I have an important announcement to make: North Side has the best bricks in South Carolina. No, it’s true and it is official. Someone came to church on Sunday to hand us a nice framed award indicating that we have the best bricks in South Carolina. The Brick Industry (yes, there is such a thing) has annual awards that give …
I was just driving away from class when I heard James Dobson talk on the radio about Tuesday’s vote. There was a pretty shocking vote in California where they overturned the right for homosexual marriage. Since most people would think that California would support it, I was shocked to hear that it got stopped. I was overwhelmed when I heard …
I stayed up way too late last night watching everything come in; it’s not that it is too late, but it is when your six month old still wakes you up too early! It was a historical night, and here are some of my thoughts: Regarding Civil Rights: Our country has come a really long way. Regardless of what you …
As the election gets closer by the day, it is always interesting to me how faith and politics get intermingled. Some churches and pastors are very vocal from the pulpit concerning issues or who they support. Other churches don’t discuss the issue declaring the need for separation of church and state. Our country is in the middle of crazy times. …
Pretty disappointed to read this article this week: KIM WHEATLEY, CHIEF REPORTER August 22, 2008 01:10am PASTOR Michael Guglielmucci has been told by church officials to report to police, who will investigate what has happened to money raised during his cancer deception. The Australian Christian Churches told The Advertiser yesterday that it was auditing Mr Guglielmucci’s bank accounts, which included …
If you weren’t aware of the Saddleback Civil Forum that happened on Saturday night, you missed out. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, wrote one of the greatest-selling books of all time, trying to take on all the world’s problems through his PEACE plan, and all around great guy, he decided to bring the two presidential candidates together for the …
We were watching Family Feud tonight on the Game Show Network (we are so old), and we got a good survey on the culture. The category was “Which of the 10 Commandments are Broken Most Often on Soap Operas?” These are the ones that people thought made the top 10 list: No lusting Love your neighbor as yourself Be fruitful …
What a great Sunday. As our church continues to heal, it was great to come together today and sing words like, “You are my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, my shelter, strong tower, my very present help in times of need.” In times of need like we are going through, it is comforting to know that he is presently …
A couple of weeks ago, I conducted a theological survey of our adults at North Side. This is for a requirement for my next degree, but I tailored the questions to help our staff discern teaching and directional needs for our church in the area of evangelism and missions. Concerning conducting this survey, I was hesitant. A number of our …
At North Side on Sunday, Fred mentioned his support of an upcoming film entitled, Expelled. Ben Stein, who I thought was just that funny looking, boring sounding guy who played as random cameos in TV shows and movies, turns out to be a very involved figure in American classroom and political circles over the last few decades. He is very …
Yes, it’s true. I have accepted a new job. North Side has been great, but alas it is time to move on. I’m just kidding, but I do have a new job. The beauty of this job is I get to stay at North Side to do it! In the Fall, I am going to be an adjunct professor at …
If you didn’t get to see the GOP Presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, SC last night, it was another interesting display of banter between the Republican candidates. One of the most culturally-informing moments of the debate last night was when one of the moderators asked former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee about a statement of faith he signed with members of …
Mitt Romney is in the news a whole lot these days. But besides being one of the frontrunners for the Republican nomination for President, he is also being scrutinized because of his beliefs. Romney is a Mormon. And I regularly hear someone say, “now Mormonism is the religion that believes…” Many Christians are confused if Mormons believe the same as …
You can’t really appreciate the light until you fully comprehend the darkness. There are warning labels on just about everything. Jeff had a bag full of items with warning labels on them. Everyone is warning us about something, but no one is saying a word about the most dangerous thing out there. CNN won’t talk about it. Schools won’t educate …
The Golden Compass is a children’s movie that is coming to theatres on December 7th. The following post is not a PR statement on whether or not to watch the movie. You will have to decide if you want to financially support the movie. This is not a political post trying to sway you on whether or not the movie …
What would happen to Greenwood tomorrow morning if North Side Baptist Church ceased to be? What would take place in our community if our church’s presence in the community completely vanished? Would it be tragic or even noticeable? Would people miss a building or would they miss a movement? Would they realize only the numbers missed versus the lives transformed? …
Amanda and I probably got 87.7% of our Christmas gifts bought today! And what’s even more amazing is that we never left Greenwood! I know – it is unheard of but tis true. It was fun and not too crazy, but we had our budget, and we started working down the list and we were pretty happy with all that …
Most churches look around on a Sunday morning and count who is in attendance. But how many churches look around to notice who is not represented there? How many church members look at the age brackets of their church and become worried? If you haven’t looked around lately, it’s time that you did. 18-22 year olds are missing from most …
I was reading this week an interesting study done out at Willow Creek Community Church. Willow Creek is known for its role in the seeker sensitive movement. They are loved by some, hated by others, but regardless of one’s opinion on them, they have reached numerous people for Christ over the years of the church’s existence. Not only that, but …
In the last few months, I have really begun to think about where our culture is and where it is heading. Follow my random thoughts for a moment on the undercurrent of our culture’s direction: 10 years ago, the most watched TV shows were comedy and dramas. This genre dominated the airwaves. 10 years ago, the most common use of …
An interesting conversation developed today in class. The school at Southern Seminary at which I am getting my degree is called the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. The dean was asking us about what kind of connotations the term “Church Growth” gives. Some people, believe that the Church Growth Movement (labeling anything as creativity or different …
This week, in my new favorite show, 24, there was a great lesson in postmodernism. If you don’t know, postmodernism is the favorite pattern of thought in America today. Its basic tenet is that there is no absolute truth. Your truth is truth. Mine is truth. Even if they absolutely contradict, they are both true. Brilliant, huh? On 24, Doyle, …