Announcing...
A GROWTH GROUP for couples
FIREPROOF
Your Marriage
Based on the award-winning movie “Fireproof”
This innovative marriage building GROWTH GROUP for couples will meet Tuesdays starting June 2 through July 21. Register by calling (626) 286-3125 x 11 or by emailing glenn@templecitybaptist.org.
This includes 6 sessions of study plus a movie night and a practical service experience.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PARTNER BEHIND
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dim Bulbs?
Every now and then, something like this crosses my email desk. With apologies to almost everybody,
CHANGING A LIGHT BULB THE CHRISTIAN WAY:
How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?
Charismatic: Only 1. Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal: 10. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic: None - Candles only.
Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Mormons : Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians/New Agers: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Unimportant. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.
Amish: What's a light bulb?
For the record: my sister-in-law is a Lutheran, my nephew is a Methodist minister, my late Uncle Ira was a Nazarene and my dad was--his words--an apostate Episcopalian.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Almost Last Chance(s)
For two events Thursday at FBC:
ACTIVATE SEMINAR with Kerrick Thomas, a seminar on small groups. This is simply the best training on small groups--and I'm a veteran of many. 9 AM-Noon, Pacesetter Room. Register here.
TOWN HALL FOR HOPE with Dave Ramsey (via webcast), 5 PM-6:30 PM, Sanctuary. For more info and registration, go here (though walk-ins are welcome).
We are up to 37 registered for this event.
ACTIVATE SEMINAR with Kerrick Thomas, a seminar on small groups. This is simply the best training on small groups--and I'm a veteran of many. 9 AM-Noon, Pacesetter Room. Register here.
TOWN HALL FOR HOPE with Dave Ramsey (via webcast), 5 PM-6:30 PM, Sanctuary. For more info and registration, go here (though walk-ins are welcome).
We are up to 37 registered for this event.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Town Hall for Hope Draws Interest; Back from Arkansas; Activate Seminar
FBC is a host location of the nationwide Town Hall for Hope with Dave Ramsey this Thursday 5 PM till 6:30 PM.
As of this writing, 29 people have registered to come to FBC via web sign-up.
My offer still stands: free dinner for the first 20 FBC-based registrants. Email me directly (glenn@templecitybaptist.org) to get on that list. (Dinner will follow at 6:30.)
-----
On a different subject, we're back in Temple City after a quick trip to Springdale, AR, for my neice's wedding. (She's now Mrs. Larry Brammel). On Sunday morning, we worshipped at FBC Springdale, a megachurch (15,000 attendance).
Good message. But do you know what? Even this megachurch had a microphone squeal of feedback and a misspelling on a slide.
----
A third topic: last call to register for the Activate Seminar this Thursday, 9 AM-Noon. Use this link.
If you would like to come but $49 is too much, email me directly; I MAY (not for sure!) be able to get you in gratis. (Right now it looks like a cozier group of 50 or so.)
See you soon!
---Pastor Glenn
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Surge!
Sending out 14,000 cards to invite people to Easter? Are you crazy? Well, like a fox!
We had the biggest surge of first timers for Easter that I can remember in 10 years at FBC! Several of these cited the cards as the reason for being here. The "fields are white for harvest"--Sam Hodson and I just met to go over the data from the new guests. Emails have already gone out and snail mail will be zipping out of here like made! (Phone calls too!)
Hey church, keep all these new folks in your prayers!
And next Sunday, come back to hear "The Stone of Doubt" with Chris Watkins speaking. (I'll be in Arkansas for my neice's wedding.)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Journey to the Cross Sets Stage for Resurrection Celebration
A tale of two gardens: this is the Garden of Gethsemene. This was set aside as a place for prayer. We had to add a lot of chairs to this area. There was also a Garden of Eden area. 
Moving the mountain: Mt. Sinai arrives Thursday. The fabricated mountain was made by an associate of Worship Pastor Matt Cooper at Isolated Ground.
Welcoming worshippers was the prophet Isaiah, who turned 2,780 recently!
Jill Vago at the cross--covered with slips of paper with the words MY SIN. Participants nailed them to the cross.
Above: the Prophet's Room--a place to examine Messianic prophecies. Here are some photos from the assembly and the experience THE JOURNEY TO THE CROSS last night at First Baptist. Special thanks to LUIS VASQUEZ, JOHN ERNEST, SCOTT LEAR, BOB RANDALL, BRENDON and KAREN FLANNIGAN, ROBIN GIAMMALVA, and especially DON BUCHANAN aka ISAIAH.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Chaplains "Excomminicated" for Mentioning God
In the "this is just plain nuts" file, read this (from Urban Christian News):
US Chaplains in Florida Hospices Banned From Mentioning God
By UCN on March 23, 2009 10:41 AM
Chaplains working at a hospice home in the U.S. state of Florida are no longer allowed to say "God" in inspirational messages to staff members, as part of a wider trend in the United States, BosNewsLife learned Saturday, March 21.
Chaplains can still use the words "Almighty God" in private sessions with patients or families at Hospice by the Sea, said the institute's Chief Executive Officer Paula Alderson.
The move came after several police chaplains lost their jobs for praying "in Jesus name", in the U.S. state of Virginia.
Last month, the Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted along party lines to kill a pro-faith bill which would have restored the rights of Virginia State Police Chaplains to pray publicly "in Jesus name."
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has his administration's decision support for the dismissal of Virginia State Police Chaplains because they prayed publicly "in Jesus' name."
STRICT POLICY
Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty enforced a strict "non-sectarian" prayer policy at all public gatherings, censoring and excluding Christian prayers. He also accepted the resignation of five chaplains who refused watering down their prayers, saying that would violate their their conscience.
Former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, who lost his job in 2006 for praying in "Jesus name" had delivered nearly 7,000 paper petitions and organized a rally of 1,000 citizens "to honor Jesus and the six chaplains" outside the Governor's mansion last fall.
In Florida, which now seems to copy the Virginia policy, hospice CEO Alderson denied she pressured staff members. She said the ban on religious reference applies only to inspirational messages delivered by chaplains in staff meetings.
"The hospice remains fully comfortable with ministers, priests and rabbis offering religious counsel to the dying and grieving. I was sensitive to the fact that we don't impose religion on our staff, and that it is not appropriate in the context of a staff meeting to use certain phrases or 'God' or 'Holy Father,' because some of our staff don't believe at all," Alderson said.
Reverend Mirta Signorelli, of Royal Palm Beach, said the policy has a chilling effect that goes beyond the monthly staff meetings. She added she had to watch her language "when leading prayer in the chapel, meeting patients in the public setting of a nursing home, and in weekly patient conferences with medical as well as social workers."
NO MENTIONING GOD
Signorelli stressed that that she and other chaplains were told to "cease and desist from using God in prayers."
"If you take God away from me," she said, "it's like taking a medical tool away from a nurse."
Signorelli is a devout Christian who acquired a master's degree in theology after a career as a psychologist, running a program for abused and neglected children. She said her supervisor recently singled her out for delivering a spiritual reflection in the chapel that included the word "Lord" and had "a Christian connotation."
"But that was the 23rd Psalm," Signorelli said -- not, strictly speaking, Christian, as it appears in the Old Testament.
"And I am well aware that there were people from the Jewish tradition in attendance. I didn't say Jesus or Allah or Jehovah. I used 'Lord' and 'God,' which I think are politically correct. I think that's as generic as you can get."
Reverend Mirta Signorelli has subsequently resigned.
"MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE"
Alderson said she was surprised by Signorelli's reaction to what she called "a minor administrative directive" aimed solely at improving the decorum of monthly staff meetings, where the desired tone from a chaplain should be motivational, not religious.
She said it started after she asked a chaplain -- not Signorelli -- to say something "inspirational" and "thought-provoking" at a staff meeting. The remarks did not strike the secular tone she wanted, Alderson said. So, "I issued some guidelines."
Hospice by the Sea has been serving the community of Palm Beach and Broward counties since 1979, providing services to about 500 patients every day on an annual budget of $35 million, which it receives from public and private groups.
HealthCare Chaplaincy which is a multi-faith organization has guidelines that say chaplains should "reach across faith group boundaries and not proselytize". But they don't tell chaplains to refrain from speaking about God.
"I hope this is some sort of misunderstanding," said Rita Kaufman, spokeswoman for the Association of Professional Chaplains, based in Schaumburg, Ill.
Hospice of Palm Beach County has not barred "God," marketing director Karen Stearns said. It does direct chaplains to be sensitive to patients' religious sensibilities.
"BIZARRE" POLICY ANNOUNCED
A ban on the word "God" was new to Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a religious-freedom organization based in Orlando."That seems quite bizarre, and a significant restriction on her freedom of speech," Staver said.
Yet the developments are music to the ears of Greg Epstein, a humanist chaplain at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, who building "a God-free model of community" that he hopes helps humanists increase in numbers and influence.
Epstein says an increasing number of people have no religion, an apparent reference to the latest American Religious Identification Survey, released last month, which claims 15 percent of respondents in 2008 said they had no religion, nearly twice the number of 1990.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
"There is a broader acceptance of those with no faith, as indicated by President Barack Obama's mention of non-believers in his inaugural address," Epstein told reporters.
Epstein wants to plant local humanist centers nationwide that perform many of the community-building functions of a church."There are so many millions of people out there who basically share our views, that we've got room for everybody," Epstein said. "What we're doing here has got to grow even more."
His movement says it combines reason, human experience, Jewish culture and ethical insights from Jewish tradition. While many humanists reject anything that hints at organized religion, Epstein is freely borrowing from it -- from the "small group" format familiar in evangelical churches to calling his group a "congregation".
Epstein said, "There are so many millions of people out there who basically share our views, that we've got room for everybody. What we're doing here [at Harvard University] has got to grow even more."
By the way, it's even crazier when you consider the definition of a "chaplain":
1. A member of the clergy attached to a chapel.
2. a. A member of the clergy who conducts religious services for an institution, such as a prison or hospital.
b. A member of the clergy who is connected with a royal court or an aristocratic household.
3. A member of the clergy attached to a branch of the armed forces.
It seems that that word "clergy" keeps popping up. That's uh, kind of a religious thing, right?
Welcome to Wacko World, folks.
US Chaplains in Florida Hospices Banned From Mentioning God
By UCN on March 23, 2009 10:41 AM
Chaplains working at a hospice home in the U.S. state of Florida are no longer allowed to say "God" in inspirational messages to staff members, as part of a wider trend in the United States, BosNewsLife learned Saturday, March 21.
Chaplains can still use the words "Almighty God" in private sessions with patients or families at Hospice by the Sea, said the institute's Chief Executive Officer Paula Alderson.
The move came after several police chaplains lost their jobs for praying "in Jesus name", in the U.S. state of Virginia.
Last month, the Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted along party lines to kill a pro-faith bill which would have restored the rights of Virginia State Police Chaplains to pray publicly "in Jesus name."
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has his administration's decision support for the dismissal of Virginia State Police Chaplains because they prayed publicly "in Jesus' name."
STRICT POLICY
Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty enforced a strict "non-sectarian" prayer policy at all public gatherings, censoring and excluding Christian prayers. He also accepted the resignation of five chaplains who refused watering down their prayers, saying that would violate their their conscience.
Former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, who lost his job in 2006 for praying in "Jesus name" had delivered nearly 7,000 paper petitions and organized a rally of 1,000 citizens "to honor Jesus and the six chaplains" outside the Governor's mansion last fall.
In Florida, which now seems to copy the Virginia policy, hospice CEO Alderson denied she pressured staff members. She said the ban on religious reference applies only to inspirational messages delivered by chaplains in staff meetings.
"The hospice remains fully comfortable with ministers, priests and rabbis offering religious counsel to the dying and grieving. I was sensitive to the fact that we don't impose religion on our staff, and that it is not appropriate in the context of a staff meeting to use certain phrases or 'God' or 'Holy Father,' because some of our staff don't believe at all," Alderson said.
Reverend Mirta Signorelli, of Royal Palm Beach, said the policy has a chilling effect that goes beyond the monthly staff meetings. She added she had to watch her language "when leading prayer in the chapel, meeting patients in the public setting of a nursing home, and in weekly patient conferences with medical as well as social workers."
NO MENTIONING GOD
Signorelli stressed that that she and other chaplains were told to "cease and desist from using God in prayers."
"If you take God away from me," she said, "it's like taking a medical tool away from a nurse."
Signorelli is a devout Christian who acquired a master's degree in theology after a career as a psychologist, running a program for abused and neglected children. She said her supervisor recently singled her out for delivering a spiritual reflection in the chapel that included the word "Lord" and had "a Christian connotation."
"But that was the 23rd Psalm," Signorelli said -- not, strictly speaking, Christian, as it appears in the Old Testament.
"And I am well aware that there were people from the Jewish tradition in attendance. I didn't say Jesus or Allah or Jehovah. I used 'Lord' and 'God,' which I think are politically correct. I think that's as generic as you can get."
Reverend Mirta Signorelli has subsequently resigned.
"MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE"
Alderson said she was surprised by Signorelli's reaction to what she called "a minor administrative directive" aimed solely at improving the decorum of monthly staff meetings, where the desired tone from a chaplain should be motivational, not religious.
She said it started after she asked a chaplain -- not Signorelli -- to say something "inspirational" and "thought-provoking" at a staff meeting. The remarks did not strike the secular tone she wanted, Alderson said. So, "I issued some guidelines."
Hospice by the Sea has been serving the community of Palm Beach and Broward counties since 1979, providing services to about 500 patients every day on an annual budget of $35 million, which it receives from public and private groups.
HealthCare Chaplaincy which is a multi-faith organization has guidelines that say chaplains should "reach across faith group boundaries and not proselytize". But they don't tell chaplains to refrain from speaking about God.
"I hope this is some sort of misunderstanding," said Rita Kaufman, spokeswoman for the Association of Professional Chaplains, based in Schaumburg, Ill.
Hospice of Palm Beach County has not barred "God," marketing director Karen Stearns said. It does direct chaplains to be sensitive to patients' religious sensibilities.
"BIZARRE" POLICY ANNOUNCED
A ban on the word "God" was new to Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a religious-freedom organization based in Orlando."That seems quite bizarre, and a significant restriction on her freedom of speech," Staver said.
Yet the developments are music to the ears of Greg Epstein, a humanist chaplain at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, who building "a God-free model of community" that he hopes helps humanists increase in numbers and influence.
Epstein says an increasing number of people have no religion, an apparent reference to the latest American Religious Identification Survey, released last month, which claims 15 percent of respondents in 2008 said they had no religion, nearly twice the number of 1990.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
"There is a broader acceptance of those with no faith, as indicated by President Barack Obama's mention of non-believers in his inaugural address," Epstein told reporters.
Epstein wants to plant local humanist centers nationwide that perform many of the community-building functions of a church."There are so many millions of people out there who basically share our views, that we've got room for everybody," Epstein said. "What we're doing here has got to grow even more."
His movement says it combines reason, human experience, Jewish culture and ethical insights from Jewish tradition. While many humanists reject anything that hints at organized religion, Epstein is freely borrowing from it -- from the "small group" format familiar in evangelical churches to calling his group a "congregation".
Epstein said, "There are so many millions of people out there who basically share our views, that we've got room for everybody. What we're doing here [at Harvard University] has got to grow even more."
By the way, it's even crazier when you consider the definition of a "chaplain":
1. A member of the clergy attached to a chapel.
2. a. A member of the clergy who conducts religious services for an institution, such as a prison or hospital.
b. A member of the clergy who is connected with a royal court or an aristocratic household.
3. A member of the clergy attached to a branch of the armed forces.
It seems that that word "clergy" keeps popping up. That's uh, kind of a religious thing, right?
Welcome to Wacko World, folks.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Prepare for the Journey
PRESS RELEASEMarch 12, 2009
First Baptist Church, Temple City, CA
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS TO MARK GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday will be observed in an unusual way at the First Baptist Church of Temple City. The church’s gym is being transformed into a journey through time, from the Garden of Eden to the Cross of Jesus.
Doors will open at 6:30 on Friday, April 10 and will remain open until 8:30 PM. The prophet Isaiah (played by Don Buchanan) will greet worshippers to this interactive worship experience.
“It’s a come and stay as long as you wish experience,” commented Pastor Glenn Layne. “They’ll be places to pray, to read Old Testament prophecies, and most importantly, to worshipfully consider the cross of Jesus. We’ll have our own Garden of Gethsemane as the focus of pray before people go on to the cross of Jesus and the Lord’s Supper.”
As part of the Journey to the Cross, the men’s group of the church is constructing a “Mt. Sinai” that is over ten feet high and will come complete with light and sound effects. Special lighting and sound will be used in several different sections of the experience.
The community is invited to come and be part of “The Journey to the Cross.” First Baptist is located at 6019 Baldwin Avenue, Temple City. For directions and more information, check the website, www.templecitybaptist.org.
"Same-sex marriage is history in California"
That's the headline at the National Law Journel.
Also, you have have heard a misleading poll yesterday in the news that suggests that we're losing the battle of public opinion. Not so fast. Frank Schubert from Yes on 8 writes in an email:
“I was encouraged by the Field Poll. Since May of 2008 our opponents have made no progress in the percent of people (45%) who want to give gays marriage (as compared to civil unions or no legal recognition of their relationships). This is despite the Court ruling last May, the 18,000 marriages being performed, over $40 million spent in support of gay marriage, and then weeks of protests and demonstrations in the streets afterwards. I think it totally undercuts the idea that there is a rapid movement toward approval of gay marriage. There just isn’t. If anything, the Field data suggests they have lost steam. Looking at the question as to whether people would vote for gay marriage or have marriage only between a man and a woman, the numbers have moved in OUR direction, not theirs, since May 2008. People wanting to extend marriage to gays has dropped, and the percent wanting to reserve marriage only for heterosexual couples has increased. And, recall my oft-stated view that support for traditional marriage is always under reported in these polls because it is not a PC position. My conclusion is that we are in better position now than we were during the campaign. And we won by 600,000 votes then!”
Good news for traditional (Biblical) marriage!
Also, you have have heard a misleading poll yesterday in the news that suggests that we're losing the battle of public opinion. Not so fast. Frank Schubert from Yes on 8 writes in an email:
“I was encouraged by the Field Poll. Since May of 2008 our opponents have made no progress in the percent of people (45%) who want to give gays marriage (as compared to civil unions or no legal recognition of their relationships). This is despite the Court ruling last May, the 18,000 marriages being performed, over $40 million spent in support of gay marriage, and then weeks of protests and demonstrations in the streets afterwards. I think it totally undercuts the idea that there is a rapid movement toward approval of gay marriage. There just isn’t. If anything, the Field data suggests they have lost steam. Looking at the question as to whether people would vote for gay marriage or have marriage only between a man and a woman, the numbers have moved in OUR direction, not theirs, since May 2008. People wanting to extend marriage to gays has dropped, and the percent wanting to reserve marriage only for heterosexual couples has increased. And, recall my oft-stated view that support for traditional marriage is always under reported in these polls because it is not a PC position. My conclusion is that we are in better position now than we were during the campaign. And we won by 600,000 votes then!”
Good news for traditional (Biblical) marriage!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Camellis Parade Outreach a Success
32 people from First Baptist came early to pick up over 1,000 bottles of water and placed themselves strategically at quarter-mile increments on both side of Las Tunas, the main east-west thoroughfare of Temple City earlier today along the parade route of the annual Camellia Festival Parade.
FBC has traditionally had a significant role in the Festival. Our parking lot is the terminus of the parade and our gym is the location of the Camellia Royalty Luncheon. In other years, we have had a game booth at the Festival.
This year we focused on a servant evangelism project on the parade route. Groups handed out water bottles with a colorful doorhanger tag with a lifesaver with a short but invitational message.
FBC people also had literature in Spanish and Chinese to give out to people on the parade route.
Numerous conversations were engendered along the parade route.
Thanks to all participants. Thanks to all of you who prayed for dry weather after so much rain. Keep praying that our loving touches will bear fruit for the glory of God.
FBC has traditionally had a significant role in the Festival. Our parking lot is the terminus of the parade and our gym is the location of the Camellia Royalty Luncheon. In other years, we have had a game booth at the Festival.
This year we focused on a servant evangelism project on the parade route. Groups handed out water bottles with a colorful doorhanger tag with a lifesaver with a short but invitational message.
FBC people also had literature in Spanish and Chinese to give out to people on the parade route.
Numerous conversations were engendered along the parade route.
Thanks to all participants. Thanks to all of you who prayed for dry weather after so much rain. Keep praying that our loving touches will bear fruit for the glory of God.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
From the West Wing to the Camellia Parade
Two items today:
I was asked in an email about responding to a letter that I recognized as a ripp-off from a (in)famous scene from the late TV show The West Wing. The fictional president tears into a Dr. Laura stand-in who is well-known for opposing homosexuality, besting her (so it would seem) on Biblical references. The upshot is that, hey, that Bible is one crazy book. So it says no to gay relationships? The same crazy book OKs slavery and tells you to do all kinds of nutty things. (You can find the clip on Youtube.)
Hank Hanegraaff (boy that name is a killer to spell) has a good response which you can read here.
Dan Kimball of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz once showed the clip in his 20-something church and then spent weeks responding to the issues that the fictional Pres. Bartlett raised. Dan is emerging (pardon the pun) as a true leader in what might be called the conservative emergent church movement.
Now to change the topic. Please pray for DRY WEATHER ON SATURDAY MORNING. Yesterday's long-range forecast was no rain, cloudy and 70 at the time of the Camellia Parade. We're planning to give out over 1000 water bottles with a invitational message to parade goers. Today's long-range now says scattered showers. Ask God to scatter them somewhere else, please!
I didn't announce this Sunday, but if you want to join me for prayer for the maximum spiritual impact of the outreach, I'm planning on praying with anyone who'll join me 7 PM Wednesday here at the church office. Send me an email at glenn@templecitybaptist.org if you'd like to join me.
Here's what I'm asking you to pray for: that God would move people who He's already at work in their hearts to come to the parade, get a water bottle, and recognize that as God's answer--that He wants to use FBC as the spiritual bridge for them to come to real faith in Jesus.
We're doing well getting ready for the outreach, but have room for you if you want to help, send me an email at the address above and I'll send you more info as well as a short Bible study on servant evangelism.
See you there!
Pastor Glenn
I was asked in an email about responding to a letter that I recognized as a ripp-off from a (in)famous scene from the late TV show The West Wing. The fictional president tears into a Dr. Laura stand-in who is well-known for opposing homosexuality, besting her (so it would seem) on Biblical references. The upshot is that, hey, that Bible is one crazy book. So it says no to gay relationships? The same crazy book OKs slavery and tells you to do all kinds of nutty things. (You can find the clip on Youtube.)
Hank Hanegraaff (boy that name is a killer to spell) has a good response which you can read here.
Dan Kimball of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz once showed the clip in his 20-something church and then spent weeks responding to the issues that the fictional Pres. Bartlett raised. Dan is emerging (pardon the pun) as a true leader in what might be called the conservative emergent church movement.
Now to change the topic. Please pray for DRY WEATHER ON SATURDAY MORNING. Yesterday's long-range forecast was no rain, cloudy and 70 at the time of the Camellia Parade. We're planning to give out over 1000 water bottles with a invitational message to parade goers. Today's long-range now says scattered showers. Ask God to scatter them somewhere else, please!
I didn't announce this Sunday, but if you want to join me for prayer for the maximum spiritual impact of the outreach, I'm planning on praying with anyone who'll join me 7 PM Wednesday here at the church office. Send me an email at glenn@templecitybaptist.org if you'd like to join me.
Here's what I'm asking you to pray for: that God would move people who He's already at work in their hearts to come to the parade, get a water bottle, and recognize that as God's answer--that He wants to use FBC as the spiritual bridge for them to come to real faith in Jesus.
We're doing well getting ready for the outreach, but have room for you if you want to help, send me an email at the address above and I'll send you more info as well as a short Bible study on servant evangelism.
See you there!
Pastor Glenn
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
LESBIAN COUPLE WHO FORCED GAY MARRIAGE ON MASSACHUSETTS DIVORCE
This article was sent to me by one of my old friends from back East, David Runnion-Bareford of the Association for Church Renewal. David and I earned our D.Min. together at Gordon-Conwell. David is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and is a wonderful evangelical.
The case was known as "Goodridge vs. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Filed by Hillary Goodridge, Funding Director for the Unitarian-Universalist Church and her partner Julie, the case opened the door for a nationwide assault on the sanctity of marriage. On May 17, 2004, the first day "same-sex marriage" was legal in Massachusetts the Goodridges were joined in a ceremony at the Unitarian-Universalist denominational headquarters in Boston by UUA President, William Sinkford.
By July, 2006 Hillary and Julie were separated. Last week they filed for divorce. Goodridge is a name they created for themselves, belonging to neither of them before coming together. They share custody of a 12 year old daughter.
The case which created the marriage crisis in California was brought by Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches.
The case was known as "Goodridge vs. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Filed by Hillary Goodridge, Funding Director for the Unitarian-Universalist Church and her partner Julie, the case opened the door for a nationwide assault on the sanctity of marriage. On May 17, 2004, the first day "same-sex marriage" was legal in Massachusetts the Goodridges were joined in a ceremony at the Unitarian-Universalist denominational headquarters in Boston by UUA President, William Sinkford.
By July, 2006 Hillary and Julie were separated. Last week they filed for divorce. Goodridge is a name they created for themselves, belonging to neither of them before coming together. They share custody of a 12 year old daughter.
The case which created the marriage crisis in California was brought by Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
He Still Moves Stones
This is my column for the March-May edition of the church newsletter, The Tower.
It was November, 1999, and Lynann and I and the other members of our group were dashing across the old city of Jerusalem along the old Cardo, the main shopping street of the old city. Imagine all the sights and sounds of an Arab bazaar on a narrow, twisty street clogged with tourists from all over the world, and set down among the dwellers of the city selling the wares.
It may have been November, but the weather was warmer than November in Los Angeles, enough for beads of sweat to break out on the brow as we walked as fast as our legs could walk from south to north across the city. One last turn, a left, and a plaza opened up before the ornate Damascus gate, the gate on the north side of the walled city, easily the largest and most splendid gate of modern Jerusalem.
We crossed a busy street and walked up a quiet side street. Immediately the area seemed more modern. By “modern”, I don’t mean recent; the buildings were 19th and early 20th century; it’s just that compared to the Old City, were the newest structures are from the 14th century, this area seemed modern.
We passed the city bus station to the right and up the street we came to a non-descript gate bearing a sign simply saying, THE GARDEN TOMB. We entered—our passes paid for as part of our tour, and joined in a group as an Englishman discussed the history of the Garden Tomb.
There was a time when the Garden Tomb was widely regarded as a more likely candidate for the real tomb of Jesus than the venerated tomb now encased in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Actually, the evidence is pretty strong that the Holy Sepulcher site is the right one; it’s just really hard to imagine the tomb as it was in Jesus’ day due to the fact that it’s been built over and almost grotesquely decorated over the centuries.
The Garden Tomb was set forth as an alternate resurrection site only in the 19th century. It is almost certainly not the right place—the style of the tomb is more like that of the period of the kings of Israel than the tombs of the time of Jesus. It also has no pedigree, history of claim, as being the right place.
But is does have this: it feels right. The British curators, who no longer claim that this is the right tomb do indeed maintain the area much as it would have looked in Jesus’ time. In that way, it evokes the drama of the gospel account better than the traditional site does.
The door to the tomb is a craggy opening that has been hacked larger than it would have been in ancient times. In front of that door is a cut furrow in the stone pavement designed to allow a round stone cover to seal the tomb. That stone on this site has never been recovered; it was probably broken up at some point in the past to be made into smaller stones for other purposes.
It was with a sense of awe that we entered the tomb. Even though I had that little voice in my head reminding that this wasn’t likely to be the right place, the atmosphere is so evocative of the gospel story that it didn’t take much to be moved. It was as if we’d stepped from the last year of the 20th century into the 1st century AD, and that we could expect to see the Roman guards pass out, the angels speak to the women and to see Peter and John come running.
It’s not likely that you will pass through a door and find yourself in 30 AD. But it is very likely that what happened here, in this place that year can reach out and completely transform your world. That stone that sealed in Jesus was tossed aside by the power of God. And God still moves stones today: stones of fear, doubt, worry, anger and suffering.
We all have stones that weigh us down. They do not have to stay there. The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that the power of God that was seen in raising Jesus up from the dead it “at large” in the world today.
What’s the stone that has you down? It is some hurt, habit or hang-up that’s keeping down, in defeat, in pain, in self-hatred? Jesus can move that stone. Folks, never ever forget this: He still moves stones today! Bring your stone to Him and let Him roll it away today!
---Pastor Glenn
Want to know more? I highly recommend The Weekend That Changed the World: The Mystery of Jerusalem’s Empty Tomb by British Bible scholar Peter Walker. I actually bought my copy at the Garden Tomb Book Store, but you can get it at Amazon.com or Christianbooks.com.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
God and the Big Game
Thought I'd pass this one on--Pastor Glenn.
From Yahoo Sports:
Faith mixes with football for the big game
By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist 5 hours, 36 minutes ago
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Arizona running back Tim Hightower had just finished a thoughtful explanation of his religious beliefs when one of the media types who found their way into the Super Bowl stadium Tuesday decided he needed more proof.
“Can you pray right now?” he asked.
“I can pray that whatever is going on in your life right now that you find God,” Hightower said.
Hightower handled the question with the same ease he handled would-be tacklers to score the winning touchdown that got his team into the Super Bowl, which by itself was somewhat surprising since he is a rookie on the biggest stage of his young life.
Even more surprising at this Super Bowl, though, is how so many players on both teams aren’t hesitating to invoke the name of God as they prepare to play a violent game where there will be no mercy shown on either side.
Usually that has writers setting down their pens and cameramen hitting the pause button until talk returns to the game itself.
But the depth of convictions from evangelical Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner to the Steelers who will do their best to plant him face-first into the ground on Sunday has put religion squarely in play this week. All of a sudden the G-word is in vogue.
“You just have to embrace it, whatever God does in your life and wherever he puts you,” Warner said in one of his many religious references since landing in Tampa. “If it means being a role model in this game, I’m happy to do that. You are excited about that opportunity because you get the chance to speak to millions of people and, hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity to impact some lives this week.”
Warner is the most vocal—and visible—Christian on the Cardinals, proclaiming his faith at every opportunity and underscoring it by carrying a Bible with him almost everywhere he goes. He had it with him at the postgame press conference after Arizona upset Philadelphia to reach the Super Bowl, and took time to credit his faith in God for the win before answering any other questions.
The 37-year-old Warner’s public display of faith has left an impression on his younger teammates, about 20 of whom join him in Bible studies after practice every Wednesday during the season.
“Our quarterback is a definite leader and devout Christian,” cornerback Roderick Hood said. “I think that has spearheaded our growth. Also, guys see the peace we have on the field and want to find that themselves.”
Hood says he prays before every game, after every game and during the game itself. Lest Pittsburgh fans get the wrong idea, though, he says he prays for everyone to be safe and not for any particular team to win.
The Steelers aren’t as public about their religious beliefs, but many consider themselves devout Christians and can sometimes be seen in locker rooms or on airplanes reading their Bibles.
Safety Troy Polamalu brings teammates to services at his Eastern Orthodox Christian church, while running back Willie Parker leaned on his faith to come back from injuries this season, praying that he would be 100 percent physically and able to produce.
Defensive lineman Aaron Smith found comfort in his beliefs when his young son was diagnosed with leukemia.
“It’s really through the Lord’s strength that I’ve been able to cope with this,” Smith said.
Compared to that, crediting God for helping on the field seems almost trite, though that doesn’t stop athletes from doing it all the time. Football players tend to do it more often than others, perhaps because they could be permanently injured on almost any play. But there are baseball players who point to the sky every time they touch home plate and golfers who believe that God gave them the peace within to win major championships.
A poll last summer by the Pew Research Center Forum on Religion and Public Life revealed that 92 percent of Americans believe in some form of God, while 78 percent identify themselves as Christians. And while they express some concern about the mixing of politics and religion, there has never been much outcry about players from both teams gathering after a football game to kneel together in prayer.
Expect plenty of those prayers before and after Sunday’s game from plenty of different players. Expect to see Warner with a Bible in hand as soon as he’s done throwing a football with it.
And don’t expect to hear him shout right away that he’s going to Disneyland if the Cardinals win.
Because he’s going to thank God first.
From Yahoo Sports:
Faith mixes with football for the big game
By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist 5 hours, 36 minutes ago
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Arizona running back Tim Hightower had just finished a thoughtful explanation of his religious beliefs when one of the media types who found their way into the Super Bowl stadium Tuesday decided he needed more proof.
“Can you pray right now?” he asked.
“I can pray that whatever is going on in your life right now that you find God,” Hightower said.
Hightower handled the question with the same ease he handled would-be tacklers to score the winning touchdown that got his team into the Super Bowl, which by itself was somewhat surprising since he is a rookie on the biggest stage of his young life.
Even more surprising at this Super Bowl, though, is how so many players on both teams aren’t hesitating to invoke the name of God as they prepare to play a violent game where there will be no mercy shown on either side.
Usually that has writers setting down their pens and cameramen hitting the pause button until talk returns to the game itself.
But the depth of convictions from evangelical Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner to the Steelers who will do their best to plant him face-first into the ground on Sunday has put religion squarely in play this week. All of a sudden the G-word is in vogue.
“You just have to embrace it, whatever God does in your life and wherever he puts you,” Warner said in one of his many religious references since landing in Tampa. “If it means being a role model in this game, I’m happy to do that. You are excited about that opportunity because you get the chance to speak to millions of people and, hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity to impact some lives this week.”
Warner is the most vocal—and visible—Christian on the Cardinals, proclaiming his faith at every opportunity and underscoring it by carrying a Bible with him almost everywhere he goes. He had it with him at the postgame press conference after Arizona upset Philadelphia to reach the Super Bowl, and took time to credit his faith in God for the win before answering any other questions.
The 37-year-old Warner’s public display of faith has left an impression on his younger teammates, about 20 of whom join him in Bible studies after practice every Wednesday during the season.
“Our quarterback is a definite leader and devout Christian,” cornerback Roderick Hood said. “I think that has spearheaded our growth. Also, guys see the peace we have on the field and want to find that themselves.”
Hood says he prays before every game, after every game and during the game itself. Lest Pittsburgh fans get the wrong idea, though, he says he prays for everyone to be safe and not for any particular team to win.
The Steelers aren’t as public about their religious beliefs, but many consider themselves devout Christians and can sometimes be seen in locker rooms or on airplanes reading their Bibles.
Safety Troy Polamalu brings teammates to services at his Eastern Orthodox Christian church, while running back Willie Parker leaned on his faith to come back from injuries this season, praying that he would be 100 percent physically and able to produce.
Defensive lineman Aaron Smith found comfort in his beliefs when his young son was diagnosed with leukemia.
“It’s really through the Lord’s strength that I’ve been able to cope with this,” Smith said.
Compared to that, crediting God for helping on the field seems almost trite, though that doesn’t stop athletes from doing it all the time. Football players tend to do it more often than others, perhaps because they could be permanently injured on almost any play. But there are baseball players who point to the sky every time they touch home plate and golfers who believe that God gave them the peace within to win major championships.
A poll last summer by the Pew Research Center Forum on Religion and Public Life revealed that 92 percent of Americans believe in some form of God, while 78 percent identify themselves as Christians. And while they express some concern about the mixing of politics and religion, there has never been much outcry about players from both teams gathering after a football game to kneel together in prayer.
Expect plenty of those prayers before and after Sunday’s game from plenty of different players. Expect to see Warner with a Bible in hand as soon as he’s done throwing a football with it.
And don’t expect to hear him shout right away that he’s going to Disneyland if the Cardinals win.
Because he’s going to thank God first.
Monday, January 26, 2009
FBC to Host "Activate" Seminar with Nelson Searcy
Over the weekend, I was contacted by Nelson Searcy and agreed to to allow our church (FBC Temple City) to host his seminar called "Activate" (on small groups) on Thursday, April 23. The details can be found here. This is a great seminar, and there is a book he and Kerrick Thomas wrote on the same topic. As I get more details, I'll pass them on. If you want to register for the seminar, do so through the link.
Blessings,
Glenn Layne
Blessings,
Glenn Layne
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Three Heroes of 2008
As the year ends, I'd like to present three heros of 2008:
JIM GARLOW: Lead Pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego, Jim was a key leader in the Prop 8 battle. He endured a lot of abuse for his role, and deserves our thanks. His church's website is http://www.skylinechurch.org/.
FATHER ZAKARIA BOTROS: An unlikley 75 year old Coptic Egyptian priest, Father Zakaria hosts a 90 minute broadcast seen all over the Muslim world called Truth Talk in which he challenges Islam. He also answers questions about Christianity and takes on Islam in online chat (sometimes as many as 3,000 log on to ask questions and to listen it). Google his name for more (he jokingly calls that search engine "St. Google.")
WALT HARRIS: A Detroit firefighter, Walt died this year while battling an arson fire in that troubled city. Walt was also a minister of the gospel who used firefighting to pay the bills and showed the love of Jesus by his life. He was often asked to pray before meals at the station, and to pray for their safety. For more on Walt, check out this story.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
New Website is Live!
The renewed www.templecitybaptist.org is now live--check it out! Special thanks go out to Joanie Rardin and Raoul Pasqual.
Really, go and have a good look! It will keep you occupied happily for a long time.
A good church website is a great "marketing" tool. Share it with your friends.
-Pastor Glenn
Really, go and have a good look! It will keep you occupied happily for a long time.
A good church website is a great "marketing" tool. Share it with your friends.
-Pastor Glenn
Why Rick Warren Should Pray at the Inaugeral
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
(1 Timothy 2:1-7)
Personally, I am puzzled at theological conservatives who are objecting to Rick Warren's acceptance of the invitation to pray at President-Elect Obama's inaugeral a month hence. The objection is usually based on Obama's pro-choice views on abortion. Neither Rick Warren or this writer share Obama's abortion views, but in Scripture (see above) we are enjoined to pray for our leaders. Recall that when Paul penned these words, Nero was probably ruling Rome.
We are under Biblical obligation to pray for our leaders. I am glad that Rick will be there. I will be praying for President Obama as well, and urge you to do the same. Lord knows he needs it.
(1 Timothy 2:1-7)
Personally, I am puzzled at theological conservatives who are objecting to Rick Warren's acceptance of the invitation to pray at President-Elect Obama's inaugeral a month hence. The objection is usually based on Obama's pro-choice views on abortion. Neither Rick Warren or this writer share Obama's abortion views, but in Scripture (see above) we are enjoined to pray for our leaders. Recall that when Paul penned these words, Nero was probably ruling Rome.
We are under Biblical obligation to pray for our leaders. I am glad that Rick will be there. I will be praying for President Obama as well, and urge you to do the same. Lord knows he needs it.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Update: December 14, 2008
A few items:
1. Our worship leaders did a fantastic job this morning with the "The Last Noel." Tip o' the hat to Worship Pastor Matt Cooper et al. for a job well done.
2. I've not been blogging much because (a) I'm busy with Christmas and end of year responsibilities and (b) all my "spare time" online has been devoted to a total makeover of our church website. That (cross your fingers) should go live in our current URL location (www.templecitybaptist.org) either Wednesday or Thursday. There's only one way to describe the new site: WAY COOL. Have a look at the site as it is now and say Bye. Then check back at the end of the week. (I'll send out notification when we're live.)
3. Hey, watch out for a neat surprise next Sunday. (I'll leave it at that.)
Blessings,
Pastor Glenn
1. Our worship leaders did a fantastic job this morning with the "The Last Noel." Tip o' the hat to Worship Pastor Matt Cooper et al. for a job well done.
2. I've not been blogging much because (a) I'm busy with Christmas and end of year responsibilities and (b) all my "spare time" online has been devoted to a total makeover of our church website. That (cross your fingers) should go live in our current URL location (www.templecitybaptist.org) either Wednesday or Thursday. There's only one way to describe the new site: WAY COOL. Have a look at the site as it is now and say Bye. Then check back at the end of the week. (I'll send out notification when we're live.)
3. Hey, watch out for a neat surprise next Sunday. (I'll leave it at that.)
Blessings,
Pastor Glenn
Thursday, December 04, 2008
First Temple-Era Tunnel Unearthed In Jerusalem's City Of David
From Travel Video TV:
Dec 04, 08 2:51 pm
A remarkable discovery has been made this month in Israel, as archaeologists have uncovered a three millennia-old water tunnel during excavations at the City of David in Jerusalem. The water tunnel is believed to be the "tsinnor" mentioned in the Old Testament's account of King David's conquest of Jerusalem, approximately 3,000 years ago.
The tunnel, composed of stones and bedrock, was discovered under a large stone structure. The find also included complete oil lamps believed to indicate the tunnel's last use as a hidden escape passage and are characteristic of the end of the First Temple period."The discovery of the tunnel in the City of David will add some additional excitement to an already extraordinary year for archaeological discoveries in Israel," says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America. "And with Israel celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, travelers will have even more reason to visit these historic artifacts in Jerusalem."The excavations were conducted for the fourth year by Dr. Eilat Mazar on behalf of the Shalem Center and the IR David Foundation and under the academic auspice of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.For more details of the excavations, visit http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)