My brother Jesse tips me off to an OregonLive news story regarding a Newsong Church Leader, named Jeremy Thompson who was recently indicted for molesting a couple of teenagers in the church. Crazy thing is uh… he used to work in the City Bible youth group and uh, my brothers and I kind of knew him. Jesse offers the following insight:

He used to live with a family I knew. We always called him Jeremy the pedophile because he was always having young boys spend the night. He helped out a bunch with City Bible's Junior High Youth Group. I know it is sad, but in a sick way I think that it is hilarious that as a 16 year old I knew that what this guy was doing was creepy/inappropriate. And that no one ever said to him, "Hey Jeremy why don't you just take the kids to lunch. Why do you always have to have sleep overs."

FWIW, Jeremy always seemed nice to me, and I never suspected anything. But here's an example where standing up to the church would be the right thing to do.

For those who need a picture to jog their memory click here.

Update: A reader points out that Jeremy wasn't convicted he was only indicted. I read the report too fast, and I used the wrong term. I apologize for the mis-information. At this point, Jeremy is innocent until proven guilty.

Further Update: Despite Jeremy's presumed innocence, he did work in the Junior High Youth Group, and he did have young boys spend the night. Perhaps this is all a misunderstanding; perhaps not. That said, if your child attended YO, City Bible's Junior High Youth Group anytime in the last ten or so years, you might want to ask them about their relationship with Mr. Thompson.

I'm one of those crazy liberals who thinks that women should be elders in the church. However, after reading this recent confessional from Eileen Button, a Pastor's wife in Michigan, I've decided that women should be pastors. And if Ms. Button ever starts a church in DC, I'll attend.

Here Eileen discusses the stereotypes associated with being a pastor's wife:

For those who suppose they have me pegged, I'd like to dispel a few stereotypes. I don't believe Jesus would be a Republican or a Democrat. I am suspicious of our presence in Iraq and mourn the loss of lives there. I applaud those who may not be churchgoers but whose actions and generosity reflect Christ more than the lifestyles of many professing Christians. I believe God wants for us to prosper, but not necessarily in the way our American culture dictates, and certainly not just for personal benefit.

By the way, I don't wear stockings, pumps or flowered dresses with lace collars. Nor do I don Tammy Faye-style false eyelashes, wigs or sequins. I prefer jeans, khakis and classic T shirts. I don't volunteer in the nursery or children's church (I've had three children of my own; that was more than enough). I don't perform with the music team. With a voice like mine, no one will let me on, and the only song I know how to play on the piano is "Chopsticks."

However, I try to use the gifts I have been given in the church and community as a teacher, writer and friend.

This is the kind of honesty I would like to see from all Pastors. I know Pastors are not perfect, and it would be great if they would stop acting like it.

My roomate just sent me the following fictional article about how ultra-mega churches operate.

Funny snip:

Grande Church stands out even further as the only ultra-mega church to include in their new worship center the "luxury boxes" that have become popular in national sports venues.
     "We have several members of significant means," Reussi said. "You really have to in order to build a worship center like this. Our Dunamis Boxes thank and honor those who really made this worship center possible."

Read the whole thing. It's fantastic, and yet, sadly true.

You'd think after a four day weekend, a person would be all rested up and ready to get back to work. But yeah, for me, not so much, I just found myself wishing I had a five day weekend.

Interesting article in the NY Times yesterday, talking about how some homeschoolers don't even study actual courses. Their parents just let them study whatever they want, figuring that they will learn more if they are studying things they're actually interested in. It's called "unschooling".

Quote:

In a traditional school setting, such free time would probably be called recess. But for Juli Walter, the children’s mother, it is “child-led learning,” something she considers the best in home schooling.

“I learned early on that when I do things I’m interested in,” Ms. Walter said, “I learn so much more.”

As the number of children who are home-schooled grows — an estimated 1.1 million nationwide — some parents like Ms. Walter are opting for what is perhaps the most extreme application of the movement’s ideas. They are “unschooling” their children, a philosophy that is broadly defined by its rejection of the basic foundations of conventional education, including not only the schoolhouse but also classes, curriculums and textbooks.

Whatever. Call it what you want, "Homeschool" or "Unschool", Ms. Walter's kids still don't have any friends.

I meant to top post this on Friday, but was busy with Holiday festivities. (aka… College Football)  

A member of CLF left the following comment regarding The Lord's Pantry and how we can help. For those who are in the dark, Wendell Smith and The City Church are using the poor and hungry as pawns in a game of revenge.  Nice, huh?

If anyone would like to help support The Lord’s Pantry, you can mail a check to The Lord’s Pantry, 4800 Central Park Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520.

As it is a part of Christian Life Fellowship, you can request a receipt if you would like one for tax purposes.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 And in the spirit of this fun holiday, I give you:

The Farting Pastor

Yes, yes, I know. We're not exactly a classy bunch.

Thanks Henri

In The 5 stages that make this worthwhile, something David Macklin said reminded me of an event when I knew it was time to leave the church I attended.

Every time I ask a sincere question, I get rebuffed.

A beautiful fall Sunday morning in an adult Sunday school class, we were discussing a Max Lucado book about grace when for some reason the discussion turned to the law of Moses. One couple attending the class was a retired army chaplain and his wife, considered pillars of the church by many people. He sat ramrod straight in his chair, and boldly announced that the law still applied to us, quoting the words of Jesus: "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:18 KJV)

Buzz-kill that I am, I reclined in my chair, shot him a raised eyebrow, and asked "Sooooo … which one of you boys want to be the one to tell the women-folk they have to stay home 1 Sunday a month when they're having their period? Because according to the law of Moses, during that time, they are unclean and should be in isolation." (Leviticus 15:19)

The ol' chaplain was aghast. Quiet tension filled the room - someone dared challenge a pastor / pillar and showed him a fool. About that time, I noticed storm clouds forming over the head of his wife, Jezebel, and spreading to every other woman in the class. I shall ever be grateful to the teacher who smiled at me and moved the discussion along.

Unfortunately for me, he asked another of his provocative questions to follow up the stimulating law of Moses discussion. "Is this church legalistic?"

My wife, who from years of marriage knew what was coming, siezed up in anticipation.

There was a nervous shuffling in the chairs all around the room; an uptight little cough, someone cleared a throat. Finally one of the women said "NO!" My poor wife tugged frantically on my arm in that way which says "for God's sake, don't say anything, please!!!" But the Spirit was on me, and the instructor turned to me and asked "what do you think?"

There was a fire in my bones … can't … quench … the … fire … I blurted out my reply: "Yes, it is doubly legalistic, in that not only does this church view the old testament as law, but also views the traditions of the church as law."

At that point one of the women, who must have been Jezebel's sister, literally yelled at me from across the room: "Do NOT criticize MY church - I won't stand for it …" Eventually her hysteria subsided and the teacher dismissed the class for the day.

We attended the Sunday school class the next week, and before the teacher could even pray to begin the class, Jezebel's sister began yelling at me again, with essentially the same remarks as the week before.

That was the last time we attended class there as I recall. Not long after, we stopped attending their Sunday services.

Oddly, I'm thankful for that experience - it was my ticket out.

Sam

Someone recently posted a comment on our blog, letting us know that Donald Miller is going to hell. This kind of surprised me, since if Don's going to hell, I'm screwed.

I wanted to find out why Mr. Miller might not make it past those Pearly gates, and so I asked my friend Google what was up.

According to Google, there is a blogger named Ingrid Schlueter who hates Donald Miller, and she also hates something called The Emerging Church. She blogs at Slice of Laodicea and has some rather strong words for The Emerging Church. (Thankfully, JP and I are running a Business Church, not an Emerging Church, so I think we're okay.)

I read most of her blog and found that I have a love/hate relationship with Ingrid. I love her for her disgust with Megachurches. And I hate her, because well, umm….  "Bitch Crazy!" Ingrid quotes long scriptures condemning Don and the Emerging Church. But she essentially just believes that her Bible is more important than Don's Bible. Which got me thinking that we as Christians all have our own little Bible that we like to use to support whatever we believe.

For example:

Frank Damazio's Bible is filled with wonderful stories about seeds, and Johnny Appleseed is the Messiah.

Donald Miller's Bible is about a Blue-dog Democrat, who likes Jazz, and is trying to reconcile with His Father, God, for sending him to earth to die.

And my Bible focuses primarily on a Jesus who goes to parties, changes water into wine, and genuinely makes sure everyone is having fun.

I don't really have a point for this blog. I just started thinking about how everyone has a personal Bible, made myself laugh and then wanted to try to fit it into this blog. So I did….

 …Now Go Back to Work!

Not to beat the tithing drum to death, but a Business columnist in yesterday's Washington Post discussed legislation that will allow those in bankruptcy to continue to tithe before paying their creditors. Currently, the law makes no exceptions for tithing.

Key part:

"Many who practice their faith and believe that they are bound by creed to tithe a portion of their income will find that Congress effectively decided that what credit cards want is more important than the deeply personal religious practices of Americans."

Littlefield's decision prompted Sens. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to propose legislation that would allow individuals in bankruptcy to continue giving to churches and charities.

In the online edition of the WaPo, you are allowed to comment on articles. And many of the commenters took issue with the potential new law.

When you tithe with money that should have been going to pay your debts, you are not giving *your* money to God — you are giving other peoples money — and without their permission. It is not scriptural to tithe with money that belongs to others. If you want to be able to tithe, you should either cut expenses or work enough that you have some of your own money to tithe.

And another:

The Mormons use their tithe money to pay rent, buy food, and otherwise prop up the devout who run into trouble. This seems sensible - if you ask for 10, be prepared to help the people for whom that percentage could tip into despair. God doesnt spend money, people do.

And lastly, taking a shot at the church:

Bills first, always. Tithing is for discretionary income. If you have none, you dont tithe. God asks for faith only, not money. It is the church that wants your money. If the church requires its cut before your responsibilities are taken care of, then it isnt much of a church.