Independent Evangelist

One day I will make a point out of asking the opinions of the pastors at Good Shepherd about the next article. They are bright and energetic guys and I think they might help me understand this.

It seems simple enough; you are baptized and raised in a faith or you adopt one after drifting through life with little or no faith. There may be other variables in your life but such decisions in life aren't taken lightly.

It seems to me people need to think about Revelation 3:20, then sit down with a Bible and read Acts to get back to basics.

Denominational Loyalty on Decline

CBN News
January 24, 2009

CBNNews.com - A new survey shows most Protestant church-goers are open to a variety of denominations other than the one they currently attend.

Ellison Research, a national marketing company, found 51 percent prefer their denomination, but would consider others. Thirty-three percent of church-goers do not prefer any one denomination.

For Catholics, the survey shows that denomination is more important. Sixty percent would only consider the Catholic Church.

Ellison Research president Ron Sellers believes low denominational loyalty is more a reflection of many choices rather than a lack of commitment to the church.

But he also points out that Protestants are about as loyal to their denomination as they are to their toothpaste.

Julia Duin, Religion Editor at the Washington Times, addresses the issue in her book, "Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do About It."

Duin says people who leave churches are often called complainers or backsliders and that's really not true.

She equates the exodus of people from churches to a lack of community friendliness, changing worship styles, and controlling pastors.

"Before, folks used to stay in their churches and just stay loyal. Now, they're cutting out," she said. "They just don't have the time to work out the problems and they can't get through to their pastors."

Many Christians have chosen home churches as an alternative. Duin says this works, but it is not the solution for everybody.

This next article adds another slant to the last one. Churches and faith should not be taken lightly or discarded.

Gym Transfigured to Sanctuary Replacing Burnt Church

Associated Press
January 27, 2009

RUSSELLTON, Pa. - A Pittsburgh-area gymnasium has been transfigured into the sanctuary for a parish whose church burned down in June of 2006.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh decided not to rebuild Transfiguration Catholic Church, saying it would be too expensive for the tiny, cash-strapped congregation. The diocese then closed the parish school.

Church members then decided to convert the school gym into a sanctuary that can hold 350 worshippers. The $135,000 project cost about one-tenth as much as estimates to build a new church.

Some items were salvaged from the burned church, including the tabernacle and baptismal font.

Pope Hopes New YouTube Channel Will Enrich

Associated Press
January 26, 2009

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict says he hopes the Vatican's new YouTube channel will reach a lot of people and help them find answers to their spiritual yearning.

The Vatican Friday launched the channel www.youtube.com/vatican in its latest effort to use new technologies to get its message out to the masses.

Benedict said during his weekly noon blessing Sunday that "wise" use of such technologies helps promote the search for the "true, the good, and the beautiful" across borders and ethnic divisions.

The YouTube channel features clips of papal activities and the pope says he hopes it will enrich a wide range of people "including those who have yet to find a response to their spiritual yearning" by letting them learn about Jesus.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18: 20