Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Teachers: Chris Goldman, Piper Ditzler Deconstruction of faith is a critical discussion in our time impacting everyone. Reconstruction of relationships seems out of reach to so many. Division and disbelief is running rampant. Avoiding the conversation is simply not an option. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the Northwest Church Worship Band and Chris Goldman will explore these two topics through scripture, story, music, live art, and suggestions for a more hopeful tomorrow. (Wednesday - Deconstruction; Thursday - Reconstruction).

Teacher: Jeff Walling Everywhere we look student ministry is facing the changes and challenges brought by: technology, ecology, politics, and pandemics. Anchoring our ministry to students in the nature and teaching of Christ has never been more important. Youth ministry leaders from across the country will share current research and offer practical advice on keeping Christ at the center of ministry to teens in areas like identity, gender issues, and creativity in teaching.

Teachers: David Fraze, Walter Surdacki Don't know how to be involved in youth ministry? David and Walter draw on over 60 years of youth ministry experience. They will help you see how you can partner with your youth minister and help your youth ministry thrive. You don't have to be a great public speaker or devote every weekend to be a small group leader either to get involved! They will help you see different "in front and behind the scenes" ways you can support and serve.

Teachers: Billy Curl, Tyson Moore Passing the proverbial torch in ministry must be done carefully between ministers. Billy Curl served 40+ years as the minister of the Crenshaw church of Christ in Los Angeles, California and then successfully retired after having discipled, trained and prepared his successor Tyson Moore. Their story has encouraged many in the African-American churches of Christ across the nation.

Teacher: Dan Zink The fast pace and high demands of today leave little time or energy for togetherness in our relationships. This workshop will focus on deepening connection in relationships with friends and spouses to better ground us in love for each other even when time and energy are limited. Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family.

Teacher: Lisa Parnell I remember being taught as a child that prayer is our way of talking to God, and Scripture is how God talks to us. But each can seem so one-sided and separate. What if prayer could be more like a conversation, a dialogue between God and us? Prayer Trails are an interactive, experiential way of conversing with God while walking through nature. They have proven meaningful and memorable for teens and adults alike. This class will outline the process for making a Prayer Trail and allow you the opportunity to "walk" a virtual Prayer Trail yourself. God is waiting to connect with you...come and see.

Teacher: Andy Wall God has always called his people to live in community. But God surely knows how hard it is for us humans to get along! If you’re aching for a greater sense of unity in our churches, come explore how Jesus’ ministry, the power of the cross, and the canon of Scripture provide a powerful rationale for unity in the midst of our diversity.

Teacher: Jim White Often overlooked because of its brevity, the book of Philemon gives us a glimpse into Paul’s heart, psychology, and doctrine. Paul puts into practice his teaching from the Corinthians letter to bring together two former adversaries. Learn from this shortest of Paul’s epistles the way to gently restore one who has strayed.

Teacher: Shane Hughes

In this session, American church historian Christina Littlefield will explore how one American pastor yoked the evangelical pietism of his Northern Baptist youth to the social justice platform of the Progressive Era, helping to develop the 1908 Social Creed of the Churches. Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918) was one of the leading voices of the early evangelically social gospel. However, he grew up in a conservative household in Rochester, New York and spent zero time thinking about the social conditions of the industrial age, until he began ministering to German immigrants in Hell’s Kitchen, New York in the 1880s. The frequency of funerals for children convinced him the Gospel should serve the whole person, body and soul, and the whole of society, not just the church. He grounded his theological vision in the social justice calls of the Hebrew prophets and the kingdom of God rhetoric of Jesus Christ.