Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 65

Here's the week in review in the Methodist blogosphere:

Christopher Gudger-Raines wrote about reviewed the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.

Andy Bryan wondered what is mainstream Christianity, and wrote about a UMC forum on immigration policy and that being a Christian before another person isn't about doctrine, but relationships.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for May 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Chris Morgan promises to bring the damn butter to the next UMW meeting, so could you kindly shut up and get on the with meeting? He also wrote about the insensitivity of Mothers' Day services.

Bad Methodist examined arguments about how gay marriage might negatively affect straight people.

At Bandits No More, Richard Heyduck said that churches that don't welcome strangers can't claim to be friendly.

Beth Quick wrote about the Social Principles that she held when she was 13.

Betty Newman prayed for revival in the US.

Brian Russell said that the central portrait of a disciple is a person who denies himself and takes up his cross.

Bruce Alderman continued his series on what the Bible says about Hell.

Josh Tinley wrote about a UMC congregation in NYC which is selling its airspace.

CBRN wrote about the cost of reproduction in Darwinism.

Dave Morris wrote that churches shouldn't limit their presence to buildings.

Dave Warnock wrote about different US/UK views on the ordination of women. He thinks that those who want to restrict female leadership are claiming a monopoly on Biblical interpretation .

David Camphouse is considering updating his church's website and would like advice.

Sally Coleman has been experimenting with the noosphere from Celtic spirituality. She told the story of her son's long struggle with birth defects and wrote about the difficult art of moving while staying still.

Steve Heyduck advised readers not to try to play Monopoly with God.

Sleepwriter says that if you expect that your life will be full of problems, you'll probably be right.

Gavin Richardson wrote that reconciliation is the result of living through Christian values. He also began a series on contemplative youth ministry, including an interview with an author about how to integrate contemplative ministry into Christian youth ministry.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about how white guilt effects American foriegn policy.

Greg Crofford wrote about the decline of community in American life.

Greg Hazelrig wrote about how he repents of his sin of divorce and how God helps us overcome addictions.

Greg Lee preached on church growth. He also wrote that there are too many restrictions on local pastors.

Guy Williams preached on the childhood of Jesus and specifically what his relationship with his mother was like.

Henry Neufield wrote that men do well, but do better with women. He reviewed the book 52 Weeks of Ordinary People -- Extraordinary God. He critiqued the way some Christians have spoken to a certain ID critic. He also distinguished between progressive and continuous views of modern-day revelation.

Chris Roberts wrote that the North Indiana and South Indiana Annual Conferences are considering a merger. I guess that's better than a hostile takeover.

Mike Holly wrote that we shouldn't confuse being American with being Christian and that the Book of Revelation wasn't about future events, but about resisting the imperial cult of Rome.

Jay Voorhees thinks that crossing the border illegally from Mexico to the US doesn't make a person a criminal, at least with the moral loading of that word.

John Battern marked the 15th anniversary since the death of his daughter. He is also unimpressed with Tony Campolo's critique of conservative Christians.

Just As I Am preached on wisdom.

Ken Carter wrote about the nature of contemporary/traditional worship debates.

Chris Kindle wrote that overcoming sin requires naming one's sins.

Larry Hollon wrote about the turmoil in Somalia and the child health care crisis resulting from Katrina.

Matt Kelley wrote about the "What We Believe" portions of church webpages.

Keith McIlwain wonders if Bush's low poll numbers really matter or reflect actual leadership.

Michael Daniel wrote about how the Christian faith would change or would not if Jesus was married. He also wrote that the church must be an institution that has higher moral standards than the rest of society.

Mike Lamson continued his visit to the famous Mars Hill church.

Neil Bishop wrote about the process of conversion.

At New Reality Blog, Jared Williams wrote about sharing the gospel with different generations. Ric wrote that the Methoblogosphere talks about homosexuality too much.

Rick Mang wrote about what he likes in worship.

Pulpit Perspectives wrote about how to use the educational system to resolve the disparity of wealth in his part of the country.

ReligioNews wrote that pastors should, if they can, archive their sermons on the web.

Rereason blogged about a Kansas law that redistributes educational funding and provided a personal example of why America should have universal health care.

Sandpiper wrote about the importance of church programs (such as UMW) adapting to changing generations, finding God and his forgiveness on the deathbed (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!), that God smells like freshly-baked bread, and what it means to love our enemies.

Lorna Koskela wrote about the God gives us great things, but expects us to give them up to serve him.

Sky Lowe-McCracken wrote about the character of Barry Bonds.

Steven Webster says that Soulforce has been blamed for disruptions that it did not cause, which should be engaged in dialogue by conservative Christians.

Kurt Boemler is rather frustrated with the Candidacy process.

Jonathan Marlowe wrote about Methodist dialogue over homosexuality and what gnosticism says about sin (in reference to the DaVinci Code).

Wayne Cook has a sinking feeling that he's about to become a pastor.

Shane Raynor thinks that families should spend more time eating together.

Additions? Corrections? Do you know of a blog that should be included in the MBWR? Would you like to recieve the MBWR via e-mail? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail locustsandhoney2005 at yahoo dot com!