Excerpt — Integrating Theology, Church, and Ministry in a Chinese Seminary
A perennial challenge for theological education is the integration of what is learned in the class with students’ church life and ministry. Whereas some of the underlying issues are common to all seminaries, others are influenced by the cultural context in which theological education, church life, and ministry take place. Integrating Theology, Church, and Ministry […]
People Who Believed in Me – Part Two
During this Thanksgiving season, I have been reflecting on people who made my seminary education possible. They invested much in shaping me for future ministry leadership. Last week, I told you the story of two families who paid for my first seminary degree. Here’s the second part of the story. My first pastorate was at […]
People Who Believed in Me – Part One
During this Thanksgiving season, I have been reflecting on people who made my seminary education possible. They invested much in shaping me for future ministry leadership. Just before we moved to seminary, a family invited us to their home for lunch. They were a modest-income family facing the financial challenges of two sons leaving soon […]
Christians Need Not Apply
The Washington Elementary School District, which covers parts of Glendale and Phoenix recently ended its contract with Arizona Christian University. The agreement had facilitated student teacher training, which created a pathway to employment for ACU graduates. Even a regional teacher shortage, mentioned as a problem by the WESD board members who took this action, did […]
International Seminaries
One Gateway initiative which often remains behind-the-scenes is our partnerships with international seminaries. Some of these relationships are formal (with written agreements to support one another) while others are fraternal (more intermittent and relational). We have several of these with schools around the world – mainly focused on the Pacific Rim but also including schools […]
Don’t Let’em Ruin You
As I prepared to leave for seminary, a concerned, callous-handed deacon called me aside for a private word. He said, “I know you’re going to seminary and it might do you some good. But, just don’t let’em ruin you.” What he meant was, don’t let a seminary education quench your compassion for people and don’t […]