Thursday, 13 September 2007 by Paul Dubuc.

I’m not a huge fan of Brian McLaren, but I really like what he has to say in the following video. The programmed worship experience does seem pretty hollow after awhile. And the attitude that we are consumers of the worship experience rather than participants in an offering of worship seems rather prevalent in many churches. The tight control and planning that goes into many programmed worship services is suffocating sometimes. I think much of it is motivated by the fear of what visitors might think if something a little off the plan happened. But who can really know what’s in the mind of the brave soul who walks through your church doorway for he first time? They might be turned off by artificial feel your well executed program!

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Thursday, 6 September 2007 by Paul Dubuc.

For devoted Christians who struggle with clinical depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia this book will be a godsend. The author is a trained theologian and Anglican priest who has experienced these forms of mental illness and anguish first-hand. The title comes from a translation of the last verse of Psalm 88. Subtitled, “A Christian Response to Mental Illness“, the book is not so much a chronicle of her experience as it is one of her effort to find meaning in that experience through her Christian faith. Christians have often experienced suffering in one form or another, but mental illness bears a stigma that makes it a form of suffering that is often borne in secret. In sharing her struggle, the author reveals remarkable insight and courage with a touch of humor. She bravely confronts those who do not understand her experience–from fellow Christians with less than helpful advice to secular psychiatrists who show bafflement or even distain for her religion–even while accepting from them whatever is true or helpful. The only true enemy she has is her illness and its symptoms. She comes through her struggle wounded but transformed by the experience, a whole person, able to find meaning in it in the light of her faith in Christ.

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Saturday, 1 September 2007 by Paul Dubuc.

The weekly prayer meeting at Bethel Church has recently moved from Sunday evening to Monday evenings at 6:00 PM (except during holiday weekends). This change was made to make it accessible to more members. The meeting is open to anyone, not just members. Contact me if you are interested in more details, or just drop in and join us. The following paragraphs describe the purpose and content of the meetings. I hope they will be useful to others who lead prayer meetings. Read the rest of this entry »

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