1,800 sign letter urging Bishops to reconsider transgender services

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1,800 sign letter urging Bishops to reconsider transgender services

The Church of England issued advice in December for parishes who wished to mark someone’s gender change, saying a baptism or affirmation of baptismal faith would be the ‘natural liturgical context’ for recognising someone’s new gender.

A service would involve using their new name and pronoun through liturgy and a baptism certificate.

This guidance has been criticised since it was published but got its most stinging blow this weekend.

1,857 vicars, lay preachers, readers and ordinands have now signed an open letter accusing the House of Bishops (one of the three houses in the General Synod) of changing church doctrine by effectively bringing in new liturgy – which is meant to reflect doctrine which has been agreed on collectively by the Anglican church.

The signatories say the services appear to be a “misuse of liturgy” as “Although reaffirmation of baptismal vows might well be appropriate at certain seasons of life, it should primarily be focussed on celebrating new life in Christ rather than a new situation or circumstance”.

Rev Peter Ould, a Church of England commentator and preacher based in Canterbury diocese, signed the letter and spoke to Premier’s Cara Bentley:

They say baptism should always focus on salvation, faith and repentance and not ‘unconditional affirmation’.

It also highlights their concerns with “the inclusion of new biblical readings within the…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Mega Pastoral Vacancies in Megachurches

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You could see it unfolding. Boomer megachurch pastors are retiring. The number grows every month. And, as we thought might take place, the churches are having difficulty finding their successors. In fact, we are seeing search committees or their equivalents taking longer and longer to find a pastor. This trend will soon become a crisis.

So, how did we get here? How did we get to the point where some of the largest churches in North America are having trouble finding pastors? Here are a few observations:

  • These churches have similar profiles of the type of pastor they want. And there aren’t many that meet that profile. I see it repeatedly. The requisite age is 38 to 49. The candidate must have proven leadership experience. The prospective pastor must currently be serving in a church with an attendance of 500 or more. Dynamic preaching is a given. Doctoral degrees are preferred but not mandated by all churches. Oh, and the candidate must be happily married with 2.6 children.
  • The number of Millennials who are in vocational ministry and meet the profile is small. I am amazed at the same prospective candidates I hear every time one of these growing vacancies unfolds.
  • Fewer Millennials are excited about leading a megachurch. They don’t view bigger as better. They want to plant themselves and their families in a community. They are not the prototypical ladder climbers.
  • Millennials are concerned about the large worship centers many megachurches have. They would rather have more services and more…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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How to respond when skeptics claim our faith is dangerous

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How to respond when skeptics claim our faith is dangerous

Yesterday was Holocaust Remembrance Day. Survivors marked the seventy-fourth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, where more than a million people were killed. Six million Jews in total died in the Holocaust.

Closer to home, Dakota Theriot was captured yesterday afternoon at his grandmother’s home in Virginia. The twenty-one-year-old is believed to have killed his parents, his girlfriend, and her father and brother.

In other news, at least fifty-eight people are dead and at least three hundred are missing after a dam collapsed in Brazil on Friday. This morning’s Wall Street Journal reports that the rushing wall of mud was enough to fill a football stadium more than six times.

And ISIS has now claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Catholic cathedral in the Philippines during Sunday Mass. At least twenty people died in the double bomb attack.

Skeptics often ask what difference Christianity makes in a world like ours. If our God apparently cannot “fix” the world he made, how does faith in him change anything? Isn’t religion just the “opium of the people,” as Marx claimed?

In fact, isn’t religion not just irrelevant but dangerous to our progressive society?

Is religion dangerous?

When Christians like Karen Pence choose to follow biblical morality in ways the culture finds offensive, the outcry is deafening. Commentator Matt Walsh: “Gone are the days when leftists pretended to see religion as a thing that should be relegated to homes and churches and private schools. That very small amount of extremely limited and qualified ‘tolerance’ is gone. They will not tolerate Christianity in any forum, especially a private school” (his emphasis).

The “religion is dangerous” movement has been gathering momentum for several years. Critics such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris claim that religion is not just irrelevant and outdated but positively dangerous to society.

Religion flies planes into buildings and causes 9/11s,…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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Pope seeks peace in Venezuela crisis

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Pope seeks peace in Venezuela crisis

He refused to say if the Holy See would recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido in his claim for the presidency, which has been backed by the United States and other regional leaders.

The Vatican has been frustrated in the past in its attempts to mediate between socialist President Nicolas Maduro and Venezuela’s opposition, which has the backing of many Venezuelan bishops.

Speaking off the cuff at his Sunday blessing, Pope Francis said he felt particularly close to Venezuelans while he was in Panama.

He “asked the Lord to seek and find a just and peaceful solution to overcome the crisis that respects human rights and exclusively seeks the good of all people”.

The Venezuela crisis has dominated his visit to Panama, both behind the scenes and in public, with the Pope at one point asking out loud if any Venezuelan bishops were on hand at the end of an event.

The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was former ambassador to Venezuela so he knows the situation well.

Francis made the Venezuela comments after he closed out World Youth Day with a Mass in a Panama City field before an estimated 700,000 people and presidents from Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Portugal.

“You dear people are not the future but the now of God,” Francis told the pilgrims draped in flags from across the Americas.

At the end of the service, the…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Joyce Meyer Devotional 28 January 2019 — Keep Your Appointment

CM Editor
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Topic: Keep Your Appointment [Joyce Meyer Devotional 28 January 2019]

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13

We may have to deal sternly with our flesh to resist the spirit of passivity that tries to keep us from growing in the knowledge of God. A commitment to spend time with God is as serious a commitment as any we will ever make.

If I needed dialysis because of kidney disease and had to be at the hospital twice a week for treatment at 8 a.m., I certainly would not accept an invitation to do anything else during those times, no matter how appealing it seemed or how much I wanted to do it. I would know my life depended on keeping my dialysis appointment.

We should be that serious about our time with God. The quality of our lives is greatly affected by the time we spend with Him, so that time should have priority in our schedules.

Sometimes we become slack in keeping our appointments with God because we know He is always available. We know He will always be there for us, so we may skip or reschedule our time with Him so we can do something that seems more urgent.

If we spent more “priority time” with God, we might not have so many “urgent” situations that tend to rob us of our time.

When we spend time with God, even if we don’t feel His presence or think we are learning anything, we are still sowing good seeds that will produce good harvests in our lives. With persistence, you will reach the point where you understand more of God’s Word, where you are enjoying fellowship with Him, and where you are talking to God and hearing His voice.

Prayer Starter: Lord, today I renew my commitment to spending time with You. You’re the Source of everything good in my life, and I know that apart from You I can do nothing of real value (see John 15:5). Help me to always see how much I require Your strength and presence in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer Devotional 28 January 2019 — Keep Your Appointment appeared first on Flatimes.

Filipino president to meet survivors of Sunday’s deadly church bombings

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Filipino president to meet survivors of Sunday’s deadly church bombings

Rodrigo Duterte will also hold talks with military and police officials following blasts at the Roman Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the island of Jolo.

The Filipino bishop, Efraim Tendero condemned the “evil act” as he called upon authorities to ensure “all the perpetrators are brought to justice”.

 

Bishop Efraim, who is general secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), said: “The WEA strongly condemns this evil act that runs against the peaceful teachings of both Islam and Christianity who both respect each other’s places of worship and prayer.

“We prayerfully affirm the work of the Christian and Muslim peacebuilding advocates and field workers who have been doing advancing the cause of justice and peace for decades.

WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines Via AP

 

“We call on the authorities to immediately initiate an impartial investigation until all the perpetrators are brought to justice and until all the victims are fully served with just compensation and reparation.

Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack, which has left more than 100 people hurt.

AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan

 

Militants from the IS-aligned group Abu Sayyaf have been carrying out bombings, kidnappings and beheadings in the region during recent years.

A bloody separatist movement has left nearly 150,000 died during the last almost-five…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Six Surprising Time Drainers of Church Leaders

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Podcast Episode #486

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

Like us all, pastors and church leaders only have a certain amount of time in their week. So it’s important to know what can lead to time drain during the week. Today, we discuss six such items.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Social media can be used for good but it can really eat up your time if you let it.
  • Being well rested helps you be more productive when you’re awake.
  • Weddings are one of the functions that pastors do which consume the most amount of time. All the related events really add up.
  • Having a good assistant you can empower will redeem copious amounts of time for a pastor.

The six time drainers we discuss are:

  1. Drop by and casual conversations
  2. Social media
  3. Weariness
  4. Long drives to hospitals and other visits
  5. Weddings
  6. Handling minutia

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.com.

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div —Midwestern Seminary’s flagship degree program — is…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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The Conscientious Objector

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The Conscientious Objector

The story of Desmond Doss, a US Army medic who was the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

It’s 1945, World War II. The Place, Okinawa. The Scene, an impregnable 400-foot high cliff-AKA Hacksaw Ridge. The Engagement, a battle so fierce the odds of survival were 1 in 10. The Act, Medic Pfc. Desmond T. Doss braved intense enemy fire to rescue 75 wounded GI’s over the precipice. The Story, Infantrymen who once ridiculed and scoffed at Desmond’s simple faith and refusal to carry a weapon-now owed their lives to him. Director Terry Benedict tells Desmond’s incredible story through the eyes of the men who witnessed this humble man’s heroic acts. Winning the respect of his fellow soldiers, they recommended him for the highest honor America can bestow on one of her sons-The Medal of Honor.

Source and Original Content by CFDb

Open Heaven 28 January 2019 Prayer Points on Today – Are You Battle-Ready?

CM Editor
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Open Heaven 28 January 2019 Prayer Points on Today – Are You Battle-Ready?

Open Heaven 28 January 2019 Prayer Points on Today – Are You Battle-Ready?

Are You Battle-Ready?

1.Thank You Jesus, for being my Lord and Saviour.

Also Read: Open Heaven 28 January 2019 Daily Devotional

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus’ name.

3.Father, let every spirit of disobedience, rebellion, pride and arrogance, that could cost me my miracles and breakthroughs, be consumed by Your fire, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, let every spirit of doubt and unbelief, that usually make a man to receive nothing from You, my God, be paralysed in my life, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, please, give me a willing, obedient, submissive and teachable heart, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, please, give me the grace to obey all Your commandments, that will birth miracles in my life, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, clothe me with the glory of Your Son and grant me victory over every battle of life.

8.Father, let everything that disobedience, headiness, pride and arrogance, have cost me, be divinely restored, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, please, help me to live through today, without committing a single sin, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, use Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, more, for Your glory, signs and wonders, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures; help him to overcome every challenge of getting these prayer points across to Your children timely, on daily basis, in Jesus’ name.

12.Your Personal petitions. (Philippians 4:6)

13.In Jesus name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16)

14.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye’s book Ministry, in Jesus name.

Open Heaven 28 January 2019 Prayer Points on Today – Are You Battle-Ready?

The post Open Heaven 28 January 2019 Prayer Points on Today – Are You Battle-Ready? appeared first on Flatimes.

MFM Daily Devotional 28 January 2019 – The Wonders of God’s Word

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 28 January 2019 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – The Wonders of God’s Word

TOPIC: The Wonders of God’s Word (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 28 January 2019)

Bible In One Year: Exodus 19-20; Matthew 18:21-35

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Job 14:7-9

MEMORY VERSE: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

The MESSAGE:

The Word of God has the capacity to affect man in all three forms –spirit, soul and body. God describes His word in Jeremiah 23:29 as fire and as hammer. Fire never leaves anything it comes in contact with the same. It either consumes it or refines it. Also, hammer can be used to smash rocks; so, the Word of God will smash any obstacles in the way of man’s destiny.

The Word of God is a supernatural living force. It is eternal, saving and creative. Every encounter with the Word of God springs up a new beginning. When the water of the Word comes into your life and situation, anything drying up will bounce back to life.

What does it take to access the wonders of God’s Word? First you must be born again. You must be filled with the Holy Spirit. You must be spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” So, do not be carnal because the natural or carnal man cannot understand the things of God. The more spiritual you are, the greater your access to the deep things of God.

In addition, you must walk in the spirit (Revelation 1:10; Romans 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:23). You must desire more revelations. You must locate your God-sent ‘Philip’. You must engage in the study of the Word as well as the art of biblical meditation.

The Word of God was with Samuel; he became one of Israel’s best priests. The Word of God was with David; he was Israel’s greatest king. The Word of God was with Moses, he triumphed over the gods of Egypt, Pharaoh and his magicians. Besides, he successfully led the Israelites out of 430 years of bondage in Egypt and parted the Red Sea in their dramatic deliverance. The Word of God was with Elijah and he called down fire to the chagrin of the 450 prophets of Baal who faced execution. The Word of God was with the apostles of Jesus Christ and they turned the world upside down. The Word of God practically grew and prevailed in their lives and time. Whatever it is going to take you, beloved, access the Word of God and showcase its wonders.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
The Word of God is powerful and it works wonders.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Let the arm of God disgrace all your adversaries this day.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

  1. Let the Word of God be refreshed in my life, in the name of Jesus.
  2. Thou fire of God, consume all my enemies, in the name of Jesus.
  3. Let the Word of God smash any obstacle in my way, in the name of Jesus.
    EVENING
  4. O God, arise, let me have an encounter with You, in the name of Jesus.
  5. Thou Word of God, spring up a new beginning in my life, in the name of Jesus.
  6. Anything drying up in my life, bounce back to life, in the name of Jesus.
  7. O water of the Word, come into my life and situation, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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