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St. Paul's Body Found?

Craig von Buseck — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:12:58 GMT

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." But could St. Paul's bones still be present with us?

Over the weekend Pope Benedict announced that fragments of bone dating to the first or second century have been discovered in a tomb in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome. The tradition of the Roman Church is that Paul was martyred in Rome around A.D. 65 and that his remains are located in the Basilica. This tradition was given more attention with the discovery of a sarcophagus in 2006.

Archaeologists drilled a tiny hole in the stone coffin and found traces of purple linen cloth and fragments of bone, which have been dated to the time of Paul's life. Pope Benedict announced that the bone fragments from the first or second century had been found in a tomb in the Basilica of St Paul, and reaffirmed the belief that it housed the apostle's remains.

"This seems to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition that these are the mortal remains on the Apostle Paul," the pontiff said on the eve of the Feasts of St Peter and St Paul.

Writing for Reuters, Stephen Brown explains how Christian tradition states that St. Paul was buried together with St. Peter in a catacomb on the Via Appia, before being moved to the basilica erected in his honor. For centuries it was believed that his remains were buried beneath the altar.

When the stone sarcophagus was discovered there in 2006, Vatican archeologists could apply scientific research to the religious tradition.

Brown writes that the first results come during the "Pauline Year," when the Roman Catholic Church has been celebrating the second millennium of the birth of the "Apostle of the Gentiles."

Pope Benedict gave details of the discovery, saying a tiny hole had been drilled in the sarcophagus to permit inspection of the interior, revealing "traces of a precious linen cloth, purple in color, laminated with pure gold, and a blue colored textile with filaments of linen."

"It also revealed the presence of grains of red incense and traces of protein and limestone," the Pope explained. "There were also tiny fragments of bone, which, when subjected to Carbon 14 tests by experts, turned out to belong to someone who lived in the first or second century."

Brown reports that the discovery of the bone fragments coincided with news that Vatican archaeologists had discovered what they believe is the oldest image in existence of St. Paul, dating from the late 4th century, on the walls of catacomb beneath Rome. Early Christians in Rome buried their dead in catacombs dug into the soft rock under the city and decorated the underground walls with biblical and religious images.

The Vatican newspaper, Osservatore Romano, published a picture of a frescoed image of the face of a man with a pointed black beard and a furrowed forehead on a red background, inside a bright yellow halo.

According to Reuters, experts of the Ponitifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology made the discovery on June 19 in the Catacomb of Santa Tecla in Rome. They have described it as the "oldest icon in history dedicated to the cult of the Apostle," according to the Vatican newspaper.

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Mission to America: Week Two

Craig von Buseck — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:12:41 GMT

Editor's Note: All summer, ChurchWatch is following the travels of Cheryle Touchton, a missionary to America, AKA "The Pocketful of Quarters Lady." This week she drove through my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, along the gorgeous Seaway Trail (stop and enjoy the sandy beaches and wooded trails of Presque Isle State Park if you're ever in the area!)

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matt 25:40 NIV)

I’m in New York State. Gail Golden caught a plane back to Florida. Belle, the Missionary Dog, and I briefly moped and then continued our journey alone. We headed to Cleveland, Ohio and followed the beautiful Seaway Trail along Lake Erie through Pennsylvania and into New York. It rained, but for some reason, God did not seem to think that was a good enough excuse to stop ministering. I’ve been wet, muddy, and cold all week, but the journey continues.

Missionary (Mis) Adventures

I’m not mechanically inclined so I dread dumping the holding tanks of Halleluiah, the camper van. I learned the hard way to shower afterwards. I drove the camper to the dump station, in my pre-shower state and wearing my oldest ragged shorts and a worn out t-shirt. A process that would have taken my handy hubby 10 minutes took me a frustrating hour and left me soaked from rain and other stuff we won’t discuss.

By my standards, doing ministry requires a shower, makeup and jewelry. God must not agree. Right in the middle of the messiest part, God sent a Divine Appointment. A woman I had ministered to the day before walked over to continue our conversation. As I sat flat down on the smelly ground wearing ripped plastic filthy gloves, we discussed the importance of church in a Christian walk. She realized lack of church attendance was why she was depressed and left committed to finding a church. I left realizing God’s ministry dress code was different from mine.

People Needing Jesus

The easiest way to evangelize is what I call “drive by” evangelism. I toss the name Christ out like sowing seeds in a field and I offer to do something for the person to whom I’m tossing the seeds.

For example, I say words like, “I’m a Christian and about to say a blessing. What can I pray about for you?” That often leads to a discussion about Jesus. This week, I heard prayer requests for jobs, health, and family problems. I give out Christian tracts and ministry cards.

I also had several opportunities to offer what I call “cook book” evangelism, which is determining a need for Jesus and offering the plan salvation in a stepwise progression. This must have been adolescent week. I met several young people in the middle of taking confirmation classes at various denominations. Knowing how easy it is to go all the way through this process and miss the entire point, I asked the parents’ permission and gave them the plan of salvation. I ended with, “Jesus is polite. He won’t enter your life unless you invite Him in.”

Churches of America

I was homesick on Father’s Day and needed the comfort of a church family. Canandaigua Baptist Church in Canandaigua, New York filled that role admirably. I was greeted at the door and escorted to a Bible Study. At no time was I alone. Someone sat with me for Bible Study and church.

The sermon was preached by their Life Minister, 28-year-old Pastor Bill Bamback.

“You’re the age of my daughter,” I teased.

“But I’m a pastor,” he quipped.

He was indeed. He preached on Sacrificial Servanthood and ended with making the congregation chant twice, “We are committed to Sacrificial Servanthood.” He also kept us laughing, which I always appreciate.

The music was contemporary and led by a praise team. They have two services on Sunday. The dress ranged from shorts to Sunday best and the ages an even blend ranging from babies to quite mature. My favorite part was how well everyone sang. I left the service having had a Holy Encounter with Christ.

A family invited me out to lunch and I spent the entire afternoon with them. Later, I called my daddy and husband and told them both I loved them. It turned out to be a great Father’s day.

The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady does have two requests:

1. To churches: Put your worship times somewhere outside your church building.

2. To mothers: If your preschooler is enthusiastically singing and moving to the praise music, don’t tell them to settle down. Nurture their natural inclination to praise the Lord with gusto.

The Discouraged

It seems that God uses everything I’ve ever been through for this moment in my life. 14 years ago, I lost my oldest son. This week, I spent several hours with a mother grieving the loss of her 20 year old daughter. One of the hardest parts of losing a child is the guilt over what you should or could have done better during the short time you had them. We talked about the grace of Jesus and allowing ourselves this same grace about our imperfect parenting. We also talked about seasons of life and letting grief roll over us and then pass into laughter once again.

I also met a former pastor who spent much of his life preparing to be a pastor. “Now, I’m divorced,” he said. “My church wouldn’t let me serve any longer.”

“Then stop saying you’re divorced. If you’re saved and have confessed your sin about the divorce, God doesn’t remember your divorce. That scripture about not getting divorced applies to you from this moment forward but God doesn’t remember your past. Unfortunately, some churches have a long memory about divorce but God doesn’t remember it.” He seemed encouraged when he left.

Follow the Journey

So join us on the journey by going to http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/ or looking for this column on ChurchWatch each week. Life on the road is full of adventure.

Previous Posts from

Follow the Pocket Full of Change Posts on ChurchWatch:

June 18: Pocket Full of Change: Churches in America

June 16: Mission to America: Saving Souls, One Quarter at a Time

Learn more at http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/

Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. She is the author of 2 Books: Pocket Full of Quarters: 5 Steps to Loving God and Pocket Full of Christmas: Having a Purpose Filled Advent. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/ or call Gail Golden at (904) 3... .

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How Do I Recognize a Cult

Pocket Full of Change: Churches in America

Craig von Buseck — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:03:58 GMT

Editor's Note: Here is the second installment of Cheryle Touchton's missionary journey across America. Today she encounters folks steeped in the New Age Movement and describes life in the churches she visited this past week. All this summer, Cheryle will be sharing stories from her missionary journey, and will be sharing insights from the Christian fellowships she visits along the way.

I’m meeting more New Age followers than ever before. They say they are believers in Christ, but then go on to talk about their energy, essence, or light. One woman explained how she had healed herself using her own energy. I told her that my Jesus was the creator of light and the giver of real energy. Another woman said, “I worship a Goddess.”

Learn more about the New Age Movement on CBN.com Spiritual Life:

My New Age Friend

Churches of America

When on a missionary journey, I go to a different church every Sunday as well as any other time I’m near a church holding services. I don’t care what denomination I attend as long as they believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and read the Bible. I’ve attended two churches since I left home and led a worship service in a KOA campground in Westchester, Pennsylvania.

On June 7, I worshipped in Corinth United Methodist Church in Four Oaks, North Carolina. There were about 30 worshippers there. When they began singing the old hymns, Gail and I sat back and let the familiar words minister to our souls. The people were so welcoming. They invited me to tell them about my missionary calling and journey. The sermon was on the sin of pride.

Rev. Bill Spencer joked, “One subject I am an expert on is pride.” He talked about the 4 kinds of pride – intellectual, material, social, and spiritual. His sermon was humorous and inspirational.

Sunday June 14, I worshipped in Wlllowdale Chapel, a non-denominational church in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. They have two services on Sunday and their large auditorium was packed. The contemporary music and praise band was completely different from the Sunday before. People were in shorts and jeans, but like the week before, most were carrying their Bibles.

As I travel, I continually make the same observation. When thinking about church growth, it seems to be mostly about the music and dress. Contemporary music and casual attire attracts young families. The growing churches I’ve been in have young families.

The Discouraged

Everywhere I turn, I meet discouraged struggling people. One woman had lost her job because the building burned down. I meet lonely campers stuck in isolated places living in small trailers because of having to take unusual job situations. My job is to point them to God for the encouragement they need. I’m astounded by how many Christians have stopped going to church. They say they are depressed and have lost interest.

Two Christian women I met and had lunch with the day of this writing admitted that because of the nomadic nature of their husbands’ jobs, they had stopped going to church. Through our conversations, they realized that part of their feelings of isolation stemmed from not attending church and they committed to get back in church. During these difficult economic times, America needs to be in church.

Belle the Missionary Dog

Belle is a missionary dog and she does her job well. She is a Shetland Sheepdog and writes stories called Belle’s Musings on www.pocketfullofchange.org. Belle does her tricks to music for anyone who will listen and can draw a crowd. She likes my pocket full of treats much better than my pocket full of quarters. She does wonder why humans whine so much when they are supposed to rejoice in the Lord always. She also wonders why fleas and ticks seem to like her best. She stays frustrated that churches won’t let her attend. After all, she is a missionary.

Follow the Pocket Full of Change Posts on ChurchWatch:

June 16: Mission to America: Saving Souls, One Quarter at a Time

Learn more at http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/

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Mission to America: Saving Souls, One Quarter at a Time

Craig von Buseck — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:25:57 GMT

Editor's note: I have the privilege of speaking at Christian writers conferences and various events across the country, and I always love the "Charles Kuralt" moments that come when I "meet America" at one of these gatherings. This happened to me a couple years ago at the Florida Christian Writers Conference -- one of the best writers conferences, by the way -- when I met Gail Gorden, who introduced herself as one of the "pocket full of quarters" ladies. I soon discovered that Gail often travels with her co-missionary friend, Cheryle Touchton, across the United States sharing the gospel as they hand out quarters (you'll see why they do this in a moment).

The Lord is clear in His calling to each believer to "go ye and make disciples." Gail and Cheryle are doing that in a bold and creative way. I thought their stories would inpire the readers of ChurchWatch to find ways to share their faith with others. So this summer, ChurchWatch will follow Gail and Cheryle as they give away quarters and share the love of Jesus with thousands of people across America.

Enjoy -- and "go ye" as well:

I’m Cheryle Touchton with Pocket Full of Change Ministries. During the summer months, I travel the country as a missionary, ministering where I can and handing out quarters. The quarters represent the free grace of God. I stop wherever I see people and do whatever needs to be done. I have a husband back home who prays for me, finds me places to stay, gives mechanical instructions long distance, and visits me every 2-3 weeks. My life on the road is hard but exciting and rewarding.

This year’s journey began on Saturday June 6, 2009. For the first week, my dog Belle and I traveled with one of my ministry partners, Gail Golden. Gail and I traveled through 7 states to begin our work in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gail left after 6 days and now it’s just Belle the Missionary Dog and me.

Missionary (Mis) Adventures

People occasionally ask to ride along on these journeys. They either want to help or learn how to evangelize. No one has spent more than a week with me but they always say the same thing - telling people about Jesus is easier than they thought and traveling is much harder than they ever imagined.

On the way to Pennsylvania, Gail and I tried to set my camper van, Halleluiah, on fire. No matter what we did, the burner would not turn off. Thankfully, my husband Bob, from back in Florida, was able to tell me where the tools were and to talk me through disconnecting the gas. The disaster was averted.

I have a GPS, but somehow I manage to get lost anyway. One of God’s practical jokes is that He calls me to drive 30,000 miles a year and didn’t give me a sense of direction. I’ve had to take on the attitude that God always knows where I am and where I need to be but He often takes His time to reveal it to me. Life sure is interesting if you are the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady.

People In Ministry

Philadelphia was a mission field. Gail and I met three different people in ministry who were discouraged or confused about what God wanted them to do next. Economic times are tough and people in ministry are struggling. Part of my job on the road is to encourage the discouraged.

Gail and I spent time with these sweet servants of God, encouraging them, and helping them to hear God’s voice clearly. People of God need to hear and obey the voice of God now more than ever. My message to the ministers I meet is that God will fund His plans, but He may not fund ours.

People Needing Jesus

This week, I met two different people who came from a Hindu background. The first I met at met at a writer’s event we attended. I told the group about my next book, "The Secret to Everything". This olive skinned, dark haired, lovely young woman ran up and said, “I want to know the secret. What is it?”

“Are you a Christian?” I asked.

“No,” she said.

I spent the next hour telling her about Jesus and how to find Him. I asked if she wanted to pray to receive Jesus but she wanted to think about it. I left her with tract containing scriptures and the plan of salvation.

The second woman had recently converted from Hindu to Christianity. For awhile she had kept her Christianity quiet in her family because she could be killed for accepting Jesus. She had so many questions. Gail and I spent hours discussing the Bible, what it meant, church and how the Bible and church applied to her life.

Throughout the week, I’ve shared the plan of salvation and talked about Jesus many times. Please join us on the journey by going to www.pocketfullofchange.org or looking for this column each week. Life on the road is full of adventure.

Follow the Pocket Full of Change Posts on ChurchWatch:

June 18: Pocket Full of Change: Churches in America

Learn more at http://www.pocketfullofchange.org/

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10, NIV)

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'Unorthodox' Episcopalians?

Craig von Buseck — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:16:47 GMT

Bible Belt Blogger, Frank Lockwood of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, has been following the possible consecration of an Episcopal bishop-elect who practices Zen Buddhism and denies traditional Christian teachings about sin, salvation and Christ's atoning death on the cross.

But it appears that Kevin Thew Forrester is 'insufficiently orthodox,' even for the Episcopal Church.

According to Lockwood, unless there is a last minute change of heart by opponents, it appears certain that Episcopal Church leaders have rejected Forrester's consecration as a bishop-elect. He writes, "...thanks to the transparency of most standing committees across the nation, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette can report that a majority of the church’s 111 standing committees have decided to withhold consent to the election of the bishop-elect of Northern Michigan."

"Barring last minute reversals by some of the 56 standing committees that are withholding consent, Thew Forrester’s bid will be rejected."

Writing for Christianity Today, Lockwood explains that while the results will not be official until mid-July, a majority of standing committees have voted to withhold consent, according to a survey by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Unofficial surveys show the bishop-elect trailing badly among bishops as well.

Lockwood points out that Thew Forrester has rewritten the church's baptismal covenant, the Apostles' Creed, and the Book of Common Prayer's Easter Vigil liturgy to remove historic Christian doctrines. "The 2.3-million-member Episcopal Church has had bishops who have denied core Christian doctrines like the Trinity, the Virgin Birth, and the Resurrection of Jesus. But the most prominent bishops to make such claims (such as John Shelby Spong and James Pike) reportedly did not do so until after they had been made bishop."

Concerned bishops on the both sides of the theological spectrum within the Episcopal Church said Thew Forrester's abandonment of church doctrine and liturgy within the Book of Common Prayer, placed him too far outside the mainstream to serve as a bishop.

Lockwood reports that according to the Episcopal Church's Office of Communication, if his nomination fails, Forrester will be the first bishop-elect to be vetoed by denominational leaders since at least the 1930s.

Daniel Burke of Religion News Service (RNS) reports that soon after his election by his diocese, conservative church bloggers from across the country discovered that Forrester practices Zen meditation and received "lay ordination" from a Buddhist community.

"A number of Episcopal bishops have judged him insufficiently orthodox to join their ranks," Burke writes.

According to Lockwood, Forrester has also adopted a new Buddhist name—Genpo—meaning "way of universal wisdom."

"Thew Forrester's rejection of atonement theology and his claims that the crucifixion was not the will of God were particularly troubling to some Episcopalians," Lockwood writes. But Forrester also teaches that Christ's blood doesn't wash away sin, Christ's death doesn't redeem and restore humanity -- and Jesus doesn't make us one with God, but simply reveals to us that we're already and always one with God.

"There are a few things that are absolutely non-negotiable in the Christian faith because without them it ceases to be the Christian faith," said Bishop of West Texas, Gary R. Lillibridge.

But not every bishop within the Episcopal Church agrees. One Forrester supporter, Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell, said Thew Forrester's theology "stretches us, but not to the point of breaking."

Lockwood reports that Forrester is defending his liturgical and theological changes, saying they reflected the "continually evolving" Christian faith. "What we've done is quite responsible and appropriate, and indeed the church needs to do it in order to stay relevant in the 21st century," Forrester declared.

Lockwood writes that in addition to rejecting orthodox Christian teachings about the Cross, Thew Forrester denies that Satan exists, calls the Qur'an the Word of God, describes sin as being blind to our own goodness, and questions whether Jesus is truly the only begotten Son of God.

"Critics charged that Thew Forrester had also altered Christian liturgies to add Buddhist, Unitarian-Universalist, and New Age principles. In a message posted on his blog, Bishop of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) Paul V. Marshall warned that the denomination's failure to uphold historic Christian teachings had made it an embarrassment," writes Lockwood.

"As a Church we are increasingly a laughing-stock," says Marshall "…because we do not consistently proclaim a solid core, words as simple as 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,' yet 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.'"

Another critic, Greg Griffith, of the conservative Anglican website StandFirmInFaith.com, explains, "All the Episcopal Church has done is to say that someone who is clearly not a Christian may not be one of its bishops. It may be history in the making, but it's hardly a grand or noble achievement, and certainly not a signal that the Episcopal Church is returning to orthodoxy."

Lockwood also quotes Kendall Harmon, canon theologian of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. "In any other church—evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal—this person wouldn't get to go to seminary, let alone be able to lead" an entire regional body. The fact that a diocese chose Thew Forrester and that nearly 30 standing committees have voted to confirm him is troubling, Harmon said.

"This is not something to celebrate. It's something to be sad about. It reveals a deeply, deeply unhealthy church," Harmon added.

But Lockwood says that there are still people within the church who are hoping for a shift toward Orthodox Christianity. Bill Carroll, rector at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Athens, Ohio, believes that this vote could be a turning point for his denomination. "I think history will remember this as the point when the Episcopal Church began to show some backbone about basic Christian doctrine," he wrote in a comments thread at EpiscopalCafe.com. "For too long, we have allowed our respect for difference to mean anything goes. There are boundaries."

Check out Frank Lockwood's Blog, Bible Belt Blogger.

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Government Threatens Bible Study Shut Down; ReDiscovering God in America

Craig von Buseck — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:24:24 GMT

It's an all-too-familiar tale -- a local government declaring a home Bible study or church to be in violation of zoning laws. Often citing neighbor's complaints, parking and zoning restrictions, some local or county governments have moved to close down home fellowships across the country. The latest story to make headlines is concerning a San Diego pastor and his wife who have been told they cannot have a Bible study in their home. The couple says they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, and then they were threatened with fines if they refuse to stop the Bible study for their 15 attendees.

Pastor David Jones and his wife, Mary, were hosting the weekly study near their church, when they say they were visited by a county code enforcement officer. According to Dean Broyles, an attorney for the Joneses, they were questioned by the county official about the Bible study. "Do you have a regular meeting in your home?" The pastor's wife replied, "Yes." "Do you say 'amen'?" the official asked. "Yes," she replied. "Do you pray?" Again she said, "Yes." "Do you say 'praise the Lord'?" Another "Yes."

Unbelievably, the official told the pastor and his wife they were in violation of county rules.

Within days they received a written warning that listed the home Bible study an "unlawful use of land." They were notified to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" -- a move that could cost the Bible study thousands of dollars.

Jones, his wife, and their attorney, Dean Broyles, were interviewed on the Fox News Channel. Broyles says the couple's rights have been violated.

"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," says the attorney. "And I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their graves if they saw that here in the year 2009 that a pastor and his wife are being told that they can't have a simple Bible study in their own home."

The American Family Association has launched an online petition drive related to the incident, asking the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to immediately stop interfering with the rights of individuals to hold Bible studies in their homes.

Jones and his wife say they will continue to challenge the county's policy. If the County refuses to release the pastor and his wife from obtaining the permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.

Watch local news coverage of this story from Channel 10 in San Diego.

Rediscovering God in America

Lou Engle of TheCall announces a special gathering in Virginia, the ReDiscovering God in America Event. This special gathering will take place at Rock Church in Virginia Beach on Thursday, June 4th and Friday, June 5th, 2009.

In what is being called TheCall To Action, Engle is gathering a movement of youth and young adults who, as he puts it, "refuse to succumb to this present darkness" and will "raise up the ancient foundations of righteousness and justice." Engle declares, "Let us gather to seek the Lord and rediscover the ways of God that could turn a nation back to his heart!"

Along with Engle, guest speakers for this dynamic event include Ron Luce, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, historian David Barton of Wall Builders, Lt. Col. Oliver North, and the Honorable Bob McEwen. Matt Gilman will lead worship for the meetings.

Newt Gingrich who is one of the featured speakers at this event writes, "There is no attack on American culture that is more destructive and more historically dishonest than the secular Left's relentless effort to drive God out of America's public square. I wrote Rediscovering God in America as a response to the 9th District Federal Court of Appeals' ruling that the phrase "one nation, under God" as part of the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional."

"The Rediscovering God in America Pastors' Policy Briefings goal is to ignite people of faith to again engage the culture and bring America back to our standing around the world as a Beacon of Hope and a Shining City on a Hill. Because God has entrusted you to care for one of His flocks, you are a critical component to reclaiming the centrality of God in American life. I look forward to seeing you in Virginia Beach."

Registration: https://meetingpro.wufoo.com/forms/rediscovering-god-in-america/

For more information, go to http://www.meetingpro.com/event/

Location:
Rock Church International
640 Kempsville Road
Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23464 (map)

Print a copy of the ReDiscovering God in America flyer

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Jesus for the Nations: Cape Town 2010

Craig von Buseck — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:37:43 GMT

Planning is now in the late stages for the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, a world-changing gathering of evangelical leaders known as 'Cape Town 2010', to be held in South Africa in October of 2010.

Founded by Billy Graham and John Stott, The Lausanne Movement -- which has met twice before to discuss current thinking and strategy for world evangelization -- will be gathering again in Cape Town, South Africa, October 16-25, 2010.

The Congress, held in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance, will bring together 4,000 leaders from more than 200 countries to confront the critical issues of our time – other world faiths, poverty, HIV/AIDS, persecution, among others - as they relate to the future of the Church and world evangelization.

Cape Town 2010 (CT2010) is not just a one-time meeting, but God willing, will be a catalytic event in the life of the church – drawing leaders together in purposeful prayer, humble repentance, strategic dialogue and decisive action. Together we will seek the Lord as we examine the world and our culture to discern where the church should invest its efforts and energies to most effectively respond to Christ’s call to take the gospel into all the world and make disciples of all nations ... lives changed for all eternity, broken families mended, physical and emotional hurts healed, communities transformed.

CT2010 will be unique because not only will 4000 leaders be onsite in Cape Town, but several more thousands will participate virtually through the Cape Town GlobaLink and the Lausanne Global Conversation.

The Cape Town GlobaLink will allow Christian leaders worldwide to participate in the Congress remotely through Internet downloads and other means, either individually or as part of an offsite group at Bible schools, seminaries, theological institutions, churches, organizations and missions.

Through the Lausanne Global Conversation Christian leaders will engage in robust online forums and through social networking sites where Congress issues will be discussed before, during and after the Congress. The Lausanne Global Conversation will be enhanced by the Christianity Today International Global Conversation, a series of 12 articles leading up to CT2010 on the issues of the Congress.

"These are unparalleled times," says Doug Wicks, Print Media Manager of 'The Global Conversation.' "The concept of truth is now finally dead, according to deconstructionists. The tectonic plates of major world religions are shifting. There have never been greater people movements -- with over 50 percent of the world's population now living in cities and huge-scale emigration."

"New and profound questions are being raised by the emerging technologies and the whole basis of Western civilization is eroding," Wicks added. "The implications for the Church and its call in world evangelization are far-reaching."

As a result of Lausanne II in Manila, nearly 350 partnerships were formed between churches and agencies around the world. It’s our prayer that Cape Town 2010 would see the formation of many hundreds of partnerships that result in more men, women, children and young people having the opportunity to hear and respond to the message of Christ.

Further information may be found on http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010 (for the Congress) and on http://www.lausanne.org/.

Angels and Demons: Harmless According to the Vatican

Craig von Buseck — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:09:21 GMT

The Associated Press is reporting that reviewers at the Vatican's newspaper have passed judgment on the new Ron Howard movie "Angels & Demons," finding the religious thriller commercial and inaccurate, but concluding it is "harmless" entertainment and not a danger to the church.

L'Osservatore Romano ran a review and an editorial in Wednesday's edition, critiquing the movie based on the Dan Brown best-selling novel of the same name.

"Angels & Demons" premiered this week in Rome, after director Ron Howard charged that the Vatican interfered with getting film permits to shoot scenes in the city. The Vatican shot back that the contention was a publicity stunt.

The newspaper wrote that the movie was "a gigantic and smart commercial operation" filled with "stereotyped characters." The paper suggested moviegoers could make a game out of finding the many historical inaccuracies in the plot.

However, L'Osservatore praised Howard's "dynamic direction" and the "magnificent" reconstruction of locations like St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Much of the film was shot on sets that painstakingly recreated church landmarks.

The film offers "more than two hours of harmless entertainment, which hardly affects the genius and mystery of Christianity," L'Osservatore's reviewer wrote. It's "a videogame that first of all sparks curiosity and is also, maybe, a bit of fun."

"Angels & Demons" features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon of "The Da Vinci Code" fame, played by Tom Hanks. In the film, the Vatican turns to Langdon after an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati kidnap four cardinals considered front-runners to be the next pope, and threaten to kill one an hour and then explode a bomb at the Vatican.

Top church officials strongly objected to "The Da Vinci Code" because it was based on the idea that Jesus married and fathered children and depicted the conservative Catholic movement, Opus Dei, as a murderous cult.

"The theme is always the same in both novels: a sect versus the church, even though the parts of the good and the bad are distributed differently," L'Osservatore wrote Wednesday. "This time, with 'Angels & Demons,' the church is on the side of the good guys."

The editorial said the novels presented the church's positions in a "simplistic and partial" way. It said the success of Brown's works should push the church to rethink the way it uses the media to present its message.

Watch for more on "Angels and Demons" from CBN.com. And check out our special section, The Da Vinci Code: A Biblical Response

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National Day of Prayer News and Resources

Craig von Buseck — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:44:02 GMT

The 58th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 7, 2009. Millions will unite in prayer as thousands of events will take place from coast to coast. The theme for this year is "Prayer... America's Hope" and is based on the verse from Psalm 33:22 which states: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

Beth Moore will join Shirley Dobson to lead the nation in prayer as the 2009 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

On the National Day of Prayer, citizens will gather at national monuments, military bases, stadiums, nursing homes, schools, town squares, churches and other venues to pray. Events are planned in prisons, state capitols, homeless shelters, and even on airplanes. Participants will pray not only for their local and national leaders, but also for America’s military, media, businesses, education system, churches and families.

“The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for the community of faith to exercise our freedom to join in worship and prayer as guaranteed by the Constitution,” said NDP Task Force Vice Chairman Brian Toon. “More than ever, we must join together in the belief that prayer is America’s hope.”

In 2008, Mrs. Shirley Dobson and others were named in a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), alleging that the NDP Task Force worked “hand-in-glove” with the government to organize the National Day of Prayer. In reality, the NDP Task Force is a non-profit organization with no government affiliation whatsoever. The lawsuit stems from the FFRF’s determination to silence the voices of Christians in the public square. In response, the Alliance Defense Fund has launched the “Save the National Day of Prayer” campaign (www.savethendop.org).

“Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence upon God,” said Shirley Dobson. “However, there has been a concerted effort by a small but determined number of people who have tried to prohibit all public references to the Creator, whether it be in the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance, or a simple act of corporate prayer. This is unconscionable for a free society.”

SuperBowl winning coach, Tony Dungy and NASCAR Legend and current FOX Sports Analyst, Darrell Waltrip have joined Honorary Chairman, Beth Moore and Chairman, Shirley Dobson, to challenge America to unite in prayer on the 58th annual National Day of Prayer observance, May 7, 2009.

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