A friend of mine is a pastor of a church in Sierra Leone. He asked me to provide a video training on the topic of the importance of training for ministry. Video is not my strength, but I tried to provide something. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1125053019?h=00eada9d9c&badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479
Category: Education
Book Review: “Connecting Points: Bridging the Orality Gap to Minds and Hearts, Vol. 1”
Book: CONNECTING POINTS: Bridging the Orality Gap to Minds and Hearts Editors: Charles Madinger, Danyal Qalb Publisher Info: Institutes for Orality Strategies, OralityResources.International, Manila, Philippines Format: E-book. Available at https://oralityresources.international/connecting-points-1. (Note: While freely available to anyone, it is requested that the link is shared, not the file. That way, they can keep track of how …
Is Training Necessary for Christian Ministry? Part 2
Continuing.... I would like to use my own example to suggest how training works with ministry. My wife was born in the Philippines but had moved to the US after college. We met there and had three children… but after 9 years of marriage we began to be convinced that God was calling us to …
Continue reading Is Training Necessary for Christian Ministry? Part 2
Is Training Necessary for Christian Ministry? Part 1
The following is a write-up (first draft) for a video on this topic. Is training necessary. I argue YES. However, a more nuanced response would be: A. YES, training is necessary... but non-formal and informal trainings are also forms of training. B. NO, formal training is not absolutely necessary... but there is a cost for …
Continue reading Is Training Necessary for Christian Ministry? Part 1
Research in History of Missions
I always liked history. I like to think chronologically and to see causal relations. In Sixth Grade, our Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Mattocks, was teaching Greco-Roman history. She gave a test. At the end of the test, she gave an extra credit question. She said she would give 25 extra credit points (!) to any …
What SHOULD Happen When You Become a Supplier Rather Than Consumer for AI?
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?
Is Theological Study Necessary?
Consider these two verses: "And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12 I have heard these …
Is It Beneficial to Use Generative AI in Missiology?
I was asked to research and recommend some policies on the use of Generative AI ("Artificial Intelligence") at the seminary where I teach. I had to do some study of this since my involvement with AI is quite limited. Reading experts, including policies of some universities, it is clear that a nuanced approach would be …
Continue reading Is It Beneficial to Use Generative AI in Missiology?
Learning in Four Dimensions
The following is a presentation that I did years ago for learning cognitively, affectively, behaviorally, and spiritually. It is loosely based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning. Although it is old, I still don't have too much of a desire to update it. I think it is still pretty valid. A major concern I have is …
What is the Best Way to Teach Theology in Church?
I have been reading "Character Theology: Engaging God Through His Cast of Characters," by Tom Steffen and Ray Neu. I hope to have a review done in a couple of weeks. However, I was reading a passage that got me thinking: "Recall Charles Hodge’s perspective that the Bible is a “store-house of facts” and “the …
Continue reading What is the Best Way to Teach Theology in Church?