This is it. This is the one. This is what you’ve been waiting for all week. Well, not really. At least I hope not, because if this is really the highlight of your week we really need to talk and you really need to reset your priorities because this probably shouldn’t be one of them. Well, at least not near the top anyways. In fact, go read your Bible. When you’re done, come back and browse. Welcome back to The Weekly Town Crier, where I gather for you lots of links that have caused me lots of thinking. So as you do that thing you do, whatever it is that you do this week, enjoy and please remember, linking does not equal endorsing. Enjoy:

See what I hear at Last.fm.

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Read about Michelle Duggar, who is pregnant with her 18th child.

Read Pitchfork’s interview with Scarlett Johansson about her upcoming album of Tom Waits covers.

Read Al Mohler’s “Evangelical” response to the Evangelical Manifesto. Read Mohler’s continued thoughts.

Read as Christianity Today argues that America in fact does need an Evangelical Manifesto.

Read as the Wall Street Journal says “You Call This A Manifesto?”

Read about an unprecedented number of college presidents retiring.

Read about Japan steadily becoming a land of “few children.”

Read about the recent report finding that 10 million children die every year from preventable causes.

Show everyone you listen to Christian music on your cross-shaped mp3 player.

Read about the newly discovered spider now named after Neil Young.

Read about the Archbishop telling KS governor not to take communion.

Read about “hypersonic advertising,” piping ads directly into your brain.

HEY YOU GUYS! Read about PBS’ new version of the Electric Company.

Read about the TN church who ousted 71 members on Mother’s Day for questioning the church’s finances.

Read about the group in Britain saying that “The primary cause of unhappiness in Britain is not lack of material wealth but a loss of faith in God and religion.”

Read about the upcoming film on the life of Billy Graham.

Read about China’s growing class of urban Christians.

Read about the death of artist Robert Rauschenberg.

Browse seven misrepresentations of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network.

Read about the report claiming that attending religious services cans serve as a predictor of fidelity.

Read about John Hagee apologizing for calling the Roman Catholic Church “The Great Whore.”

Read Christianity Today’s interview with Ben Barnes, who plays Prince Caspian.

Read Christianity Today’s review of the new album from The Myriad.

Anyone want to buy me a 6,000 volume library? Scott Lamb is selling his.

Watch Resurgence’s interview with Matt Chandler.

For those in the SW, check out the regional Ligonier’s conference.

Read about John Edwards endorsing Obama.

Read Charlie Peacock’s diagnosis of “Contemporary Christian Music.”

Browse the resources at newchurches.com.

Read about the survey that found that people consider their mobile phones as more important than their wallets.

Read about the diminishing influence of the Roman Catholic church in Spain.

Read about California’s top court legalizing gay “marriage.”

Browse this list of 100 books that are necessary for a “man’s” library.

Browse the New Yorker’s suggestions of “100 Essential Jazz Albums”

Read about some Evangelicals launching a campaign against global warming alarmism.

Read about the new Obama ads focusing on religion.

Read as the Acton Institute takes us toward an ethic of internet discourse.

Read Time’s 10 questions for Ira Glass.

It’s been a while but I haven’t forgotten about you, my little tribute to music on Fridays. Don’t you worry your little head. Unfurrow that brow and turn that frown upside down. Here’s some music hovering around the fringes of jazz:

Triosk live in Poland, 2007:

Drummer Han Bennink with Telectu & Walter Pratti:

The Necks performing a track called “Kilt Maker” (featuring annoying interview segments):

One won’t wade very far into church planting waters without being bombarded with the importance of being “missional.” Writing for Acts 29, Scott Thomas says:

A church that is not missional is not really a church. A church exists by mission as the sun exists by burning. When the sun loses its burn it ceases to be the sun. When a church loses its mission, it ceases to be a church.

The problem is that the word seems to have become sort of a junk drawer. You know, I’m willing to get that you have a drawer in your house into which you just throw things you have nowhere else to put. The term “missional” has come to mean different things to different people. So it becomes possible to have a conversation in which you come to realize at some point that you’re using the same words but in very different ways (hopefully you realize this if its happening!).

Part of the problem in even trying to define a term like this is that you’ll likely gravitate towards those with whom you already agree, at least to some extent. That having been said, one of the resources I’ve found to be quite helpful in thinking through many of these issues is Ed Stetzer’s Planting Missional Churches (formerly Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age). Stetzer begins his book by noting that:

Establishing a missional church means that you plant a church that’s part of the culture you’re seeking to reach.

Stetzer states what should be the obvious but often seems to be lost in such discussions: “The goal of church planting is to reach people.” Right away this will be a major paradigm shift to some. Some feel the desire to plant a church because they simply feel they’ve got their theological ducks in a straighter row than others. This does not seem to be a biblical reason for planting a church. Yes, doctrine is important and cannot be divorced from church-life, but it doesn’t seem to be the biblical thrust behind the impetus to plant new churches. While the church is certainly commanded to protect doctrine, this seems to be under the more broad command to make disciples. One cannot properly make disciples without engaging in every step of this process, beginning with bringing the Gospel to the lost.

Missional then, in the sense that Stetzer puts forward, is a powerful reminder that, as he puts it: “It’s possible to be a missionary without ever leaving your zip code.” I would add that not only is it possible, it is expected. But we need to be careful and make a distinction between “Mission(s)-Minded” churches and “Missional” churches. Stetzer clarifies between the two terms (italics his):

The first refers more to an attitude of caring about missions, particularly overseas. Missional means actually doing mission right where you are. Missional means adopting the posture of a missionary, learning and adapting to the culture around you while remaining biblically sound. Think of it this way: missional means being a missionary without ever leaving your zip code. You can see how a particular congregation or denomination can be mission-minded without being missional.

Practically, of course, this means that it is possible to have a church that does a lot overseas but nothing at home, as odd as that might initially sound. Stetzer argues that this arises, at least in part from a false dichotomy between “missions” and “evangelism.” Missions is for out there somewhere while evangelism is for here. He argues that “There is no basis, biblically or theologically, for the territorial distinction of missions and evangelism.”

This thinking seems to contribute to what I believe to be a faulty question in the life of many churches: “Is our primary duty to feed the sheep or win the lost?” I have become convinced that this is the wrong question because our “primary” duty is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes every step of the process, beginning with missions/evangelism. It is a continual process rather than an either/or question.

Furthering the discussion, Stetzer throws one other term into the mix: “on mission,” saying that:

on mission means being intentional and deliberate about reaching others.

Seems simple enough, right? And yet, many churches fully support abroad what they run from at home. We equip foreign missionaries to carefully study the cultural context, encouraging them to “contextualize” (without sacrificing content) the Gospel in such as way as it is most effective to that given cultural context. Yet, churches seem scared to death of the idea of “American” culture, either isolating from it or drowning in it. Or, we simply see a church that seems to be succeeding and we decide to import, lock, stock and barrel, what they are doing, regardless of any cultural differences that might exist between where they’re at from where we find ourselves.

We expect our missionaries to analyze and adapt to surrounding cultures yet we become doubtful of churches doing this, labeling them “liberal” or “emergent” or both. Why? Is it because we fear change? I would like to think that it’s because we’re so protective of the Gospel, but research demonstrates that most Americans who claim to be Christians don’t live anything like biblical Christians, so that doesn’t seem to be it either. Could it simply but profoundly that we don’t think of ourselves as missionaries, especially while singing “God Bless America” under flag-draped crosses?

If anything wrestling with terms like these ought to encourage us to rethink and reapply our approach to how the local church lives in the culture it finds itself.

• Read the article “What Is A Missional Church” by Scott Thomas for Acts 29
• Read Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer
• Read Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process For Making Disciples by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
• Read Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century by Aubrey Malphurs
• Read 44 Questions for Church Planters by Lyle E. Schaller

There is so much that established churches simply take for granted that can seem almost overwhelming from the perspective of planting a church. Consider the name. How do you go about naming a church? You obviously want something biblical, something that expresses at least a bit about who you hope to be and what you hope to be about.

But you also want something accessible and immediate. Foreign-language names, including Greek, Hebrew and Latin can be seen as being “elitist.” But “The Name of Your City, Street Or Neighborhood First Baptist Church” is certainly not memorable. How much do you consider marketing elements such as the “Rule of 3,” and memorability (is that a word?)? What do you do if you have a name you like but everyone else dislikes? Does that serve as “market research?” Are we even interested in market research?

What is your church’s name? Is it appropriate and effective? Did you choose it? If so, how? If not, would you choose something different? How would you go about choosing a church name? Should you be trying to elicit a response from the unchurched? If so, what response? How important is the church name? When you are looking for a new church, how much consideration do you give the name? Ed Stetzer says that if you are not using a denominational name:

The name should convey reliability, theological meaning, and the church’s commitment to reach and serve the unchurched community.

But his church’s name is Lake Ridge Church. Does that fit these criteria? Am I making more of this decision than is necessary? How would you or have you gone about this process?

• Read Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer
• Read Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process For Making Disciples by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
• Read Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century by Aubrey Malphurs
• Read 44 Questions for Church Planters by Lyle E. Schaller

As you know, I’ve had an irregular but ongoing series simply presenting the words of Jesus with the question: “What if He really meant it?” Today continues that series and, in light of yesterday’s ponderings about the John 3:16 conference, presents two statements from Jesus that many like to ignore:

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:44).

And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65).

But what if Jesus really meant it? Would that affect your view of salvation? Your view of God?

• Read Jesus and the Gospels by Craig Blomberg
• Read Jesus the Messiah by Robert Stein
• Read Synopsis of the Four Gospels (English Only) by Kurt Aland

By now many of you have likely heard about the upcoming John 3:16 conference being put on by Jerry Vines ministries. No, this is not a conference on the Max Lucado book though that was my first thought too and that might be just as productive.

No, this is a conference during which several Arminian pastors will examine the issues of Calvinism. The Conferene’s website introduces it this way:

Did Jesus die on the cross for every person? Are believers eternally secure? Can grace be resisted? These and many other questions will be addressed.

This conference is not going to be a “Let’s bash the Calvinists” conference. This conference is going to be a biblical and theological assessment of and response to 5-point Calvinism. It will be helpful for lay people as well as preachers.

In case you were wondering, here is the proposed content:

John 3:16 - Dr. Jerry Vines

Total Depravity - Dr. Paige Patterson

Unconditional Election - Dr. Richard Land

Limited Atonement - Dr. David Allen

Irresistible Grace - Dr. Steve Lemke

Perseverance of the Saints - Dr. Ken Keathley

John 3:16 to the entire world - Dr. Charles Stanley

- There will be a 60-minute Q & A session following the last speaker -

I think it’s fine if some well-known Arminians want to examine Calvinism. I even think it’s fine if they choose not to have someone from the Reformed perspective present to clarify and explain. That’s their prerogative. But what I don’t think is fine is the implicit ad hominem nature of the conference itself. You see, even though they haven’t come out and directly said this, by making it known that they are taking issue with Calvinism, by naming the conference after one of the best-known of all Bible verses and closing with a session “John 3:16 to the entire world,” the organizers seem to be saying that Calvinists don’t believe John 3:16.

I’ve share many times (see here, here, here, here and especially here for example) that one of my frustrations in many of these discussions just how acceptable it has become in many circles to simply misrepresent the position of someone with whom you disagree. Of course Calvinists believe, support and promote John 3:16!

Some might say here something like “Well, yes, but by you Calvinists having conferences like Together For the Gospel and The Gospel Coalition, aren’t you implying that Arminians don’t believe the Gospel” No, and the reason I say that is because the purpose and topic of those gatherings was not to give the Calvinist “response” to Arminianism.

Perhaps I’m off here? Am I misconstruing this? Am I overreacting?

• Visit the official conference website
• Read The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
• Read The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner
• Read Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . . or something like that. A bunch of links. Enjoy.

See what I hear at Last.fm.

Sign up for eMusic, find lots of DRM-free downloads and help me earn free downloads in the process. Everyone wins!

While you’re out there exploring, you’ll need some music to listen to. Please consider subscribing to our podcast, the Habañero Hour at iTunes. Be our friend at Facebook, Myspace or last.fm.

Read 9 Marks’ review of Shane Claiborne’s Irresistible Revolution.

Read about the cancellation of this year’s Vegoose music festival.

Read Donald Whitney’s thoughts on Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth.

Read the “Evangelical Manifesto.”

Read Justin Taylor’s interview with Os Guinness about the document.

Read Justin Taylor’s outline of the manifesto.

Read Ed Stetzer’s thoughts on related topics.

Read as the Washington Post considers the enduring popularity of Cannery Row.

Read as the NY Daily News considers the trend of television shows putting out soundtrack albums.

Read Popmatters‘ interview with Mark Kozelek.

Read as Parade polls its readers about funding public broadcasting.

Read as the Morning News considers signs that you might be a hipster.

Read as “Evangelicals Lament a Politicized Faith.”

Read about Christianity “falling out of favor” in Britain.

Read as the ACLU weighs in in the FLDS raids.

Read as the Washington Post considers the renewed interest in exorcisms in Europe.

Read as Christianity Today examines “ancient future” Christianity.

Read about Deepak Chopra’s view of Jesus (hint: He’s not God).

Read as Reuters finds that the US is among the most Bible literate nations.

Read about many missionaries struggling because of the devaluation of the dollar.

Read this overview of China’s Christianity.

Read as The Atlantic considers “Apatheism.”

Read as Christianity Today interview Andrew Adamson, director of Prince Caspian.

Read as one blogger considers how Darwin lost his faith.

Read about the man who has asked a court to legally change his name to “In God We Trust.”

Read about Microsoft dropping its bid for Yahoo.

Browse this list of suggestions for what bands should and should not have on their Myspace page.

Read Andrée Seu’s thoughts on writing.

Read as Collin Hansen considers whether our gospel is too big or too small.

Read about the recent Pew research finding that Americans claim that they want other things before being rich.

Read about “green” burials.

Read about the new study claiming that sitting straight is not actually the best posture for your back.

Read about the continuing and growing trend of many young people raised in the church leaving as they grow older.

Read about the recent report claiming that in Britain, practicing Muslims will outnumber Christians by 2035.