Today's Quote

"If your gospel isn't touching others, it hasn't touched you." -- Curry R. Blake

Biblical Counseling is Like Preaching

Some have had difficulty in equating the two. But let’s take a look at the situation. There are similarities and differences. Here are a few of each.

1. Both preacher and counselor seek to bring a message from God to those who listen.
2. Both use the very same Source from which to gather that message — the Bible.
3. Both confront those to whom they minister with truth that is intended to change their lives.
4. Both give examples of what the Bible is talking about to show
a. What they are talking about.
b. How truth can be applied in life.
c. Ways in which it may be implemented.
5. Both are interested in bringing about change through the Spirit using His Word, and not through psychological means.
6. Both are committed to one end in all they do — the glory of God.
7. Both use the Scriptures to direct, rebuke, urge, persuade, inform and convince their listeners.
8. Both speak differently when addressing believers and unbelievers.
9. Both are interested in one end for those to whom the minister — that their lives may please God.
10. Both avoid using gimmicks to bring about the desired results.

How do they differ?

1. One speaks in a louder volume than the other (ordinarily).
2. One addresses a wide variety of people at the same time, whereas the other addresses a specific person or persons at one time.
3. One speaks, but does not receive, verbal feedback as the other does.
4. One does not discuss matters, while the other must do so.
5. One is more general in what he says that the other who can be more specific and personal.
6. One is concerned with the same basic issues over a period of time, while the other takes up a variety of topics during the period.
7. One involves written assignments while the other usually does not.
8. One speaks as a part of a worship service, while the other deals only with the problems presented in a less formal setting.
9. One acts more as a herald while the other as a coach.
10. One may seek immediate interaction among those present while the other expects eventual change of that sort.

These items are only a few of the similarities and the differences between the two. But you can see from them that they are very much alike in goals and methods, and that the differences are due largely to the distinct settings in which the communication of God’s truth takes place. Clearly, the two supplement, support and complement each other, each supplying a dimension that the other cannot. The two, in tandem, approximate each other and each is deficient apart from the other.

[from Institute for Nouthetic Studies by Jay Adams]

Church of God of Prophecy and Church of God in Christ

State Overseer E. C. McKinley has announced that Bishop Felton Smith, Prelate of the Church of God in Christ in Eastern Tennessee, will be ministering at the Tennessee State Convention of the Church of God of Prophecy.

The 2009 Tennessee State Convention will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee July 10-12, 2009. The public is invited to attend.

Bishop Felton M. Smith, Jr., a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is often referred to as one of God's anointed and accomplished 21st century evangelists. He is a teacher, prophet, apostle and pastor. Bishop is recognized throughout the body of Christ for his charismatic personality and profound insight of the gospel message.

Accepting Christ at the age of seven, and preaching by the age of eight, Bishop Smith's service in ministry has been a lifelong endeavor. As pastor of Tabernacle of Faith Deliverance Church Of God In Christ, Nashville, Tennessee, an acquisition of $2 million dollars have been realized under the leadership of Bishop Smith. A 700 seat sanctuary was completed in 2005, and a 6100 square feet multipurpose Educational and special events center which was acquired in 2003, will be completed in 2007.

Bishop Smith's educational background includes an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey, California; Pastoral studies, Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN; Religion and Philosophy with a minor emphasis on Psychology, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; (2) two earned Under-graduate Degrees in Biblical Studies, American Bible Institute, Kansas City, Missouri; Masters Degree in Orthodoxy in Ministry and Counseling Psychology, Oxford Graduate School; an earned Doctorate of Ministry, International Bible College and Seminary, Orlando, Florida; and Doctorate of Philosophy from the Oxford Graduate School.

Half of American Idol's Top Ten are Worship Leaders or Have Church Ties

According to www.MTV.com: "more than half of this year's crop of finalists — including Danny Gokey, Michael Sarver, Kris Allen, Scott MacIntyre, Matt Giraud and Lil Rounds — either have a strong affiliation with the church or are worship leaders in their communities.

"I think that Christians probably watch the show all the time but maybe don't admit it. But this gives them someone to root for in this cast who is not just talented but also follows their faith, and people want to get behind contestants who align with their views," said Joanne Brokaw, who writes the Gospel Soundcheck" column for the spirituality Web site www.BeliefNet.com. "Christian music has always had this cheesy label attached to it, and this shows that a Christian singer can have artistic integrity and they are people who can really sing."

You can read more here at MTV.com...