Flotsam and jetsam (1/27)

• David Roach summarizes some Lifeway research on how churches are using their websites. HT

Though most churches have a website, there is a divide between congregations that use their sites only for one-way communication and those that maximize their online presence with interactive technology.

• Al Mohler discusses Joel Osteen’s recent comments about homosexuality.

Joel Osteen found himself forced to answer a question that every Christian — and certainly every Christian leader — will be forced to answer. When that moment comes, and come it will, those who express confidence in the Bible’s teaching that homosexuality is a sin will find themselves facing the same shock and censure from the very same quarters.

• Fred Sanders interviews Shaun Williams on teaching Augustine’s Confessions to middle schoolers.

The 14 year old is ripe for the picking in terms of Augustine’s discussions of sin, God, prayer, etc. The narrative and reflective style of the book is perfect for having Socratic and mind-blowing moments with 8th graders.

• The collective over at Near Emmaus is giving away a copy of Eugene Peterson’s The Pastor: A Memoir.

• Here’s an inspiring list of 10 Great Philanthropists Who Are Kids

• CNN has a fun list of 7 internet sins that could make you go viral with your friends.

• And, the Old Spice Guy is back.

Pork is evil – thus spake Joel Osteen

If you haven’t seen this yet, here’s a short clip of Joel Osteen explaining why Christians should not eat pork.

I wonder if that suit he’s’ wearing is made of two kinds of cloth?

Fortunately, though, he does point out that it’s okay to eat buffalo. That’s good. I was just about to pound down some buffalo sausage for breakfast.

Around the water cooler

Here are some interesting posts from wherever:

• Tim Challies has a fabulous post asking you to guess which of various statements came from a fortune cookie, and which ones are from Joel Osteen. Definitely worth checking out. (I didn’t do very well.)
• Over on the main Western blog , Brian is posting a series of interviews with Douglas Estes on his book, Sim Church: Being the Church in the Viritual World. Make sure you’re following along with that.
• Jenny Hwang explains why Christians should oppose Arizona’s new immigration law. This comes the day after a group of evangelical leaders issued a statement calling for an “earned citizenship” approach to immigration reform rather than amnesty.
• The New York Times has a piece covering Pope Benedict’s most recent remarks on the sex abuse scandal.
• The Mojave Desert cross has been stolen. As a bonus, though, there’s a $25,000 reward if you find it.