Preach This, Tweet That (Part I): What Black Millennials are Looking for from the Preacher

Dominique Robinson begins a series based on her Doctor of Ministry research on preaching and teaching for “Black Millennials.” Thanks to Columbia Connections for sharing of the beginning of her series. There is much here for all to contemplate in addressing this digital generation.

Here is the link to Part II. She has also done a public presentation on this and is willing to share her bibliography for this event.

Robinson iHomiletic Presentation Bibliography

Is reading books a dying art?

Earlier this week we looked at Maria Harris’ three questions of what may be living, dying, or rising in educational ministry. I’m working on a project now where I need to write an apologetic for reading books in the digital age and am wondering if the reading of printed books is something that may be dying. Will it go the way of cursive writing in this ever increasing proliferation of electronic devices? Is there something inherently different in the way our brains work when we pick up a book with paper and ink and when we pick up a tablet or sit in front of a screen to read? Continue reading

Interactive Worship Ideas

At Faith Presbyterian (https://www.facebook.com/faithpresgso), we embrace our traditional worship style and space while making our service accessible and engaging for all. Children and their families are welcome at the front of the sanctuary with activities geared toward their age level. Our family worship guide follows the pattern of the service and offers extra enrichment ideas and activities for children and active learners of all ages.The outline of a traditional worship service centered around The Word is beautiful and quite freeing when we remember that The Word is The Living Word of God – incarnate in Christ, written in scripture, and enacted in the world.

For Lent, we are using a themed sermon series inspired by Rev. Whitney Wilkinson following the “Landscape of Lent.” Each week, we add a new visual element to represent some aspect of the scripture – ashes, wilderness, wind, water, mud, cave, palms, bread – and we will close with Easter in the garden. Continue reading

Grief to Bear

I am about to attend the second of two memorial services this week –people of strong faith who I’m sure are with God and who are no longer in pain. While knowing that they have moved from life into life, it is still difficult to bear their loss. Our beloved former president of Columbia Theological Seminary, Steve Hayner, will soon be lifted up in communal remembrance. He and his wife, Sharol Hayner have let us walk with them in this journey through pancreatic cancer by means of the CaringBridge website. In tribute to their incredible witness of faith, I lift up here a portion of one of Sharol’s posts from October 8, 2014 on discipleship during difficult times: Continue reading

Favorite Facebook Groups for Christian Education

There are manfacebook_like_thumb mediumy fine Facebook Groups connecting those doing Christian education in churches and other settings. Here are links to some of my favorites:

TechTools4CE

Church Educators

Big Ideas in Youth Ministry

These all have the potential of ecumenical conversation. There are also groups that are specific for denominations, schools, and different roles, such as certified educators or doctoral students.

What are some of your favorites?

Welcome to Hope4CE!

Theology Wordle 2013

In this place we are creating a community of sharing innovative ideas in Christian education. If you write an educational design, have a new thought to address a perennial problem, or simply want to join a supportive community that follows Christ into settings of teaching and learning, you are in the right place.

May my teaching drop like the rain, my speech condense like the dew;                                                                                            like gentle rain on grass, like showers on new growth.                                                    Deuteronomy 32:2