impersonating various callers to the White Horse Inn including President Bill Clinton, Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and Benny Hinn.  Very funny.  There are also some links to video clips of his impersonations.  One of the best is his impersonation is of President George Bush at the White House Press Corps Dinner done side-by-side with President Bush.


Horton honors his friend and college roommate with these words:

More important than everything else that can be said about Steve is that he loved God because God first loved him–he knew, embraced, and celebrated the gospel of Christ and this hope fueled his life and vocation. 

Another funny comment from General Assembly

Over the weekend I was reminded about another funny quip made during last week's General Assembly.  

During the report on the Administrative Committee, Dr. Roy Taylor, stated clerk of the denomination spoke about the work of The Administrative Committee.  It works quietly behind the scenes making sure that that denomination functions correctly at every level.  He used an analogy comparing their work to the work of the local water and sewer departments - no one seems to notice until something goes wrong. 

At this point he realized that he had just given his critics ammunition.  He quickly corrected himself with these words:

"The Administrative Committee is like the water department...the SJC (Standing Judicial Commission) is the sewer department." 

The Assembly roared with laughter. 

Funny Things I Heard At General Assembly

This week I've been in lovely Virginia Beach, Virginia for our denomination's General Assembly.  I'm sure that lot's of folk want to hear what's going on.  I'll try to comment on those matters in the future but for now let the following quotes suffice. 

"Hey, that's my seat" - One committee commissioner to another on day two of their committee work.  There were only 40-50 other chairs in the room but for some reason he thought that he owned that seat.  Noticing that people often sit in the same sections or the very same seats on the floor of General Assembly makes one wonder if that perspective is endemic to the PCA. 

"Even though we often voted on opposite sides of the issues, I'm so impressed by your amiable spirit" - One committee commissioner to another.  Translation, "Though you are wrong on most issues you're a nice idiot." 

"We are measuring it with a micrometer, marking with a grease pencil, and cutting with an axe" - RE Bob Mattes taking issue with a ruling of the moderator of the assembly.  His position did not prevail but the assembly got a big laugh out of it. 

"Will they be bringing back their report on Saturday?"  RE Tom Leopard in a moment of personal privilege commenting on the assembly's vote to recommit a matter to the committee.  For those who understood that we were two hours or more behind this comment brought a lot of laughter and a round of applause. 

Moderator TE Dan Carrel, himself an attorney, kept the assembly laughing with many self-deprecating lawyer jokes.  Here's an example:

Got Man Problems?

Though set in a Lutheran context this short video is widely applicable.  Enjoy!

Two Kingdom Confusion

The first half of this video, while kind of humorous, is a good illustration of confusing life in the City of Man with life in the City of God.  The second half partially redeems the entire thing. 

Why I Love MY Church (It’s All About ME)

In seminary I learned that Mondays are often the worst day of the week for pastors because Sunday is fresh in their mind and they reflect on all that went wrong. 

Today started off on a good note when I read Darryl Hart's defense of his church.  The last line cracked me up. Hope you enjoy it too.

Old Life Theological Society » Blog Archive » Why I Love MY Church (It’s All About ME)

C & E Christians

C & E Christians - that was a term that I hadn't heard until I was in my first church.  One of the older ladies described her upbringing in this way and when I asked for clarification, she said with a hint of shame, "That's a term for Christmas and Easter Christians." 

LarkNews.com has a thoughtful piece on this phenomena.  Are you ready for their arrival at your Christmas Eve Service?

Mr. President, Stop Bowing

HT: Atlas Shrugs

Separated at Birth? Church leaders and their Look Alikes

Pretty good comparisons of well-known pastors and famous people who look like them (or vice versa).

Church Leader Look Alikes (check back for updates) - SKYEBOX

Jack Webb Schools Barack Obama on Healthcare

It's Friday and time for a bit of humor. Enjoy!

Kim Riddlebarger's Pipe Dream

On Fridays I've decided to post something light-hearted and humorous. This week's post is from Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, and also of White Horse Inn fame. He has posted a piece entitled,

What If Calvinists Became the Majority . . . Not Gonna Happen . . . But What If . . .

Read it and post your thoughts below.

Called to Preach?

In a couple of days our presbytery will be meeting. One of the items of business is examining men for licensure and ordination. I hope that I never hear any thing close to this.

HT. Out of Ur

Ministerial Pride - Final

I found this at the blog, Out of Ur. Yikes! It hits close to home. Have a great weekend!

Top 10 gaffes by Barack Obama and Joe Biden

Hey, its Friday. Time to let down a bit and have a laugh or two. Enjoy

Top 10 gaffes by Barack Obama and Joe Biden :: Toby Harnden

Bob Newhart - Nouthetic Counseling

Here is a classic clip from Bob Newhart that I hope will brighten your day.

Emergent "Holiday" Dancers

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