Archives For Ministry

bnshBill Nye (of former “Science Guy” fame) once taught me cool science-stuff (no where near as cool as Mr. Wizard) on PBS during my Jr/Sr High School years. He was the “safe” scientist back then.

Recently, Nye was featured in a “Big Think” video entitled, “Bill Nye: Creationism Is Not Appropriate For Children” which can be viewed at this link. In his two-and-a-half-minute video, Nye declares some pretty heavy statements regarding the “danger” of teaching Creationism to children. He even makes a broad statement that in just a couple centuries “that world view will not exist”, and that “there’s just no evidence for it”.

I think the video is worth watching:

At present time, the video has been viewed more than 4-million times and it is continuing to gain momentum.

In this ‘digital age’ where strong statements often find their way onto YouTube with a MUCH larger audience than many other platforms, I’m pleased that the folks at Answers in Genesis have released at least two videos refuting Nye’s claims. I think, they too, are worth watching:

First, a video featuring two of the Creation Museum’s “Science Guys”, Dr. David Menton (PhD in Biology from Brown University) and Dr. Georgia Purdom (Phd in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State University).

Second is a response from Ken Ham – the President & CEO of the Creation Museum and Answers in Genesis:

Our Wesleyan General Superintendent, Dr. Jo Anne Lyon was recently interviewed by Chris Yaw of ChurchNext.tv.

In her interview (below) she highlights the “Wesleyan 7 Pack” – the areas of emphasis we are being encouraged to pursue as a denomination. She also admits our denominational faults of focusing on inward piety versus outward holiness and how we are learning to correct that sinful way. Halfway through the interview Yaw seems to lead the conversation back to the immigration reform issue and the Wesleyan position on it. The Wesleyan Position ‘Paper’ on Immigration is available here. Dr. Lyon is quick to respond that justice AND evangelism should be the pursuits of our denomination. Quoting Amos 5:24 – “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” she reminds us that justice and holiness are in tandem throughout Scripture.

The only ‘fault’ I could find with the interview is that she admitted to spending too much time on her Blackberry. Her BLACKBERRY? Really? None of my HQ friends and her co-workers have managed to get her over to an iPhone or Android device? I’m disappointed in you, Dave, Kory, and Priscilla.



I’m thankful for a General Superintendent willing and able to be a part of interviews like this via online outlets like ChurchNext!

Community Christian Church in Chicagoland recently produced a terrific video highlighting the history, mission, and vision of JUSTembrace – a fabulous non-profit that happens to be lead by my sister, Sherilyn Sheets!

Check out this great video and get a glimpse into what JUSTembrace is all about:

chngsMark Wilson recently pointed me in the direction of a fantastic post entitled, 11 Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Challenges Unique to Rural Pastors by Able Barker – a rural pastor in Canada – and while I don’t dare admit how many I relate to as a semi-rural solo pastor, I think there’s some GREAT stuff in this post that is worth sharing.

Those of you in ministry (past or present) – what would you add to this list that goes ‘across the board’ as pastoral family challenges that don’t usually see the light of day (don’t get talked about), let alone their own blog post?

brushNews out of Spain today has me wondering, “Is it always the thought that counts?”

We use the phrase often when referring to someone with the best of intentions as they do something that doesn’t quite measure up. I try to say it when my children give me a pile of rocks or a dandelion from the front yard as a gift. I tried to say it years ago when someone donated a zip-lock bag full of bar-soap remainders a short time before we took supplies to Haiti.

But when does “the thought” cease to “count” and we need to say “thanks but no thanks”? I’m not sure I’ve learned where exactly that line is yet personally, but this story definitely had me thinking about it.

The story – Spanish fresco restoration botched by amateur (BBC News)

You’ve got to read it to believe it.