Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Fighting Smallpox in Africa Amid Tribalism and the Cold War

Bee Bloeser

Bee Bloeser reveals a story few have ever heard and that resonates in today’s news. Her family moves to Nigeria during the Nigeria-Biafra war, and then to Equatorial Guinea, a country in the stranglehold of the Terror. Her husband was on the front lines in the battle between human and microbe, but for Bee and their two young children, the front line became the tension and isolation of life under an unhinged dictator. Sadly, she left God out of the picture just when she needed Him most.

Best of Both Worlds

Sean Palmer

Churches struggle to move, grow, and mature. We are often greeted by formulaic, de-contextualized, corporate ways to respond. This class charts a new path! From ministering in churches of less than 100 to preaching in a church with thousands and a worldwide footprint, come learn from a fellow sojourner what each size and kind of church can and must learn from one another. See how small churches can grow and how large churches can help members feel known and loved.

Honoring the Dishonorable

Daniel Rodriguez

The Bible instructs disciples of Jesus to honor parents, church leaders, government officials, and others as a way of honoring God. Agreed! But what if these people speak and act dishonorably? We’ll examine the life of King David, particularly 1 Samuel 24 and 26 to illustrate the challenges and opportunities Christians face in 2019 when called upon to honor those in positions of authority (Romans 13:7).

Called to Be Connected

Melissa Symington 

"Talking to Your Church About Healthy Sexuality and Intimacy"

Helping children and young adults learn how to appreciate healthy intimacy and sexuality is a must for both church leaders and parents. Mixed messages from TV, social media, and peers often cause confusion about healthy intimacy and open doors for unhealthy sexual relationships and faulty beliefs. Learn how to talk about intimacy at its best to encourage children and young adults to build a solid foundation for marriage. Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family

Hope and Healing for Veterans

Terry Smith, Larry Malone

It is a tragic reality that military veterans and active servicepeople take their own lives nearly every hour of each day. The reasons are complex, but trauma can penetrate the mind, heart, and soul in ways that even our best counseling, medications, and compassionate outreach cannot relieve. Suicide becomes the final option as hope for healing wanes and dies. Learn how to bring people without hope to a place of light, love, and healing. Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family

The Argument For Marriage

Terry Hargrave, Sharon Hargrave

The number of people getting married today is shrinking, and the age at which people marry is getting older all the time. Many young adults don’t understand how marriage can be life giving and contribute to life satisfaction and happiness. Come learn five easy tips that promote marriage in a culture that, even though statistics show most people desire lifelong commitments in relationship, appears to be marriage wary. Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family

Changing Us

Terry Hargrave, Sharon Hargrave

"A New Perspective on Marriage"

While we often believe that marriage is designed for us to help our partner see how he or she needs to change, the truth is that marriage changes us. Embracing the fact that change is good and leads to more peaceful and productive lives helps couples relax in their differences, conflicts, and struggles. This workshop is designed for couples who want to continue to grow in their own relationships or for those who work with young adults who lean toward cohabitation rather than marriage. Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family

Keynote: David and Mephibosheth

Jacob Parnell

That Sounds Great But It Won't Work Here, Part 3

Dan Bouchelle, Caleb Southerland

"Practical Disciple-Making Steps Anyone Can Take in Any Church"

Disciple-making movements have been producing stunning numbers around the world, but can the same thing happen in North America? Too often when people hear about what God is doing around the world, they respond with “That sounds great, but it won’t work here.” Is that true? We will discuss the phenomenon of disciple-making movements and how churches in the US can begin to see similar things happening. Hosted by Mission Resource Network

Africa Is Listening

Edet Udofia

The Next Generation Speaks

Host: Jeff Walling

Ambassadors from Pepperdine's 2019 Next Gen Preacher Search share their messages.

The Bible is Clear, Right?

Mark Hadley

"A Conversation on How Scripture Speaks to the LGBTQ+ Conversation"

Many Christians consider the biblical text to be the central and final authority in matters of faith and life. So what does the Bible say (or not say) about sexuality, particularly LGBTQ+ sexuality? Join us in exploring and asking questions about some of the most commonly discussed biblical passages.

Keynote: David and His Mighty Men

Taylor Walling

Congregational Prayer

Ann Bayliss

"Nowhere to Go but Up"

Moving from the “church prayer meeting” to meeting with God as the church.

Shipmates and Communion Plates

Kevin Wilkinson 

"A Navy Chaplain’s Ministry About Faith on the High Seas and Returning Home"

Do you want to better connect with military service members or veterans at your local church? Navy chaplain Kevin Wilkinson explores the world of military life, chaplaincy, and seeking faith overseas.

Keynote: David and His God

Jerry Taylor

David's Blended Family

Steve Tyree, Daltrey Tyree

"How Faith Makes or Breaks Relationship"

This class explores the impact of faith on parents and children of blended families, using the family of David as a case study. The instructors will incorporate contemporary research regarding the dynamics of foster families, adoptive families, and families of re-marriage. This session will also offer practical applications for families in your congregation.

Don't Go It Alone, Part 2

Mic Biesboer, Ben Fike, Eric Gentry

"Spiritual Friendships for the Sake of Ministry and Sanity"

Leadership is lonely, and for many, ministry is even lonelier. But it doesn’t have to be. Come hear the story of three ministers, separated by hundreds of miles, who set about to create a covenant community to guard their souls and nourish their ministries. Ben Fike, Mic Biesboer, and Eric Gentry will also provide practical advice for those eager to form their own spiritual friendships.

God Over Good, Part 2

Luke Norsworthy

In a world that is messy and a church that is imperfect, it's easy to lose faith. But that doesn't mean we have to lose God. Perhaps our idealized expectations are just plain wrong. Join a discussion of how Christians and skeptics can trade their confinement of God to an anemic definition of good for confidence in the God who is present in everything, including our suffering.

How Elders Decide, Part 2

Jarrod Robinson

"The Factors that Guide Church Leaders in Times of Change"

Women in Roles of Congregational Leadership, Part 3

Sheila Bost, Amy Bost Henegar

"How Two Congregations Navigated the Change"

Churches of Christ around the world are rethinking a Biblical view of gender. Many of these congregations have reached the conclusion that significant changes must be made—that churches must transition their leadership and worship styles from traditional patriarchy to a model of Spirit-empowered mutuality. And while a congregation may be thoroughly convinced that it wants to see more women in leadership, the process of change is complicated. It is helpful to hear from other churches who have made the journey and to learn from their experiences. A panel of leaders and members of two different congregations—one on the West Coast and one on the East Coast—that have made significant changes in the area of gender will share their thoughts and experiences. All panel members will be present all three days with the conversations continuing from one session to the next. Through these conversations, the panelists hope to encourage congregations that are in the midst of the change process.

Morning Praise and Worship

Eric Wilson

Reflecting God's Culture

Alex Melirrytos

"Overriding Human Borders"

The Gospel in Three Days, Part 3

Randy Harris

"He is Risen Indeed!"

Carlos Gonzales: ¡Canta alegre! Sing Joyfully!

Carlos Gonzales

Come join in a time of bilingual praise and worship. Experience this bilingual model that is being used by congregations seeking to becoming a fully integrated multicultural church. There will also be a time for Q & A for those who want to learn more.