Preaching in an Intercultural Future

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Our contexts are becoming ever more diverse. Intercultural community and life are increasingly real. How do ministers navigate intercultural contexts, and how might our preaching need to evolve to communicate effectively in such a world? Join us with our special guest, Dr. Jared Alcántara, as we explore what it means to be interculturally competent in our communication, in our preaching, and in our ministry.

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this particular webinar took place on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

 

RECORDINGS AND RESOURCES

  • Watch the video on YouTube

  • Dr Alcántara’s book recommendation list

  • Listen to the audio (below)Special Guest: Jared Alcántara

 

SPECIAL GUEST: JARED ALCÁNTARA

Dr. Jared Alcántara

Dr. Jared E. Alcántara is professor of preaching and holder of the Paul W. Powell Endowed Chair in Preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He was born and raised in New Jersey and came to faith in Christ at the age of 14. He is half-Latino (Honduran) and half-White. An ordained Baptist minister, he has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, and teaching pastor in Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New Jersey.  Dr. Alcántara is passionate about equipping students to preach God’s Word in ways that are faithful, effective, clear, creative, and inspiring. He also plays piano, enjoys disc golf, and is a rabid Philadelphia Eagles fan. He lives in the Waco area with his wife, Jennifer, and their three daughters.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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Ministry with Children

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Children hold a special place in the heart of Jesus, and many churches desire to cultivate a space that mirrors that same love and embrace. However, due to factors that range from the practical (e.g., minister shortages) to the spiritual (e.g., an incomplete theology of children), churches struggle with how to put that desire into practice. Therefore, the result is a ministry that becomes more programmatic than spiritually formative, and in the end, the kingdom of God experiences the impact of those challenges. Therefore, if we are to truly embody a children’s ministry that expresses the fullness of God—from children to leadership—then we must ask ourselves, “What does ministry with children truly look like?”

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this particular webinar took place on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

 

RECORDINGS AND RESOURCES

  • Watch the video on YouTube

  • Dr Schroeder’s book recommendation list

  • Listen to the audio (below)Special Guest: Jennifer Schroeder

 

SPECIAL GUEST: Jennifer Schroeder

Dr. Jennifer Schroeder

Jennifer Schroeder has been serving in congregational ministry for the last two decades, in addition to being an accomplished musician, teacher and scholar. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the University of North Texas, a doctorate from Michigan State University, and a master’s degree in family studies from Lubbock Christian University; additionally, she has recently completed her Doctor of Ministry degree from ACU. Jennifer has served in children’s ministry in congregations in Garland, Plano, and Houston, Texas, as well as with the North Atlanta Church of Christ in Georgia for the past six years. Jennifer currently serves the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry as the Summit Director and a consultant for churches. In addition to her role as Summit Director, she teaches courses in children and family ministry for the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry in ACU’s College of Biblical Studies. She has also recently been named the director of the Center for Women in Christian Ministry. Jennifer and her husband, Greg, have four children, and they love calling Abilene home.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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The Return of Shame and Honor

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The cultural dynamics of honor, face, and shame have often been thought to be possessions of foreign, non-Western cultures. Those of us in the English-speaking world have often thought we have "outgrown" such issues–no more "pistols at 20 paces"! In truth, there is no such thing as "Honor Cultures" or "Shame Cultures." Not only do these appear as dominant themes in scripture, but all cultures practice these basic dynamics, including our modern English-speaking North American culture. To understand and engage our current cultural context well, ministers and church leaders need to pay closer attention to such issues. In this webinar, Chris will draw on some of his recent publications to help church leaders think deeply and critically about honor, face, and shame.

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this particular webinar took place on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

 

RECORDINGS AND RESOURCES

 

Special Guest: CHRIS FLANDERS

Chris Flanders

Chris Flanders is professor of missions in the Graduate School of Theology at ACU. His wife, Cara, is the assistant director of the ACU Counseling Center. Chris spent 11 years in Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) where he worked with established churches and helped plant several new churches. Chris is the assistant editor of Missio Dei Journal and a member of the leadership team of the Honor-Shame Network. His publications include About Face: Rethinking Face for 21st Century Mission, Devoted to Christ: Missiological Reflections in Honor of Sherwood G. Lingenfelter (editor), and Honor, Shame, and the Gospel: Reframing Our Message and Ministry (editor with Werner Mischke).

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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Starting Churches That Don’t Look Like Churches

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In the aftermath of COVID and the social unrest of the past three years, churches have—at best—lost only 15% of their pre-COVID numbers. In many cases, church attendance is down 30-50% or more from 2019. At the same time, we have seen a precipitous rise in the number of churches closing or merging with other congregations. Does anyone still question the need for new churches? Of course, we always need new churches, but we do not need more of what we have had. We need new churches that reimagine what it looks like to be the people of God in an increasingly secular and post-Christian world. Therein lies the challenge! Will established churches seek to start new kinds of churches—churches that perhaps won’t even look like churches to them but embody the Gospel in their communities in unfamiliar ways?

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this particular webinar took place on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

We offer Intersection at no charge to you. If you find it impactful and would like to help us continue offering webinars like this, as well as other resources for churches and Christian leaders, we appreciate donations of any size. Thank you!

 

RECORDINGS AND RESOURCES

 

Special Guest: Tod Vogt

Tod Vogt

Tod Vogt is the executive director of Mission Alive, a missional church planting ministry with a focus on starting new, innovative churches in marginalized communities. He is the co-author of Discipleship Cohorts: Listening to God through Scripture, Prayer and Mission and the co-author of Catalyze Coaching: Kenotic Conversations for Growth and Change. Tod holds an M.A. in communication and an M.Miss. in missions, both from ACU. He lives in McKinney, Texas, with his wife, Candace, who owns her own law firm. They have two adult children. Tod is an elder for the Greenville Oaks Church of Christ in Allen, Texas.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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Church Community in an Age of Isolation

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Much has been written about the ways in which our culture grows increasingly fragmented. Less discussed, however, are the ways in which our church practices contribute to that reality. Drawing on the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Myles Werntz offered an account of the ways the church perpetuates isolation, and what it might look like to practice the life of faith with the good of community in mind.

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this particular webinar took place on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

We offer Intersection at no charge to you. If you find it impactful and would like to help us continue offering webinars like this, as well as other resources for churches and Christian leaders, we appreciate donations of any size. Thank you!

 

Recordings and Resources

 

SPECIAL GUEST: Myles Werntz

Dr. Myles Werntz

Myles Werntz is director of the Baptist Studies Center and associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University. He is the author and co-editor of several books in the area of Christian theology and ethics, including his most recent publications from Baker, From Isolation to Community: A Renewed Vision for Christian Life Together and (with David C. Cramer) A Field Guide to Christian Nonviolence: Key Thinkers, Activists, and Movements for the Gospel of Peace. His research interests include church engagements in political life, Christian ethics of war and peace, immigration, and ecclesiology. He is married to Sarah Martin-Werntz, and they live in Abilene with their sons. He is always waiting for baseball season.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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God’s Living Word

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The Bible is the word of the Lord Jesus to his church. But what is it meant to do in the life of God’s people? What is it for, how should we understand it, and how should we approach it as ordinary believers or as teachers and preachers? Join us for a conversation with Brad East as we reflect theologically on the role and purpose of Scripture in the worship and mission of the church.

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this webinar took place on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

We offer Intersection at no charge to you. If you find it impactful and would like to help us continue offering webinars like this, as well as other resources for churches and Christian leaders, we appreciate donations of any size. Thank you!

 

Recordings and Resources

 

Special Guest: Brad East

Dr. Brad East

Brad East is assistant professor of theology in the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University. He edited Robert Jenson’s The Triune Story: Collected Essays on Scripture (Oxford University Press, 2019) and authored The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021) and The Church’s Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context (Eerdmans, 2022). He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University. Brad and his wife, Katelin, and their four children are members of Highland Church of Christ, where he is one of the teachers in the Sojourners class.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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Pastoral Leadership in Troubled Times

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Pastoral leadership is an ancient practice, and the church is no stranger to troubled times. In one way or another, ministers lead and care for their congregations amid chaos – whether that chaos is within the congregation, in the surrounding culture, or both. Keeping a clear head about what the pastoral calling is about, is critical to helping God’s people navigate stormy waters.

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this webinar took place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

We offer Intersection at no charge to you. If you find it impactful and would like to help us continue offering webinars like this, as well as other resources for churches and Christian leaders, we appreciate donations of any size. Thank you!

 

Recording

  • Watch the video on YouTube

  • Listen to the audio (below)

 

Special Guest: R. Robert Creech

Dr. R. Robert Creech

Dr. R. Robert Creech is professor of Christian ministries and director of pastoral ministries in the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. He also holds the Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership. Robert joined the Truett faculty in 2009 following 22 years as senior pastor at the University Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He previously taught at Houston Baptist University from 1979 to 1987. Robert and his wife, Dr. Melinda Creech, enjoy the outdoors and their family farm in Floresville, Texas, where they are employing a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife to restore the 88-acre site to native prairie. They have three children and four grandchildren. Robert is currently serving as interim pastor for the Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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Reimagining Leadership Amid Disruption

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The Bible is full of stories about disruptions, and God is always on the ground inviting believers into practices that make discernment possible. Those biblical narratives tell us that the traditions we’ve inherited can either blind us or enlighten us. When leaders and their communities experience disruption, disorientation, and trauma, we tend toward tightening management and conformity, or toward desperate innovations and strategies. But the Bible stories emphasize a more grounded and holy awareness, a confidence that God is initiating, and an expectation that God invites us into uncomfortable yet promising practices that help us learn how we can participate in what God is doing. This webinar, based on Leadership, God’s Agency, and Disruptions (by Mark Lau Branson and Alan Roxburgh), will explore how the challenges we face can reshape our own leadership.

A part of our series Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet, this webinar took place on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

We offer Intersection at no charge to you. If you find it impactful and would like to help us continue offering webinars like this, as well as other resources for churches and Christian leaders, we appreciate donations of any size. Thank you!

 

Recordings and resources

  • Read an excerpt from Leadership, God’s Agency, and Disruptions by Mark Lau Branson and Alan Roxburgh (PDF download)

  • Purchase the entire book!

  • Watch the webinar recording on YouTube

  • Listen to the audio (below)

Special Guest: Mark Lau Branson

Dr. Mark Lau Branson

For over 20 years, Mark Lau Branson has taught master’s and doctoral students in the areas of congregational leadership, community engagement, urban studies, and education. Currently he teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. He was ordained at San Francisco Christian Center, an African American Pentecostal church, and has served on the pastoral teams in United Methodist and Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches. Mark has worked with several Christian agencies active in education, community development, university ministry, and community organizing, and he continues to consult with churches, judicatories, and community organizations. He holds graduate degrees from Claremont School of Theology and the University of San Francisco. He has authored and edited several books, including Leadership, God’s Agency, and Disruptions: Confronting Modernity’s Wager (with Alan Roxburgh); Churches, Cultures & Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities (with Juan Martínez); and Memories, Hopes, and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry, Missional Engagement, and Congregational Change. Mark and his wife Nina Lau-Branson are active at La Fuente Ministries, a bilingual Nazarene Church in Pasadena/Altadena, California.

 

Questions?

Contact Renee Paul with any questions about this webinar.

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