Hey folks,

Just a heads up concerning a great resource that’s now available.  A dear friend of ours just finished a commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians that has been published through SPCK.  D and I had the wonderful opportunity to contribute to the resource by working on the study/discussion questions at the end of every chapter.  So, if you’re looking for a very accessible, yet rich, commentary through these two momentous epistles, check out this resource at your local bookstore.  It’s a helpful guide for small groups or mid-week bible studies.  :biggrin:

You can purchase the book through Amazon by clicking here.

Peace,

Shannon

There are a few resource sites that I’ve come across recently that I think will be of benefit.  One is by a Th.D. student at Duke University, Andy Rowell, which provides great resources (e.g. excellent audio lectures from classes and conferences).  The address is www.andyrowell.net/.

Also, iTunes has available an entire semester of Introduction to the New Testament and Literature (Yale University) by Dr. Dale Martin.  You can find this by searching on iTunes U.  Quite likely, you will not agree with all of Martin’s views; however, it is a great video lecture series.

The Pentecostal Theological Seminary (formerly Church of God Theological Seminary) has a new website (finally!).  The link still seems to be www.cogts.edu.  The website is a big step up regarding access and overall design.  Now, all we need is some chapel videos (  ).

Concluding with a book reference, I’ve mentioned how I’ve been reading a lot of Stanley Hauerwas of late.  I found The Hauerwas Reader that is an excellent collection of Hauerwas’ materials and serves as a great intro into his life and writings.  I got a copy from The Amen Corner (Pelham, AL) at www.amenweb.com.

Peace

Hey everyone!  I want to invite you to check out the new online network project through Woodland Hills church (the local church where Greg Boyd is lead pastor).  The forum is really cool and has great potential for teaching, dialogue, small groups, etc.  The link is http://bridge.whchurch.org/ and there are already 629 folks on board (as of April 30).  Also, if you are in Alabama, you are welcome to join the “Alabama Group” which Jason Daughdrill and I created on the site.  It’s a cool setup for dialogue with folks in the local area (or a bit farther away).

Peace,

Shannon

Christian Greetings. 

There is a new listing of chapel messages (audio) available on the Church of God Theological Seminary website.  I would draw your attention especially to the Clarence J. Abbott Lectures in Biblical Studies by Dr. R. Hollis Gause (“Sabbath and Spirit Baptism in Eschatological Perspective”).  (Eschatology deals with studying the “end times.”)  It has been a blessing over the last few years to sit under numerous lectures presented by Dr. Gause.  His wisdom and insight concerning biblical theology is a definite gift to the Church.

What a blessing to have these messages available to us via download.  Thanks to all who have made this possible.

Blessings,

Shannon

Recently, I read a thought-provoking article by John Ortberg called, “Your Hidden Curriculum,” found in the winter 2009 volume of Leadership Journal (a good journal I might add that can be found at Barnes & Noble). Below the title, Ortberg asks – “What do people learn from you about the Christian life?  Sometimes it’s what you never intended to teach.”  The author contends that if there ever is a contradiction between our “formal curriculum” (small group studies, sermons, lessons on prayer, etc.) and our “hidden curriculum,” folks always believe the “hidden curriculum.”  He describes the hidden curriculum of a church as

“Who gets fawned over, and who gets ignored?  How do the staff and leaders get along when they’re off the platform and think nobody’s looking?  How does a small group respond when someone shares a problem that is untidy and unresolved?  Do leaders respond with panic or irritation or confidence or gentleness when a problem strikes?  When there is a conflict, do people face it head on or go into avoidance mode?  Does the church staff run on fear?” (p. 50) 

A few months back, some dear friends of ours visited from Georgia. We were hanging out in the living room for some good ole’ conversation over coffee (or soda for some).  Knowing that the couple recently relocated, I asked if they had yet to find a local church.  The young lady shared with us how she and her husband visited several churches.  One particular congregation (of the same denomination of which they were part in their last locale) seemed to be very promising at first.  However, after the announcements were given before the congregation, our friend said that she was greatly dissatisfied with how inwardly-focused the church was.  

Now, if you took a sweeping glance in the bulletin, there seemed to be no way to arrive at such a conclusion.  There were all kinds of “ministry groups,” “community projects,” etc. that had the trappings of a “successful” church.  But our friends heard and observed something different than what was listed in the bulletin (or on the church website).  They observed folks talking about various fellowships, get-togethers, luncheons, trips, etc. that centered around the satisfaction of those attending.  What was missing was a missional message laced within the conversations and actions of those attending, particularly the leadership.  

Thankfully, our friends did in fact find a local assembly in which to participate; one whose body-life looked more like that of Jesus. However, this conversation, coupled with Ortberg’s article, sparked some questions in my own mind about the traditioning (discipleship) of the church.  What exactly are we passing on?  What legacy of love are our children learning?  If we slow down a bit and prayerfully observe our attitudes, actions, conversations and vision, are we leading people in the way that Jesus is the Way?  Eugene Peterson’s excellent work, The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way, highlights the ways by which Christ embodied the way of salvation.  It’s an interesting and helpful critique.  

• Do I affirm undying love for Jesus but treat others around me in an unChristlike manner?
• If I claim to love all persons, do I surround myself with friends who are only like me?
• Do I profess that all persons are important and then rush past everyone without slowing to hear their concerns?
• Do I preach reckless abandon in worship and then hoard my resources and satisfy my own impulses for stuff?
• Am I undermining God’s love for all by my negative conversations and snide remarks concerning others?
• Do I pray at home with my family or only at church when called upon?

Asking myself these questions and more,

Shannon