Despite any divine or Brethren support, there must have been stronger forces at work in Texas last night.
Showing posts with label BRF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BRF. Show all posts
Monday, February 07, 2011
From An Alert Reader
Pack is Back
Despite any divine or Brethren support, there must have been stronger forces at work in Texas last night.
Despite any divine or Brethren support, there must have been stronger forces at work in Texas last night.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, January 13, 2007
We Are Online Too
Welcome to the 90's
The discovery of the internets has been reported in the January issue of Messenger (the one without the Gospel). While they apparently overlooked this blog in favor of the Dunker Journal and the highly active Saur Grapes blog, we're still impressed with the effort.
We also applaud the courage of the editor to post a portion of the Dunker Journal's criticism of Elgin and providing a glimpse into the secretive, closed archives of the VOS listserv. We are sure that the proper permissions were obtained since both BRF and VOS do have a common ground, agreeing that proper permission is of the utmost importance.
And we hope that the multitudinous COB-L and COB-YYA listserv members, who are recognized as belonging to two of the largest Brethren listservs, are not clogging the internet with what must be a vast sharing of common interests and concerns.
Finally, take a look over in the right margin. We've had a link to the Ship of Fools all along. In another ten years, maybe we'll hear about RSS.
The discovery of the internets has been reported in the January issue of Messenger (the one without the Gospel). While they apparently overlooked this blog in favor of the Dunker Journal and the highly active Saur Grapes blog, we're still impressed with the effort.We also applaud the courage of the editor to post a portion of the Dunker Journal's criticism of Elgin and providing a glimpse into the secretive, closed archives of the VOS listserv. We are sure that the proper permissions were obtained since both BRF and VOS do have a common ground, agreeing that proper permission is of the utmost importance.
And we hope that the multitudinous COB-L and COB-YYA listserv members, who are recognized as belonging to two of the largest Brethren listservs, are not clogging the internet with what must be a vast sharing of common interests and concerns.
Finally, take a look over in the right margin. We've had a link to the Ship of Fools all along. In another ten years, maybe we'll hear about RSS.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Tempest in a Teacup
Just The Facts
A bit of a tempest in a teacup was brewed when the Dunker Journal posted an allegedly deceptive post about a conference at Manchester. While trusting and unwary surfers may have been misled, the DJ blogger has assured everyone that nothing has been posted but the facts; and perhaps the item was of interest to that blog's readers.
And a wide range of interests it is that the DJ blog caters to. The Lord only knows why DJ surfers are interested in the goings on of the Communist Party of Thailand. But discerning surfers were able to follow the provided links.
Much can be said about what is not said. Then again, another Dunker blogger points out that if it could have been said, then indeed, it was.
You must discern.
A bit of a tempest in a teacup was brewed when the Dunker Journal posted an allegedly deceptive post about a conference at Manchester. While trusting and unwary surfers may have been misled, the DJ blogger has assured everyone that nothing has been posted but the facts; and perhaps the item was of interest to that blog's readers.
And a wide range of interests it is that the DJ blog caters to. The Lord only knows why DJ surfers are interested in the goings on of the Communist Party of Thailand. But discerning surfers were able to follow the provided links.
Much can be said about what is not said. Then again, another Dunker blogger points out that if it could have been said, then indeed, it was.
You must discern.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
DanceFever
A Delicate Balance
A reader was wondering if the Gospel Messenger site would be willing to add www.voicesforanopenspirit.org as sort of a bit of balance. While we don't find as much entertainment value in the VOS site as we do in some of the BRF postings, we are happy to oblige. And even though there's been no request, here's a BMC link too.
A reader was wondering if the Gospel Messenger site would be willing to add www.voicesforanopenspirit.org as sort of a bit of balance. While we don't find as much entertainment value in the VOS site as we do in some of the BRF postings, we are happy to oblige. And even though there's been no request, here's a BMC link too.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Frosty_1
Frosty Damned
Church of the Brethren Leader Declares Famed Snowman Will Spend Eternity In Hell
Apparently, being a "jolly, happy soul" isn't enough to get you through the pearly gates - at least according to the Church of the Brethren. The small denomination, known for its commitments to peace, service and ecumenical cooperation, shocked millions of viewers of the nationally broadcast Christmas Eve service on CBS by announcing that Frosty the Snowman is destined to spend eternity in steam. Thousands flooded CBS with phone calls and emails complaining about the vicious attack on the beloved cartoon character in the midst of an otherwise pleasant and upbeat program.
Mention of Frosty and his fate came midway through the brief sermon given by Christopher Bowman, former moderator of the denomination and current Oakton, Virginia, pastor. Bowman began by insulting the snowman's appearance, saying Frosty has "a face that looks like a botox treatment gone bad." Bowman went on to describe the character who has brought joy to millions of children as "cold" and "hard." A few moments later, Bowman drove home his argument that Frosty doesn't belong among the redeemed by stating plainly, "He'll never get it. He can't help himself. He'll never change".
Asked after the service for an explanation, Gene Roop, president of the denomination's seminary said, "It may have sounded like a personal attack, but Chris is just too nice to do such a thing. I'm sure he simply meant that Frosty is not among the elect." Roop added, "I'm sorry if people were offended, but the Brethren have always been willing to take controversial positions. If necessary, we will gladly suffer for our beliefs."
A representative for the Brethren Revival Fellowship, a conservative advocacy group within the Church of the Brethren, was supportive of Bowman. According to a member of their governing board, "It was great to hear someone from our denomination preach the truth - and the truth is, some people are going to hell, whether they like it or not, Personally, I always suspected that Frosty was engaged in an unacceptable lifestyle."
Ecumenical reaction was mixed. The United Church of Christ headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, indirectly criticized the Brethren by issuing a statement that said, in part, "while some churches may use bouncers to keep cartoon characters out of their churches, we do not. Jesus wouldn't have turned Frosty away, and neither will we." The Vatican put out a press release that claimed Frosty was actually headed for purgatory and recommended that concerned fans sponsor masses in Frosty's memory. Southern Baptists, on the other hand, were generally supportive of Bowman's claim, noting that the reference to "magic in that old silk hat they found" suggested the snowman was involved with occult practices and belonged in hell, suffering forever along with pagans, free-thinkers and liberals of all stripes.
Some offended cartoon fans have begun to picket Church of the Brethren offices in Elgin, Illinois, but so far no apology has been forthcoming. Wendy McFadden, publisher of the denominational magazine, Messenger, has responded, "Chris said it. We believe it. That settles it."
Church of the Brethren Leader Declares Famed Snowman Will Spend Eternity In Hell
Apparently, being a "jolly, happy soul" isn't enough to get you through the pearly gates - at least according to the Church of the Brethren. The small denomination, known for its commitments to peace, service and ecumenical cooperation, shocked millions of viewers of the nationally broadcast Christmas Eve service on CBS by announcing that Frosty the Snowman is destined to spend eternity in steam. Thousands flooded CBS with phone calls and emails complaining about the vicious attack on the beloved cartoon character in the midst of an otherwise pleasant and upbeat program.
Mention of Frosty and his fate came midway through the brief sermon given by Christopher Bowman, former moderator of the denomination and current Oakton, Virginia, pastor. Bowman began by insulting the snowman's appearance, saying Frosty has "a face that looks like a botox treatment gone bad." Bowman went on to describe the character who has brought joy to millions of children as "cold" and "hard." A few moments later, Bowman drove home his argument that Frosty doesn't belong among the redeemed by stating plainly, "He'll never get it. He can't help himself. He'll never change".
Asked after the service for an explanation, Gene Roop, president of the denomination's seminary said, "It may have sounded like a personal attack, but Chris is just too nice to do such a thing. I'm sure he simply meant that Frosty is not among the elect." Roop added, "I'm sorry if people were offended, but the Brethren have always been willing to take controversial positions. If necessary, we will gladly suffer for our beliefs."
A representative for the Brethren Revival Fellowship, a conservative advocacy group within the Church of the Brethren, was supportive of Bowman. According to a member of their governing board, "It was great to hear someone from our denomination preach the truth - and the truth is, some people are going to hell, whether they like it or not, Personally, I always suspected that Frosty was engaged in an unacceptable lifestyle."
Ecumenical reaction was mixed. The United Church of Christ headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, indirectly criticized the Brethren by issuing a statement that said, in part, "while some churches may use bouncers to keep cartoon characters out of their churches, we do not. Jesus wouldn't have turned Frosty away, and neither will we." The Vatican put out a press release that claimed Frosty was actually headed for purgatory and recommended that concerned fans sponsor masses in Frosty's memory. Southern Baptists, on the other hand, were generally supportive of Bowman's claim, noting that the reference to "magic in that old silk hat they found" suggested the snowman was involved with occult practices and belonged in hell, suffering forever along with pagans, free-thinkers and liberals of all stripes.
Some offended cartoon fans have begun to picket Church of the Brethren offices in Elgin, Illinois, but so far no apology has been forthcoming. Wendy McFadden, publisher of the denominational magazine, Messenger, has responded, "Chris said it. We believe it. That settles it."
Sunday, January 23, 2005
One leg at a time.
One Leg At A Time
Contrary to any rumors you've heard, you don’t need square pants to visit this summer’s VOS booth at Annual Conference and you’re more than welcome to visit the BRF booth regardless of the shape of your jeans.
Contrary to any rumors you've heard, you don’t need square pants to visit this summer’s VOS booth at Annual Conference and you’re more than welcome to visit the BRF booth regardless of the shape of your jeans.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Weather Forecast
Expect an extreme cold snap in the near future. Perhaps due to the freezing over of the netherworld as the Dunker Journalist has agreed in principle with a recent NCC statement defending churches' access to network airtime.
Expect an extreme cold snap in the near future. Perhaps due to the freezing over of the netherworld as the Dunker Journalist has agreed in principle with a recent NCC statement defending churches' access to network airtime.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
BRF Jeopardy
1000 Points of Darkness
This just in from or correspondents Ken Jennings and Bernie Neis... While “What is 1000?” is the Jeopardy answer to “The number of U.S. deaths in Iraq recently topped this figure”, the answer to the question “What do 1000 and September 11 have in common?” has nothing to do with the war in terrorism. While the tragedy of 9/11 spurred the war in Afghanistan, any links to Iraq are, at best, tenuous.
This just in from or correspondents Ken Jennings and Bernie Neis... While “What is 1000?” is the Jeopardy answer to “The number of U.S. deaths in Iraq recently topped this figure”, the answer to the question “What do 1000 and September 11 have in common?” has nothing to do with the war in terrorism. While the tragedy of 9/11 spurred the war in Afghanistan, any links to Iraq are, at best, tenuous.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Molding Young Minds
Building Bridges of Love and Understanding
While BRF leaders are insisting that the scheduling of workcamps is a coincidence, rumors are rampant that there is some conspiracy behind the concurrent workcamps in progress in the end of June in the Dominican Republic. BRF leaders, and General Board staff alike, are frantically reassuring their respective members that the larger BRF workcamp is not working towards instilling conservative values upon others. As stated of the Youth/Young Adult workcamp site, they are in the DR merely to "build bridges of love and understanding".
While BRF leaders are insisting that the scheduling of workcamps is a coincidence, rumors are rampant that there is some conspiracy behind the concurrent workcamps in progress in the end of June in the Dominican Republic. BRF leaders, and General Board staff alike, are frantically reassuring their respective members that the larger BRF workcamp is not working towards instilling conservative values upon others. As stated of the Youth/Young Adult workcamp site, they are in the DR merely to "build bridges of love and understanding".
Thursday, September 25, 2003
It's Probably Just the Autumnal Equinox
Have you noticed a chill in the air? Are we getting closer to a freezing over of Hell? The BRF and the VOS have found common ground at last!
But, then again, maybe it's that free ice cream that NYAC registrants are being offered in January.
Have you noticed a chill in the air? Are we getting closer to a freezing over of Hell? The BRF and the VOS have found common ground at last!
But, then again, maybe it's that free ice cream that NYAC registrants are being offered in January.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Life in Plastic, it's Fantastic
She's a barbie girl, in a barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic.
you can brush her hair, undress her everywhere.
Imagination, that is your creation. - Aqua
The big topics for the evangelical sector are sexuality, women pastors, biblical authority, and modest dress.
The BRF has declared Barbie dolls a threat to morality, complaining that the revealing clothes of the toy are offensive.
The Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice lists the dolls on a section of its Web site devoted to items deemed offensive.
"Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful," said a poster on the site.
The poster, plastered with pictures of Barbie in short dresses and tight pants, and with a few of her accessories, reads: "A strange request. A little girl asks her mother: Mother, I want jeans, a low-cut shirt, and a swimsuit like Barbie."
Such posters are distributed to schools and hung in the streets by the religious police. Vice police officials were not available for comment Monday.
"It is no problem that little girls play with dolls. But these dolls should not have the developed body of a woman, and wear revealing clothes," a spokesman said.
"These revealing clothes will be imprinted in their minds and they will refuse to wear the clothes we are used to," he said.
Other items listed as violations on the site included Valentine's Day gifts, perfume bottles in the shape of women's bodies, and decorative copies of religious items - offensive because they could be damaged and thus be an insult.
Come on Barbie, let's go party!
She's a barbie girl, in a barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic.
you can brush her hair, undress her everywhere.
Imagination, that is your creation. - Aqua
The big topics for the evangelical sector are sexuality, women pastors, biblical authority, and modest dress.
The BRF has declared Barbie dolls a threat to morality, complaining that the revealing clothes of the toy are offensive.
The Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice lists the dolls on a section of its Web site devoted to items deemed offensive.
"Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful," said a poster on the site.
The poster, plastered with pictures of Barbie in short dresses and tight pants, and with a few of her accessories, reads: "A strange request. A little girl asks her mother: Mother, I want jeans, a low-cut shirt, and a swimsuit like Barbie."
Such posters are distributed to schools and hung in the streets by the religious police. Vice police officials were not available for comment Monday.
"It is no problem that little girls play with dolls. But these dolls should not have the developed body of a woman, and wear revealing clothes," a spokesman said.
"These revealing clothes will be imprinted in their minds and they will refuse to wear the clothes we are used to," he said.
Other items listed as violations on the site included Valentine's Day gifts, perfume bottles in the shape of women's bodies, and decorative copies of religious items - offensive because they could be damaged and thus be an insult.
Come on Barbie, let's go party!
Sunday, June 22, 2003
Man Does Not Live On Bread Alone...
...he needs apple butter. In Boise this summer, conference goers can try an alternative. At the BRF display they'll be able to try some apple margarine with their bread.
...he needs apple butter. In Boise this summer, conference goers can try an alternative. At the BRF display they'll be able to try some apple margarine with their bread.
Sunday, May 04, 2003
Boulders, Kings, and Peasants
If you haven't yet checked out the Bread Basket column on the BRF website, you will likely find it to be the least objectionable reading posted there no matter which side of the liberal/evangelical fence your sensitivities fall. In the March/April 2003 submission, Paul Brubaker relates a charming parable about obstacles.
If you haven't yet checked out the Bread Basket column on the BRF website, you will likely find it to be the least objectionable reading posted there no matter which side of the liberal/evangelical fence your sensitivities fall. In the March/April 2003 submission, Paul Brubaker relates a charming parable about obstacles.
Saturday, February 15, 2003
Hammers Versus Bricks
Almost weekly, the Dunker Journal has pointed out the listing of pulpit vacancies. This just in... an invitation on the VOS listserver for candidates to take a look at Michigan pastorates. Is there a finder's fee for pastors? Tell them the Gospel Messenger sent you.
Almost weekly, the Dunker Journal has pointed out the listing of pulpit vacancies. This just in... an invitation on the VOS listserver for candidates to take a look at Michigan pastorates. Is there a finder's fee for pastors? Tell them the Gospel Messenger sent you.
Monday, January 20, 2003
Bird Watching
It seems that our sister blog site, featuring those wacky posts by brother Myers, has finally discovered it’s older sibling. Our “Speak Peas” dove is featured in the January 19th posts. All in all, however, we take any endorsement by the BRF with tongue firmly in cheek, since they also have an endorsement of an inflatable church several days earlier.
It seems that our sister blog site, featuring those wacky posts by brother Myers, has finally discovered it’s older sibling. Our “Speak Peas” dove is featured in the January 19th posts. All in all, however, we take any endorsement by the BRF with tongue firmly in cheek, since they also have an endorsement of an inflatable church several days earlier.
Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Modern Day Prophet
Or maybe proof of psychic powers... On Friday, December 13th at 12:49am, Craig Alan Myers posted a rebuttle to James Lehman's "large assumptions", which were not posted until 2:32am later that same morning. (Hum the Twilight Zone theme song here.)
Another possibility is that this is a conspiracy to stir up both political/theological sides of the spectrum within the church by posting orchestracted and almost carefully coordinated arguments and counter arguments on the web and thus foment dialog.
Censorship?
Readers will not be able to purchase issues of the refurbished Rawhide Kid from Brethren Press when it becomes more widely available early next year. BRF leaders have expressed their support for this decision while those in support of VOS have expressed concern over the exclusion of fictional characters in the life of the church.
Friday, September 13, 2002
Who Says Opposites Attract?
The issue of homosexuality is not the only issue of disagreement in the Church of the Brethren. While the national General Board staff invoke Luke 10:25-37, and wail for an end of sanctions against the people of Iraq, the Brethren Revival Fellowship appear to be saying that our government should continue to cause suffering for the Iraqi people until such a time as Saddam Hussein's compassion for his people should become more apparent than our own.
(And when's the last time that the national staff had a biblical reasoning behind their actions and the BRF didn't? - the Editors)
The issue of homosexuality is not the only issue of disagreement in the Church of the Brethren. While the national General Board staff invoke Luke 10:25-37, and wail for an end of sanctions against the people of Iraq, the Brethren Revival Fellowship appear to be saying that our government should continue to cause suffering for the Iraqi people until such a time as Saddam Hussein's compassion for his people should become more apparent than our own.
(And when's the last time that the national staff had a biblical reasoning behind their actions and the BRF didn't? - the Editors)
Thursday, September 05, 2002
Rock'em Sock'em Acronyms
VOS vs. BRF
In the far left corner we have "Voices for an Open Spirit", represented by James H. Lehman.
And in the far right corner we have the "Brethren Revival Fellowship", represented by Craig Alan Myers.
Both views are online, but are the sides talking to each other or just reacting to each other? In either case, it's entertaining.
VOS vs. BRF
In the far left corner we have "Voices for an Open Spirit", represented by James H. Lehman.
And in the far right corner we have the "Brethren Revival Fellowship", represented by Craig Alan Myers.
Both views are online, but are the sides talking to each other or just reacting to each other? In either case, it's entertaining.
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