I'm Moving...

Alright, I have found a better blog hosting site than blogger (which is annoying on many points). My new blog address is http://brandonshields.wordpress.com. This blog hosting site allows you to upload and save files, which is crucial for providing resources. See you there!

Interviewing Volunteers

Recruiting volunteers can be a difficult process - especially if you are new to your church. I found a helpful resource from Saddleback that you can use to interview potential volunteers. Click here for the form.

The Best Link Yet...

Alright everyone, I have officially identified the coolest link on the internet. Remember the days of Growing Pains, The Flinstones, and Foghorn Leghorn? If those ring any bells to you, then you will love this website that AOL has produced. You can watch old episodes of your favorite childhood shows and cartoons for free! Click here to check it out.

Interesting Report

The Higher Ed. Research Institute just published a report called "The American Freshman" for the Fall of 2006. This is good research on college students. Click here.

Questions to ask at an interview...

I know a lot of our interns are in the job interview process. With that in mind, I thought I would pass along a list of questions I came across a few years ago that you might consider asking your potential church employer before taking the job. Let me know what additions or other questions you might add to this list so I can make it more helpful.

http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dcz7x5gw_0g3z8zc

The 5 Most Overrated Teams So Far...

And, here it is...my personal list of this season's most overrated basketball squads at the onset of conference play. Unfortunately, it's only going to get worse for some of these posers!

5. Air Force

With high quality wins against such perennial juggernauts as Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Long Beach State, the Falcons have built a strong case to squeak into the NCAA tournament so far. Fortunately for them, conference play promises to be a breather - no ranked opponents!

4. Alabama

The Crimson Tide have 5 starters in double figures, shredding the likes of Lipscomb and Coppin St. in a powerhouse non-conference schedule. SEC ball is just around the corner, though - uh oh!

3. Duke

What's in a name? The ONLY possible explanations for Duke's #11 ranking is their history and Coach K. They have been extremely lucky up to this point and Paulus is absolutely horrible. Not a good recipe for ACC play.

2. Pittsburgh

Who have they played? Enough said.

And, the most ridiculously overranked team in the entire field of NCAA basketball...

I'll finish this one in my next post...

Culture and Sexuality

The Allan Guttmacher Institute, a renowned research company that studies social issues in America, recently released its findings indicating that over 90% of Americans claim to have had premarital sex. The study, which was covered by AP in an article here, has not surpisingly been met with skepticism by some conservatives. Regardless of the margin of error, the study brings two thoughts immediately to mind: 1) It dispels the myth of nostalgic chastity, or the idea that women 60 years ago were less sexually active than women today; 2) Evangelicals have lost ground in the cultural battle on sexuality and prevailing postmodern views on the subject (my body = my property/right/perspective).

Golf Clubs for sale!

I am selling my Taylor Made Rac OS2 golf clubs. They are right-handed, graphite-shaft, regular flex and have barely been used. Price is $425. Send me an email at bshields@highviewbaptist.org if you are interested.