Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup # 76

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

Steven Manskar wrote that the purpose of the means of grace is to prevent us from spiritually deceiving ourselves. He also looked at servant leadership, that Jesus filled this role, and that such servants must be focused on the cause of justice.

Allan Bevere recommends that pastors and seminary professors be sure to keep up with their spiritual disciplines.

Andy Bryan pointed out circular reasoning used in Christian apologetics.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for July 24, 26, and 27.

Chris Morgan interviewed a woman about life in youth ministry as a female. Back in high school, he learned that 'interviews' were one way that he could get girls to talk to him.

Brian Russell looked at the power of ministry leaders to shape the ethos of their communities and shared an amazing story about a life of Christian commitment.

Dave Faulkner preached on how Jesus tested his disciples and people tested Jesus.

Dave Warnock looked at evangelicals' approaches to the Israeli-Hezbollah War.

David Camphouse wrote about the feminization of the church.

Steve Heyduck wrote about the strange desire to classify people as true Christians or not.

Richard Hall wrote about the current war in Lebanon.

Gerry Charlotte Phelps wrote about Iranian troops killed in Lebanon and church growth.

Daniel McLain-Hixon wrote about the World Methodist Council signing a pact on justification.

Greg Crofford listed some ways for the church to respond to homosexuality (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!).

Greg Hazelrig wrote that the Gospel isn't about getting stuff out of God and not to worry about the future.

Greg Lee is curious about a sermon illustration used by Rob Bell.

Henry Neufield wrote that the UMC needs to be more open to different kinds of vocational ministries, the dangers of comparing different Bible translations to each other, why he likes to read the Revised English Bible, a complementarian gender bias in the TNIV, cloning fears, new low-end health care providers like nurse-practitioners, universities and doctrinal statements, ways of expressing gender equity, that one can believe in the Bible without taking it literally, abuse of Greek and Hebrew in homiletics.

Chris Roberts has had a few rough weeks because he refused to make his July 4th Sunday service more patriotic.

Jason Powell wrote about a new blogging application called coComment. It lets your subscribe to and track comment threads, instead of just the posts that the comments are attached to.

Jay Voorhees examined how to address the issue of sex in youth ministry and why it is appropriate for the emerging church to address local politics.

Josh Tinley wrote about the US Senate race in Tennessee.

Just As I Am taught that God's love causes all good things that we experience.

Ken Carter preached on the Lord's Prayer.

Jan Kindle wrote about enduring the troubles of today for the promise of God's rewards.

Larry Hollon wrote about Christian bigotry, a worldwide religious boom, the conflict between faith and science, overcoming information poverty in Africa, and the decline of mainline denominations.

Matt Kelley wrote about the difference between church membership and discipleship.

Michael Daniel wrote about the moral cost of stem cell research, abortion parental notification laws that permit family members other than the parents to consent to a child's abortion, and being jealous of each other's spiritual gifts.

Mitchell Lewis wrote about Red Letter Christianity (Best of the Methodist blogosphere!) and King David's battle with sexual temptation.

Olive Morgan wrote about the opening of a deaf chapel in Reading, a view of 'Promised Land' for the modern Middle East, and the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

Padre Complex wrote about the narrative ethics of Stanley Hauerwas.

Pulpit Perspectives provided a broad overview of the themes in the Book of Ruth.

Peter Raser preached on the Church living authentically while in modern exile.

Theresa Coleman wrote that chocolate is good for you, compulsory medical treatment for kids. She also pulled some sort of sermon out of her Bag of Holding.

Sandpiper wrote about being determined to live out the potential that God has placed in each person, looking at the Book of Psalms as a whole, exhorting the Body of Christ, how to pray for your church, God revealing himself in a dragonfly, and living as a resurrected people.

Lorna Koskela reviewed the book God Will Make A Way and God taking over your life.

Sky Lowe-McCracken wrote about the Wesleyan view of purity.

Steven Webster disagrees with Bishop Whitaker's view of homosexuality.

Brett Royal wrote about the humanist view of Free Will and what James 4 reveals about its dynamics.

Take My Hand wrote about the alleged feminization of men in the church.

Dale Lature wrote about the Hauerwasian thesis that the Church should maintain a critical distance from society.

Tony Mitchell preached on his view of war and the gospel.

Paul Martin looked at the case of Mordechai Vanunu and his view that Bush and Blair should call for a ceasefire.

Scott McKay wrote about singing to remember God keeping his promises in the past.

Russ Phillips wrote about what sort of people should serve as lay delegates to Annual Conference.

Richard Heyduck wrote about his recent summer camp experience and the need to be urgent about church growth.

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

UPDATE: Richard Heyduck added.