Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

WInd, Water and Fire, Part 2

Jeff Walling

"The Water That Sustains Us"

Keynote (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Al Sturgeon

"Beyond Knowledge & Imagination: The Spirit Within"

A prayer to comprehend the incomprehensible? Paul's breathtaking prayer in Ephesians 3 asks that the Ephesians may somehow know the love of Christ that is simultaneously unknowable and tells them that God can use his church to accomplish things that are simply beyond our imagination. How does the Spirit work within us to bring glory to God in these troubled times?

Keynote (Ezekial 36-37)

Bryan Schackmann

"Alive Again"

Keynote (John 7)

Collin Packer

Perspective: Is There a God's-Eye View and Can We Know It?

Linda King

Goals of this class are to help attendees appreciate that our own individual and group perspectives influence how we "read" and interpret both scripture and one another's words and actions within the church and the larger community, and to nurture more reliance on the grace, mercy, and love of God rather than on an assurance that we understand everything perfectly.

The Emmanuel Effect: How to Connect to Difficult People

Steve Tyree

Stop allowing difficult people to make you angry. Join us and discover God's answer to these three important questions, "Why are difficult people so difficult?", "How do we negotiate our response?", and "What's our plan for the future?".

Peace for Our Violence: Healing Personal and National Violence Though the Presence of The Holy Spirit

Eric Wilson

From mass shootings, domestic assault, clashing protesters to self abuse, as wounded people we carry out acts of violence in ourselves and violence in our world. The powerful Presence of the Holy Spirit provides healing for these wounds and a means of mitigating these acts of violence. Learn how contemplative practice and the spiritual journey moves us into the presence of Holy Spirit for this necessary and worthwhile work.

Navigating Senior Journeys Through the Power of Stories: Empty Nesting, Caregiving, and Grief

Ed Gray

The church has a tremendous opportunity to shift its focus from "ministering to seniors" to "equipping seniors" for meaningful outreach and service. Moving beyond entertainment activities and luncheons, seniors have talents to be tapped as they serve one another and others. This workshop focuses on empowering seniors to serve as they move through transitions and challenges in finishing a life well-lived. Seniors and their families will be blessed through conversations including topics such as health, family, friendships, life purpose, lifelong learning, caregiving, grief, and many others.

Feeling Safe in an Unsafe World

Sharon Hargrave

Statistics tell us anxiety and depression are on the rise. The daily news of shootings, hurricanes, earthquakes, and human suffering reminds us of our own lack of control over our future and the future of the ones we love. As Christians, how do we think about safety and security, not only for ourselves, but for those we lead and serve?

Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

Greg Smalley, Erin Smalley

A great marriage doesn't happen by accident. We need to invest in our spouse and relationship every day, but this can be challenging as ministry couples with full and busy lives. Thus, we will focus on simple and practical ways to build a marriage that both can enjoy--even in the midst of busyness.

Praying What You Don't Know: Unraveling the Mysterious, Groaning Work of the Spirit

Phil Brookman

Romans 8:26 is a puzzling passage. First, Paul says there will be times in prayer when we simply won't have words. Second, he instructs his readers not to fear because the Holy Spirit will help. But third, he says that the kind of help the Holy Spirit will provide won't be to give us better "wording," but rather fuller "groaning." Join us in this session to explore this rich passage and to develop some tools for a deeper prayer life.

Power Plays: Resolving Conflict Between Ministers and Church Leaders

Dave Schulze

Interpretations of how the church is to be organized and led enable or frustrate a congregation's relationships and effectiveness in serving God's purposes. This class will address ways churches of Christ have interpreted church leadership in contrast to what the Bible teaches and models.

My Forty-Year Journey with the Holy Spirit: Taking An Alternate Path

Gary Cage

Over forty years ago the presenter set out on a challenging search for the Holy Spirit. What he found turned out to be different from what many others would have expected -- or have liked.

5 Vital Decisions for Declining Churches: What You Can Do Today

Stan Granberg, Mike O'Neal

The Churches of Christ are closing 50-100 congregations each year--the vast majority with little thought, planning, or stewardship. Whether you are a member of or just aware of a declining congregation, this session will provide practical guidance for important future actions.

Visual Worship: Why & How

Kent Rogers

The Why & How of enhancing a church service with song image backgrounds, graphics, videos, lighting, and stage design.

Conservative Church or Liberal Church: Winners and Losers

Joshua Jackson

With such dynamic shifts underway within churches of Christ, does such polarizing political language adequately explain congregational differences?

Harbor in the Storm, Part 3: 75 Years of the Pepperdine Bible Lectures (1998-2018)

Rick Gibson

The Journey to Hospitality: Finding Our Way Together with Children

Suzetta Nutt

A conversation about the sometimes messy process of welcoming all children as we follow Jesus together

Recovering the Lost Gospel (Part 3: Good News for the Crippling Power of Shame)

Dan Bouchelle, Mark Hooper

Brene Brown has helped Americans rediscover the devastating power of shame. But, many Christians don't know how the Gospel speaks to this force, even though the Bible comes from an honor-shame culture first.This class will enlarge our understanding of the Gospel to help us form a relevant message to help people overcome the power of shame.

What Happened between the Old and New Testaments? (or Why the "Silent Years" Were Not So Silent)

Nick Zola

Was there really "400 years of silence" between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament? Come learn why this is a misnomer and how what happened during this time provides some crucial background for understanding Jesus, his followers, and his times.

Ministering to Millenials

Stacy Jones

Ministering to Millenials will explore the complex world of ministering to a generation that breaks out of almost every historical paradigm to which we are accustomed. They need Jesus and we have to introduce them to Him.

The Reluctant Leader: Leadership For Those Who Don't Feel Especially Gifted At It

Tim Curtis

Quite often men and women find themselves in positions of leadership in the church, but feel very unqualified. It may not be our gift. But the gift of leadership isn't the only requirement for being a leader. When God puts us in positions of leadership, he also provides the resources we need.

Leadership Traits of Long-Tenured Youth Ministers

Greg Anderson

What leadership characteristics typify youth ministers who stay at the same church for at least ten years? How are they able to overcome challenges to long-tenure? What can we learn about their relationship with other church leaders and staff? To discover the answers to these questions and more, join Greg Anderson as he reviews findings from his doctoral research on leadership traits of long-tenured youth ministers in Churches of Christ.

Get a Hair Cut and Get a Real Job: Making Your Workplace Sacred Space

Matt Raines

There is a lot to learn when you leave the church bubble. This class will explore insights gained by a church planter that reentered the workforce. Along the way we will discover some practical things we all can do to make the work place sacred space.

Surrendering to Hope, Part 3: Guidance for the Broken

James Agnus, Jr., Eric Greer

"Desert Living" and "Not All is Black and White"