Editor's Picks -- July 9, 2013

Editor’s Picks — July 9, 2013

Here are some of the things we’ve been following today, with some questions for discussion:

Christian alternative to Boy Scouts plans first convention in Nashville
In the wake of the decision by the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay participation, a group is announcing the creation of a “Christian” alternative.

Will the creation of a Christian (non-gay accepting) alternative to the Boy Scouts lead other UMC’s to consider dropping their relationship to the Scouts? How is this in any way missional?

Brainerd UMC helps parents of special needs kids
Timefreepress.com ran a great story on the special needs ministry of the Brainerd UMC in the Holston Annual Conference.

What have been some of the creative ministries for folks with special needs that you’ve seen?

Indiana legislature passes law that makes it a crime for clergy to perform gay weddings
For clergy in Indiana, choosing to defy church law on conducting same-sex ceremonies has a secondary consequence — a criminal record.

What does this legislation mean for the future of the concept of “separation of church and state?” Do we want the state defining the nature of Christian marriage?

Why everyone should go on a “confirmission” retreat
Josh Fitzpatrick from the First UMC in Duncanville, TX reports on his youth group’s “confirmission” retreat, and the questions parents asked when the kids got home.

Josh asks the question: “Can you imagine if our churches welcomed the “stranger” with as much enthusiasm as our youth group welcomed these confirmands? What if the moment someone stepped foot onto our church campus we gave them the feeling of being hoisted onto someone’s shoulders as if they were a hero? ”
How do we begin to create cultures in congregations that lead them to embrace new folks in that way?

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