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Pages & Content appear exactly as they did in  This  New Testament when Published

XOFC is please to Welcome you to the Pastor's Corner, a place where Pastors can share, learn, and ask questions. 

Although this is a section for Pastors, it is also intended for laymen.

 XOFC is pro-pastor. What that means is that if you a Pastor who believes both in Christian love and in Christian Truth, and if you want to truly be a leader (instead of just having a "title"), and if you want to assist your congregation in their own spiritual walk with God, then you have come to the right place. 

We know that the job of good pastors and sincerely committed pastors and church leaders is very difficult. We also know that it is made more difficult - often - by other Pastors who are Not committed to truth. 

We hope to be a place that will encourage Pastors in their own walk with the Lord, and assist them with tools and resources as they lead their congregations - with the help of God - into truth and a Mature Christian Faith that can withstand the challenges of today. 

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Why are Christians losing America?

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Results of Weak Preaching ?

Study: Christian Teens Theologically Shallow

By AFA Journal



(AgapePress) - Ap 28/05 -  Results from a recent survey conducted by a North Carolina researcher reveal that the majority of America's youth believe in God, yet there is a shallowness in their religious knowledge, and they have difficulty expressing their faith.

Christian Smith, a sociologist at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led 133 researchers and consultants in conducting a project that involved telephone surveys of 3,370 English- and Spanish-speaking Americans and face-to-face interviews with 267 of the participants -- all ages 13 to 17. Protracted funding will allow the researchers to track these young people through 2007.

Thus far, telephone surveys reveal that young people have a broad fondness for religion, although their religious knowledge is labeled as "meager, nebulous and often fallacious" as found through the personal interview portion of the study.

In other words, teens were unable to coherently express their beliefs and the impact of faith on their lives. In addition, many participants appeared so separated from the traditions of their faith that they viewed God as a feel-good problem solver who merely existed for that purpose. There were no indications of an absolute, truth-based theology among the teens.

"God is something like a combination Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist who is available when needed," Smith wrote in his new book titled Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, co-authored with Melinda Lundquist Denton.

htp://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/4/282005g.asp

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Background to the Church Growth Movement

by Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

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When We Talk About Heresy, Let's Be Honest

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Theological Seminary President Takes Early Leave After Lesbian Marriage Controversy

Christian Post - Apr 04/05 - The president of an Reformed Church-affiliated Seminary left his position three months early partly because of his involvement with a gay wedding ceremony last year.

The Rev. Norman Kansfield, 64, officially ended his services to the Brunswick Theological seminary on March 28 -- three months ahead of his scheduled leave.

Kansfield, was asked to leave in February after performing the wedding ceremony of his daughter and another woman in Massachusetts last June, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The board of Trustees voted on Jan. 28 not to renew Kansfield's contract for the next academic year and in early March Kansfield was informed that he must leave the day after Easter.

"We decided that the president had put the seminary in an awkward position by performing that ceremony without giving us the benefit of offering sufficient counsel," the Rev. Larry Williams Sr., a board member.

"It could have hurt the school if it divided people in our student body, if it divided our faculty, if it divided other people who support us," Williams said.

But the early resignation was not a "firing", according to comments made by a trustee member to the Ledger Online, and was unrelated to Kansfield's role in the controversial ceremony.

The Reformed Church in America's roots date to Dutch settlers who arrived in America 400 years ago. It is one of the more conservative denominations in the National Council of Churches.

Unlike its fellow Protestant churches - such as Episcopalians and Methodists - the church has not had high-profile controversies over homosexuality.

Kansfield, having said he has had close gay friends since high school and his early days as a minister in Queens, said he had not done anything to hurt his denomination.

"People presume I have been on a crusade," he said. "In point of fact, I'm a conservative theologian. I would not do anything that goes against the church."

Full Story Here

Psychological Manipulation: Do Rick Warren/Purpose Driven Churches use the Delphi Technique to take Control ?

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The Pastoral Orientation of XOFC

Over the years of this ministry, We have come face to face with one constant fact: Most Pastors are Not Pastoring and Most Pastors have abandoned their congregations.  

More Here 

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What's the Big Deal about Dads?

We know that when kids grow up without a dad involved, a committed and responsible father in their lives, they're at greater risk for a whole host of negative outcomes. We know they are more likely to fail at school, to have emotional behavioral problems, to drop out of school, and to get involved in drugs and alcohol abuse. If they are boys, they're more likely to engage in criminal activity as juveniles. If they are girls, they're more likely to engage in early and promiscuous sexual activity. For both boys and girls, as adolescents they're more likely to commit suicide. It seems that in almost any measure you can imagine, kids who grow up without a positive, actively involved father in their lives are at greater risk of poor outcomes.

Moms and dads do things differently. We think that moms and dads ought to be interchangeable. We know, for example, that fathers are much more likely to be physical with their kids. They're more likely to get on the floor and wrestle with them. Moms are more likely to verbally stimulate their kids, to spend more time talking with them. We also know that fathers are more likely to encourage risk-taking and moms are more likely to encourage caution. Just go to any playground in America and watch the way that moms and dads interact with their kids on the jungle bar. What you'll see is a dad who will say, "Keep going. Keep going. You're almost at the top" You'll see a mom saying, "Hey, be careful. Be careful"

Now, it's not that one is doing it right and the other one's doing it wrong. Kids need both. They need somebody to wrestle with them on the floor, because that helps teach self-control. They also need a mom who stimulates them with language, because that helps them with language development. We don't want a nation of foolish risk-takers. We want a nation of cautious risk-takers. So, lucky is the child who has both a mom and a dad, because of the complementary attributes that they bring to the parenting equation.

The news is not good when large numbers of children are growing up disconnected from their fathers. It's not that every child who grows up in a fatherless household is going to have these kinds of difficulties. But it is true that there's an increased risk of these negative outcomes when kids grow up without fathers.

When you only have a few fatherless children in the community, they have lots of other role models to understand what fatherhood is all about and what good manhood is all about. They also have good men around to teach them the kinds of skills that keep them out of trouble. The problem in today's world is that it's not just that a few kids are growing up fatherless. We have always had some kids who were fatherless. The problem today is that there are so many children in so many communities growing up without fathers. In some communities there are very, very few good role models of what a good father is and does. That's the problem today. That's why today's problem of fatherlessness is so much different than what we've seen before. The scope is so much greater than it has been in the past.

Full story Here

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SEMINARIES: Texas High Court Agrees to Hear Critical Church-State Case

(AgapePress) - Dec 8/04 - The Texas Supreme Court has decided to hear a case which will determine whether seminaries in the state will be regulated by the government.

The case is known as The HEB Ministries, Inc., et al. v. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, et al. It began in 1998 when Tyndale Theological Seminary, operated by HEB Ministries, was fined $173,000 by the state for operating as a seminary and issuing theological degrees without a license from the state. Tyndale and two other Texas seminaries -- Hispanic Bible Institute of San Antonio and Southern Bible Institute in Dallas -- filed a lawsuit, arguing that government attempts to control the religious training of future clergy members are unconstitutional. Under current state law, no seminary is allowed to exist unless its board, curriculum, and professors are approved by the state.

Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel for Liberty Legal Institute in Plano, says the outcome of the case -- which he describes as "one of the most important church-state cases to ever come before the Texas Supreme Court" -- could conflict with a right guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

Full Story Here

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Teenagers & Homosexuality: A Biblical Response

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Called to the Closet: God's Heart for Gay and Lesbian Youths
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GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL GRACE: BE PATIENT !

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What New Pastors are Saying

"If Paul did have sexual feelings toward Christ, it has for centuries escaped the notice of mainline theologians. But in the Christology of Goss, Paul was not alone when it came to lusting after Jesus. Goss wants to out Christ's intimate relations not only with Mary Magdalene but also with Lazarus -- whom Goss believes is the mysterious "beloved disciple" often alluded to in the New Testament."

Full Story Here

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Imprisoned pastor fears for life
Tells relatives in brief visit: 'Just come and pick up my corpse'

A Christian pastor imprisoned by the Chinese government fears if he is not transferred to another detention facility he will die in custody.

Pastor Gong Shengliang, the leader of the South China Church, had a brief 10-minute visit with relatives this week in Hongshan Prison, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, reported Voice of the Martyrs, which monitors Christian persecution worldwide.

Full story Here

We Offer a Chinese-English  N.T.

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AUSTRALIAN PASTORS & ISLAM: Facing Prison Time

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News about ISLAM

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Pastors Falling Down ?

More than half of American Christian men questioned in a survey were only marginally satisfied with their church experience, and most ranked family, money and health as more important than spirituality [????], according to a study released Wednesday by the Ecumenical group Promise Keepers. The survey also found that most of the respondents did not feel spiritually challenged.

The study, conducted by California-based Barna Research Group, surveyed 415 randomly selected men in six major cities who considered themselves "committed born again Christians" or "active church members."

Based on Full Story

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What we wrote about Pastors in the Book Section 

- Were we Wrong ??? -

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MOVIE (MAY 28/04) OVERTLY MOCKS CHRISTIAN FAITH

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A moment of Bravery

We are happy that Pastors ARE coming here, visiting this site, recommending it, and emailing us. We encourage you to keep doing this. But what we also want to ask is that you would consider supporting us.

You know the problem: Our ministry is an Inter-denominational ministry. If you look at what we teach, what we recommend, it is easy for Pastors to tell where we stand. But is hard for us to get denominational support. And there is so much more material that we WANT to bring you. We could easily double or tripple the size of this website...to continue to help those with more questions. 

We are visited by THOUSANDS of people every week. Your contribution, either from you or from your church board - would help a great deal. 

You  - and the fact that you come here - is our Greatest Endorsement. There are books that we want to bring to the public, that are awesome works.

There is so much information that we don't post, because we just don't have the funds to be able to do that (paying editors/buying computer equipment). 

You could designate the use of your funds in an email to us

(to be used for research or to be used for computers, etc)

You think that a ministry like ours must have such great resources. No we only WISH that this were the case. 

Your $ 10.00 or $ 20.00 would move the World for us. 

The Old Help XOFC Page

For questions or comments, we can be reached at:

xofcbooks2@yahoo.com

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News Stories affecting Pastors & Leaders

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Rick Warren - What you need to know


http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/warren/

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The Church Growth Movement
An Analysis of Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven" Church Growth Strategy
by Dennis Costella


http://www.feasite.org/Foundation/fbcsdlbk.htm 

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Billy Graham, the Pope, and the Bible

http://www.feasite.org/Foundation/fbcbillg.htm

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The Truth About The World Council Of Churches (WCC)

http://www.feasite.org/Tracts/fbcwcc.htm 
 

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The

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)

The Cup of the Lord or the Cup of Devils ?


http://www.feasite.org/Tracts/fbcwcc1986.htm 
 

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College Students In Pain

African clergy reject 'gay' funds


Most African Church leaders have condemned Robinson's appointment.  Africa's Anglican bishops have resolved to stop receiving donations from western congregations which support the ordination of gay bishops 

Full Story here

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God doing a New Thing Among United Methodist Gay & Lesbian Clergy ????

Occultists Organize - Conference of Astrologers

SBC - The Godmakers: A Review Article

The Pope, Indulgences, and Jesus Christ

Oregon's Benton County joins Multnomah in licensing same-sex marriages

related topic

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Methodist Publisher Predicts Lesbian Pastor Will Be Found Guilty
-- Karen Dammann's Case Goes to Trial This Week on Charges of Violating Church Law

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Courage under Fire

Montana Minister Challenges Darwinist Monopoly in Local Schools

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WICCA (Witchcraft)

NEW YORK — Witches are big draws at the box office, on TV — and apparently on college campuses.

While Harry Potter wards off calamity with a flick of his wand, hundreds of students nationwide are casting more than the occasional love spell, as they identify Wicca and other pagan practices as their official religion.

Full story:  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,72791,00.html 

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Seismic shift ? Leaders call for new youth ministry model
Feb 16, 2004

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--Concerned that the late-20th century model of youth ministry is flawed, a group of prominent youth leaders has issued a call for a new model that could lead to a seismic shift in church youth ministry philosophy, training and leadership

Full story: http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=17648 

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Upholding the Importance of Fathers

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'Gay marriage' is not about 'rights'

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[ Honest moments ]

Quote of the decade

What the Wiccans say...about their World System

 We need all of the wisdom and truth that these religio-magical systems have for us. The images and practices they use represents unique knowledge of the human psyche and of the universe, and of the flow of energy and life throughout. That’s the second reason to publish the “secrets” of this Magic From Mexico now: we must invoke the powers and blessings of the Goddess in order to meet the severe challenges of our moment in history.

Will we bring forth a New Age, or will the poisons of the dying age smother the achievements of our civilization that should be the heritage of tomorrow’s children ?

A “New Order of the Ages” must be called forth ! 

Incantation to the Goddess  follows

Carl Llewellyn Weschke in Introduction to Magic from Mexico - @ 2000 Llewellyn Publications

from Carl Llewellyn Weschke, Publisher of the WICCA (witchcraft) books of Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publishing & Publications, one of the largest occult publishing companies in the world.

These books are among the most read books in society these days. As a Pastor, what is your response to them ?

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Multiple Sexual Partners Among U.S. Adolescents
And Young Adults

How does Your Church address these Problems ?

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March 04

(AgapePress) - Lawyers for a pro-family ministry are launching several court challenges in an effort to curb the tide of illegal homosexual "marriages."

Upholding the Rule of Law a Monumental Task for Christian Legal Groups

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Full story at: http://www.cbn.com/CBNNews/News/031119a.asp 

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School bans Harry Potter (2000)

A primary school head teacher is banning pupils from reading the best-selling Harry Potter children's books because she says they go against the Bible's teachings.

Story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/693779.stm 

THE CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT - PART 1 



Philosophies Of The New Age In The Church Growth Movement - PART 2 



World Business: Chaldeans of The New Age - PART 3

Tough Times = Tough Choices ?

A.F.A forms Alliance - call to Action

The Church is called to be salt and light. Christ's command to preach the gospel and make disciples remains our primary mission. But for too long the church has been silent on critical moral and social issues. It can be silent no longer! We must begin to restore the foundations which our forefathers laid. And, for the sake of our children, we must begin now.

I have established a goal to form a coalition of 50,000 pastors who will take action on issues that contradict God's Word and negatively impact our families.

How Long will you sit by and do nothing ?

It is your ministry that is under attack 

It is your Church that is under attack 

It is your Community that is under attack 

It is your YOUTH that is under attack 

It is your Future that is under attack 

Now if we are wrong, then why don't you sit down and tell us why ? 

How will the responsibility that God calls Pastors to fulfill Not Crush them, if they fail to do what He has called them to do ?

If none of this applies to you, because you are already

acting appropriately, then that is good. But if you are sitting on the sidelines, you know who you are.

Some Pastors are waiting for the Cavalry to arrive. 

The news is: YOU are the Cavalry, and God has Called YOU to help and stand up. 

Evil is being separated from Good

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PRAGMATIC Steps to Take: A Note To Pastors

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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baptist Campus Paper Backs Same-Sex 'Marriages'

(AgapePress) - The student newspaper at the largest Baptist university in the world has endorsed homosexual "marriage."

Full story Here

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Strident ISLAM Taking over Morroco:

Tipping point of terror

Morocco has always prided itself on being the liberal face of Islam, but that was before the men in beards took control of the big city slums. And before the suicide bombing in Madrid...

The fear of an Islamic-style insurgency first properly entered the public imagination in Morocco a few years ago, when reports from Casablanca confirmed that disparate but organised Islamist factions, under the influence of possibly Algerian or Saudi-financed groups, were taking control of the slums and shanty towns.

Full Story here

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FYI: We Encourage Feedback & Email from Pastors, 

Youth Pastors, & Church Workers

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Evil is being separated from Good 

The Idea that you can stay neutral and not have consequences

is a myth, designed to lure you into complacency. 

the fact is that Evil will make sure...that you are compelled

to either agree in the wrong way, or stand for what is right

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February 14,2004

A U.K. preacher who held up a sign in a town square calling for an end to homosexuality, lesbianism and immorality was "properly convicted" of a criminal offense, an appeals court has ruled.

full story at: http://www.religionjournal.com/showbrief.asp?id=1150 

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Pastors who are confused are Pastors that have

not studied the Word enough. Still confused ?

EMail us at xofcbooks7@yahoo.com 

Several Pastors have emailed us, just to discuss things. 

We appreciate it, we pray for them, we discuss, and we try to be 

helpful. So keep us in prayer. 

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Gay Behavior Becoming More Common in High Schools
Some adolescents confused about their sexual identity.

Overtly gay behavior is becoming more common in American schools.

So are classroom discussions about gay issues.

This year, for the first time, a curriculum guide written by a gay-rights group is being used in public schools to teach children about same-sex marriage.

The guide, written by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, was released in September. It is accessible to teachers on the group's Web site.

The number of schools that use the material is not known, but usage apparently is growing.

"These guys are in the high schools in Massachusetts as we speak, and they are proselytizing the kids in a huge way," Brian Camenker, president of the Massachusetts-based Parents' Rights Coalition, told Cybercast News Service.

Full story at: http://www.religionjournal.com/showarticle.asp?id=1134 

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Baptist board stops endorsing female chaplains.

Southern Baptists will stop endorsing women for chaplaincy positions that require a "fully qualified member of the clergy" or that have a "role or function similar to that of a pastor."

Full Story at: http://www.religionjournal.com/showbrief.asp?id=1137 

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Law soon to restrict religious conversions, says minister

Sri Lanka will introduce a law restricting conversions due to alleged proselytising by Christian groups, including groups rebuilding the island, a minister said on Saturday.

The move comes amid an outpouring of sympathy after the death of Ven. Gangodavila Soma Thera known for his campaign against conversions to Christianity.

Hindu Religious Affairs Minister T. Maheswaran, said the government would back a law punishing people who use "inducements" for conversions. "Over 7,000 Hindu families have been converted to Christianity in the northeast and the central provinces in the last 10 years," Maheswaran told reporters on a visit to Madras.

"The pace of conversions has stepped up in recent months as international relief agencies involved in reconstruction work in the war-ravaged Tamil areas have been putting up churches as well to lure the people impoverished by the strife into Christianity," he alleged. - AFP

Monday, 29 December 2003

source at: http://www.dailynews.lk/2003/12/29/new13.html

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Politically Correct Pastors

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Pretending to offer Help ?

A survey found that 55 percent of churches that were called didn't have a person answering the phone, and 19 percent didn't have a person or a recorded message. Researchers, who called 3,400 churches, concluded that churches generally fail their callers, who might want information or need help.

Sad story at: http://www.religionjournal.com/showbrief.asp?id=1142 

(Please note: If you church is too small or lacks the resources, that is a different matter. But that is not the case for most of these churches.)

"If ministry is based on relationships and interaction, then many churches might find it easier to penetrate the community if they were more accessible to the people who are showing an interest in the church."

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Winter/Spring Report 2004

We are starting this section a bit before we had officially planned to. But all things are in God's timing. Please continue to pray for XOFC, and be aware that we welcome your comments and input. 

We have appreciated the discussions and conversations we have had with the pastors who have emailed us. Some pastors write to us and update us on their situations, some request information, a few voice concerns or disagreement. We are always happy to hear from Pastors, whether they agree with us or not. 

We know that Pastors must continue to decide to consciously be different from many of the "Models" of leadership that are out there, because those are not so successful - after all. That's right: the models of leadership advocated these days in Evangelical magazines and journals is a dismal failure. We say that because - according to Josh McDowell - 93% of Teenagers who consider themselves Born Again, and who are regular attenders of Church, are planning - as soon as they leave the home - to NEVER come back to Church again. 

How much closer to "Dismal failure" could one get ? Most of these experts have experience with secular short-term marketing techniques, and know very little about how to help people achieve personal authenticity and the connection to God that this up and coming generation so desperately needs. 

We hope that Pastors will make personal commitments to read more, and encourage their staff to read more. Thinking and problem-solving requires a good deal of time to think. Most of the books sold by standard Evangelical bookstores - are geared toward "Fad Marketing Trends". That distinctly sounds like an absence of deep spiritual growth. 

We recommend older books - usually - because we have found that those old Christians knew how to have very deep relationships with God, and a very strong spiritual life, that gave them the courage, the knowledge, and the focus of a personal life far more deeply committed to God than we are seeing in the Evangelical community - As a rule. 

We pray for the Pastors that read this and for the pastors that we interact with. We have received a good amount of additional questions on the KJV issues and other leadership concerns, and we hope to address more of those issues in the next year. There is a great deal of material that needs to be upload and posted here - which is what we will be doing. 

Please also pray for us as we consider  adding a woman's section to this site. Women - demographically speaking - buy more books among Evangelical protestants - by a factor of about  3 to 1. That is unfortunate if this means that it is women who are doing most of the learning instead of Men. 

Watching Football game may be fun, but often - it isn't helping the family very much. If husbands were able to personally instruct their wives - from the Bible - how those women could find greater strength and encouragement through the Bible for themselves, it would strengthen their marriage, encourage the men to lead, and help women learn to look to God for their strength and not solely to their husbands. We hope to help Pastors address the issue of how to wisely provoke men in their Church to strong leadership in their home, through encouragement, example and resources in the coming year.

We are committed to strengthening the Church in all ways possible, and we welcome your ideas and input. If you appreciate some of what you see here, then thank the Lord and thank those who came before you - who wrote questions and gave us suggestions about information that they needed and were looking for. 

On a totally different note, we take this occasion to say that we hope that you will take a public stand in favor of Israel and its right to exist, on its historic lands. If you do not speak up for Israel, then why should God speak up or defend you, your environment, your church or your community ? This world is much smaller than it used to be. 

We also hope that - in your moments of prosperity, that you will continue to please remember to support the Christians around the world. We will be adding material on opressed and persecuted Christian communities around the world to our site. The reason is that American Christians are one of the very few groups that can actually affect the choices made - by governments around the world - about how much those governments persecute and harm Christians. Therefore the few words that you say to your congregations about these matters (and what they can do to help other Christians around the world) carry very strong implications for the Body of Christ that is not fortunate enough to enjoy the freedoms that you enjoy. 

Further, discussing these matters lets your community know that you have a true and genuine concern about Human Rights, and helps to highlight the natural compassion of the Christian communities. It is not enough to be concerned in our hearts. We must state this concern directly to those we can have an impact on. These matters are a good reminder to those in the congregation that what happens in other nations could happen here also. If you do not speak out when you can, the time may come when you are not able to speak out at all. We know that the Lord will guide you as you truly seek to speak on behalf of many who are today prevented from speaking out. 

We would urge you to remember the Christian communities in Egypt, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are under a very constant physical threat, on a daily basis, both from their governments and from those who are hostile to the message of love, kindness and eternal hope. 

Finally, dare we say it, we hope you will remember us as well. This ministry handles hundreds of emails every year, and thousands upon thousands have visited this site. However, to survive, it is true that we do need your support. We are a volunteer ministry supported mainly from a very few individual laymen (though we have guidance on many levels - PTL). There were many many obstacles to this ministry even existing. The $ 15.00 a month that you or your church could contribute to us - would for us - be much closer to the value of $ 150.00.

Every dollar that we receive, we try to use in the best way possible. Remember that this is a global ministry. We receive email from Latin America, from Africa, Egypt, India, Singapore, and from Western and Eastern Europe on a regular and constant basis. We receive mail from Eastern Orthodox of almost every sub-group within the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as from Catholics and Protestant Evangelicals.  We would love to be able to provide more answers, more choices, more books, and more PDF files to be downloaded, than what we have so far done. Some days, we don't even have stamps to send out letters. Our small volunteer staff works 10 to 14 hour days, but we know that Pastors do this as well. 

Some times our books do cost a bit more than other books. This is not only because the cost of providing them is so expensive, but it is also because we use the small amount of funds generated to keep this ministry going.  We would respectfully urge you to consider passing the word on to other pastors - that we are here, and may we also urge you to think about adopting us as an outreach of your own congregations. 

We receive a good amount of mail from young Christians, and we hope to provide them with truthfull, honest, realistic and historic information about the Christian Church and the Bible. There are many books on the subject, but not many good ones that give the history of the Protestant Church around the world. With your help, we are making a difference. You help to make a difference through us, and through your prayers for us, which we certainly need.

We are working on other pages and articles to add to this section, and we have been for several months. We will be bringing these online here soon. As with the rest of this site, this section will start small and continue to expand. 

In Christ, 

XOFC

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About The Books we Offer

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The Next Generation

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The Best way to help us - whether you agree with us or not -  is by praying for our ministry: Have the courage to stand with us in Prayer: Lord thank you that I am able to learn more about you. Thank you for saving me and continue to help me to not take that for granted. I pray that you would help the team of people who established and are working on this website, and who are trying to help others to understand your love and kindness. I pray that you would give them great spiritual discernment, to know how to have the wisdom to communicate the gospel in truth and love without sacrificing accuracy in the process. I pray that you would continue to help them communicate the truth that only by going through Jesus Christ alone and no one else - can anyone be truly reconciled to God....I pray that even if I do not have much time, that you would send to them spiritually strong and aware Christians who will pray for their ministry regularly and often, and that their impact would be glorifying to you... I pray that you would protect them spiritually and continue to meet their needs and concerns, so that they would be able to continue to help others. Give them the knowledge, the information, the resources and the wisdom and discernment which they need.  Please bless their work and encourage them spiritually and help them to continue to be strong and to Want to follow you. I thank you for your goodness and ask all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  Thank you for praying for us. We greatly appreciate it. We will be posting this in quite a few places on our website, since not everyone visits the same pages or topics. The more people pray for us, the more that we can do to help others.

Matt 24: 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Evil is being separated from Good

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A Pastor should not expect any member of his congregation to be braver than he is, and in the American tradition, leadership is by example. Successful leaders are those who lead by taking the risks, or at least taking as many risks as they ask of those they lead.

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First the Anglicans, now the

United Methodist Church

UMC Next in Line to Address Homosexual Clergy Issue

Dammann told United Methodist News Service last month that she is prepared for the trial. "The case has become much bigger than me now, and I hope it will give the church an opportunity to grow," she said. "The ultimate act of trying someone for being gay is bound to shake the tree -- I hope in the direction of inclusiveness."

Full Story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/62004c.asp 

Start Praying !!!

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Pray for Takhir Talipov, Baptist Minister on Trial for witnessing

Trial Starts January 20 in Russia

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How to Abandon Historic Christianity in Ten Easy Lessons

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Are You a Calvinist?

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Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World

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Study Finds Suburban and Urban Youth Equally At Risk From Wrong Choices

 Full Story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/32004g.asp 

- Feb 2004 - 

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Woe to Those Who Don't Say 'Whoa!' to Apostasy 

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/252003b.asp 

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Under Egyptian law,  any children will be treated as Muslims, and educated as such at school, and converts will have to be buried as Muslims.

The Other side of the coin:

When Standing up for truth means being declared an Apostate

apostasy law in the world today

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DECLARATION ISSUED BY CATHOLIC-MUSLIM JOINT COMMITTEE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2004 (VIS) - The Joint Committee of the Permanent Committee of al-Azhar for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which held its annual meeting this year in the Vatican on February 24-25, 2004, issued a common declaration today, signed by Sheikh Fawzi al-Zafzaf, president of the Permament Committee of al-Azhar and by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the pontifical council.

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Presbyterian Clergy, Laity Unsure if Jesus is 'The Way'
full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/252003a.asp 

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Most Christians Lack Biblical Worldview

A Christian researcher is trying to help believers develop and apply a biblical perspective in their daily lives

Barna says the Church in America is largely ineffective because most believers have not adopted a biblical worldview.

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/152003d.asp 

Note: This kind of makes you wonder...what pastors have been doing or preaching (???)

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There's Danger in Missing God's Message
Anne Graham Lotz Cautions Baptist Evangelists

"Repent of your sin because judgment is coming. Putting it another way: Jesus is coming."

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/162003b.asp 

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South Dakota Businessman Supportive of Gideons in Schools

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/282003c.asp 

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UNIVERSALISM

Preacher Remains Defiant in his Heretical Religious Views
full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/afa/122003b.asp 

RE: Carlton Pearson

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Semiramis : Babylonian queen

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Life Long Learning

A Christian educator is calling on  churches and families to begin protecting children from the decline and decay of our culture by committing to "Kingdom education" -- a lifelong, Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading a child to Christ, as well as discipling and equipping him or her to serve Christ.

Gamble says the majority of Christian young people attending public schools are unable to articulate a Christian worldview, and are being affected by the secular culture more than they are affecting it.

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/212003f.asp 

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Are You Ready ?

Prophecy Expert: Scripture Foretells Europe's Rise as America Declines

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A Much-Needed Tool for Evangelism

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First Amendment Defenders Win Suit For High School Bible Club

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/252003d.asp 

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'Ten Commandments' Judge Has No Regrets
full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/142003a.asp 

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UK - Promiscuity takes its toll

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AMC Theatres Boycott Baptists

...The Baptist General Convention of Texas says AMC Theatres are refusing to accept a 30-second ad timed to coincide with the Ash Wednesday opening of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. The ad opens with a young man asking, "You want to see the most scandalous story ever?" Words then flash on the screen: "Betrayal. Sin. Adultery. Greed. Envy. Weakness. Poverty. Torture. Murder." The actor then says, "Redemption." The black-and-white ad ends with the message, "Now playing at a Baptist church near you." The Baptist convention's Becky Bridges says AMC officials described the ad as "too dark" and "too Christian." But she says, "We followed all their regulations: not using Jesus, Bible or any other overt God talk." Bridges adds that they also avoided using religious symbols "or other things that might appear to be judgmental or proselytizing." [AP]

Source: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/2/42004h.asp 

- February 2004 -

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A federal district court in Atlanta sided with a church

 which had been denied a building permit to build a facility in Henry County, Georgia.

Full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/172003a.asp 

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Vietnamese Police Arrest Christians For Passing Out Tracts
December 2003

full story at: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/112003b.asp 

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Disney Boycott ?

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the lesser of evils is evil still

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Redux:

The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 - Rewritten in Modern English

KJV NEWSWATCH

KEY LEGAL CASES INVOLVING FREE SPEECH and the FIRST AMENDMENT 

(TO U.S. Bill of Rights, Rights that ALL American Citizens have)

Hague v. C.I.O., 307 U.S. 496 (1939).
The United States Supreme Court held that citizens have a "guaranteed access" to streets, parks, and other "traditional public forum." The privilege to use the streets and parks for communication of views may be regulated in the best interests of all, but it must not, under the guise of regulation, be abridged or denied. Mere inconvenience to the government will not outweigh free speech interests. The government must use the least restrictive means of achieving legitimate, content neutral objectives. 


Schneider v. State, 308 U.S. 147 (1939). The United States Supreme Court did not allow cities to completely forbid leaflet distribution in order to prevent littering. The objective of keeping the streets clean does not outweigh the right to distribute literature in public. 


Freedman v. Maryland, 380 U.S. 51 (1965). Public officials may not be given overly broad discretion to grant or deny permits or licenses for free speech. 

Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296 (1940). Speech may not be prohibited merely because it offends some listeners. 

Kunz v. New York, 340 U.S. 290 (1951). The United States Supreme Court did not allow a permit to include any restrictions on a speaker's right of free expression. Permits may not be used as a prior restraint on free speech activities. Inappropriate or illegal activities may only be punished after they have occurred. 

Forsyth County v. The Nationalist Movement, 112 S.Ct. 2395 (1992). A city may not consider the listeners' reaction to a speaker when permitting free speech activities. 

Cox v. Louisiana, 379 U.S. 536 (1965). Hecklers may not be allowed to veto a speaker's right of free speech. Police must control a crowd rather than arrest the speaker in order to maintain order. Regulations may be imposed on free speech to control traffic flow. 

Gregory v. City of Chicago, 394 U.S. 111 (1969). Peaceful marching, chanting, and singing is protected by the First Amendment. 

Grayned v. Rockford, 408 U.S. 104 (1972). Free speech expression may be regulated for noise content in appropriate places such as hospitals or schools while classes are in session. The general test is to ask whether the expressive activity is basically incompatible with the normal activities of a particular place at a particular time. Unamplified speech is permissible for "street preachers" on public streets.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Not to be construed as legal advice. This is not intended to be, and does not constitute, the giving of legal advice. It is only a summary of the legal rights of U. S. citizens. It's important that one understand and be aware of decisions by the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Why We Disagree with Seventh Day Adventists

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The Religious Research Project Real Audio Sermons

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[ Prayer for Pastors ]

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(XOFC Staff)