Gottesblog

I've received many requests for eReader versions of Daily Divine Service Book and have finally gotten around to the rather frustrating task of formatting the files. (Word to the wise: don't bother using Calibre to make ePub files! Use the free Open Office Add On and don't look back. Calibre works great for making .mobi files for the Kindle.)

It is obviously problematic to call laymen who are assigned various duties to assist the ordained presbyter "elders." That's the Bible term for clergy. Likewise with calling them "deacons" as some other parishes do. For whatever deacons were in NT times (arguments persist), it is clear that they were set apart from the laity and even clearer that in Reformation times the term was synonymous with the lower ranks of clergy.

A guest post from Fr. Scott Adle:

Here is an odd essay about growing up Christian, then getting out once she found out exactly what the relevant churches were doing -- the bait and switch.

I think Fr. Petersen put it best in the comments on the previous post: whichever song is imagined as the "Praise Song" it is deeply creepy.

Now, this will only be fun if you don't know either one of these songs. So if you read the lyrics and recognize one of the songs below, don't comment and ruin it for others.