Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Latest Episodes:

Real Life Discipleship - Jonathan Storment May 02, 2024

Show notes

The past few years have been a wake-up call for the American church. From the New York Times to the Atlantic to the Washington Post people on the outside of church are rightfully pointing out that American churches are more “sociological than Christological.” That’s a fancy way of saying American Christianity appears to be hollow . . . there’s nothing really there. People on the inside of churches are just as materialistic, politically idolatrous, misogynistic, and racist as people on the outside (sometimes even more so!). Churches of Christ have a history of failing to keep the main thing the main thing. From focusing on worship styles and forms to demonizing other churches in town we have historically often failed to reach out to new people and to disciple the people in our pews in the actual ways of Jesus. In order for our churches to flourish, in order for our cities to have a fair chance to see the real Jesus, we need to go deeper in the ways of discipleship that Jesus actually gave us. “Real Life Discipleship” will be a call to keep the center of the Gospel the main thing, with practical tools and training for how to implement a more robust form of discipleship in our churches.
Teacher:
Jonathan Storment

Comeback Churches - Jon Reed and Kevin Withem May 02, 2024

Show notes

Hope for renewal and revival for churches that are small or stuck
Teachers:
Jon Reed, Kevin Withem

Becoming Love - Kevin Knight May 02, 2024

Show notes

A few years ago, I confessed to a friend, "I get jealous when I hear others say they married their best friend, because I didn't." In the same conversation I challenged us both to learn to love our wives better. What resulted was a year of Jesus teaching me how I could be more loving. I also learned in the process that my jealousy was based on a false assumption. Let's discuss some of what I learned!
Teacher:
Kevin Knight

Nurturing Compassion for Young People in Your Congregation - Kyle Williams May 02, 2024

Show notes

The studies have shown for decades the uptick in young people leaving the Church after high school. Many churches have struggled to respond to the shifting topography of culture and identity. Perhaps what is needed most are churches that are truly investing in their young people and passing on a faith built on compassion, not doctrine alone. But where to begin? If you are struggling to help your congregation to journey with and mentor young people, this session will offer some helpful ideas and conversation.
Teacher:
Kyle Williams

Homegrown Staff: Finding Ministers in Your Own Congregation - Caleb Borchers May 02, 2024

Show notes

For many congregations, finding the right individuals to serve on their ministry staff is a difficult season that involves a broad search and interview process. But what if God is growing your staff within your own community? In this class we will explore the ways developing future ministry staff from within a congregation can be done, the theological and practical reasons to do it, and share how our own church has thrived through such an experience. We will realistically tackle the challenges and blessings. As churches confront budgetary challenges and preacher shortages, this process may become an essential way to find more workers for the harvest.
Teacher:
Caleb Borchers

Harry Potter, Hobbits, and Holiness: A Humble Journey with God - Joe Neal May 02, 2024

Show notes

We are all on epic quest for truth and justice. Unfortunately, we too often forget ourselves among the hazardous obstacles and tantalizing temptations along the way. The struggle of pride and power overtake us. We long to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We long to be heroes who are clothed in humility. How can we get back on the righteous path and fulfill what God requires of us? In this lecture, we will explore the topic of humility by examining epic stories illustrating the struggle between good and evil. We will put our trust in the example of Jesus and learn specific exercises on how to grow downward in holiness.
Teacher:
Joe Neal

Eroding Skepticism - Chess Cavitt May 02, 2024

Show notes

Hebrews calls us to believe in the unseen while the skepticism of society beckons us to doubt everything. We scoff at reports of aliens, Bigfoot, and Nessy, but on Sundays we proclaim belief in giants, leviathan, miracles, and resurrection from the dead. Christians live in the tension between faith in God and skepticism toward just about everything else, or have we let the skepticism of the world slowly erode our faith? How deeply has our skepticism and disbelief affected our ability to have faith in God?
Teacher:
Chess Cavitt

“Election” Meets Election: How the Theology of Romans Can Shape your Church’s Approach to Politics - Phil Brookman May 02, 2024

Show notes

Most Christians I know are dreading this fall’s presidential election. “It’s going to be bad.” “We’re going to lose friends.” “I’m worried about my church.” “The world is going to fall apart if the other team wins.” How might the apostle Paul coach a church entering in this season? By taking a careful look at how Paul approached the fault lines threatening to fracture the Christians in Rome (with special attention to Romans 14), this class will offer a positive vision for how a church might proactively engage the election season as an opportunity to be a “disruptive witness” in a saturated market of rage.
Teacher:
Phil Brookman

Creating a Culture Where Questions Are Allowed - Doug Page May 02, 2024

Show notes

We live in a world full of big questions. Does faith matter? What do I do with my doubts? On top of this - there are so many big conversations happening in our culture. Conversations about sexuality, race, gender, immigration, and more. Many in our churches are wondering, “Where can I go to have discussions about these things? And why is it that church is often the last place where these discussions happen?” Come hear about one church’s journey toward creating an atmosphere for open dialogue and conversation where no topic is off limits.
Teacher:
Doug Page