Dr. Danny Akin, president of SEBTS, preached at Bellevue on August 4th, kicking off the first week of "Awesome August." Dr. Ergun Caner was originally scheduled to preach on the 4th, but with his recent issues he seems to be keeping a low profile.
Dr. Akin preached a very good sermon, seemingly without the need to "embellish" anything.
Zach Wamp, Tennessee Republican primary gubernatorial candidate, was in attendance, as was bluegrass and country singer and string player, Ricky Skaggs, who campaigned for Wamp. (Wamp lost in the August 5th primary. Ron Ramsey, another failed Republican gubernatorial candidate, attended a service at Bellevue Sunday morning.)
Ricky sang during the service, and at the end of the service, Steve got him up on stage to "sing with me." In the end Steve gets Ricky's guitar tuner... and a little something more!
This is what ensued. Enjoy!
"Dr. Akin preached a very good sermon, seemingly without the need to "embellish" anything."
ReplyDeleteIf you don't include the repeat story about not wearing underwear when jogging story?
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Well, I really hope that part was embellished, but I'm trying not to think about it again. {shudder}
ReplyDeleteRe Ergun Caner... perhaps Norm Geisler will give everyone an update on him next week.
ReplyDeleteNorman Geisler >> In Defense of Dr. Ergun Caner: A Response to His Critics
Norman Geisler >> In Further Defense of Dr. Ergun Caner: A Response to His Critics
Norman Geisler >> In Support of Dr. Ergun Caner: A Response fo His Critics
There seems to be a theme of sorts.
Wow! How'd you do that? Steve and Ricky may be talented in the pickin' and grinin' category but your mighty talented too.:-)
ReplyDeleteI like bluegrass and gospel music.
And Steve held his own with Ricky.
No doubt about it. But is church the proper venue for bluegrass music? Guess I'm from the old school that sees church as a place to show reverential worship for a Holy God - not a place of performing arts or to have a romping, stomping good time.
It's interesting how the politicians show up at large churches during election time.:-)
How'd you do that?
ReplyDeleteMagic!
I like bluegrass and gospel music. And Steve held his own with Ricky. No doubt about it. But is church the proper venue for bluegrass music? Guess I'm from the old school that sees church as a place to show reverential worship for a Holy God - not a place of performing arts or to have a romping, stomping good time.
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder is a hymn written in 1893. You don't get much more "Baptistic" than that even if it was written by a Methodist.
I'll Fly Away was written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley. It's described in that compendium of online knowledge, Wikipedia (**cough**), as "an optimistic song about an earthly death that leads to everlasting life in glory with Christ." It's also one of the most recorded gospel songs in history.
I'm Ready to Go, ©1961 Trio Music, BMI, written by William York, tells the simple story of a man coming to faith in Christ.
So I don't see a problem with the song selections. It was a welcome relief to the mostly tuneless numbers that are popular now.
As for the style, you wouldn't have to go far from here to find churches, especially in rural areas, where bluegrass is the norm. In fact, here is the program from FBC Huntsville, Alabama's recent Bluegrass and Stained Glass service which sounds kind of refreshing.
I didn't see anything wrong with the music they did Sunday night. Technically it was after the worship service, and I rather enjoyed hearing music I actually recognize. (I like bluegrass instrumentals. Not so much the nasally vocals. But their voices blended and they were pretty good.) It reminded me of some of the stuff the Gaithers do and Bellevue's "homecoming" concerts (to which it seems none of the oldtimers were invited the last time around).
To me the only thing cringe-worthy was the way Steve made himself and his singing the center of attention (again). It takes nerve to say, "Now if you think... that Ricky Skaggs is comin' to this church without singin' with me... you're wrong! You're wrong. So sit down!" As he walks off you hear him say, "Ain't gonna happen." Then he practically drags a "14-time Grammy Award winner" up on the platform. Steve said they didn't practice, so was it planned?
The camera staff enabled him. Practically every time Ricky would do a guitar riff, the camera would be on a close-up of Steve endlessly playing G, C, and D. Steve took the lead singing almost until the end when Ricky seemed to be thinking, "I'm blowing this joint," and he began his "Hallelujah" song and quickly exited. Did you notice Steve was going to sing another verse of I'll Fly Away? He sang the first word but Ricky just sang over him. Steve had this funny "oh... well, if that's what you want to do then" look on his face.
Having said all that, I'll say again that I enjoyed it.
It's interesting how the politicians show up at large churches during election time.
And it's been my observation the ones that show up at Bellevue don't usually fare too well in the elections. Off the top of my head... Mike Huckabee, Myron Lowery, Ron Ramsey, and Zach Wamp.
Every one, for a moment, would you please pray for Pastor Steve Gaines, that God would show mercy on him.
ReplyDeleteApparently God showed up and twisted Steve's left Knee and he is hurting.
Steve did say that
anything could happen
Will Steve still be able to go to Tuesday Morning Memphis City Council Meeting as planned?
Not fun. I don't wish that on anybody.
ReplyDeleteI meant the twisted knee.
ReplyDeleteThe video was funny.
Does anyone know how the Memphis City School and Shelby County School inservices went this year at Bellevue?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how the Memphis City School and Shelby County School inservices went this year at Bellevue?
ReplyDeleteCould you drop me an e-mail, please? If you're who I think you are the e-mail address I have for you doesn't work. Mine is in my profile. Thanks.
Nepotism is alive and well in the megachurch world.
ReplyDeleteFrom today's paper:
Schuller, family take pay cuts
Garden Grove, Calif. (AP)
The founder of the Crystal Cathedral and his family are taking a voluntary 50 percent pay cut to meet the demands of businesses that have sued the megachurch for more than $2 million in unpaid bills.
The Orange County megachurch, which airs the "Hour of Power" fot viewers worldwide, has been marred by financial problems.
Those taking the pay cut for the next two months include Rev. Robert Schuller, his wife, their five children and respective spouses. Employees will also face a pay cut of between 5 and 10 percent.
There are more things wrong about this than space or time will allow me to address.
Robert H. Schuller (the father) and his wife have five children. Robert A., their only son, was kicked out of TCC two years ago, so why are he and his wife still on the payroll?
Jim Barnwell and the Bellevue Media Department just got a new 4K Red video toy to play with.
ReplyDeleteYou may have seen the hunter video Jim showed in church, but have you seen the other version?
Warning, Not for the Faint of Heart!
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I wonder if Bellevue Loves Memphis as much as this church?
ReplyDeleteI saw that... and wondered.
ReplyDeleteChristians can be so-o-o naive!
ReplyDelete:0(
Pastor Stone is not a wise man! He needs to read up on the difference between Islam and Christianity:
ReplyDeleteHERE is a good start.
2 details I pulled from that link:
The Koran instructs not to make friendship with Jews and Christians (Koran 5:51) but to war against them: "When the Sacred Months are over, kill those who ascribe partners to God wheresoever ye find them; seize them, encompass them, and ambush them; then if they repent and observe prayer and pay the alms, let them go their way (Koran 4:5). "Fight against those who believe not in God nor in the Last Day, who... refuse allegiance to the True Faith from among those who have received the Book, until they humbly pay tribute out of hand." (Koran 9:29) Note: These verses distinguish between warfare against pagans, and against Jews and Christians.
and
It is acceptable to break treaties and obligations with pagans [Um, that would be us!!] and make war on them whenever strong enough to do so (Koran 9:3).
=8-0
gopher,
ReplyDeleteRegarding that 4K Red One "toy"... I wonder if the church bought one of those babies or just rented it.
Red One Store
Typical rental cost
Either way, that seems like a big (or bigger) chunk of change for what is basically a toy unless you're in the serious movie-making business. I doubt BBC would call themselves a business. Of course, maybe somebody who owns one loaned it to them for free.