Links To Go (November 10, 2016)

How the faithful voted: A preliminary 2016 analysis

The 2016 presidential exit polling reveals little change in the political alignments of U.S. religious groups. Those who supported Republican candidates in recent elections, such as white born-again or evangelical Christians and white Catholics, strongly supported Donald Trump as well. Groups that traditionally backed Democratic candidates, including religious “nones,” Hispanic Catholics and Jews, were firmly in Hillary Clinton’s corner.


Why 2016 election polls missed their mark

There is a great deal of speculation but no clear answers as to the cause of the disconnect, but there is one point of agreement: Across the board, polls underestimated Trump’s level of support. With few exceptions, the final round of public polling showed Clinton with a lead of 1 to 7 percentage points in the national popular vote. State-level polling was more variable, but there were few instances where polls overstated Trump’s support.


The Kingdom of God, November 9, 2016

A few weeks ago I told a group of ACU students in a chapel setting that our anxiety over this election, and today over its results, is directly proportional to our idolatry. By that I mean that I don’t think we believe what Jesus preached in Nazareth that day. We remain just as shocked and disbelieving as Jesus’ hometown was.
We are convinced that it’s up to us to make the kingdom come. That’s the idolatry, that it’s up to us and our political efforts. That it’s up to America, and our political party specifically, to make Jesus’ dream come true. But Jesus said, the kingdom is already here, here in the midst of Caesar’s and Donald Trump’s administration.


Helping Church Members Use Their Talents

The truth of the matter is that there are a lot of people in the church who do think that unless they can lead a prayer or serve communion then there just isn’t anything they can offer the church. This is so far from the truth! The visible positions are such a minor part of the whole, but what can be done for the less visible? I believe education is where a church has to start.


Made To Order Churches

Yes, can I have a worship service, with strong Biblical preaching, on relevant topics like finding more joy in Jesus, but can this be light on scripture, and include numerous inspirational stories about dogs saving the day. Can the singing be modern, but only include songs I know well that have been played on K-Love in the last two years, but can you throw in a classic like Amazing Grace once every three weeks. Also, can the church have a dynamic children’s ministry, but be low on commitment level, because we are super busy with golf lessons. Also, we like having our vacation during the third week of June, and can you not plan VBS for that week, since my children enjoy that fun time.


The 5 C’s of Preaching

  1. Is your sermon CONTEXTUAL?
  2. Is your sermon CONVICTIONAL?
  3. Is your sermon CLEAR?
  4. Is your sermon COMPASSIONATE?
  5. Is your sermon CROSS-CENTERED?

How Bad Is it to Go Weeks Without Washing Your Office Coffee Mug?

In short, an unwashed mug probably won’t harm your health or anyone else’s (unless it’s moldy, in which case you should scrub it out ASAP). But if you do decide your go-to cup is due for a wash, steer clear of the office kitchen sponge. It’s been used to clean countless dirty surfaces, and it stays wet for hours, allowing germs to thrive and multiply. “The sponge in the break room probably has the highest bacteria count of anything in the office,” Jeffrey Starke, former director of infection control at Texas Children’s Hospital, told The Wall Street Journal. Instead, wash the mug by hand using hot water and liquid soap, and dry it with a paper towel.


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