How to be a Youth Pastor...

Are you searching for a youth pastor at your church? Here are a few tips on how to be a good youth pastor! (Pardon the sarcasm.)

1) Style your hair so it looks like you didn't style it at all. Good youth pastors spend a lot of time making their hair style look like they haven't spent any time on it. All teenagers want a youth pastor that looks like... he didn't comb his hair in the morning. It makes them seem 'in touch' with the teenage world.

2) Get multiple piercings and/or some tattoos. It helps teenagers realize you identify with them. It is important that you are just like them. It also helps your personal coolness factor! Who wants an un-cool youth pastor? A youth pastor has the enormous responsibility to be the coolest person in the room at any given time. Plus piercing is a simple, practical way to be holy!

3) Don't use the Bible. It has so much archaic language and ideas that it will be a major turn off to teens. Teenagers today will simply not stay around if you study, quote, or teach from the Bible. If baby boomers can't relate to teens then how in the world is a 2000+ year old book going to relate? (Want to keep a crowd? Try entertaining them!)

4) Be as much like a teenager as possible. Be their friend. They do not want or need a pastor, they need someone that has poor decision making skills like them. Stop judging teens and start hanging out with them. They don't need instruction, they need validation. Affirm them, don't correct them. They don't need another parent giving them direction and insight for life. Plus, their parents don't understand them like a good youth pastor will.

5) Talk about how cool Jesus was; if you even talk about Jesus. Talking about Jesus to teens is a risky venture, because someone might bring up the words of Jesus; like: "Whoever would follow me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Just stick with cool miracles he did... not what he said. Convince teenagers that if Jesus were alive today he would wear cool clothes, be in the popular group, and be everyone's favorite.

6) Food, Fun, & Fellowship. Those are the three 'F's to a superb ministry (adult or youth). Do not get pre-occupied with other ventures like discipleship, evangelism, the Truth of the Bible, etc. Those things don't grow youth groups, they turn teens away. Distract teens by what they are really looking for at church. Without theses components... you're not going to have a youth group.

7) Rockin' Music! Every generation has to develop its own style. The old people of your church (if you still allow them to come) cannot begin to know how to worship like teens know how to worship. Rock it out every single time you get together. It's not about Jesus, it's about what we perceive the teens like. Get a band that looks like a secular band too, not a decent looking group (see numbers 1, 2, & 4). We want teens to know that no matter how they dress, act, think, or value, Jesus loves them just the way they are and doesn't expect them to change.

8) Talk about the Love of God without talking about any other charactersitics of God. The righteousness and holiness of God are discussions best left to the Senior adults of the church. (And absolutely do not talk about the judgement of God unless you are interested in driving teens away.) I know that the idea of love has been perverted by the world, but don't worry about clarifying it. I wise theologian once said: All you need is love. Most teens don't even know that God loves them, remind them over and over again.

9) Quote or show clips from inappropriate movies. Some R rated movies have a good message (disregard the means vs the ends idea) and there is no way you could possibly illustrate some points you make with Scripture. Sure it implies that you have watched the whole movie and, at some level, recommend it, but hey: they are going to watch the movie anyway.

10) Convince the youth of your church that adults and anyone that does not go along with their ideas are legalistic and judgemental! (Nevermind that you are making a judgement of them by saying they are judgemental.) Give them the trump card: "Don't judge me." (Nevermind about 1 Corinthians 5:12.) Make sure they do not interact with the older saints of the church; it could influence them to mature or something. It would be terrible if they reached a deeper place spiritually than you. What if they began to take their faith seriously and develop some kind of conviction about something important?

11) #bringbackSoulPatch !!

Why I Stopped Giving to the Poor...

I saw that same guy at that same intersection two weeks ago. He wore similar attire. He was disheveled with his ski hat, multiple jackets, & stained cargo pants. There was visible grime underneath his fingernails and the hair sticking out from underneath his ski hat was uncombed and apparently uncared for in recent days. He appeared tired, discouraged, and overall worn down from life.

He suddenly sprang to life as he walked toward the second vehicle from the red light we were all waiting on. His outstretched hand received some amount of currency from the sleek & new looking Toyota SUV. He waived with the cardboard sign to the driver in appreciation for the gift. The light turned green and we began to ease through the intersection.

As I slowly moved passed him we made eye contact. He had resumed his position and held his sign pointing toward oncoming vehicles. "Homeless, sick, and in need. Anything helps. God bless." The cardboard sign was scrawled with handwritten lettering from a black marker. The eye contact was painfully awkward for me. I care about people. While I didn't have cash, I did have a few dollars worth of spare change. I pulled on through the intersection without stopping. The awkward feeling quickly passed and I was on my way.

I began to think about what had just happened. Why had I felt compelled to give to this man with a sign? Why had I felt so awkward making eye contact with him? Why had I not given?

I made a choice at that moment that turned into a model for life. I don't give money to guys (or ladies) on the side of the street with a sign. Let me try to explain why and then you can be the judge.

1. It's too easy. Handing a couple of bucks out the window of my car is easy for sure. Too easy in fact. It absolves me of real involvement and real change. I ease my conscious and the awkward encounter at the intersection by giving some spare change from my car cup holder. I've done my good deed for the day. I'm finished. Wow, with a buck thirty five, I've changed the world for at least one person... No, you haven't. It's too easy.

2. The answer to poverty is not money. Yeah, I know, that doesn't make sense. But there are deeper more systematic problems relating to poverty (and homelessness) than just a financial one. The problem of poverty is not a problem of dollar amount. If it were just a financial problem, our government could have solved it already. There are issues of money management, mental health, education, crisis situations, addictions, and more. Which leads to my next reason...

3. Throwing money at poverty often creates more problems than it solves. A few bucks may help meet some immediate needs, but does not change the factors that probably led to this situation to begin with. Your spare change may actually cause him to stay in the situation because he has found that gives immediate solutions to his immediate problems. Always dealing with the symptoms of poverty only really helps to create a larger root system of causes. It might ease your conscious, but it won't help the situation.

4. I'm into long term solutions. Ever heard the expression: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" That's not to dismiss the need to address some immediate or emergency needs, but that our attention needs to be on the long term goals of dealing with causes of and not symptoms of poverty.

5. I do not wish to be an enabler. There are some who have found themselves homeless or in poverty due to an ongoing battle with addiction. In these cases money is not only unhelpful, but downright harmful as cash enables them to continue to fund their addiction. Much of the sign toting folks at intersections are looking for their next fix or high. Your money is used support their addiction, not help them escape poverty. In other words, giving to that guy with the sign may actually keep him/her in a dangerous state of addiction as you have assisted in being an enabler.

Want some feasible options that will really help? As a pastor, I have committed myself to actually doing what a lot of churches talk about doing... ministering among the hurting and poor around us. From that experience, let me suggest a few things that might help you in navigating real help to the poor.

1. Have a conversation with the person. Prepare for a long winding erratic conversation. If you are wise enough you will begin to understand how that person arrived where they are. When you begin to talk to a person, they become more than a hard luck story. They become a person. They become someone with real needs that are more significant than a few bucks from your cup holder could ever solve.

2. Give to your local Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, homeless shelter, church, or social ministry center. Money without accountability or relationship is causing harm. Give regularly to those places, people, and ministries that are providing more than a dollar amount to address the problem of poverty. No institution or person is perfect, but they will probably be doing a better job than your four dollars at the intersection.

3. Get to know people who are in tough financial situations and form relationships. Interact with people at church or put yourself in a place where you have the opportunity to meet real people with real needs. Develop a relationship (you might find that poverty has it's own culture). Then work from that basis to meet a variety of the causes of poverty and not just the symptom of poverty.

4. You can't help everyone. Jesus told the disciples who, with their 'holier than thou' attitude, were critical of a woman who was anointing Jesus and claimed she should have sold the oil and gave it to the poor that they will always have the poor among them. While you cannot help everyone, you can help someone.

5. There is a deeper poverty than a financial one. Keep in mind with interacting with people that poverty is not the biggest problem in the world. It is no sin to be poor. In fact, James says that the love of money is the root of all kind of evil. Jesus even blessed those who were poor. Without discernment one might go through life seeking money. If that's you, one day you will meet someone with less material wealth than you but who possesses something inwardly that is eternal. That person will expose your poverty.

I haven't stopped giving. In fact, I believe I give more now. In addition to giving to my local church and other ministries aimed at the problem of poverty and homelessness, I have become personally involved in the lives of people. I give time and personal involvement.

So what do you think?

**I later went back to the intersection and helped the man I referred to above by developing a long term relationship that will hopefully lead to some real solutions.

Also check out...

Why I Don't Drink Alcohol

Why I Don't Play the Lottery

A New Year's Resolution

Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), from the Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humble entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.

Check out these other articles...

Let's Reach People

The Study of God

I Judge People

Position, Power, and Leadership

I'm Voting in this Election 2016.

I've done a lot of praying for this upcoming election. I have gone through a lot of emotions as well. I've tried to navigate the media spin and political rhetoric. I'd like to give a few thoughts and then tell you who I'm not voting for (and why) along with who I am voting for (and why). So first, a few thoughts:

1. I vote primarily from a Christian perspective. I desire to vote with a Biblical worldview that influences my personal life as well as my public life. In recent years it has become increasingly difficult for Christians to choose the 'clear' choice of candidate for president of the United States.

2. I don't believe the White House, whoever wins the elections, provides the answers our nation needs. The answers will be found in God's house, by people who have humbled themselves, prayed, sought the Lord, and turned from their wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14) To put your trust in a president or government is idolatry. Our help comes from the Lord.

3. As a people who are called to be salt and light in the world, Christians have a responsibility to be involved and speak into the political process. In the context of truth and with grace we should be a prophetic voice in the midst of political rants, angry voices, and immorality. We cannot hid in a monastery or ivory tower.

4. By sharing my opinion of who I will vote for, I am not necessarily de-spiritualizing you, though I believe my choice is best. :-) I am attempting to do what I am called to do: discern the times and choose the straight and narrow path that leads to everlasting life. I will one day give an account of the votes I cast, so I will seek to give a public account now.

5. I don't believe that a third party vote is a wasted vote. I won't elaborate on this issue, but I'll refer you to the following article for your consideration.

So, let's look at my take on the candidates...

1. Hillary Clinton. She is in full & active support of the murder in the womb of a baby. She has been zealous for her support of abortion for a very long time. One of the greatest evils perpetrated by our society right now is the murder of children in the womb. Protection of the pre-born is a must for my vote. She also plays into race baiting for political gain and has been supportive of homosexual/transgender agendas. Her unethical activities and obvious deceit further promotes the reality that she has a skewed moral compass. The long tenure in politics that she has, does not affect my vote. Her Vice-Presidential pick, Kaine, has a conflicted and irrational view on Abortion (He is personally against it, but thinks it should be legal).  I would never vote for Clinton.

2. Donald Trump. He has a sordid history of being unprincipled except with his value of money & power. He has made millions from casinos and strip clubs. Casinos that have decimated many individuals and/or their families. Strip clubs that have played to the lusts of many while treating women as objects for male pleasure. (He also owned the Miss Universe beauty pageants from 1996 to 2015 which are milder forms of the exploitation of women.) While I certainly don't mind someone refusing to be politically correct I don't think that means you can be derogatory towards women, minorities, immigrants or any other group. Multiple marriage, multiple events of adultery, unfaithfulness characterize his personal life (if you didn't like Bill Clinton because of his personal life, don't vote for Trump either... and for those who refused to condemn the sexual immorality of Bill Clinton; stop being so loud in your condemnation of Trump). I also disagree with him on immigration. I really like Mike Pence his Vice-Presidential pick, but not enough to accept Trump. I just can't swallow the Trump pill.

3. Gary Johnson. The Libertarian candidate has picked up some numbers with the overall discontent people have with the two major party candidates. However, Johnson, doesn't provide any more moral high ground than any of the others. He is, in essence, a Republican without morals. While he doesn't actively support abortion, he believes that murdering a child in the womb is the "personal choice" a mother has to make. He is for the legalization of drugs and constantly directs major/significant issues from federal decisions down to the "states need to decide". While I believe in federal overreach and I am, as a Christian, leery of big government (any Christian who isn't needs to take a long look at history), Johnson isn't a viable alternative.

4. Jill Stein. The Green Party candidate is basically a liberal democrat with a penchant for the environment. Again, her stance on killing babies which she declares is a "reproductive right" is counter-Christian. Her party is inundated with influences like PETA and other groups that lean toward eco-terrorism. She says she is married to a Protestant Atheist... I'm not sure what her spouse is protesting then? Fringe and border line fanatical, Mrs Stein is not receiving my vote.

5. Darrel Castle. The Constitution Party candidate is a little known contender who is into small government and a strict constitutionalist. A big proponent of states rights (a small or even insignificant issue in my mind). However, he does seek to hold the moral high ground with issues of abortion, homosexuality, etc. He claims to be a Christian and does more than just claim it. He is very much involved in his local church and even founded the Mia Foundation, a Christian ministry in Romania that ministers to homeless children. The biggest difference I have with him is probably over issues of immigration. I am for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are here already. I can vote for the Constitution Party candidate in the general election.

6. Gloria La Riva. The Socialist Party candidate (also a candidate for the "Peace and Freedom Party") is a little known candidate from the infamous party. Socialism always sounds good in theory, but has never functioned well. My concern as a Christian though, is less about governmental structure and more about moral compass. Socialism (which I call Communism Jr) tends to be inherently atheistic. Government becomes the socialist's god. One part of their 10-point program is safe, free, & legal abortion on demand. With that point alone, not to mention others, Gloria has forfeit further exploration into her candidacy.

7. Evan McMullin. The American Party candidate is part of a very small party. Most are unaware he is running, like a few others on the list. He is from Utah and tends to be a conservative, traditional Republican. He previously worked for the CIA and identifies as a Christian, but is actually a Mormon (which is not a Christian). This video on youtube is a little troubling as he claims to be personally against gay marriage, but is not willing to seek to overturn legislations or rulings that are anti-Biblical marriage. While there are a number of shared values on many moral issues, due to his religion and various stances on issues important to me, I will not vote for him.

8. Tom Hoefling. I believe he is the "American Party of Iowa" party candidate. He is a conservative Christian candidate that is not well known and will probably not be on most ballots. I probably would not be able to vote for him even if I wanted to, but I'm sticking with Castle.

While this election years is a difficult year for many Christians who are struggling to identify who to vote for, I am voting with the assurance that Jesus will remain on the throne. He is the one we need, He is our nation's only hope!

Our nation is obviously changing. Some good things are taking place, lot's of changes that do not appear to be positive. One thing I believe that is changing is the two party system we have in our nation. I think that would be a good thing.

But that's enough from me. What do you think? (Be nice please.)

Why I Don't Drink Alcohol...

Deeply divided people hold strong opinions on the issue. I'll share mine. I don't drink alcohol. Period. I hold to total abstinence. Here's why...

1. There is no good reason to drink. Sure, many people argue their freedom to drink in moderation but they cannot answer this one question: What's one good reason to drink? I know, they'll throw up the bit about medical benefits (funny how people trying to legalize marijuana use the same rational). It doesn't hold water (or wine). Outside of preference or a misguided assertion of "my rights" there is no reason to drink alcohol.

2. There are some strong, clear dangers to drinking alcohol. Drunkenness always begins with one drink. Broken families, ruined finances, sexual assaults, murder, death, etc are often rooted in the fact that one or more parties were involved in drinking alcohol. Alcohol is simply not worth the pain that it causes or even the pain it could cause.

3. As Christians we are exhorted to be sober minded. To be able to think clearly and reasonably is not something that comes from drinking alcohol. The Bible exhorts Christians to have the mind of Christ. That doesn't happen under the influence of alcohol. People under the influence of alcohol never make better decisions than when they were sober... never. Do not be drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.

4. The line between moderation and drunkenness is not clear. Sure police departments have tried to draw the line between moderation and drunkenness with their take on an objective blood-alcohol content level, but I'm pretty sure normal people can only determine such things in subjective manners. The warning sign of drunkenness is alcohol itself.

5. It impairs my ability to be prepared for spiritual warfare. If one of the greatest spiritual battlegrounds is my mind and alcohol clouds my mind, even a little, then it is affecting me on the most important battlefield. There is too much at stake spiritually for me to give into a momentary lapse of sound-mindedness.

6. I don't drink alcohol for the sake of others around me. Let's assume that I could "drink responsibility" as the beer companies are always encouraging us to do. What if my drinking leads others to addiction or even death. The industry is often highly sexualized as well. Watch the beer commercials and you find an industry that makes a mockery of women and trivializes sex. No alcohol for me, I won't share in its consequences on my family, neighbors, and community. It really does hurt my witness.

7. It is non essential for my existence. Those who argue for alcohol don't like to acknowledge that life without alcohol is better. Alcohol contributes in no way toward the betterment of my life, my family, my mental state, my social skills, etc. Period.

8. I am a pastor. That's not to say I abstain because I might lose my 'position' otherwise. It is due to the fact that I have sat at too many bedsides of people dying of cirrhosis of the liver. I have sat in the wreckage of too many marriages. I have sat on the side of the street by too many who have lives devastated by alcoholism. I have gone with family members to the morgue to identify their child who died because of drunk driving. I have come to hate alcohol.

9. It is addictive and harmful. There are literally millions of people who have become captives of their own desires and often hate the fact that they feel they cannot stop drinking. I know that not everyone become addicted, but there is too much danger in the fact that you, or someone you love, could become addicted. "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. 'They struck me,' you will say, 'but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.'" Proverbs 23:29-35 (ESV) The word for it is alcoholism.

10. It is a false solution to my problems and difficulties. Often the allure of alcohol is that it will help us relax, forget our problems, or give a reprieve to our daily toil. At this point it becomes an idol. Jesus is the strong tower we are to run to for help. Jesus exhorts us to cast all our cares upon him. Jesus is the answer, not the counterfeit savior: alcohol.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)

Also check out...

Why I Don't Play the Lottery

Why I Stopped Giving to the Poor

My Ordination Means Something...

I was ordained in the church of the Nazarene on July 28, 2005 by Rev Paul G Cunningham at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene during the TN Church of the Nazarene District Assembly.

Rev Paul G. Cunningham was ordained in 1965 by General Superintendent Hugh C. Benner.

Rev Hugh C. Benner was ordained in 1923 by General Superintendent Roy T. Williams.

Rev Roy T Williams was ordained in 1908 by General Superintendent Hiram F. Reynolds (at Pilot Point, TX at what has come to be regarded as the founding date of the church of the Nazarene).

Rev Hiram F. Reynolds was ordained in 1886 by Methodist Episcopal Bishop John Flether Hurst.

Rev John Fletcher Hurst was ordained in 1862 by Methodist Episcopal Bishop Thomas Asbury Morris.

Rev Thomas Asbury Morris was ordained circa 1820 by Methodist Episcopal Bishop Robert Richford Roberts.

 

Rev Robert Richford Roberts was ordained circa 1803 by Methodist Episcopal Bishop Francis Asbury.

 

Rev Francis Asbury was ordained in 1784 by Rev John Wesley (an Anglican Priest).

Rev John Wesley was ordained in 1728 by Anglican Bishop (of Oxford) John Potter.

  

John Potter was ordained/consecrated in 1715.
Jonathan Trelawney was consecrated in 1685.
William Sancroft in 1685.
Henry Compton in 1674.
Gilbert Sheldon in 1660.
Brian Duppa in 1638.
William Laud in 1621.
George Montaigne in 1617.
George Abbot in 1609.
Richard Bancroft in 1597.
John Whitgift in 1577.
Edmund Grindal in 1559.
Matthew Parker in 1559.
William Barlow in 1536.
Thomas Cranmer in 1533.
John Longlands in 1521.
William Warham in 1502.
Richard Fitzjames in 1497.
John Morton in 1479.
Thomas Bourchier in 1435.
Henry Beaufort between 1435-1398.
Roger Walden in 1398.
Robert Braybrooke in 1382.
Thomas Brentingham in 1370.
Simon Sudbury in 1362.
William Edendon in 1346.
Ralph Stratford in 1340.
Robert Wyvil in 1330.
Roger Northborough in 1322.
John of Halton in 1292.
Anthony Beck in 1284.
Henry in 1255.
Walter Kirkham in 1249.
Walter de Gray in 1214.
William of S. Mere L'Eglise in 1199.
Gilbert Glanville in 1185.
Peter de Leia in 1176.
Roger of Gloucester in 1164.
St Thomas Becket in 1162.
Henry of Blois in 1129.
William of Corbeuil in 1123.
Richard de Belmeis in 1108.
St. Anselm in 1094.
Thomas in 1070.
Bl. Lanfranc in 1070.
Siward in 1058.
STigand in 1043.
Eadsige in 1035.
Ethellnoth in 1020.
Wulfstan in 1003.
Elfric in 990.
St. Aelphege in 984.
St. Dunstan in 957.
Odo in 927.
Wulfhelm in 914.
Althelm in 909.
St. Plegmund in 891. (First Archbishop of Canterbury)
Formosus in 864.
St. Nicholas I in 858. (Last Roman Catholic Pope in my line of succession.)
Benedict III in 855.
Leo IV in 847.
Sergius II in 844.
Gregory IV in 827.
Valentine in 827.
Eugene II in 824.
Paschal I in 817.
Stephen IV in 816.
Leo III in 795.
Adrian I in 772.
Stephen III in 768.
Paul I in 757.
Stephen II in 752.
Zachary in 741.
Gregory III in 731.
Gregory II in 715.
Constantine in 708.
Sisinnius in 708.
John VII in 705.
John VI in 701.
Sergius I in 687.
Conon in 686.
John V in 685.
Benedict II in 684.
Leo II in 682.
Agatho in 678.
Donus in 676.
Adeodatus II in 672.
Vitalian in 657.
Eugene I in 654.
Martin I in 649.
Theodore I in 642.
John IV in 640.
Severinus in 640.
Honorius in 625.
Boniface V in 619.
Deusdedit in 615.
Boniface IV in 608.
Boniface III in 607.
Sabinianus in 604.
Gregory I in 590.
Pelagius II in 579.
Benedict I in 575.
John III in 561.
Pelagius I in 556.
Vigilus in 537.
Silverius in 536.
Agapetus I in 535.
John II in 533.
Boniface II in 530.
Felix IV in 526.
John I in 523.
Hormisdas in 514.
Symmachus in 498.
Anastasius II in 496.
Gelasius I in 492.
Felix III in 483.
Simplicius in 468.
Hilary in 461.
Leo I in 440.
Sixtus III in 432.
Celestine I in 422.
Boniface I in 418.
Zosimus in 417.
Innocent I in 401.
Anastasius I in 399.
Siricius in 384.
Damasas I in 366.
Liberius in 352.
Julius I in 337.
Marcus in 336.
Sylvester I in 314.
Melchiades in 311.
Eucibius in 309.
Marcellus I in 308.
Marcellinus in 296.
Caius in 283.
Eutychian in 275.
Felix I in 269.
Dionysius in 259.
Sixtus II in 257.
Stephen I in 254.
Lucius I in 253.
Cornelius in 251.
Fabian in 236.
Anterus in 235.
Pontian in 230.
Urban I in 222.
Callistus I in 217.
Zephyrinus in 199.
Victor I in 189.
Eleutherius in 175.
Soter in 166.
Anicetus in 155.
Pius I in 140.
Hygiums in 136.
Telesphorus in 125.
Sixtis I in 115.
Alexander I in 105.
Evaristus in 97.
Clement in 88.
Ancletus (Cletus) in 76.
Linus in 67.
The Apostle Peter a fisher of men and one of the original 12 disciples who was called and sent by the Incarnate Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth.

Wow! That's cool.

Some of my sources:
Succession of Roman Catholic Popes.
The Apostolic Succession  of the Anglican Mission in America.
The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

10 Reasons I Became a Feminist...

A few reasons why I became a feminist:

1. The importance of motherhood. I am tired of people and society in general degrading the significance of the woman's role as mother. Many people act as if motherhood is an unimportant, insignificant role that women are forced into due to their low societal value. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mothers have more impact on their children than any other human being. Women, don't let anyone downplay your role as Mom.

2. Equal doesn't mean the same. Intrinsic value, social equality, economic equality, political equality, etc. None of these are to say that men and women are the same. There are many obvious, measurable, and scientifically identifiable differences ranging from DNA, to biology, to hormonal chemistry, to sexual, to psychological differences. Don't relegate women to be the same as men. There is a difference!!

3. Economic Exploitation. It bothers me when I hear that women are paid less for the same job when they have the same or more experience, education, or training. I understand to some degree how business and economics works, but I also understand what manipulation and taking advantage of others looks like. Be fair.

4. Sex-Trade. The obvious exploitative nature of the sex industry (pornography, 'adult' stores/movies, prostitution, strip clubs, etc) is appalling and grieving. The fact that a civilized society that claims to value women allows such things to take place is absolutely astounding. It's not free speech its exploitation.

5. Abortion. The fact that females (not to mention males) are killed daily in our nation from this so-called medical procedure should drive everyone to call to an end to this infanticide. Time & space would prevent me from addressing the fact that so many people have abortions simply due to the fact they have come to find out that their child is a girl. It's not a choice, it's a murder.

6. Dress & appearance. Largely influenced from our sex saturated society and drawing from the 'adult' industry, Hollywood, 'beauty' pageants, and much of the modeling industry we have promoted a culture that leads our young girls to dress provocatively and sexually, drives young women (and sometimes old) to anorexia and bulimia, and leads to sexual immorality along with teen pregnancies, single mothers, and depression among women to name a few. I am against the objectification of women.

7. Sexual assaults & violence. Also arising out of our sexualized culture which makes females the object of male sexual satisfaction is the alarming reality of sexual & domestic violence. With the death of chivalry (males treating females with honor, dignity, and respect) came the illegal but pervasive concept that men could impose their will on women. (Check out the books: "Wired for Intimacy" and "Hooked" for more information.) This is a real problem.

8. Transgender. The fact that women are biologically different transcends one's personal opinion about what their gender happens to be at any given time. Ones perceptions may be fluid, but reality is reality. Our existence should be about aligning our perceptions with what is true and real. Males claiming to be females is an affront to rational and ethical society (not to mention biology). Gender dysphoria is considered a disorder for this reason. The impact of this goes beyond bathroom usage or locker changing rooms, but places women at an unfair and unjust disadvantage in sports, the Olympics, and many work place settings. There is a very real difference in the role of men and women, biologically, emotionally, & even spiritually. This cultural trend is robbing women of what it means to be female in the truest sense.

9. Combat positions. Putting women in active combat positions like the front lines of engagement is wreck-less, irresponsible, and unwarranted. Again, females are equal to but not the same as males. It is not a promotion of equality to put women in active combat positions... it is the social degradation of  female distinctiveness.

10. Women in ministry. Biblical context is important in this discussion. The Old Testament includes women in leadership like Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4-5), Huldah (2 Kings 22:12-20), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), and others. The New Testament also includes some examples of women  in ministry and leadership like Anna (Luke 2:36-38) and Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2). Acts 2:17-18 gives us the promise that God will pour out His Spirit on male and female and they shall all prophesy (preach). For more food for thought check out the following article by Dr. Craig Keener. Taking one verse and eclipsing the rest of the tenor of Scripture is bad exegesis.

For the reasons above, I am now a feminist... although NOW has rejected my application for membership.