By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan As a Bible Study teacher, I create my lesson plan with three movements. First, there is a fellowship question. That is followed by a longer information session. I conclude the lesson with a transformation exercise. It happens that this process fits an acronym FIT (Fellowship, Information, Transformation). My goal is […]
Fellowship Questions Validate Learners Read More »
By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan My wife, son, and I were playing the board game, TransAmerica. The board is a map of the United States with 35 cities highlighted. Each player picks five cities at random, then must connect them with train tracks. For example, you might get San Francisco, Santa Fe, Dallas, Boston, and
Where Have You Been? Read More »
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman As the holiday song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Of course, if you are in the ministry your tune may be a bit different! Yet this season is coming whether we like it or not. In preparation for Advent this year, I am a bit like my
Advent Risk-taking Read More »
By: Rev. Jerry Chiles As a child, what were you afraid of? Did you have monsters under your bed or in your closet? Did you have imaginary people who bothered you or did you have imaginary friends to comfort you? Did you have a fear of falling or were you a daredevil? When did you
Do Not Be Afraid – Part 2 Read More »
By: Rev. Jerry Chiles How many times have we heard the phrase, “Do not be afraid” or have we said this to a family member, a friend, or a church member? Athletes at the 2024 Olympics were told to “shake it off”! Even Taylor Swift has a song about “Shaking it Off!” To be afraid
By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan “I’m not sure how to ask this,” said my friend, “but how did you learn to pray like that? Did you have a class in seminary?” This was about an offertory prayer I’d said recently at our church. He continued, “I only ask because your prayers are deeper than most
Deeper and Wider Prayers Read More »
By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan In a small group prayer meeting, I facilitated a discussion on what “in Jesus’ name” means, based on John 14:13-14, when Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my
Perfunctory or Passionate? Read More »
By: Rev. Dr Paul Raybon In my recent article I pointed to the radical days of Pentecost as a model for the church to navigate uncertain times. There is another option found in Acts 5.Do you remember old Rabbi Gamaliel? Rabbi and mentor of Saul before he was Paul? He speaks out at the trial
The Gamaliel Option Read More »
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman Years ago, as I was developing the partnership I also taught as an adjunct professor at the local community college. My primary class was Critical Thinking. I enjoyed my time with the students as I could see many of them for the first time discover and use critical thinking skills. One
By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman It’s finally happened! Our new luggage and airline tickets had been purchased and everything on our checklist seemed to be falling into place for the trip, until we were stopped dead in our tracks by COVID in April 2020. You see we were supposed to travel to North Africa to visit
