Baptism

I thought I would share with you all one of my firsts in ministry. I had not had an immersion baptism yet, but after going through confirmation this last time I had two youth that had not been baptized and they decided they wanted to be "dunked." In the Methodist Church we offer three different ways to be baptized, either: immersion, pouring or sprinkling. It seems like not many people choose to be immersed---but this was the exception. What do you all think about the different forms of baptism? What do you think about baptism?

First Question

So, yesterday it began. I was walking through the library at Duke University, while at the same time perusing some of the new books that have come into the library. When someone said to me: "If you're looking for a good book, you should read The Celestine Prophecy. He then went on to describe the book to me and asked if I had read it. I indicated to him that I have the book on my book shelf but I have never read all of it. He then asked me if I believed in deja vu, heightened intellectual experiences of mind over matter or visions of future events?
By this time a colleague of his (I think they were working on the wiring in the library) got in on the conversation as well. After explaining to them that I believe in prophecy, but I don't believe we are to make ourselves into our own god. We must always remember that we are creature and not creator. They then went on to ask me if I am studying theology here at Duke. I said, you know what, actually I am a pastor of a church in Roxboro, NC, while at the same time studying at the Divinity School here on campus.
Immediately after hearing that I am a Pastor the one person who came in on the conversation last asked me a question, he said: "What do you think of women in leadership positions in the church?"
This is my first question!!!
I encourage any response to his question---while at the same time any other questions regarding this one.

Blessings,

Philip

Men and Church

Yesterday in my evangelism class there was a discussion about men and attendance at Church. I think we can all agree that men are not as regular with their attendance for worship as women are. Many people think they have the answers for this --- so they throw around big words like the feminization of the church. I would welcome any comments on this. There was a disturbing book that I read years ago called Why Men Hate Going to Church which has made me look at this more and more. I have heard it said that certain denominations are having such a difficult time with this that on average there will be only 25% male attendance in a worship service.

What do you all think?

Beginning

I wanted to put my first post up. The reason I am putting this post up now is so that all of you can look back at the process of putting WikiWorship into motion. This is the beginning. There is a team that is getting together that is organizing the church's website. Speaking of which that is at: www.warrensgroveumc.org. This blog will be linked to the church's website. Also, I am in the process of finishing up the details for the WikiWorship project. I am in the process of taking an evangelism class at Duke Divinity school. This class allows me to expand on this project even more---because it has been about 3 months since I wrote it.

I thought I should also show a picture of the spot that I study 4 days out of the week. It is on the third floor of Bostock library and it has a great view of Duke Chapel.

Also, I want to let you know that I will be trying to gather as many questions as possible from you all. Please get ready to fire them at me with everything that you have. My main thing is that I want all the questions that you can bring. And after you can do this for me then I, and a team, will attempt to answer them. We will do the best we can---and we will be relying on you all to pray and help us --- but the major help we need is a lot of questions.

I will keep you updated here on out and I will try to do it often.

Thank you for everything that you do.

And I am excited about this journey.

Blessings,

Philip Chryst