Author: Wesley Fryer

This seems closely analogous to the selling of indulgences by the Catholic Church in the 15th century. Why would God uniquely authorize grace and forgiveness to boost attendance at a Papal event in Spain this month? Answer: He wouldn’t. This is an example of the will of men (the Pope and Catholic Church leadership, in this case) gone awry.

“The Vatican has given authority to priests who are in Madrid during the pope’s visit there to give absolution to women who confess to having had an abortion – and has empowered priests to lift excommunications for such women…. Lombardi said that the Vatican often extends authority to absolve certain sins and to lift excommunications at big papal events. Any woman who knows that the church considers abortion a sin and goes through with the procedure is automatically excommunicated, Lombardi said.”

Read the entire article:
Church extends authority to absolve sin of abortion for papal visit

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/18/authority-to-absolve-sin-of-abortion…

What’s your take on this?

Sent from my iPhone

These are my notes from the parent meeting for Middle and High school youth ministries on August 21, 2011 at our church in Edmond, Oklahoma.
http://www.fpcedmond.org/students

These are out goals for student ministries at FPCE this year.

Growth – youth group double in size
More worship oriented students
Happier, vibrant youth group
Stronger relationships (outside of church)
Know the Word of God and be obedient to it
Consistency in Attendance
Externally focused: Missional
Students Minister to Adults

A huge goal which did not make the list but Brian Lamb added for our meeting today: For every youth to form a deeper and more meaningful personal relationship with Christ

Voting results:

We want to create a culture of expectancy for parents for equipping families, not just focusing directly on students
– ministries are acting in partnership with families

Expectancy steps:

My comment after hearing other parents mention this: Since high school meeting time is Sunday night and not on Wednesdays, there is concern many high school students will choose NOT to help out with ministry in other areas and just go to other churches on Wednesday nights. It will be interesting to see how this develops. The idea of having high schoolers in ministry to others on Wednesday nights is good. It sounds like some will prefer to “be served” rather than serve on Wednesday nights, however.

Sent from my iPad