In one of my rare forays into FaceBook, I saw the following post shared by one of my friends (I still don't understand why people like to share other people's posts.... although I guess that is what I am doing here.) This is clearly a bit of American political advertizing. If you don't know the …
Many years ago, soon after I got married, a leader in our church began working with me, taking a role in mentoring me in life and ministry. We only did it for a year, give or take a bit, because I got a job that moved my family to a new city, but I valued …
One of my favorite topics is that of Doubt and Faith. I have long believed that doubt is not bad... but it is a precursor to faith. Recently I read an Islamic article where the writer said that doubt is a healthy first step to Islam with doubt leading to belief. I think I will …
I am working on an article (actually, hopefully it will be a chapter of a collaborative book. In it, I have a small section on "The Wise Fool." I am using it in the manner used in Robert Dykstra's book "Images of Pastoral Care" as the concept is addressed by Allistair Campbell, and Donald Capps. …
I don't do much social media. Outside of blogging, I don't do much. I update things on the Bukal Life Care group on Facebook, as well as the CPSP-Philippines Page. I rarely put anything on my page. The same applies even more to Linkedin. I do use Instagram, but exclusively to put up occasional photos …
Justinian Von Welz, a Protestant missiologist before all but a few Protestants even thought much about Christian Missions, wrote a treatise in 1664. The English translation of the title is "Christian and Sincere Admonition to All Orthodox Christians of the Augsburg Confession Concerning a Special Society through which with the Help of God Our Evangelical …
Continue reading Guidelines for Protestant Missionaries, from 1664
A year ago I wrote our seminary's policy for Generative Artificial Intelligence--- which I will simply call AI here on out because I am lazy. The policy tries to seek a balance. How can one utilize the potential of AI to enhance the learning experience, and NOT allow it to become a substitute for learning? …
Continue reading What SHOULD Happen When You Become a Supplier Rather Than Consumer for AI?
I was listening to sports radio yesterday. The issue brought up was about an audio file of Rick Patino, a very successful college mens basketball coach. He was ripping into his team verbally and swearing at them. The question posed was whether today's student athletes can handle this sort of coaching... or are they now …
Continue reading Being a Bad Coach, and How that May Relate to a Bad Minister
Okay, maybe you see this, or maybe you don't... but my FB friends often put up things like: ---"I am not a supporter of <a particular political figure>, but...." and then goes into a long spiel fawning over that same political figure. The praise is so lacking in balance or reflection that it is all …
Continuing from Part 1 I do think that missionaries are better in proportion to their being good listeners. I sometimes have made the mistake of couching the issue in terms of extrovert and introvert. Some mission boards idealize the missionary who is rather loud, chatty and very active socially. However, the key point I think …
Continue reading Nobody Becomes a Missionary Because They Like to Listen (Part 2)