One of Our Best
Last week, the Gateway family experienced a profound loss. Dr. Lisa Hoff died unexpectedly of a sudden illness. Lisa was an outstanding faculty member, but so much more. She was, among all Gateway graduates, one of our best.
Baptism Fixes Everything
Our church, like yours, has been impacted by the pandemic. We suspended in-person worship for several months and recently resumed with outdoors services. While that’s not a plan that will work in some climates, in Southern California we will be able to meet this way through the winter—or until...
Foundations in Times of Chaos
When chaos erupts—personally, in a community, or across a nation—the best response may be counter-intuitive to what seems needed. Right now, we are facing social unrest, political turmoil, natural disasters (fires, hurricanes, etc.), and a global pandemic. It might seem the best response is...
Not Closing Yet
A prominent Christian researcher announced last week he predicts one in five churches will close in the next 18 months as a result of declines caused by the pandemic. He may be right, if he means one in five churches among all denominations and groups. Some mainline churches have reported...
Real Change
My video-chapel convocation address for the Fall 2020 semester released last week, ended with six steps you can take to accomplish real change—particularly related to racism and other social justice issues. If you have not heard or read the message, take time to view it in its entirety. If you...
Patience
Schools and churches in our area are trying to reopen and the challenges are formidable. One of the most troublesome aspects is the uncertainty caused by ever-changing circumstances related to the pandemic. Just when a school or church announces their plans, the underlying assumptions that...
We're Back
Gateway Seminary resumed in-person classroom instruction today!
And the Devil Laughs
Churches are struggling with decisions about how and when to reopen, what form reopening should take, and their role in protecting people during the pandemic. Some churches are resisting governmental directives on these matters, claiming it’s a matter of conscience. Others are operating within...
The Impact of a Ministry Leader’s Marriage
Last week, my blog celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary with some encouragement for other married couples in ministry. Among the responses from many of you, a friend sent me this true story (names changed) which illustrates the impact of a ministry marriage that lasts.
Forty Years
We recently celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary which means two things. Our marriage has lasted awhile and we are getting old! When we teach on marriage, we half-jokingly say, “We have been married 40 years; about 38 good ones.” We have had some rough patches that probably total up to...