If you have a PC and want to dive deep into the Scriptures, you’ll likely come across Bibleworks Bible Study software. It’s a robust package that aims to help you with Biblical exegesis work. There are tons of bells and whistles to keep you occupied when doing research about any verse, passage or chunk of the Bible.

I’m happy to have gotten my hands on a copy of Bibleworks 8, their latest version to try out.

CALLING ALL BIBLEWORKS 8 USERS: If you’re already a BW8 user, would you share either (or both) of two things with me in the comments below?

1) What’s your MOST used function or features of Bibleworks?
2) What’s the one thing you wish BibleWorks would have or change to make your life easier?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Here’s some legalspeak about sponsored posts. . .I have not received any compensation for writing this post other than a complimentary review copy of the software package mentioned. I have no material connection to any of the the brands or products/services mentioned in this post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Any seminary scholar or pastor serious about engaging with the Scriptures understands that Bible Study Software is one tool worthy of investment. It will not only bring new resources to your fingertips, it will dramatically cut away hours and hours of tedious research and analysis. The question is which one to choose? If you’re on a Mac, most people know about the Accordance software package. It has a reputation for intuitive interface, powerful search and great integration of other resources.

And recenlty, Oak Tree Software recently shipped me a comp review copy of their Accordance 8 Bible Study Software for Mac.

The only thing is that I have a PC!

No worries though — Because their software works completely on the PC — all you need is their Accordance 8 with a twist. . .

Disclosure of Material Connection: Here’s some legalspeak about sponsored posts. . .I have not received any compensation for writing this post other than a complimentary review copy of the software package mentioned. I have no material connection to any of the the brands or products/services mentioned in this post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dave Ingland is one of the people that I know who always has a new book on his night stand. One of his latest reads focuses on the “Word of Faith” movement and the “prosperity gospel” in our current times. His review of Hank Hanegraaff’s book below retains a healthy perspective which you’ll hopefully appreciate.

Let me first state that I have somewhat of a bias towards Hanegraaff’s theology and his personal stand on truth. He conveys his theology and truth very well in Christianity in Crisis, but he does so at the expense of extreme prejudice against pastors that have been categorized as being in the Word of Faith movement. In essence, he uses this book as a tool to discuss what he perceives as being untruths regarding the gospel in the context of teachers of the prosperity gospel. He even uses the acronym: F-L-A-W-S to discount the position of some Word of Faith pastors.

If Hanegraaff chose to take a stand against the propserity preachings (which I personally disagree with as well) and explained why he feels the Bible opposes such teaching it would be one thing. However, Hanegraaff chooses to name some pastors and devotes a chapter to explaining the specific context of each individual pastor and why some words that were quoted by them are unbiblical. It delves into becoming too much of a personal attack on others at times, which discounts the arguments he makes in some cases.

Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century appears to have been written as an expose against specific individuals and this is where I take most issue with the book. It creates strife and causes damage to the church in my opinion. It comes across almost like gossip.

If you are not familiar with some of the Word of Faith teachings and want to see how they contrast with the author’s view of Biblical truth this is a good book to read as it is comprehensive and well- researched.

However, if you are looking to find some dirt on why you should speak against a Word of Faith preacher’s ministry I would hesitate in recommending this book.

Learning about various interpretations of Scripture can be a very important part of how we view our faith and I am all for encouraging it. In that context this book has a purpose. It would be my hope for any that read this book, that they would do so with an open mind and just as a primer to further study on the Faith movement.

Dave Ingland is a church planter based in Sacramento, CA. He’s a husband, father, activist, agent for change, advocate for the arts, and lead revolutionary of Revolution Church Sacramento. When he’s not building out his ministry you can find him twittering under @daveingland.

Nooma videos are awesome. Let’s just say that upfront.

They are great small group discussion starters, they are great mini films for devotional. They are just great in general.

I just caught wind that the folks at Flannel are now launching another series, like NOOMA, but instead of featuring Rob Bell, the new film series will be put on by Francis Chan.

You can watch two intro videos to the new BASIC series on the Flannel site as of now. BASIC is the name of the series and I’m sure each episode will be highly anticipated like its counterpart, NOOMA.

Are you excited? How have you used NOOMA videos in your ministry before?

Today’s guest post is from Kathy Leonard of Church Initiative. The ministry’s original purpose was to equip churches with resources to help people recover from the pain of separation and divorce, also to help couples remain together or reconcile whenever possible. Kathy shares a unique tactic one church has used to help get people in the door to its ministry programs.

A blip in the church bulletin. . .
An abbreviated pulpit announcement. . .
A spot on the church calendar. . .

How well is your church getting the word out about its programs?

And are people in your community even aware of the help available for them?

Lazybrook Baptist Church in Houston has gotten the attention of nearly every person driving by their church: “Do you relate to Jon and Kate?” reads their marquee. I can imagine the drivers doing a double take, then thinking “Yeah, I can relate to that.”

Although reality TV isn’t reality, it deals with real issues that people are facing. It’s one reason people tune in. That’s why it can be a great starting point for promotional efforts.

For example, Jon and Kate’s reality TV breakup hits close to home for people facing their own broken marriages. And Lazybrook’s new DivorceCare support group program aims to reach the separated and divorced in their community.

Using hot topics from reality TV as a church promo tool can relay a variety of messages:

• “God has something to say about the things you’re thinking about.”
• “What you hear on TV isn’t the final word about [relationships, parenting, sex, etc.].”
• “Church is a place where people can find answers to their questions and solutions to their problems.”

Pop culture is a vehicle your church can use to go straight to the heart of people’s problems. And you can be creative in expanding your ideas beyond marquees and reality shows!

Let’s draw people into our churches by:

* Connecting the spiritual with what they are already thinking about
* Making them aware that God has a something to say about “Hot Topics”
* Using messages that grab the attention of large numbers of people

What do you think about hooking into reality TV and other tabloid headlines in order to get people’s attention for the church?

John Piper does it. Tim Keller does it.

The question is, can every other preacher do it?

Great preaching is just one of those things where you know you’re looking at it when you see it.

But the question is can great preaching include illustrations that are more than literary depictions put forth with the vocal chords?

John Piper doesn’t think so!

It may not get you into hell, ‘in the short run’ says Piper as noted by some that follow his teaching on preaching. He says it is a crutch for the lazy in the pulpit. Just listen to his argument against using movie or other video clips as supporting sermon illustrations . . . (more…)

How many times have you visited websites (not just limited to church websites) where it is just a brochure put up on the web?

We all know this is NOT the best use of websites.

Although websites can be static and linear, it doesn’t mean they can’t also be dynamic and tell a story.

Here’s one of the best Christian websites I have seen that tells the gospel story on the web.

Read this before you die. . .

No really, that’s the website address: ReadThisBeforeYouDie.com

Immediately from just the website URL, you can tell this site is different.  From the time you are typing in the URL, you are brought into the story.

Check it out for yourself and let me know why this site is so “alive” and forwardworthy?

What other Christian websites out there are worthy to be included in this category?

What’s in your church bulletin?

Is the church program chock-filled with announcements, calendars and messages that are specific to that week?

If you are in a corporate sized church with 1,000+ attendees every week, are you still printing customized bulletins just like in the “old days” when you had just a few dozen or few hundred people coming to your worship services?

Or have you realized that producing and collating/assembling thousands of bulletins each week is a chore? (more…)

The constantly nagging question for the Church is where should it focus and what are the measures for success?

The old model has clearly been the ABC model for doing Church: How large is your attendance?  Are you building out the physical plant of your church? Are you drawing people into your buildings?  Are you creating ministries and programs that reinforce your church as the fundamental epicenter?  How are you attracting people to your church? And are people giving out of their wallets? Tithing? Sacrificing for the offering plates?

The big trap is when the Church- literally - is the focus, purpose and intention of the ministry.

Let’s make sure we’re packing the pews the more people!  Is this program or that program supporting our objective to position the church (its vibrant programs and ministries!) as the center of attention and focal point of the community?  Are we successfully teaching people to empty their wallets into the offering plate so that we can plan more programs?

But some are arguing for a new old model.  Leonard Sweet’s latest text, frames what the body of Christ was called to do within a simple, yet beautiful M-R-I model.

The intro chapter of So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church gives a taste of Sweet’s message. . .

(more…)

Today, Trinity Church in NYC produced and put on the passion play on Good Friday…on Twitter.

For 3 hours, betwen Noon and 3pm characters used www.grouptweet.com to put on the play.  Over 1,500 people followed the group tweet account which allowed them to receive the sporadic messages that were part of the 3-hour passion play. . . (more…)