A reader commented that City Bible is getting a Starbucks:

Just found out cbc is putting in a starbucks in the church lobby. They are moving the reception area and book store. It will be located there.

Initially, I thought this was a joke. But I checked to see if other churches have Starbucks in their lobby. (City Bible rarely has an original thought.) And I stumbled across an article discussing Christianity in American, which included this paragrph:

The megachurches thus become part church, part shopping mall and part country club. One in Tacoma, Washington, even has its own Starbucks. Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston has a McDonald's on its 111 acres.

So I guess it's true. City Bible is getting a Starbucks. Here's my question. Why Starbucks? Why eliminate your own home-grown coffee shop to make room for a Starbucks. Will this really increase revenue? Will they advertise outside the church? How does this benefit City Bible?

My guess is that Starbucks will rent out the space in the church. I think City Bible is struggling to pay the mortgage and rent on all of its properties. And I bet they need the rent money to make their monthly mortgage payment. It's a lot like someone buying a home they can't really afford and then getting a roomate to pay the bills. 

But that's just my guess. Why do you guys think they're doing it?

Last week Negrodamus sent me this email:

I couldn't articulate it well enough, but I think this is the kind of Black Person CBC wants apart their church:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5773

The coffee shop I visit every day on my way to work (Ebenezers) just got a nice little write up in the Washington Post. And I thought I would share the love:

The shop is religious without being self-righteous and could easily be just another coffeehouse. It's in the finishing touches (the pastor's book on sale at the register, the Bible verses on the coffee sleeves) that patrons will find the preaching. Though it hardly feels like an imposition.

As someone who is admittedly ultra-sensitive about the use of Religion in everyday life, this place does a very good job of subtly spreading the message of Christ. The staff is friendly and kind.  The TV's are usually on ESPN or CNN. And you're just as likely to hear Amy Winehouse playing as you are to hear MercyMe.

All in all, it's a good example of how to spread the message of Christ without being manipulative. 

That and their coffee is really good. And they sometimes give me a discount.

Larry Norman died Sunday in his home in Salem, Oregon.

Frank Black, of the Pixies, remembers Larry:

"Larry was my door into the music business and he was the most Christlike person I ever met," former Pixies singer Frank Black said Monday upon hearing of Norman's passing.

I am only vaguely aware of Larry Norman. But if Frank Black liked him, he must have been a pretty cool guy. 

Larry's Wikipedia Profile is fascinating, and includes this clip on Larry's relationship with Contemporary Christian Music:

Larry Norman's relationship with the wider Christian church, and with the Contemporary Christian music industry, has been contentious for a number of years. According to Portland news/radio station KXL, Norman's early social positions caused a stir among many conservative Christians. His views against racism and poverty caused him to receive multiple death threats in the 1970s. A widespread ban on Norman's music, which is largely still in effect today, existed in Christian stores. This ban was due not only to Norman's social positions, but his preferred company as well. Said Norman in a separate interview:

"The churches weren’t going to accept me looking like a street person with long hair and faded jeans. They did not like the music I was recording. And I had no desire to preach the gospel to the converted."

When asked if his 1969 album Upon This Rock was a "Christian" album, Norman responded:

"No, it was not a Christian album for those believers who wanted everything spelled out. It was more like a street fight. I was saying [to Christians]…This album is not for you."Commenting on Christian music in 1984, Norman said: "I'm pleased with what's happening in England and Europe…but I'm not totally thrilled about the commercialisation of Christian music in America." Two years prior to the 1984 interview, he had complained that Christian music generally meant "sloppy thinking, dishonest metaphors, and bad poetry" and stated that "I've never been able to get over the shock of how bad the lyrics are."

Sounds like my kind of guy.

After watching both the Republican and Democratic debates over the last couple of days, AND after a long and thorough look into each candidate's stance on the issues, AND after a heated debate of our own…City Business Church has decided to officially come out and endorse:

BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

We represent White, Christian, Twenty-somethings, for Barack Obama (a small but growing contingent).

On a side note, how much will it help our leader Barack that Super Tuesday is taking place during Black History Month?

Last night CBS News investigated Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

You can watch the clip here.

I am withholding judgement these days, until all the facts are in… but uh, SKETCHY!

CNN.com has an interesting article profiling Christian author Donald Miller. The article leads to this comparison of Christianity: 

Some experts say Miller and authors like him are in sync with a generation of young adults who very much believes in God, Jesus and the basics of Christianity, but are struggling to balance their conservative Christian upbringings with a culture that embraces a go-along-to get-along philosophy.

"People like Donald Miller are speaking almost like a prophet of a new age and describing the landscape in a way people who feel comfortable in that landscape really couldn't articulate before," said David Kinnaman, a researcher for The Barna Group and author of "Unchristian."

Critics call Miller's works casual and glib and that he strays from biblical truths when he downplays homosexuality and other sins.

One such critic, Shane Walker, says Miller presents Jesus as a "nice fellow who meets one at the campfire and swaps stories." He forgets to remind readers that Jesus is also a judge and avenger who "wants to save you from his just wrath," according to his review for "Blue Like Jazz" , an organization designed to help local churches re-establish their biblical bearings.

There is a tension among current Christians leaders on how Christianity is going to be shaped over the next couple of decades. You can see the old conservatives struggling to maintain their influence, while a younger generation, pushes the Faith left. 

However, for me, I don't really fit in either group.  I'm not a fan of Republican Christianity, but I also feel that Faith and Religion have to offer you something more than a just a good feeling.  I don't want to go to church just to be told I'm special and God loves me. I know that already. I want to be challenged to sacrifice myself for others. And frankly, I don't see that type of honesty anywhere.

Good Magazine has a profile of Joel Osteen with some fascinating insight into Osteen's ministry:

It's the Bless-Me Club," says Dr. Ben Witherington, professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, an interdenominational seminary with a Wesleyan heritage. "It is self-help, and that kind of message plays very well in America. It's the opposite of the message of salvation, which is that you are saved by grace from God. Joel Osteen is preaching the psychology of self-worth. There's nothing wrong with a strong sense of self-worth, but it doesn’t have to be linked to material success."

And of course, the article discusses Joel's business acumen:

Joel is a very good businessman,” Paul Osteen says. “He’s surrounded himself with people who are very good at what they do. …He oversaw a $100-million renovation to the Compaq Center; it takes some business savvy to do that.”

I have no problem with preaching a positive self-help message. It's just, I don't need church for that. I can feel good about myself after watching two hours of American Idol.  And again, it doesn't seem that Christ had such a feel-good life. He ended up dying on a cross. I just can't see Christ preaching this message:

The reason [Osteen is] so popular is because of the spiritual infantilism of America. Not just spiritual, the infantilism of American culture,” Anthony says. “And he feeds the Paris Hilton, Britney Spears culture. It’s all me. Benefit me. What can I do for me? How can I feel better? What can I do about me? How you can get the best of your life? It’s all me-centered.”

Just so you all don't think I'm getting soft or anything, I give you:

Judah Smith on Youtube - Part 2

It's Friday, and I know how everyone loves a good Judah Smith video shot. This clip is only about a minute long, but watch out for the insanely large wedding ring. (likely bigger than his wife's ring) And his "Wait. Isn't-Toby-Mac-from-DC-Talk-still-cool?" hat.

He is a very nice guy, and I mean that with all sincerity. But his fashion choices delight me to no end.

Here is a link to Joyce Meyer's 2006 Annual Report.

It is listed under the Financial Accountability section of her website.

If you read the report though, you will notice it is really just a press release. There is no financial accountability.

However, Joyce is banking on the fact that most Christians are too enamored with people in power to bother questioning her.  They won't ask why she fails to list any real financial information.  

And guess what, she's right. Most Christians don't demand real accountability from their leaders.  Because demanding accountability is hard. Questioning leadership will get you ousted from church. It will cause people to question your faith.  It will get you labeled a troublemaker.

(Sigh) And yet, I'm supposed to be ashamed for starting this blog. Please!

Update:

Well, I guess I jumped the gun, and I missed the actual financial statements.

So, there is some financial accountability. But I'm still not that impressed. The statements aren't exactly easy to find, as they're hidden behind a wall of PR. And it's still not clear who is getting paid what.