Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Latest Episodes:

Leveling Leadership in an Elder Board Model May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Tiffany Dahlman

Class 1: Preachers, have you been frustrated with your elders over matters of theology or mission? Elders, have you felt anxiety or confusion over your pulpit minister's theology? Very often Churches of Christ hire pulpit ministers with advanced degrees in Bible and ministry while the elders do not have any such formal training. Elders may be rich in faith and love for the flock, but the formal training distance between them and the preacher can wreak havoc on a congregation. Some have called this an "upside-down polity" where those without formal training in Bible and ministry are the authority over the ministers who do have such training. As a result, conflict ensues, misunderstandings abound, and church growth stymies. This class will offer several ways for churches to overcome the dark side of the upside down polity system so that ministers and elders can work together and the formal training gap can dissolve without compromising a plurality of leadership or the greater gifts.

Sustained Flourishing in Ministry for the Long Haul May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Dee Dee Mayer

Pastor burnout is real. Vocational ministry is challenging, particularly in our current cultural climate. The Barna Group released research that communicates that 42% of pastors have considered leaving ministry in the past year. Some factors impacting this rise in pastors questioning their call to ministry are stress, loneliness, and politics. Please join Dee Dee Mayer as she shares strategies for sustaining wellness and flourishing across a lifespan of ministry. In this class you will leave with tools that will help you assess both your own wellness as well as the wellness of those you lead and serve.

How our Church Became a Resilience Hub for the Community May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teachers: Judy and Woody Square

We have had an exciting journey these past two years partnering with the City of San Leandro and our immediate neighbors to develop our church into a Resilience Hub for the community. A resilience hub is a neighborhood center that integrates disaster preparedness, community care and belonging, and sustainability to be "ready for anything." We have a steering committee made up of 4 church members and 8 Lewis Avenue neighbors. We meet about every six weeks to plan block parties, work on an emergency communication system, prepare the church building to serve as an evacuation center, and address the neighborhood’s top concerns (crime, traffic calming, etc.) The immediate neighborhood sees us as a valuable resource and asset, and we are building many new connections throughout the city.
More and more cities will be starting Resilience Hub initiatives, and they will be reaching out to communities of faith to serve in this capacity. Come and learn how your church can bless your surrounding community in this way.

Standing Up for Jesus May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teachers: Jacob Parnell, Bryan Schackmann

Bryan and Jacob are Church of Christ preachers who also do stand-up comedy on the side. (Think of it as a mid-life crisis people are forced to watch!) In this session, they will share stories about their time in the bars and comedy clubs of Los Angeles and the California Bay Area trying to share the light and hope of Jesus in a pretty dark world. They’ll also each perform some of their original stand-up material! (So laugh good.)

1 Corinthians 13: The Chapter of the Holy Spirit May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Jack Williamson

This famous chapter, where the Apostle Paul describes love in so many facets and virtues, is a staple of Christian ceremonies. It is used over and over at gatherings, from weddings to memorial services and everything in between. There is nothing wrong with this, but so many of the references to this great treatise miss the context and meaning that it seems Paul intended to convey. This chapter on Love is actually Paul’s conclusion to a section of teaching on the gifting of the Holy Spirit. This class will explore that idea.

DnD and Jesus May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Kyle Sapp

With the rise of popular hits like Stranger Things on Netflix and the amazing success of podcasts such as Critical Role and the Adventure Zone, Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) has carved a hard to ignore chunk in the cultural zeitgeist. However, the Church has not had such a friendly history with this game, at worst calling it a gateway to Satanism and at best looking at it’s players with confusion and disdain. In our session, we will talk about why millions of people play Dungeons and Dragons, discuss the ways it helps improve social, emotional and spiritual health, and even brainstorm ideas for how the church can be more inclusive to DnD’s fanbase. You won’t have to roll a character to join but it couldn’t hurt.

God’s Abundant Love May 13, 2023

Show notes

Teachers: Alex and Eleni Melirrytos

"... preparing a feast of rich food..."
Theme verse: (Isaiah 25:6) "... the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine - the best of meats and the finest of wines." Please feel free to "arrange" as you see fit.

Does God Love Other Religions? May 11, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Dyron Daugherty

Your neighborhood probably has Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. Your kids and grandkids probably go to school with Jews, Sikhs, and Taoists. You may have members of other religions working in the office down the hall from you. Let's get real: the world's religions are all around us. So now what? What should you do, as a Christian, about that fact? In this class, we explore Christian responses to the world's religions. And you probably already know the answer to the class question!

Missional Preaching May 11, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Dusty Rush

Exploring some subtle shifts in the ways we measure good preaching.

Love, Justice, and Hope: Theological Perspectives May 11, 2023

Show notes

Teacher: Stanley Talbert

This class explores theological perspectives on love, justice, and hope. If "God Loves Forever," what are the implications of human love for God, the neighbor, and the self in the 21st century?

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