“…social media encourages a pastor to pander. Influencers live and die by their audience. One of the driving goals is always to grow that audience, and you do that by giving people what performs well. Over time, you learn what your audience craves, and you keep serving it to them. … it’s rare to see influencers confront their own audience in any serious way, especially in ways that rebuke a negative tendency. Instead, their default is to flatter and pander. That’s not because they’re uniquely dishonest people. It’s because that’s what grows a platform.”
(Michael Foster) I’m a pastor. And I’m also a pastor who has participated in influencer culture. As Reformed Christians go, I’ve had a fairly well-listened-to podcast and a decent-sized presence on Twitter, Substack, and Facebook. I’ve been on plenty of other podcasts. I’ve spoken at conferences. I’m friends with, or at least acquainted with, a number of well-known influencers. This is something I have firsthand experience in. Continue reading
(Marsha West – Christian Research Network) Christianity holds to the view that prayer is of the leading of the Holy Spirit. Octavius Winslow put it in these words:
(Virgil Walker – Sola Veritas) And every once in a while I see an expression on a parent’s face that makes me pause. It usually happens after a sermon, or while we’re walking to the parking lot, or in the back of a quiet corner of the church where they think no one notices their eyes. It’s a cocktail of confusion, and sadness, and something that feels like fear. Parents of adult kids who have that look on their face I’ve seen people have in front of a grave.
(Roger Helle – The Patriot Post) It’s easy to get distracted this time of year — if not by the rush of holiday shopping and looking for the perfect gift, then by the horrible news that seems to get darker and darker every year. Recently, though, it seems to get darker and darker every week!
SALTY LANGUAGE WARNING
“Marriage has been openly mocked and replaced with a counterfeit, and Chick-fil-A’s brand is being used to celebrate it. The institution God established in Genesis and affirmed by Christ Himself is now reduced to a prop for social approval.”
Yikes. “Never in American history has a President or the Department of Justice been this transparent with the American people about such a sensitive law enforcement matter,” Blanche added. “Democrat administrations in the past have refused to provide full details of the Jeffrey Epstein saga. But President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Patel are committed to providing full transparency consistent with the law.”
“This has the aroma of a master strategy to settle the succession even before a primary fight can take place. That doesn’t mean other Republicans may not challenge for the nomination, nor does it suggest that the GOP will make the Democrats’ 2024 mistake of cooking the rules to prevent a serious challenge to the preferred nominee. What it will do is disincentivize those challengers from coming forward at the risk of (a) futility and (b) alienating the MAGA base for interfering in the mission.” 
“A homeless man named “John” apparently is the real hero here. He cracked the case wide open, confronted the shooter, got his description, and that of his car. He’s also the person who posted on Reddit, which essentially solved the case. After the second person of interest ‘in proximity’ to the suspect was released, this person came forward and cooperated fully, which led to Valente being found:
(Emma Colton – Fox News) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a sweeping package of proposed regulatory actions Thursday to end “sex-rejecting procedures” on minors as part of President 
SALTY LANGUAGE WARNING
“We’re bringing our economy back from the brink of ruin. The last administration and their allies in Congress looted our Treasury for trillions of dollars, driving up prices at levels never seen before. I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast.” 
“Some children even pray to him, clasping their hands and whispering requests, because Santa—let’s not forget—has become their benevolent giver of gifts. And while all of this unfolds, parents stand by, chuckling at the “adorable” display, never once considering the spiritual implications.”
(Mary Dowling) We have a 
“Christians best be aware of the threat of the modern Judaizer, and where it ultimately leads.”
““We believe Elevation College has the potential to become one of our largest and most premier Network Campuses—but this model is not new for us; we have been doing this at scale for years,” he said, adding that the church partnership is rooted in SEU’s mission to serve the local church.”