The Last Methodist Blogs Weekly Roundup (#92)

Here is the week in review in the Methoblogosphere:

Christopher Gudger-Raines thought about the core values of his congregations, which have been labeled as a "welfare charge".

Allan R. Bevere wrote about the Arian controversy, John Wesley's Eucharistic theology, and the pervasiveness of greed, as shown most recently in the Playstation 3 craze.

Andy Bryan has suggestions for what the Board of Ordained Ministry should ask probationary members.

Andy Stoddard lectionary blogged for Nov. 13, 17 and 26.

Art Ruch wrote about businesses that will only do business in English and Microsoft's response to the iPod.

Beth Quick reviewed the book How (Not) to Speak of God.

Brad Smith preached on the little apocalypse in the Gospel of Mark.

Brian Russell wrote about how God revealed his holy presence to Jacob, dealing with rejection, and the importance of forgiveness in relationships.

Conservative Seminarian wrote that conservatives are to blame for the rise of liberal seminaries.

Richard Hall tried to find common ground between the Religious Right and the Religious Left.

Joel Betow wrote about the competition for US House Majority Leader and how much clergy people tithe.

Dave Faulkner preached on our responses to the missional call. He also wrote about the life and work of Henri Nouwen.

Dave Morris wrote that we should be content with being emptied instead of discontent.

EmergingUMC wrote that some of the best disciples are leaving the Church because they are the best disciples.

Sally Coleman wrote about Christmas consumerism, that Christians should unify spirituality and sexuality, whether alcohol should be served at church, and that Christian apologetics should be missional-focused.

Matt Friedeman wrote about why religious TV is so awful.

Steve Heyduck wrote that we often too quickly see cause and effect relationships.

Gavin Richardson wrote that a pilgrimage isn't necessarily a geographic journey, but a way of seeing the world. He also wrote that youth groups, ideally, should be self-run.

Andrew Thompson is going on a pilgrimage through Coptic Egypt.

Gerry Gharlotte Phelps wrote about the Islamic concept of revenge.

Daniel McLain Hixon wrote about the decision of the College of William and Mary to remove the cross from its chapel.

Greg Hazelrig wrote that God gives us all that we want, but expects us to produce fruit. He also examined the calling of Elisha into ministry.

Henry Neufeld wrote about taking the Bible literally and the excesses of tolerance.

John Battern wrote about local UMC churches controlling the distribution of their apportionments.

Jonathan Norman contemplated the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen on her feastday.

Josh Tinley said that the modern church needs to revive the practice of the Sabbath.

Just As I Am taught on the discipline of God.

Chris Kindle wrote about leadership lessons from Nehemiah and the Articles of Confederation and finding God at the crossroads of life.

Mark Winter wrote about Operation Christmas Child from Samaritan's Purse.

Keith McIlwain wrote that we can be confident of God's stability in the midst of disaster.

Michelle Hargrave suspects that many people who identify as Christians but won't attend church are just insufficiently impatient with others.

Mike Voigts wrote that churches shouldn't do, so much as they should be.

Mitch Lewis marvelled at the character displayed by a family that has lost a loved one in Iraq.

Padre Complex wrote about pastoral pay.

Todd Bergman wrote of a new Bible translation that removes the hard passages from the Gospels, like the command to give away all of your money.

Praise Habit exegeted Paul's term "sword of the Spirit".

Rereason wrote about food insecurity in American life. Food insecurity is when people experience times when they can't put food on the table.

Theresa Coleman examined the strengths and weaknesses of the UMC.

Richard Johnson wrote about Tony Blair's statement that the Iraq War has been a disaster.

Sandpiper wrote about what it means to be given strength by God, summarized her extensive examination of the Beautitudes, how conceptual idols (false mental conceptions of God) can deceive us, the financial connectedness of the UMC, and studied the term "And the Lord remembered...." as it is mentioned in the OT.

Sky Lowe-McCracken examined the decision that UMC pastors make to stay at their current charges or asked to be moved elsewhere.

Wayne Cook reflected on the Methoblogosphere.

Tony Mitchell wrote about people who are cancerous tumors in the local church and the little apocalypse in the Gospel of Mark.

Paul Martin preached on having the zest for living life fully as Jesus did. He also wrote about whether members of the British National Party should be denied communion, British Airway's mandatory secularism, and the professional ethics (or lack thereof) of Rupert Murdock.

Michael Daniel wrote about how Congresscritters view the voting public and living the Sabbath.