Evangelical Boomers struggling with strange fixation

A Gallup poll this month reveals a silent buzz kill among aging Evangelical Boomers. More than 47 percent of male evangelicals suffer from a form of Amy Grant fixation. Recovery and support groups have formed in many Amy Grantlarger cities, spurred by a recent confession on national radio by Focus on the Family founder James Dobson that a lingering attachment to “The Queen of Christian Pop” caused him to step down from his organization. “It’s my secret shame,” he admitted. Grant retained her fans even after “crossing over” from gospel into mainstream pop music in the mid-1980s, and through a divorce and remarriage. At that point for many, the attachment was forced out of their conscious mind, but remained as a subliminal, ever-present threat to spiritual equilibrium. According to counselor Steve Broadman of the Manville Institute of Gospel Music and Psychology, the problem impacts marriages, families and even churches. “It’s very difficult for some to sing along with an Amy Grant song during a worship service and simultaneously try to forget how very hot she is,” he explained.

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‘Pastors Without Boundaries’ ends ministry

It was a sad day at Pastors Without Boundaries headquarters in New York, as the renowned non-profit ended its 30-year worldwide ministry Sept. 1. Pastors Without BoundariesOriginally bustling with dedicated workaholic chaplains and ministers, the staff had dwindled to just two, and they left last week. “I suppose requests kept coming in from other worthy causes, and they felt they just couldn’t say no,” said former president Fred Maples. “That’s one of the things that brought us together in the first place, and…actually, um, I’d really like to tell you more about it, but I’m watching my neighbor’s three dogs for the weekend and it’s time for their walk, then I’m mentoring at the community center at 3 p.m. Can I just text you later?”

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Rick Perry Devotional: You’ll never know I was there

“Before honor comes humility” (Proverbs 15:33).  When I announced my run for president, I promised to “work every day to try to make Washington, D.C., as inconsequential in your life as I can.”

Prayer Time With Perry

Prayer Time With Perry

And I can do it. Just look at my record. For more than a decade I worked to make the governor’s office  inconsequential to Texans. Most of my fellow Texans had never heard of me before this summer. It was all “George Bush this” and “George Bush that.”  Washington needs to be humble, like me. I will do so little, generate so much inertia and numbing indifference, leave so little trace of my influence, that after my first term the whole country will wake refreshed, as if after a satisfying nap. But I WILL probably carve my initials somewhere in the Oval Office. For posterity’s sake.

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“Western heritage’ gets new twist at Cowboys & Aliens church

Many in this congregation have never set a booted foot inside a church before. Others are relatively new to our planet. That’s the way Ed Stearns likes it. He’s pastor of the new Cowboys & AliensCowboys & Aliens Church on the outskirts of DeLeon, Texas. “With the usual  ‘western heritage’ church, you’re serving people who have virtually no ‘church’ background,” he said. “It’s the same with these folks, but in spades. We’ve gotten some criticism as we try to reach out this newer demographic, and we’ve had to make some adjustments.”  Instead of a coffee-and-donut morning fellowship, the church has a “seniors scramble,” in which the older, slower members are lassoed and strung up from the rafters of the barn-like building. “We’ve actually had the most push-back about the horse trough baptistry filled with ectoplasmic slime,” Stearns admitted. Worship times are 10 a.m. and noon at 347 County Line Rd, DeLeon, TX.

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Rick Perry Devotional: I am not Jesus, I am second

Editor’s Note: Gov. Perry is our guest devotional writer.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good” (Psalm 107:1).  I’m bubbling over with Prayer Time With Perrythanksgiving today, and a little bit humbled. Evangelist Rick Scarborough and his Vision America “Patriot Pastor” coalition– all 20,000 of ’em– are gonna endorse me for President. American Family Association founder Don Wildmon and Left Behind author Tim LaHaye are on the advisory board–all the best kind of folks. Bro. Rick did have one hesitation, though.  If you can believe the media, Rick said: “That’s not to say Rick Perry is Jesus, because he is not.”  Now, I’ve been mistaken for the Savior many times along the campaign trail, and I always have to stop and explain that I’m not the savior of the world, just the savior of America. Big difference. Big.

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