New Neighborhood Hangout

Finally, there is a coffee shop within walking distance of my parent's home in Salt Lake City!

Highland Perk is located at 1588 East Stratford Avenue, and sits amidst a tiny shopping area that's been around since before I was born. Shops have come and gone here, but I suspect that this one is a keeper. Barbara the barista provided me with excellent service. Highland Perk also features a nice selection of pastries and other drinks. Highly recommended! Phone: (801) 466-PERK.

Merry Christmas!

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, whose nativity we celebrate today.

Enjoy this photo of my father reading the funnies in today's Salt Lake Tribune. The hole is not the result of anything we did - the paper came that way. Christmas kudos to the Tribune for their excellent quality control.

Tithe

Seen in the seminary parking lot. A fun image on multiple levels.

Anticipation

Here I am with my newly painted Christmas ornament for the school tree.

Take One Guinness And Call Me In The Morning

I need one of these right now. I'm in the midst of writing two big papers, and I also have to study for a comprehensive final for our World Religions class. Blogging has been sparse for weeks now, I know. Thanks to those of you who keep checking in. I appreciate your readership!

Guinness Originally uploaded by Paul Watson.

1517

Today was the day, way back in 1517, that Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" at the door of the church in Wittenburg. The Diet of Worms followed soon thereafter - another key inflection point in the history of Christian faith.

Gender Gaps

I haven't posted here for way too long. I'll dive back in with a tidbit from Ms. Christine Rosen, who has written an insightful article for the Taste page of the Wall Street Journal:

Interestingly, Mr. Murrow notes that, among the major Christian denominations, it is the mainline churches that suffer the largest gender gaps in church attendance. These churches, still pilloried by feminists for their patriarchal pretensions, have in fact become spiritual sorority houses. It is the more conservative denominations, such as the Southern Baptists, that have the most even ratios. In these more traditional churches, many of which do not have female clergy, parishioners hear less about cooperation and feel-good spirituality and more about spiritual rigor and the competition to win souls. Churches that embrace male leadership, including the Roman Catholic Church, remain the largest in the country, and the Mormon Church, which also does not have female clergy, is the fastest-growing.

Very interesting. I was recently advised by a seminary professor to be sure to have a vibrant ministry to the men of whatever congregation I might one day lead.