Category Archives: Current events

Does Pacifism Work?

Posted on October 2, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Some of noted Gandhi-style pacifist protest works better with some groups than others. If you are protesting against a group that thinks its wrong to kill unarmed protesters you’re more likely to survive than if, as in Myanmar, you go … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events | 7 Comments

Islam & Tradition

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

In my position as a pastoral leader of a church, I have been frequently asked lately, “What is a Muslim? What do they believe? Are terrorism and violence part of their religion?” Although my expertise is not in world religions, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alasdair MacIntyre, Clash of Civilizations, Current events, Globalization, Islam, War | Leave a comment

Beware! Watch out for this evil villain!

Posted on August 14, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Back when I was a kid we wandered the neighborhood far and wide. Sometimes my parents knew what I was doing, sometimes not. I certainly didn’t have them accompanying me on all my adventures. Today we worry about our kids. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Higher Education, Public Schools, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Emergent Rejection of Christianity? Not Quite

Posted on July 29, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Frank Pastore (who, according to the author info, has a graduate degree in philosophy of religion) has a stilted view of Christianity. In this weekend’s column – the second he’s written against the Emergent Movement – he says: If Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in Al Qaeda, Current events, Emergent, Emerging Church, Politics, Theology, War | 3 Comments

Which Church Would You Rather Attend?

Posted on July 19, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

From the Wall Street Journal [“In Europe, God is (Not) Dead,” by Andrew Higgins]: Consider the scene on a recent Sunday at Stockholm’s Hedvig Eleonara Church, a parish of the Church of Sweden, a Lutheran institution that until 2000 was … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Current events, Ministry, United Methodism | 1 Comment

At War?

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Have you heard the saying – “America isn’t at war – America’s military is at war. America is at Walmart”? The implication is that we need to appropriate the World War 2 model of total war and mobilize the whole … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events | 1 Comment

Willow Creek Arts Conference

Posted on June 14, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

I’m a pastor of a small town church in the middle of nowhere (as far as conferences go). While I see dozens of theology, philosophy, ministry and leadership conferences I’d like to attend, my budget – time and money – … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Leadership, Ministry, Worship | Leave a comment

The Bishops are Seeking Leverage

Posted on May 23, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

In his Christian Chaos: Revolutionizing the Congregation Tom Bandy says, The primary link between congregation and denomination and denomination is pastoral relations, the key membership of the pastor is with the denominational judicatory, and the most powerful positions in congregation … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Current events, Leadership, Local church, Spirituality, Theology, United Methodism | 10 Comments

Cover Your Ears!

Posted on May 10, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

How do Christians decide who not to listen to? Which heresies, mistakes or habits take a person beyond the pale? I received a mailing from UM Action a few days ago complaining about homosexuals being put in charge of worship … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Leadership, Politics, Spirituality, Theology, United Methodism | 4 Comments

What’s Wrong with Men?

Posted on May 9, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Clearly something is wrong with men. Clue #1: In some areas of Muslim culture men have come to understand themselves as so susceptible to the evils of lust that women must be so covered up that they are indistinguishable from … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Leadership, Spirituality, Theology | 3 Comments