AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF USEFUL SITES
COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP
Theologically moderate, the CBF withdrew from the Southern Baptist Convention over philosophical and theological differences, such as the prohibition of women serving as pastors. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship claims approximately 1,900 partner churches. The CBF is involved with the Baptist Center for Ethics, Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, and the Baptist World Alliance. Its headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia
"We are a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice." - CBF Website
DISPATCHES FROM THE CULTURE WARS
A blog by Ed Brayton, commentator and speaker. While it is not a religious or Christian blog, it offers 'current affairs' links to articles pertaining to divisive culture war topics.
Ed is the co-founder and president of Michigan Citizens for Science.
ENERGION
This website is probably the most comprehensive Christian source of information regarding Moderate Christianity. Use it as a daily 'grab bag' of interesting articles, book reviews and perspectives on the faith.
"We need to be creative about how we understand the world, how we integrate Biblical ideas with daily life, and how we make our experience and theology work together so we can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ." - Henry Neufeld
CREATIVE THINKING ABOUT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
Also recommended is Henry Neufeld's publishing website Energion Publications. Go to their website and click the 11 minute video "Why Energion?".
ENERGION PUBLICATIONS
The video has a nice description the 'CHRISTIAN MIDDLE' and the possibility of having a deeper understanding of Christianity by considering ideas from many Christian schools of thought and movements. Henry's point is we can learn, get pulled to left and to the right, but stay Christ-centered and not get blown off-track, per Ephesians 4:14. We can absorb ideas and deepen our relationship with scripture and with Christ by reading the types of books he publishes.
"All of this study material comes together to help answer this problem of Ephesians 4:14... Addressing the broad Christian center. It's not about telling them what to believe, it's a matter of equipping them to study it out and to hear from the Lord, to find the answers that they need." Henry Neufeld
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." EPH 4:14 NIV
FAITHFUL AMERICA
Faithful America is an online community of tens of thousands of citizens motivated by faith to take action on the pressing moral issues of our time. We come from diverse faith traditions but share a unifying commitment: to restore community and uphold the common good in America and across the globe.
When we find the middle ground, Christ is there too and he is helping others.
FAITHFUL AMERICA - WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
GRACE TO FORGIVE
We don't know if this is 'moderate Christianity'. It's a good little site that promotes one of the foundational teachings of our faith. And it's got a quote by Conficius, which is worthy of note for a Christian website.
"This website introduces practical resources for congregations including a book on forgiveness as well as a new book designed to help train missional and transformational leaders.... Whatever your interests, may we all find the GRACE TO FORGIVE." -Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse.
HENRY'S THREADS
Thoughts on religion in the world from a moderate charismatic Christian. Henry runs the ENERGION PUBLICATIONS as well. It's a good, up-to-date blog with many insights, dicussions and links.
LIBERAL EVANGELICAL
Say what? Do they really exist? Yes, and this person's website is a testament to solid theology from a moderate perspective. It has thoughtful discussions, polls, great book reviews, web links and much more. Go there and stay there for a while."Perhaps no issue is more important to moderate Christians than the relationship between the claims of Christ and the claims of our culture. When we strike an intentionally moderate stance, we stand on the principle that Christ cannot be encapsulated in any political or cultural program. Thus we hold firm against any move to profess absolute loyalty to a party or ideology and reject calls to demonize those with whom we disagree."
Amen !
EMPOWERMENT FOR MODERATES
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for ecumenical cooperation among Christians in the United States. The NCC's member faith groups — from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches — include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation.
NEW DIMENSION WORSHIP CENTER
Pastor Carlton Pearson's journey is truly unique. He was featured on NPRs "This American Life" Episode "Heretics" and it is a real eye-opener about church politics and something called "The Gospel of Inclusion". Whether you agree with him or not, his revelation and conviction is undeniable and an inspiration to all those seeking a wider acceptance & application of the word of God and the teachings of Christ. He may not be everyone's idea of a 'Moderate'... but there is some theological common ground.
The Book - Gospel of Inclusion 2007
This American Life Episode "Heretics" Dec. 2005
"Reporter Russell Cobb takes us through the remarkable and meteoric rise of Carlton Pearson from a young man to a Pentecostal Bishop: from the moment he first cast the devil out of his 17-year-old girlfriend, to the days when he had a close, personal relationship with Oral Roberts and had appearances on TV and at the White House. Just as Reverend Pearson's career peaked, with more than 5,000 members of his congregation coming every week, he started to think about Hell, wondering if a loving God would really condemn most of the human race to burn and writhe in the fire of Hell for eternity." -from their website
THE FRIENDLIEST, TRENDIEST, MOST RADICALLY INCLUSIVE FAITH CONSCIOUSNESS
NINEVEH'S CROSSING
Common Ground exists between Christian's of all denominations. It has to, we are all believer's in salvation through Chirist, after all. When we act out our faith, we should always ask, "Does it look like Christ?". Does the manifestation of our salvation look like the love of Christ and the grace of God? Different Christian groups emphasize different aspects of Christ's teachings, but they all must look like Christ. This is where we find common ground, in the most important commandment as told be Christ himself: LOVE your God with all your heart, soul & mind AND love our neighbors as ourselves and as he loves us.
"An amazing ecumenical thing is happening just North of Detroit. The story begins with a large Evangelical Church in Troy, MI called Kensington Community Church. It is a non-denominational, Evangelical-Protestant church. In the Spring of 2006, at nearby St. Anastasia Catholic Church a "dialogue" was held before an SRO crowd where spokespersons for Catholicism and Protestantism presented talks on the differences between the two faith traditions. It was not a debate, but a respectful pairing of presentations about how Evangelical-Protestants' and Roman Catholics' understanding differs on the subjects of "Divine Revelation," "The Eucharist," and "Salvation."
The goals were:
- Through the work of the Holy Spirit, to see each other as brothers and sisters who love the Lord, Jesus.
- To shatter some misconceptions and have a more profound appreciation for who the others are and their love for our Lord.
- To begin serious dialogue. Arguing in love is a way to get at the truth about God.
- To lead the two groups to hold other events together, perhaps a prayer meeting.
- To increase understanding and remove fear."
The result of this and further meetings was a DVD, Book and other resources. The link below is to the COMMON GROUND webpage of Nineveh's Crossing site.
The STUDY GUIDE answers many questions about both Protestant & Catholic faiths and is a great resource for those seeking to strengthen our oneness in the body of Christ.
COMMON GROUND - WHAT PROTESTANTS & CATHOLICS CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER
PAULIST PRESS
This well-established publisher has extensive Christian writings and resources. An excellent source of material for furthering your faith. The link below takes you to the INTER RELIGIOUS section of their bookstore where you find many books that promote inter-faith dialogue.
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Ephesians 4:25
145 YEARS OF CATHOLIC PUBLISHING
Q IDEAS
The "Q" is a collaborative effort and convening place that invites Christian innovators, social entrepreneurs, entertainers, artists, church-shapers, futurists, scientists, educators, historians, environmentalists and everyday people doing extraordinary things to come together to learn and collaborate. It holds annual public forums, has published a best selling book and hosts an impressive website with fascinating multi-media content.
The "Q" vision is an interesting application of the idea that Christianity has the transformative potential to influence our contemporary culture in the same way it influenced the cultures of the earliest Christians. This may seem like a 'no-brainer' but, often we Christians attempt impose our values and beliefs upon society in a way that is neither transformative, nor effective.
In fact, studies show that secular young people overwhelmingly have negative perceptions of both Christians and the Church. Assuming we care about such things, "Q" asks the question, "Why is that and how can we change that perception?".
"Q" advocates "gospel-centered critical thinking and collaboration amongst church leaders to chart the future of the church in the West."
Q - CHRISTIANS CALLED TO REDEEM ENTIRE CULTURES
RELEVANT MAGAZINE
We're young, we're hip we have a totally awesome WEBSITE with news, current affairs, music, art, podcasts, multi-media, blogs, tweets, book reviews, film reviews, music, forums, t-shirts and more music. Plus we also have an actual MAGAZINE that you can actually receive in your mailbox. Is it tubular? Yes, it is.
RELEVANT - GOD. LIFE. PROGRESSIVE CULTURE.
THE RESURGENCE
If, for no other reason, visit this site just to see a very compelling use of the medium to draw in the Christian viewer. It is so slick, it's almost creepy. But, there is a cornicopia of ideas and sermons and tidbits to occupy your time.
REVIEWS AND RANTS
The dubious disciple is a blog by a self-professed 'liberal Christian'. Is it moderate Christianity? You be the judge. But, it is a great resource for book reviews and other musings. Frequent updates keep the content freshly baked and aromatic.
SAYINGS NOT FOUND SCRIPTURE
Off-topic, but interesting
SAYINGS NOT FOUND IN SCRIPTURE
SOJOURNERS
This is a well established online Journal and a subscription magazine. Started in 1971, it's mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world. Sojourners ministries grew out of the Sojourners Community, located in Southern Columbia Heights, an inner-city neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The community began at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, in the early 1970s when a handful of students began meeting to discuss the relationship between their faith and political issues.
SOJOURNERS - FAITH POLITICS CULTURE
SPEAKING OF FATIH
Hosted by Krista Tippett, this American Public Radio and podcast program is absolute quality. While not exclusively Christian, you might enjoy perpectives from other faiths and spritual stripes, can't hurt can it?
"What does it mean to be human? What matters in a life? What matters in a death? How to love? How to be of service to each other and to the world?
We explore these questions in all the variety, richness, and complexity with which they find expression in contemporary lives. We pursue wisdom and moral imagination as much as knowledge; we esteem nuance and poetry as much as fact.
Our guests as well as our radio listeners, podcasters, and readers span many traditions and the spectrum of devotion and agnosticism. We keep finding new ways to listen to them, and they keep teaching us where to go with this adventure"
Krista grew up in Oklahoma, the granddaughter of a Southern Baptist preacher. She studied history at Brown University and went to Bonn, West Germany in 1983 on a Fulbright Scholarship to study politics in Cold War Europe. In her 20s, she ended up in divided Berlin for most of the 1980s, first as The New York Timesstringer and a freelance correspondent for Newsweek, The International Herald Tribune, the BBC, and Die Zeit. She later became a special assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to West Germany.
SPEAKING OF FAITH - AMERICAN PUBLIC RADIO
STATE OF BELIEF RADIO & PODCAST
We like the idea of interfaith dialogue. Do we have more in common than not with other faiths? It's quite possible. Three of our big religions did come from the same God, afterall.
"Founded in 1994, The Interfaith Alliance has grown into a national grassroots organization of 150,000+ individuals of faith and goodwill drawn from more than 75 different religious traditions or beliefs with a cyber-network of 10,000 activists and 47 local alliances in 38 states. Dedicated to promoting mutual respect, cooperation and civility, The Interfaith Alliance strives to promote religion as a positive and healing force in the life of the nation."
RELGION AND RADIO DONE DIFFERNTLY
TRANSFORMING CHURCH
Tranforming Church website will be interesting to Pastors and church leaders looking to reorient their congregations and ministries for twenty-first century discipleship. The site boasts a variety of contributors and is oriented toward the "emergening" and "transformational" church paradigms. It is hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
"Our mission is to equip congregations to thrive in a changing world. It is this mission which directs the work of the Commission. Members of the Commission view congregational transformation as people passionately engaged, moving outside of the walls of their church and engaging their community, reaching the church homeless, moving people from membership to discipleship, creating channels for the Holy Spirit to work. The mark of transformation – changed people changing lives!" - The Great Commission Synod
It has a great "Resource Toolbox" for church leaders, but the newletter articles are also very interesting. They offer insights from church leaders mostly related to experiences, revelations and challenges of shepherding the flock.
WOODLAND HILLS CHURCH
This Evangelical church in St. Paul Minnesota has an interesting history. I discovered it through an interview with it's pastor, Greg Boyd, on CNN's Documentary "God's Warriors". It's message is clear "put down the sword and pick up the cross" so we can do wonderful things for the world through Christ.
Vision Statement: To be a community of spiritually empowered people
Who reflect God's love and advance God's Kingdom in St. Paul and the surrounding area, And to the world as the Lord leads, Working hand in hand with other expressions of the body of Christ, Until all have reached fullness in Christ.
They also has a fantastic weekly podcast & archive. Listen every week through itunes.
Greg Boyd has a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy, a Masters in Divinity and a PHD from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has written many books. One of the best ones is "Letters from a Skeptic".
Online Essay - "Why is America Becoming More Politically Divided?"
PASTOR GREG BOYD MINISTRY LINK
VIA MEDIA DALLAS
This is a nice dicsussion of what exactly is a Christian Moderate. It's nice when someone admits that they don't have all the answers and is open to the 'mysteries of God'.
A CHRISTIAN MODERATE IS NOT SOMEONE WHO IS MODERATELY CHRISTIAN
VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL
Sensus fidelium anyone? Keep the faith, change the church. The the Church is the people.
"Voice of the Faithful is a lay organization of faithful Catholics, who organized in 2002 as a response to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. We started in the basement of a church in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and have since expanded worldwide with more than 30,000 members. Our Mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. " -website