TD Jakes Offers Apology to Volunteer Assaulted at Potter’s House Fort Worth

(Photos: Facebook)Bishop T.D. Jakes (L), senior pastor of The Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas, Texas; Audrey Stevenson (R), a former volunteer, at the Potter’s House Fort Worth campus on Sunday March 25, 2018.

Bishop T.D. Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, offered an apology Tuesday to a 22-year-old former female volunteer who was physically assaulted and held against her will at the church’s Fort Worth campus on Sunday.

The assault was captured on video, which has gone viral with over 3 million views. It stemmed from a dispute about whether the volunteer, Audrey Stevenson, was allowed to be on the Forth Worth church stage.

Stevenson had a verbal confrontation with church elder and administrator Rhonda Lewis, who indicated that the volunteer was not authorized to “do anything on the stage” and that she had been removed from service.

A viral partial recording of the dispute made by Stevenson published on Facebook, shows her being blocked by church safety officer Brandon Amie when she tried to leave an office at the church after a discussion between her and Lewis had escalated into a shouting match. She was then handcuffed and restrained as she begged Amie to let her leave.

At one point, she indicated that Amie had his knee in…

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Report calls on police to review questioning of terror suspects about religion

Max Hill QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, made the recommendation in a review of the investigation launched following the Westminster attack in March last year, called Operation Classific.

Twelve people were arrested in the wake of the murderous rampage by Khalid Masood, who was shot dead after killing five people, but they were all released with no further action.

 

Those arrested included Masood’s relatives, friends and people who lived at Birmingham addresses that he had used.

Mr Hill’s report found that none of the suspects were arrested on the grounds of their ethnicity or religion, but that some were quizzed about their faith due to Masood’s extremist views and support of Islamic State.

 

He said: “I regard this as providing a justification for the religious context of some of the questions posed in interviews during Operation Classific.

“However, every interview is case specific and it does not follow that it would be appropriate to ask very detailed religious questions in every case where a Muslim has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related activity.

“I therefore recommend, in the interest of clarity, that the police take this opportunity to review training on the circumstances and extent to which such questions will be necessary in future interviews.

“I accept, however, that…

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Friends thank God for Sir Ken Dodd at his funeral

Tickle sticks appeared across Liverpool as the city said a final farewell him.

The props were made famous by the much-loved Christian comedian, who died earlier this month aged 90, and were placed on landmarks across the area.

 

Applause rang out as Sir Ken Dodd’s funeral cortege arrived at the Anglican Cathedral for the start of the service.

A horse-drawn carriage bore his wooden casket, with a bouquet of yellow sunflowers atop and a tribute to one of his trademark Diddymen alongside.

A band played melancholy ragtime jazz music before six pall bearers carried the coffin inside the cathedral with hundreds inside preparing to pay a final farewell.

PA

 

As Sir Ken’s casket was carried inside the cathedral hundreds of mourners gathered under a big screen outside to watch as the service began, with opening prayers led by Canon Myles Davies, acting Dean of Liverpool.

Along with the comedian’s fans a Who’s Who of Liverpool comedians and celebrities have come to pay their last respects including, Jimmy Tarbuck, Les Dennis, Tom O’Connor and Stan Boardman.

PA

 

Jimmy Tarbuck, who spoke before reading a passage based on Psalm 139, said: “What a perfect venue for our city’s hero, perhaps our city’s greatest hero and I’m pleased for Ken there’s yet another full house.”

He said he had met Sir Ken…

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Christian man beaten to death in Pakistan

Sunil Saleem was visiting his sister who was having a baby when a row broke out over her treatment.

It was claimed that a doctor was slow to respond to the needs of Kiran Saleem – with some accusing the medic of discriminating because Kiran was a Christian.

 

When Sunil complained, reports suggest he was attacked over a 30 minute period and was only given limited treatment prior to his death.

Wilson Chowdhry, chair of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said: “Once again medical professionals have been found breaking the Hippocratic oath. The failure to adhere to international medical ethics should be deeply concerning to the Government of Pakistan as it highlights the failure by the nation to meet international laws for human rights that the nation has ratified.

“A family has been broken and the Christian community demoralised by another failure by a national institution. The systemic prejudice within the states statutory authorities and services are examples of an ongoing genocide which will one day eradicate Christianity from Pakistan if left unchecked.

Police in Lahore are said to be investigating the killing while the British Pakistani Christian Association is raising funds to pay for the funeral and legal costs.

Raising concern for all Christians in Pakistan, Nasir Saeed from religious freedom charity CLAAS, said: “I am very concerned by the…

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Steve Chalke calls for full church inclusion for trans people

The leader of the Oasis network has published a new eBook encouraging churches to include, welcome, support and accept transgender people.

The Gender Agenda: Towards a Biblical Theology on Gender Identity, Reassignment and Confirmation attempts to “heal the hurts” inflicted on people who are transgender. Its purpose is to also help Christians form an “inclusive theology”, which Rev Chalke argues is consistent throughout the Bible.

 

He said: “The subtle shift from viewing transgender people as ‘depraved sinners’ to ‘unfortunate victims of psychological pressures and mental illness’ camouflages the fact that, in the end, as numbers of trans people have learned to their cost, the environment it creates is just as toxic for them.”

The book also asserts that the world’s first Gentile convert to Christianity had gender and sexual minority status. It uses the example of Philip baptising an Ethiopian eunuch even though Jewish theology at the time would not have deemed him worthy of it due to his status as a foreigner and a eunuch.

Rev Chalke added: “For the record, I am not suggesting that a 1st century eunuch is the exact equivalent of a 21st century trans or intersex person. It is, however, an extraordinary example of the early Church’s understanding of the principle of radical inclusion as central to their mission and purpose.”

He also teamed up with LGBT rights charity…

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Attitudinal Angst, Church Sickness #1

Church Sickness #1: Attitudinal Angst

Attitudinal Angst is when members are more interested in having their own desires and preferences met rather than being a serving member of the body of Christ.

Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:

  • Do your church members want things the way they’ve always been more than they want to reach new people?
  • Most short term pastors leave because church members want things their way instead of wanting to follow the leadership of the pastor.
  • A unified church in God’s power cannot be stopped.
  • Me-focused churches are rarely Great Commission or Great Commandment churches.

Watch the church sicknesses overview, here.

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Sister Jean: The nun who is inspiring the world

I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun researching a topic.

You know you’re a celebrity when the world knows you by your first name. In the case of Jean Dolores Schmidt, it’s “Sister Jean.”

As the world now knows, this ninety-eight-year-old nun is the chaplain for the Loyola University Ramblers men’s basketball team. The Ramblers are the Cinderella story of this year’s playoffs. And Sister Jean is their inspiration.

What Sister Jean gave up for Lent

She has been interviewed on Good Morning America and featured in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. ESPN says that she has been mentioned in more than twenty thousand media stories.

On Monday, the university announced a series of merchandise bearing her name and image. You can buy socks, T-shirts, collectible toys, and more. One T-shirt is emblazoned “AIR JEAN” with a silhouette of her as Michael Jordan.

And you can get the “Sister Jean Bobblehead.” The company has made around five hundred different bobbleheads over the last three years. In just thirty hours, hers became their bestseller.

Note that she is not profiting personally from any of this. The university says she “gave her blessing” to using her name and image for items for sale and “didn’t ask for anything for herself.” Proceeds support the Loyola Athletic Fund and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the religious order she joined in 1937.

Sister Jean has become especially famous for her wit. When an interviewer asked her what she gave up for Lent, she replied, “Losing!”

“I love being with people, spreading God’s word”

We know her for her presence at Loyola’s basketball games, but Sister Jean has been supporting the university since she moved to Chicago in 1961.

She directed Loyola’s neighborhood reading clinic, tutoring primary and secondary students. She counseled the student government regarding social justice initiatives and serves at orientation to help…

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Christian policeman working undercover in Philippines rescues child cybersex slaves

After hearing how children were being trafficked for ‘cybersex’, Derek Seeker, whose name has been changed to protect him in his work, moved country to rescue children and catch perpetrators.

He now works with International Justice Mission (IJM), the largest anti-slavery organisation in the world, specifically to combat this type of abusive cybersex – which is when children are sexually abused by adults or other children in front of a webcam for paying customers around the world.

One day in church Derek – who was working as a policeman in California – was challenged.

“I started hearing about the work of IJM and the heart of God for justice and to protect the oppressed and it seemed like a gap in my life,” he said.

“I remember specifically one time the pastor asked the question, ‘if this was your child who was being trafficked what would you do?’ and I was really impacted and I knew that I would do anything.”

He works alongside the law enforcement in the Philippines and is embedded with the police who receive referrals from international law enforcement on cases where predators or child sex offenders in western counties are abusing kids online via a live web cam.

He went on to say: “They’ll transfer money to the Philippines and with the growth of the internet they now have access to vulnerable children in developing countries.”

Derek explained how his faith motivated…

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Plans revealed for new church for congregation of Texas shooting

It’s hoped the $3 million project for a new site will draw the Sutherland Springs community back together.

“Just as God was resurrected and brought back, he’s bringing Sutherland Springs back,” said Frank Pomeroy, the pastor at the church.

 

The North American Mission Board, which supports Southern Baptist churches nationwide, is leading the project, along with Myrick, Gurosky and Associates.

Pomeroy told ABC news he was “amazed” when he saw what the new sanctuary will look like.

Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP

 

The present sanctuary has been turned into a memorial to those killed in last November’s massacre.

Pomeroy and his wife, Sherri, have also had input into the design of the new church, which will also feature something from the old church.

“The bell is coming over from the old building and the children – a lot of which we do not have with us anymore, our daughter included – their favourite thing on Sunday morning after Sunday school would be to rush to the bell and see who could get there first and ring it,” Sherri said.

The project is expected to be paid for by donations and completed by the spring of 2019.

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Crucifix among airmen memorials given protected status to mark RAF centenary

Some 14 war memorials, including one to the most decorated British pilot of the First World War and one to the first pilot to shoot down a German zeppelin airship, have been newly listed or had their protected status upgraded.

Unusual aviation monuments with new listings include a memorial with a central figure of Zeus, god of thunder; a Calvary Cross with a figure of Christ crucified, and a memorial in the shape of an aircraft.

 

The new and upgraded listings by the Culture Department on the advice of heritage agency Historic England marks a century since the formation of the RAF, the world’s first air force independent of army or navy control.

The RAF was formed on April 1, 1918, following a merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, which each had around 100 aircraft, balloons and airships at the beginning of the First World War in 1914.

By the end of the four-year conflict, the first in which aviation played a major role, the RAF had 27,000 officers and 260,000 other personnel operating more than 22,000 aircraft, but had seen high casualty rates.

The RAF played a key role in the Second World War, including fighting the German Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain which prompted the tribute by Winston Churchill that “never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.

Heritage Minister Michael Ellis said: “From the…

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