1) Evangelicals have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism. This was a mistake that will have brutal consequences. They are not only going to suffer in losing causes, they will be blamed as the primary movers of those causes. Evangelicals will become synonymous with those who oppose the direction of the culture in the next several decades. That opposition will be increasingly viewed as a threat, and there will be increasing pressure to consider evangelicals bad for America, bad for education, bad for children and bad for society.

The investment of evangelicals in the culture war will prove out to be one of the most costly mistakes in our history. The coming evangelical collapse will come about, largely, because our investment in moral, social and political issues has depleted our resources and exposed our weaknesses. We’re going to find out that being against gay marriage and rhetorically pro-life (yes, that’s what I said) will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of evangelicals can’t articulate the Gospel with any coherence and are believing in a cause more than a faith.

2) Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people the evangelical Christian faith in an orthodox form that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. In what must be the most ironic of all possible factors, an evangelical culture that has spent billions of youth ministers, Christian music, Christian publishing and Christian media has produced an entire burgeoning culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology or the experience of spiritual discipline and community. Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures that they will endure.

Do not be deceived by conferences or movements that are theological in nature. These are a tiny minority of evangelicalism. A strong core of evangelical beliefs is not present in most of our young people, and will be less present in the future. This loss of “the core” has been at work for some time, and the fruit of this vacancy is about to become obvious.

3) Evangelical churches have now passed into a three part chapter: 1) mega-churches that are consumer driven, 2) churches that are dying and 3) new churches that whose future is dependent on a large number of factors. I believe most of these new churches will fail, and the ones that do survive will not be able to continue evangelicalism at anything resembling its current influence. Denominations will shrink, even vanish, while fewer and fewer evangelical churches will survive and thrive.

Our numbers, our churches and our influence are going to dramatically decrease in the next 10-15 years. And they will be replaced by an evangelical landscape that will be chaotic and largely irrelevant.

4) Despite some very successful developments in the last 25 years, Christian education has not produced a product that can hold the line in the rising tide of secularism. The ingrown, self-evaluated ghetto of evangelicalism has used its educational system primarily to staff its own needs and talk to itself. I believe Christian schools always have a mission in our culture, but I am skeptical that they can produce any sort of effect that will make any difference. Millions of Christian school graduates are going to walk away from the faith and the church.

There are many outstanding schools and outstanding graduates, but as I have said before, these are going to be the exceptions that won’t alter the coming reality. Christian schools are going to suffer greatly in this collapse.

5) The deterioration and collapse of the evangelical core will eventually weaken the missional-compassionate work of the evangelical movement. The inevitable confrontation between cultural secularism and the religious faith at the core of evangelical efforts to “do good” is rapidly approaching. We will soon see that the good evangelicals want to do will be viewed as bad by so many, that much of that work will not be done. Look for evangelical ministries to take on a less and less distinctively Christian face in order to survive.

6) Much of this collapse will come in areas of the country where evangelicals imagine themselves strong. In actual fact, the historic loyalties of the Bible belt will soon be replaced by a de-church culture where religion has meaning as history, not as a vital reality. At the core of this collapse will be the inability to pass on, to our children, a vital evangelical confidence in the Bible and the importance of the faith.

7) A major aspect of this collapse will happen because money will not be flowing towards evangelicalism in the same way as before. The passing of the denominationally loyal, very generous “greatest generation” and the arrival of the Boomers as the backbone of evangelicalism will signal a major shift in evangelical finances, and that shift will continue into a steep drop and the inevitable results for schools, churches, missions, ministries and salaries.

“In Washington DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about four minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At six minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At ten minutes, a three-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly.

At forty-five minutes: The musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After one hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:

In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?”

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In vederea editarii unui Dictionar Istoric al Baptistilor Romani de pretutindeni va rugam sa trimiteti la adresele mentionate mai jos datele biografice si de slujire ale persoanelor pe care la puteti recomanda.

Cine va fi inclus in Dictionar?

• Pionieri si plantatori de biserici baptiste care au avut sau au o contributie deosebita la raspandirea credintei baptiste in provinciile romanesti (Transilvania, Moldova, Dobrogea, Munteia, Oltenia, Banat, Banatul Iugoslav, Transcarpatia, Bucovina Istorica, etc.) precum si pretutindeni pe unde au ajuns in decursul anilor in Europa, America, Australia etc.
• Pastori baptisti de origine romana/moldava care au slujit sau slujesc in bisericile romanesti sau de alta etnie.
• Misionari baptisti romani
• Evanghelisti baptisti romani
• Teologi/profesori de teologie sau alte discipline predate in cadrul unor institutii de invatamant teologic.
• Compozitori si dirijori cu o contributie deosebita la promovarea imnologiei baptistilor romani.
• Frati care au activat s-au remarcat sau au detinut diferite functii in mediul secular, educatie, politica, arta, militar, etc., si prin a caror slujire Domnul s-a folosit la promovarea credintei baptiste.
• Slujitori baptisti romani – frati si surori – ce au avut sau au o slujire specifica si rodnica in cadrul bisericilor sau a misiunilor baptiste romane de pretutindeni.

Ce materiale se cer?

1. Completarea formularului cu datele biografice (DESCARCA FORMULARUL DE AICI).
2. Daca este posibil poze individuale, cu familia, biserica comitetul bisericii etc.
3. Alte documente relevante: copie dupa diploma, certificate de ordinare, acte de fondare si functionare a institutiei pentru care a lucrat, poze protocolare etc.

Data pana la care se pot trimite materialele?

1 Aprilie 2012.

Unde se trimit materialele?

La adresa: dictionarbaptist@gmail.com 

In caz ca aceasta adresa nu este functionala trimiteti materialele pe adresa:  Ioan_Stir@yahoo.com

Daca nu puteti trimite inforamtiile pe cale electronica va rog sa le trimiteti la urmatoarea adresa fizica:

Pastor Ioan Stir Ph.D.

25525 Oakhurst Forest Dr.

Porter TX, 77365

USA

sursa http://revistacrestinulazi.ro

Departamentul Invatatorilor de Scoala Duminicala pentru Copii din cadrul Uniunii Bisericilor Crestine Baptiste din Romania va invita la conferinta anuala cu tema:

“Lucrarea cu copiii. O joaca pentru oameni mari?”

Evenimentul care va avea loc in perioada 16-18 februarie 2012 la Sucevita – Hotel Dagida, Str.Bercheza, Nr. 190, va aduce impreuna o serie de invitati speciali, din tara si strainatate.

Din partea Uniunii Baptiste vor fi prezenti pastorii:

Ionel Tutac – Secretar General al UBCBR

Dan Boingeanu – Presedinte al Comunitatii Bisericilor Crestine Baptiste Suceava.

Printre temele care vor fi abordate la conferinta de anul acesta amintim:

“Lecția biblică pentru copii”,

“Cum să lucrezi cu vocea copilului”,

“Bursa Ideilor”,

“Dificultăți în lucrarea cu copiii”, si alte teme surpriza la care va invitam sa luati parte.

Data limita pentru inscriere: 10 februarie 2012.

Detalii privind inscrierea gasiti in invitatia atasata.

Plata taxei de participare (50 lei) va rugam sa o achitati in contul deschis pe numele:

Uniunea Bisericilor Crestine Baptiste, CF 4965683,

IBAN : RO26 RNCB 0072 0497 1891 0001

BCR, Sector 1, Bucuresti

sursa http://revistacrestinulazi.ro/

Comunitatea Bisericilor Creştine Baptiste Timişoara, în colaborare cu Union Mission Ministries organizează, în perioada 27 februarie – 2 martie 2012, conferinţa pentru lideri cu tema “Legalismul sau harul?”.

Vor conferentia urmatorii:

Dr.Mike Windsor-pastor, profesor la Seminarul Teologic Baptist Central din Virginia Beach si scriitor(cea mai importanta carte scrisa poarta titlul:”Rolul lui Balthasar Hubmaier in anii timpurii ai Reformei).

Dr. Deman B. Martin-pastor si  conferentiar, implicat in lucrarea misionara din America, India, Jamaica, Israel  si Franta.

Christopher M. Gilliam-pastor, fondator al Asociatiei FishForMen.

John Gray-director asociat al organizatiei Union Mission Ministries, licentiat in teologie si finante.

James McPherson-invatator de Scoala Duminicala, compozitor si interpret, ultimul album editat se numeste:”It is well with my soul”.

Max Chappell-Invatator de Scoala Duminicala.

Michael T. Dailey-pastor si scriitor, misionar cu o bogata experienta in lucrarea din Cehia, Albania, Moldova, Grecia, Germania, Kenya si Uganda.

George Edward Noble-pastor cu o bogata experienta, capelan.

Grupul de americani va fi insotit de Linda Vaughan, director executiv al organizatiei Union Mission Ministries. Sora Linda va organiza o conferinta cu femeile din Lugoj in aceeasi perioada de timp.

Conferinţa va avea loc la Biserica Creştină “Harul”  din Lugoj, str. Plopilor nr. 10, telefon 0256-352.849. Organizatorii asigură cazarea şi masa pentru toţi participanţii.

Pentru informaţii şi înscrieri sunaţi la 0722-708172, e-mail: harul_tutac@yahoo.com.

Hotnews: VIDEO Romania a semnat ACTA: organizatiile pentru drepturile utilizatorilor de internet protesteaza, Anonymous promite noi atacuri informatice

Romania, alaturi de alte 21 de state din Uniunea Euorpeana, a semnat astazi la Tokyo controversatul acord ACTA, legat de protejarea proprietatii intelectuale pe internet, care contine o serie de prevederi contestate de organizatiile pentru protectia drepturilor utilizatorilor de internet si a intimitatii acestora.

Electronic Frontier Foundation, unul dintre cele mai vocale grupuri de aparare a drepturilor internautilor, afirma ca prevederile noului acord, care includ monitorizarea comunicatiilor persoanelor private de catre entitati comerciale, incalca normele internationale privind drepturile omului. Intr-un interviu acordat Wired, grupul de hackeri Anonymous a promis sa raspunda in forta prin noi atacuri asupra site-urilor guvernamentale din intreaga lume.

Ce este ACTA

ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) este un acord multilateral care propune o serie de standarde internationale pentru aplicarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuala. Acordul a fost negociat la nivel global intre mai multe tari europene, SUA, Australia, Coreea de Sud si Noua Zeelanda, printre altele. Tratatul nu se refera doar la pirateria online, cum e cazul SOPA, ci acopera si comertul cu produse contrafacute. Conform unui document intocmit de accessnow.org, ACTA este o amenintare la adresa drepturilor utilizatorilor pentru ca:

• ACTA ii forteaza pe furnizorii de Internet sa desfasoare activitati de supraveghere la nivelul retelelor proprii si sa puna la dispozitia detinatorilor drepturilor de proprietate intelectuala datele personale ale presupusilor faptuitori.

• Extinderea raspunderii intermediarilor ii va determina pe furnizorii de Internet sa desfasoare activitati de supraveghere la nivelul retelelor proprii si sa implementeze mecanisme intruzive de identificare a presupusilor infractori, cum ar fi monitorizarea la scara larga a comunicatiilor prin utilizarea procedurii de “deep packet inspection”, permitand astfel incalcarea grava a vietii private a utilizatorilor. Practic, proprietarii drepturilor de copyright vor avea posibilitatea sa obtina informatii private despre utilizatorii de internet, fara sa aiba nevoie de mandate ale judecatorilor.

Conform accessnow.org, ACTA risca sa aiba implicatii grave generate de faptul ca nu reuseste sa stabileasca un echilibru intre protectia drepturilor de proprietate intelectuala si apararea drepturilor fundamentale ale societatii, ca intreg, cum ar filibertatea de exprimare, liberul acces la informatie si cultura si viata privata.

Parlamentul European a subliniat deja, in cadrul unui studiu asupra Acordului, aspectele problematice ale acestuia, inclusiv cele de natura juridica, mentionand ca este “dificil de stabilit care sunt avantajele semnificative pe care ACTA le ofera cetatenilor UE in plus fata de cadrul international existent.”

ACTA isi propune sa creeze o noua institutie, “Comisia ACTA“, fara sa defineasca insa obligatiile sau garantiile necesare pentru ca acest organism sa functioneze intr-o maniera deschisa, transparenta si inclusiva, care sa permita exercitarea unui control public asupra actiunilor sale, mai noteaza accessnow.org.

mai departe aici

Timp de zeci de ani, vechea zicala „Familia care se roaga impreuna, ramane impreuna” a fost considerata baza unei casnicii fericite.

In cazul lui Tom si Liz, credinta lor a facut diferenta in casnicia lor. Dar un studiu Barna realizat in 2004 a cutremurat comunitatea crestina cand a dezvaluit ca nu exista nicio diferenta intre rata de divort la crestini si cea la necrestini. Dar astazi, cercetatorii spun ca aceasta nu e intreaga poveste. Ei au descoperit ca rata divortului scade cu 35%. la cuplurile care merg regulat la biserica.

„Cei care merg la biserica se roaga regulat si au in jurul lor oameni care si-au luat in serios juramintele din ziua nuntii. Ei primesc sustinerea de care au nevoie, sustinerea emotionala si sociala care sa ii ajute sa depaseasca impasurile din casnicie”, a spus Brad Wilcox, de la Universitatea din Virginia.

Aceasta nu-l surprinde pe pastorul Bill Tehanchuck. Biroul lui de consiliere ajuta cupluri care provin din medii diferite. El spune ca cei care cauta ajutor nu sunt prea implicati in biserica. „Am avut cel mai mare succes si am vazut ca cei care au ca cele mai reusite casnicii sunt cei care sunt implicati in viata bisericii.”

Tehanchuk crede ca acel angajament de slujire, impreuna cu citirea Bibliei si cu rugaciunea facuta impreuna este cea mai buna cale de construire a unor casnicii puternice. „Una dintre zicalele vechi cu care am crescut era ca familia care se roaga impreuna, ramane impreuna si chiar cred aceasta.”

Efectul rugaciunii asupra casniciei nu poate fi masurat, dar Wilcox a gasit o legatura.

„Cuplurile care se roaga impreuna si il au pe Dumnezeu in casniciile lor sunt cuplurile cu casnicii mai fericite si mai implinite.”

Sondajele mai arata ca familiile sunt mai fericite atunci cand participa regulat la servicii religioase….aratand ca cea mai buna cale de a sarbatori ziua indragostitilor e sa mergeti la biserica sau sa va plecati pe genunchi.

Economia Greciei este intr-o situatie ingrozitoare. Atat liderii tarii cat si poporul elen se lupta sa scape din ceea ce a devenit o recesiune de cinci ani. Noile rapoarte economice indica faptul ca economia tarii a scazut cu 5.2%, dovedind ca recesiunea este mai grava decat s-a crezut initial. Cu astfel de stiri venind din toate partile, grecii se intorc la religie pentru a gasi pace.

„Biserica este ultima scapare pentru toti, mai ales atunci cand au probleme. Aceasta este o greseala, dar este in natura umana sa-L uitam pe Dumnezeu in vremuri bune si sa ne aducem aminte de El in vremuri bune”, a spus Stelios Papayoannou, inchinator.

„Cred ca biserica poate oferi multe pe timp de criza unei persoane si tuturor oamenilor. Oamenii pot depasit toate greutatile daca au credinta. De aceea venim la biserica. Sunt vremuri grele peste tot. Biserica poate aduce eliberare sufletului nostru si sa ne ofere speranta unei vieti mai bune dincolo de moarte. Cred ca de aceasta venim la biserica”, a adaugat Maria Liberi.

In Grecia exista aproape 10 milioane de crestini, 91% dintre acestia apartinand bisericii Ortodoxe.

sursa  http://www.alfaomega.tv