Christian TEch.

Ahh.. so I just finished Jewell's book... not bad. It does inspire me to work more on ministry-related technology. I mean, seriously, he was right when he said that 95% of church websites might as well just be taken down... they look terrible and have less functionality than my tonsils! When I look at sites like Islamacity, I think... c'mon Christians, we can do better than this! If Islam is using technology to spread their message efficiently and effectively, so can we! (of course it's not about the medium, it's about the message)...

anyway... hope everyone is doing well

Readers' choice for Sexiest Man Alive in Christ 2007

*Qualification uncertain

Student who chose Bible college over Yale now feels 'royally screwed'

MOORHEAD — A college freshman who stood on principle and chose a Bible college over Yale now considers himself "royally screwed," and says he may very well have ruined his career. "I'm stuck at this tiny campus in Minnesota with a room overlooking a vast, snowy plain, surrounded by people whose highest aspiration is to be an associate pastor or church accountant," Paul Denerbain says in a phone interview from his dormitory room. "They don't even have my major here. I thought I was standing up for God, but I've devastated any chance I have for success." Denerbain, a straight-A student and National Merit Scholar, made his bold decision last spring after visiting Yale and observing what he calls its "loose moral atmosphere." His church rallied around him, and his pastor called him a modern-day Martin Luther. But after moving to the North Fork Bible College campus and attending classes for a semester, Denerbain felt "overwhelming desperation to leave." He wrote to Yale and asked if they'd re-consider letting him in, but Yale is no longer interested. "He wrote us a scathing letter," says an admissions officer. "It's curious that he now wants to attend 'the crucible of Hades.' We suggest he delve into the Bible for more answers. Ha ha." •

April 5, 2007, What a Tragedy!!!!

It was a day that I would sure love to forget. I know it's a day for Fish that bells rang at the announcement. A day that left the state of Kansas in a sate of awe. Here are the famous tragic words, "Huggins Leaving K-State for West Virginia." Some of you don't understand the tragedy I've gone through, its taken me 15 days to write about this tragic event.

Next Semester

Are you guys going to be here next semester? I will be.

I am taking the following:
7:00 Timothy & Titus w/Lawson
8:00 Greek 1a w/Ragsdale
9:00 OT Intro w/Pechawer
10:00 Spanish 1 w/Fish

Messianic Prophecy Distance Learning w/Pechawer

I haven't had Lawson yet and I don't really know what to expect there. I've had Ragsdale before, but I will be taking two language courses at the same time... hope I don't get things mixed up. OT Intro should be pretty neat.

What's your teaching schedule like Mr. Fish?


Moodle is coming along well at work. We are doing some training sessions with the Distance Learning professors this coming week and for the two following, it's kind of intimidating teaching the teachers. I'm looking forward to getting Moodle up and running for all the summer DL courses, two months ahead of schedule. Anyway, the server is live now but the courses aren't really in any presentable form but you can take a look if you want.




Later...

-e

Blaspheme or Humor?

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Pastor/Teacher

The "parson" in the "olden days" was so called because he was likely the only "parson" in the village or town who had an education, at least beyond the rudiments. He was looked to as the resident scholar and by default, if no other reason, was the one the other residents could count on for a learned opinion. The parson had an obligation to make his education available to the other villagers.

When good folk have an opportunity to think and grow theologically, they make meaning of what their own call to discipleship is all about. They have the tools to reflect thoughtfully about God's claim on their lives, about what their baptism means, about the vagaries and difficulties that life dishes out, about their future and the kind of legacy they want to leave their family and community. As we seek to build a sensitive and strong discipleship system within the church so that we can fulfill God's call to help make disciples, one of the gifts and strengths we have is the benefit of the pastor's shared theological education.

So why do so few pastors take an active role in the educational life of the congregation? On Sunday morning, one obvious constraint is time and scheduling. For most local pastors, they are obligated to be in worship when the Sunday school groups were meeting, either because the one church had multiple worship services or because they are splitting their morning between churches, each one having worship when the other had Sunday school. Solo pastors may have little choice in such a situation, but the creative use of lay speakers and liturgists can certainly free up some of the clergy staff. And that still leaves most of the rest of the week.

I find teaching to be a lot of fun because it also happens to be among what I consider to be my gifts. Perhaps teaching is not your gift. That's okay. There is still the opportunity for advocacy; for lifting up the importance of Christian education and formation; for celebrating the calling of others to an educational ministry; for working to find high quality, dedicated teachers and small-group leaders for the various classes and groups. Pastors, I encourage you to consider your role as "parson" and to build up the system of discipleship in your congregation by taking seriously the gifts and abilities you bring to the ministry of Christian education and formation. You are in a unique position to advocate for and to champion the teachers and leaders of your church and to help them learn and grow in spirit and in knowledge. When they are well equipped, their influence is felt over the entire life of the congregation. How exciting to take up that mantle!

Until next time...