Flu advice: a challenge to churches

CARMEL, Ind. - The state health commissioner’s advice for avoiding swine flu is forcing Hoosiers to rethink friendly greetings.

Dr. Judy Monroe recommends that people stop shaking hands as a way to minimize transmission of the virus, which has now spread to more than 10 states.

Shaking hands is such an ingrained practice that many people will likely find it tough to give up. Local religious leaders are pondering how to accommodate the advice.

“Makes people feel at home and it’s been a part of our religious practice too,” said Pastor Larry Hunt, Grace Apostolic Church.

But the fear of spreading the flu now has church leaders talking about what to do.

At First Baptist Church of Carmel, “we’re not going to dictate to people that they can or cannot shake hands,” said Pastor Joe Flatt. “It’s kind of what we are here.”

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Everybody is getting in on the redefinition thing – From J. R. Ensey’s Blog

President Obama is copying Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, and other Emergents and postmoderns in trying to redefine unpopular terms. The banking industry’s bad mortgages and lending practices are not “toxic assets” but “legacy loans.” That will soften the hit when we realize that the government (the taxpayers, really) is absorbing them. The “war on terror” is passé and is now an “overseas contingency operation.” “Terror attacks” are now “man-made disasters.” Gitmo prisoners captured on the battlefield are not to be called “enemy combatants” but “detainees.” That won’t sound so bad when they are released to go back to Afghanistan and kill more of our soldiers, or when they are moved to a prison near you.

In Christianity, the progressives prefer “missional” rather than “evangelistic/Evangelical.” “Everlasting punishment” gives way to the “absence of God.” “Heaven” is merely “ever-increasing joy.” “Repentance” is “fulfilling our natural potential.” “Christianity” is downgraded to “social activism.” “Christian growth and development” morphs into one’s individual “spiritual journey.” Preaching and teaching is redefined and reduced to “conversation.” Sin is removed from the vocabulary except when it is employed to describe the practice of calling immorality wrong or not involving oneself in social activism.

Read J. R. Ensey’s Full Blog Post Here

NPR axes Christian radio programs

In 1985, National Public Radio (NPR) adopted a policy stating that member stations had to provide “nonsectarian, non-political, noncommercial” educational programming. But in February 2009, the wording was changed to say: “NPR Member Stations shall provide ONLY [emphasis added] nonsectarian, non-political, noncommercial educational content on all broadcast channel(s) and related media distribution platforms such as member partners that use the NPR member brands.”
The rule, which takes effect May 1, means that any NPR stations carrying religious programming must cease and desist that programming as of that date. In explaining its decision, PBS says it “places a high value on presenting diverse perspectives, as opposed to rigidly adhering to any single political or religious point of view.” Allowing such programming to continue, “would cause the public’s trust in PBS to erode, along with the value of the brand.”

David McNabb is the host of “Christian Corner” on KJZZ in Phoenix. His and several other religious programs featured on the NPR member station will be axed effective Friday.

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Brownback votes for Sebelius

A Kansas pastor says by endorsing Kathleen Sebelius for Health and Human Services secretary, Senator Sam Brownback “violated the scriptures and his own church’s teaching” and “betrayed” many conservative Christians who had been his largest base of support.

Senator Brownback (R-Kansas) joined home-state colleague Pat Roberts and seven other Republicans Tuesday to help Kathleen Sebelius win approval (65-31) to serve as HHS secretary. The nomination of the Kansas governor — which Brownback has supported since it was announced almost two months ago — was controversial because of her failure to pay taxes and her lack of honesty regarding the large sum of campaign donations she received from notorious Kansas abortionist George Tiller.

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Conservatives to Napolitano: Apologize and go home!

An ad calling for the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will appear in The Washington Times weekly edition and today’s Times daily edition.

Don Feder is the communications director of NoPoliticalProfiling.com, the organization running the ad. He explains why the ad calling for Napolitano’s removal is necessary. "Her department produced a report…that was sent to law enforcement officials all over the country alleging that right-wing extremism and racist groups are a threat to our national security," he points out.
Feder notes the report ("Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment") did not identify the groups, but it did talk about individuals who were susceptible to recruitment by those types of groups. According to the report, anti-tax activists, people who believe in federalism, gun owners, pro-lifers, and military veterans were named.
"By the way, there was no evidence — none at all — in this report," Feder adds. "It was all based on speculation and, not coincidently, it was the type of smears that the left has been making of conservatives for years."

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Judiciary Committee greenlights ‘hate crimes’ Members refuse to protect Christian pastors from charges

By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee today rejected an opportunity to protect Christian pastors who preach the biblical condemnation of homosexuality and approved on a 15-12 vote a "hate crimes" bill that supporters admit could be used to bring charges against religious leaders.

The bill, H.R. 1913, now will be considered by the full House of Representatives.

The committee rejected a number of amendments offered by several members seeking to protect religious liberty, to protect the unborn, to protect against violence by illegal aliens, and to clarify the bill’s meanings of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation."

One of the rejected proposals was offered by Rep. Louis Gohmert, R-Texas, who sought to ensure ministers could not be prosecuted for abetting a "hate crime" simply because they preach from the Bible or another religious book.

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Church-Shopping: Why Do Americans Change Faiths?

From Time Magazine Online

Forty-three years ago, this magazine published a stark cover with the words "Is God Dead?" stamped in red against an inky black background. The accompanying article predicted that secularization, science and urbanization would eliminate the need for religious belief and institutions before long; in modern society, only the weak and uneducated would persist in their faith. Yet rumors of religion’s demise turned out to be premature. Over the past few years, neo-atheists like Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens have taken up the cry again, encouraged by studies showing that the percentage of Americans who report no religious affiliation has more than doubled since 1990. But as a new report from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows, it is a mistake to conclude that more Americans are rejecting religion. Leaving church, it turns out, doesn’t mean losing faith.

When Pew researchers set out last year to map the U.S.’s religious landscape with a groundbreaking survey of more than 35,000 people, they expected fairly straightforward answers to questions about individual religious affiliations. (The survey included more detailed questions about religious beliefs and practices than have been asked in past censuses; the 2010 census will not ask about religion at all.) What the Pew researchers didn’t anticipate is that fully 44% of Americans have changed faiths at least once. Some converted from one religion or denomination to another; others grew up with no tradition only to adopt one as an adult; still others left their childhood faith and found themselves with no religious home.

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Michael Roach to assume managing role at the Apostolic Report

 Since the inception of The Apostolic Report over a year ago Jeremy Lynch has been the managing editor of  the web-site and has been the reason for it’s success. Jeremy was elected as Pastor of Covenant Life Church in Stephenville, TX several months ago. We are very excited and pray that God would bless Jeremy and Covenant Life Church with tremendous growth. This new venture has limited the time Jeremy has been able to devote to the site. Effect today, Michael Roach will assume the managing duties of The Apostolic Report. Michael has been a vital part of the site and will continue the tradition of providing news features that impact Apostolic’s.

We want to say a special thank you to Jeremy for his burden and hard work. Jeremy will continue to support the site and he will continue to contribute in the future.

Thank you to all of the contributors of the Apostolic Report. You can find a list of contributors by clicking on the contributor’s link from our home page.

Thank you to all of the readers of the Apostolic Report. We look forward to continuing to serve you in the near future.

Americans tend to swap faiths

The U.S. is a nation of religious drifters, with about half of adults restlessly switching faith affiliation at least once during their lives, a new survey has found.

And the reasons behind all the swapping depend greatly on whether one grows up kneeling at Roman Catholic Mass, praying in a Protestant pew or occupied with nonreligious pursuits, according to a report issued Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

While Catholics are more likely to leave the church because they stopped believing its teachings, many Protestants are driven to trade one Protestant denomination or affiliation for another because of changed life circumstances, the survey found.

The ranks of those unaffiliated with any religion, meanwhile, are growing not so much because of a lack of religious belief but because of disenchantment with religious leaders and institutions.

The report estimates that between 47 percent and 59 percent of U.S. adults have changed affiliation at least once. Most described just gradually drifting away from their childhood faith.

"This shows a sort of religion a la carte and how pervasive it is," said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion. "In some ways, it’s an indictment of organized Christianity. It suggests there’s a big open door for newcomers, but a wide backdoor where people are leaving."

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GOP Senator Arlen Specter joining Democrats

WASHINGTON, DC – Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter has announced he is leaving the GOP and will join the Democrats. (Watch news video report)

In a statement released this morning, Specter said that since his election in 1980 as part of the Reagan "Big Tent," the Republican Party has moved far to the right.

According to Specter, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania have changed their registration to be come Democrats. He says: "I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

He says he plans to run for re-election as a Democrat in the 2010 Pennsylvania primary. He has served five terms as a member of the GOP.

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United Pentecostal Churches of Arkansas Help Tornado Victims

Scott Langford, pastor of Fox United Pentecostal Church, experienced a tragedy in 2008 when a tornado ripped his home from its foundation.  Langford felt blessed by the response of area churches that responded to the disaster and got a burden to return the favor.

Through his experience, Bro. Langford, with the assistance of his presbyter, Dwight Wilson, formed a disaster response team in the Arkansas District’s section 7.  The group consists of 13 UPC churches.

When a tornado struck last week, nearly destroying the small town of Mena, Section 7’s team charged into action.  Some of the men are remaining in the area for several days helping with debris clean up.

Click here to read the full story.

Christian conservatism just getting started

There are some today who suggest that Christian conservatism as a political force is over.
Those who make this claim point to the fact that liberal Democrats now control the White House and both houses of Congress; that the number of Americans self identifying as Democrats compared to Republicans has increased; that the direction of public opinion, particularly among young people, on social issues is liberal; and that the Republican Party itself has been divided over the conservative agenda.
But those who write off Christian conservatism as a political force have underestimated the driving compulsion behind traditional faith and American freedom.

Just looking at who is in power does not reveal the depth of division in the country today and for the reasons that the nation is so deeply divided, may I suggest that Christian conservatism will not only survive but will thrive.
For although the Pew Research Center reports that the partisan gap in approval for President Obama is the widest this gap has been in modern times with the difference between Democrat approval of Obama, 88 percent, and Republican approval, 27 percent, the "values" gap reflected in Pew and other studies is far too significant for some to suggest that conservative Christians take their voting rights home to be buried.

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The lost tribe of Manassah may be going home

http://cbnnews.com/By George Thomas

One of the great mysteries of ancient history has been the fate of the lost tribes of Israel.

But one Jewish organization believes it has found the lost tribe, called Bnei Menashe, and plans to bring them home.  Daniel is part of the Bnei Menashe tribe in India. They are believed to be descendants of the 10 lost tribes of Israel who were exiled from their homeland almost 3,000 years ago.

The Bnei Menashe practice Judaism, observing the sabbath, keeping kosher and even celebrating Jewish festivals– all while living in India and hoping to someday return to the promise land.

Michael Freund is working to bring the Bnei Menshe to Israel.

“They see it as the fulfillment of the of biblical prophecy. which i believe it is,” he explained.

So far, his organization, Shavei Israel, has helped more than 1,400 members of the tribe make the journey.

Once they arrive, Shavei Israel helps them find jobs, learn the language and adjust to the culture.

“Bringing them into Israel is…a beginning to their new journey, and we want to ensure that they are fully absorbed and successfully so within the country,” Freund said.

He hopes to bring the more than 7,000 members of the Bnei Menashe tribe still living in India to Israel, and it doesn’t stop there.

Jews from Spain, China, Russia, and Italy have made aliyah through the help of Shavei Israel.

“I think we are privileged to live in a very special time,” Freund said. “It’s a time where we are witnessing the ingathering of the exiles, just as the prophets foretold.”

Freund is asking Christians and Jews alike to share in fulfilling that prophecy.

“Pray for the success of our efforts and plead with God to put it into the hearts of our decision makers to open the door so that our lost brethren can come home again,” he said.

1 million red envelopes deluge White House

Over one million, empty, red envelopes have poured into the White House mail room, symbolizing the empty promise of lives snuffed out in abortion; and with Red Envelope Day planned for tomorrow, coordinators estimate that number could more than double.

The Red Envelope Project is an idea sparked in the mind and prayers of a Massachusetts man, Christ Otto, who envisioned in January thousands of red envelopes sent to the White House, a visual expression of moral outrage over the president’s position on abortion.

On the backs of the envelopes, senders write a message Otto composed: "This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception."

"We are trying to change the president’s heart," Otto writes on a website explaining the project. "This is a message to a man that God hears the cry of innocent blood. It is not a political stunt, although I hope it changes policy in Washington. If the capital is flooded with so many letters that no one can deny it, I am hoping the image will be burned into Barack Obama’s mind that this is about human blood, and that he lies awake at night until he cannot resist doing something about it."

The original project began small, but when Otto sent out an email to friends asking them to join him in the envelope effort, the symbolic gesture spread through the Internet like wildfire.

"I sent an email to 120 people who pray for me daily, and asked them if they wouldn’t mind sending a red envelope, and if they thought it was a good idea, forwarding it on to their friends," Otto told WND. "About a week and half later, a friend told me to Google it, and I found about 30 blogs dedicated to the red envelopes."

Otto told WND a few days later, he began receiving contacts from national pro-life organizations and churches that had taken up the cause.

By February, Otto learned of a Texas man named Brian Potter, who set March 31 as Red Envelope Day, a date when supporters would drop hundreds of thousands of the envelopes in the mail, presumably being delivered to the White House near the beginning of Holy Week, just prior to the start of Passover.

Potter’s Red Envelope Day website has also partnered with AmazingCauses.com to enable supporters to send the red envelopes online in one easy and coordinated effort, so that, in Potter’s words, "they will send out a truckload of envelopes to the White House."

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