Bishop of North Dakota upholds Scriptures
David Ould reports on Bishop Michael Smith of North Dakota and the lesbian priest.
Bishop Smith has written a letter “to the people of God in the Diocese of North Dakota” explaining why he will not be cowed –
For the second time in three weeks a priest of the church has gone to the secular news media with a protest about my policy and expectations for the sexual behavior of clergy in this diocese: “Faithfulness for those called to marriage and abstinence from sexual relationships for those not called to marriage.”
Read about it at Stand Firm. (Photo: Diocese of North Dakota.)
Changes at Willow Creek?
“Willow Creek Repents” was one headline last year when the results of a comprehensive survey prompted discussion of major changes to the ‘Seeker sensitive’ focus of Willow Creek. Managing editor of Leadership magazine, Skye Jethani, reports on some of the changes taking place at one of North America’s largest churches –
“Anonymity is not the driving value for seeker services anymore,” says [executive pastor Greg] Hawkins. “We’ve taken anonymity and shot it in the head. It’s dead. Gone.” In the past Willow believed that seekers didn’t want large doses of the Bible or deep worship music. They didn’t want to be challenged. Now their seeker-sensitive services are loaded with worship music, prayer, Scripture readings, and more challenging teaching from the Bible. …
Read the Out of Ur blog from Christianity Today. (Bill Hybels photo: Willow Creek.)