Church Organizes “Beer and Hymns Sunday”

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Church Organizes “Beer and Hymns Sunday”

A Tulsa church has caused controversy for allowing congregants to drink alcohol on the premises. Sunday, Oct. 26, East Side Christian Church featured “Beer and Hymns Sunday” as part of a series about the future of the Christian church around the world, according to Charisma Magazine.

The church maintains there is a three-beer limit and ID’s are checked at the door.

First Christian Church of Downtown Tulsa, Harvard Avenue Christian Church, Phillips Theological Seminary, and Oklahoma Disciples Foundation are also co-hosts of the weeklong event that features Portland-based religious author Christian Piatt.

“Everybody’s welcome. No questions are banned. No holds barred,” Michael Riggs, senior pastor at First Christian Church of Downtown Tulsa, told Fox23.com. “Just come and respect each other’s opinions, and just have a good honest conversation about God while having a few beers at the same time.”

East Side Christian Church is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 2014 Yearbook reports a 35 percent increase in total membership over the past decade.

Jennifer LeClaire, news editor of Charisma, agrees that with declining numbers like those debate is warranted, but questions whether slamming down a few brews is the way to solve the ills of the Church.

“Are beer-based outreaches really edifying in the end?,” LeClaire wrote. “If we compromise the purity and holiness of the Christian faith to win souls, are we really leading them into a true salvation after the bottle of beer is empty? Or are we merely compromising the gospel in the name of soul-winning without fruit that remains?”

Source and Original Content by Christian Headlines

Notorious Gang Leader’s Journey From Pimp To The Pulpit

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Notorious Gang Leader’s Journey From Pimp To The Pulpit

Former gang leader, John Turnipseed, joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” to share his personal story of triumph over the streets and how he is reaching back to pull others out.

During their discussion, Tunipseed explained how the impact of a father’s love, the power of mentoring young Black men and holding them accountable for their actions can change many at-risk African American males lives around.

Turnipseed’s book, “Bloodline,” chronicles his life from being a gang leader, drug dealer and pimp to becoming one of the nation’s most respected pioneers of community restoration…Read More

Source and Original Content by Praised.com

5 Movie Flicks That Will Make 2014 “The Year Of The Bible”

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5 Movie Flicks That Will Make 2014 “The Year Of The Bible”

The Bible narrative has always been one heck of a story. It reads like a mix of action thriller, period drama, romance novel, and the more apocalyptic parts, like pure fantasy. The gripping narrative sections of the text are part of the reason why the Bible is the bestselling book of all time.

But in 2014, we’ll discover if the Good Book is as captivating on the modern day silver screen as it is in print.

The scrappy Christian film industry has been budding for the last several years, proving that people of faith are hungry for content that speaks to the soul. But what many religious films possess in terms of spiritual content, they often lack in star power and budgets. This year, however, big studios such as Sony and Lionsgate are entering the fray by releasing films of, well, biblical proportions. To wit:

“Son of God” | 20th Century Fox (February 2014)
Reality TV pioneer Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, shocked the world last year when their History Channel series “The Bible” set cable TV records. Now, the Christian power couple has taken footage from that series and partnered with 20th Century Fox to create “Son of God,” a film about Jesus’ life that will doubtlessly attract churchgoing Americans. As the first film on this list to release, it may be helpful box office barometer for the others.

“Noah” | Regency Enterprises (November 2014)
A flood of publicity has already been created around the “Noah” film and its impressive $130 million budget. The cast includes Russell Crowe, as the sailor himself, as well as Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson. Darren Aronofsky of “Black Swan” fame directed the movie. If the trailer is any indication, it should be visually stunning while taking massive artistic liberties in creating details not found in the biblical narrative.

“Heaven is For Real” | Sony Pictures (April 2014)
Though not technically a biblical movie, Sony Pictures’ “Heaven is For Real” must also be mentioned because it will likely riff on popular Bible themes such as heaven, Jesus, and salvation. The film is based on the New York Times bestselling book by the same name and stars Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilley, and Thomas Haden Church. This story of a little boy’s life-after-death experience is not so coincidentally scheduled to release just before Easter.

“Exodus” | 20th Century Fox (December 2014)
Twentieth Century Fox has kept a tight lid on Ridley Scott’s “Exodus.” All we know is that the film is an adaptation of the biblical story of the ancient Israelite people’s liberation from Egypt. Christian Bale will star as Moses, and Sigourney Weaver will co-star. Critics won’t be able to help themselves from comparing the film to the 1956 movie “The Ten Commandments” starring Charlton Heston. The question will be whether this film can duplicate the classic’s box office success.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/t-8YsulfxVI[/youtube]

“Mary, Mother of Christ” | Lionsgate Films (December 2014)
The long awaited prequel to “The Passion of The Christ” is scheduled to arrive before Christmas after a long set of delays. The cast includes the late Peter O’Toole, Sir Ben Kinglsey, Julia Ormond, and 16-year-old Israeli newcomer Odeya Rush as the holy mother herself. The hefty cast combined with a serious budget from Lionsgate and the backing of several Christian notables (including mega-church pastor Joel Osteen who gets an executive producer credit) give this movie serious box office potential.

Source and Original Content by RNS

Gospel Acts: Juanita Bynum, Kurt Carr Speak On Fradulent Charity Solicitation on Social Media

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Gospel Acts: Juanita Bynum, Kurt Carr Speak On Fradulent Charity Solicitation on Social Media

Dr. Juanita Bynum and Kurt Carr have more in common than releasing Gospel music to the masses as both singers are speaking out after being the victims of cyber hoaxes that falsely solicited money in their names.

Bynum, the 55-year-old preacher and Gospel singer, took to her Facebook and Twitter accounts recently to speak out about being the victim of various cyber hoaxes throughout the past year. The minister said she was hurt to learn that some people were tricked into sending money to fake orphanages, because they believed they were supporting her.

“Local media family, over the last 12 months my legal team and I have removed over 52 false profiles from Facebook, Twitter and IG that have been used to scam people and ask them for money in my name,” Bynum wrote on her social media accounts. “I hurt with you in this and I am saddened that some of you have sent money to fake orphanages in Africa or other parts of the world through social media channels.”

She asked her social media “family” to help stop fake accounts in her name and made it clear that she would never use it as a medium to solicit money.

“I/Juanita Bynum Ministries have and will never solicit funds in direct messages via social media. I am asking that everyone who encounters this to report it to Facebook and my office immediately,” she wrote. “Together we will stop this criminal activity perpetrated in my name. I will not cease to repost this until those fake pages cease to take advantage of those of you who have been led to support my ministry!!”

Bynum is not the only person suffering with this problem. Carr, the 50-year-old Gospel singer took to his own social media pages to speak about a cyber hoax using fake social media pages, email addresses and a Google voice number to contact other musicians, preachers and his fans in the attempt to solicit funds.

“It is unbelievable to think that someone would attempt to use my identity to contact people in an effort to scam them,” Carr said in an AlwaysAList.com report earlier this month. “I am working with authorities to ensure that the scam artist is uncovered and faces the necessary consequences.”

Source and Original Content by Christian Post

Pastor Arrested After Shooting At Mining Protesters

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Pastor Arrested After Shooting At Mining Protesters

An Australian pastor and activist has been arrested after allegedly firing a gun at a mining protest.

Geoffrey Stokes, 52, was protesting against uranium mining in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, when he was approached by a member of security staff.

Police report that Stokes fired a shot in the air, and made several threats against mine staff before leaving. He was arrested a short time later, and charged on several counts including discharging a firearm to cause fear.

Stokes – a figurehead in the local Mount Margaret Aboriginal Community – was protesting against the mining activity, which he and other activists claim was undertaken without proper consultation with them.

His friend and fellow activist Kado Muir told ABC news that while he didn’t condone Mr Stokes’ behaviour, he agreed that a stand needs to be taken. “This is about Aboriginal people being marginalised, being disempowered and acting out of frustration to have their voices heard to protect sacred spaces on our land,” he said.

“[Stokes] was taking a stand to protect his land. We hope that message is not lost and government and industry come back in engage directly with Aboriginal people.”

Stokes will appear before magistrates in the nearby town of Laverton next month.

Source and Original Content By Christian Today

Bishops Criticise Government’s Migrants Policy

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Bishops Criticise Government’s Migrants Policy

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference for England and Wales has issued a statement criticising the Government’s decision not to support migrant rescue services in the Mediterranean.

Baroness Anelay, who is a foreign office minister, said that supporting future search and rescue operations can encourage more people to attempt the dangerous crossing in order to enter Europe.

Bishop Patrick Lynch, chair of the Office for Migration Policy at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department of International Affairs issued the following statement: “Last summer at Lampedusa Pope Francis challenged us to take responsibility for our brothers and sisters. He warned us against losing our bearings in a culture of comfort and becoming insensitive to the cries of other people. Since the tragedies of last October, the Italian navy has led efforts to save many thousands of lives but now this is a time for all European governments to recognise that others’ suffering is our business.

“While efforts are being made to find lasting solutions to these challenges, we have a duty to heed with compassion the cries of our wounded brothers and sisters, and not to pass by on the other side. Britain is still Europe’s leading naval power, and to refuse to join in Mediterranean search and rescue operations would be a misguided abdication of responsibility to those thousands of men, women, and children who have been driven from their homes by persecution and war and forced to risk death at sea.”

Source and Original Content by Catholic Herald

Nigerian Priest Calls Government Negotiations With Boko Haram A Farce

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Nigerian Priest Calls Government Negotiations With Boko Haram A Farce

While the Nigerian government negotiates with the Islamic militant group Boko Haram for the release of 200 abducted schoolgirls, some church leaders in the country’s conflict-ridden north are expressing doubts about any impending resolution.

Nearly two weeks ago, the government announced a cease-fire with the militants. It set Oct. 24 as the date for the girls’ release, but that failed to happen.

The Rev. John Bakeni, secretary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, which includes the conflict regions of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, said Boko Haram never acknowledged it was negotiating with anyone.

“This is a farce and a grand deceit,” said Bakeni. “Boko Haram has become more vicious, killing anything that moves — male, female, children, elderly …

“I think the talks are a tactic for them to regroup, recruit, rearm and strategize,” added the priest.

The group, which announced it was setting up a caliphate, or an Islamic state, in late August, has targeted churches, government installations and public buildings, while stepping up assassinations and abductions.

The schoolgirls’ abduction sparked global outrage, and their continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government’s efforts to secure their release… Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

Little Girl With A Big Voice

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Little Girl With A Big Voice

Celine Tam is only 5-years-old, but already has a talent that has everyone in the audience standing up and cheering for her. Singing “You Raise Me Up,” this tiny little girl has a big voice that astounds everyone who hears it. She has been singing since the age of three and has a bright future ahead of her!

Source and Original Content by Faithtap

Christians Convey The Good News to Guerilla Fighters

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Christians Convey The Good News to Guerilla Fighters

Colombia may be slowly emerging from five decades of Guerilla warfare. The country’s voters recently re-elected its sitting president on his promise to end the violence.

But even as the fighting raged, a few brave Christians are going to the heart of the violence, introducing combatants to the Prince of Peace.

For five decades, Colombia has been at war with Marxist insurgents. Fighting can erupt at any time throughout scattered war zones, but that doesn’t stop one intrepid messenger of peace.

Actors portray missionary Russell Stendal on one of his missions in the film “La Montana,” or “The Mountain.”

For years, Stendal has taken Christian literature to all sides in the conflict: guerillas, paramilitary and government soldiers.

He has forged friendships with all sides, and his radio stations and solar powered receivers pave the way.

“…To reach areas where it’s not possible to have church buildings or scheduled church services, where it’s not possible to do normal missionary or evangelistic work. And so we drop these radios on guerrilla camps, by parachute. We distribute them to soldiers; we distribute them to paramilitary forces,” Stendal, director of Colombia Para Cristo, said.

Stendal has given out over 120,000 solar-powered radios… Read More


Source and Original Content by cbnnews.com

Head of Zambia’s Evangelical Fellowship Reacts Over President’s Death

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Head of Zambia’s Evangelical Fellowship Reacts Over President’s Death

The church and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have expressed sadness over President Sata’s death and appealed to Zambians to give him a befitting send off.

Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia president Pukuta Mwanza said in an interview yesterday that the church is “heart-broken” to learn of Mr Sata’s death.

“It is shocking that President Sata has died. President Sata played a critical role in the transition of jubilee into the next 50 years,” Reverend Mwanza said

He appealed to Zambians to unite irrespective of political parties they belong to.

“Give President Sata an honourable send off. He was our hero,” Rev Mwanza said… Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

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