Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Step Outside the Box

Teacher: Tiffany Dahlman

Tiffany is the pulpit minister of a church with an open pulpit. How does this work? What are the benefits of equipping a variety of voices from within the congregation to preach the Sunday sermon? These and other questions, like, "How do I convince my elders that I'm not taking a week off if we open the pulpit?" will be answered in this session that has applicability for church members, church leaders, and preachers alike.

Five Surefire Steps to Renew Your Church...Though It May Die in the Process

Teacher: Jason Locke

Navigating Polarizing Relationships

Teacher: Kelly Haer

Are differences polarizing your relationships with family, friends, or co-workers? Are you struggling to interact with others and make sense of situations when you don't see eye-to-eye? This workshop will equip you to categorize types of differences and identify the varied relational impacts amidst these dynamics. Having named the relational landscape, you’ll learn to apply a framework for emotional-relational health that will empower you to maximize relational connection and satisfaction among polarized relationships. Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family.

Ministry Hacks

Teacher: Jacob Parnell

"90% of ministry is stealing other people's good ideas."–my buddy Allyn Bradley. If you're doing ministry in a church with a small team (or no team), come hear some ways that you can multiply ministry resources and opportunities simply by being connected with other ministers and helping organizations. I'll share some stories of how networking has blessed the 75-member northern California church where I serve and give attendees the chance to share their networking success stories as well. It's a collaborative session about the value and necessity of collaborating!

Evolution and the Pandemic

Teacher: Janet Ray

For decades, people of faith have been told that that evolution is a lie. In order to sustain the ruse, scientists must hide evidence for creation and refuse to publish intelligent design articles in journals. If we believe that scientists aren’t telling us the truth regarding evolution, it is not a stretch to believe that scientists are trying to deceive us in other things. We are now reaping the consequences of decades of science denial in the response of far too many Christians during the COVID19 pandemic. This presentation explores the impact of science denial on the Christian witness.

Rhetorical Analysis of a Controversial Sermon

Teacher: Grace Hall

In 2014, the Campbell Church of Christ made the decision to add an instrumental service on Sunday mornings. In preparation for this move, the preaching minister gave a sermon that wrestled with the Biblical, theological, and doctrinal history of the a cappella tradition in the churches of Christ. This session will break down the rhetorical strategies used to navigate such a charged topic and provide a roadmap for others who need to address similarly difficult topics.

Bridges Out of Poverty

Teacher: Jessica Knapp

One result of the financial insecurity of the last several months has been an increase in the number of homeless and at-risk families. We will explore what steps we as the church can take to help our neighbors in need. We will talk about the difficulties of dealing with mental health issues, systemic struggles faced by our friends as well as finding the balance between helping and hurting.

Already But Not Yet

Teacher: Jack Williamson

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry years, both Matthew and Mark tell us that he began saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Teaching his disciples, he famously prays, ”Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Within a few years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul is writing letters and planting churches. Standing on the shoulders of Jesus, he carries on this message of a Kingdom that has already come with power but has not yet been fully realized. It is God’s kingdom. It is the legacy to which we are called. It is the power to set us free and change the world one faithful person at a time.

When Your Adult Child Leaves the Faith

Teachers: Woody and Judy Square

Questions and doubts fill our minds when we discover that our adult child has left the faith: What did I do wrong? Will I lose my credibility as a church leader? How do I respond when people ask about my child? Do I keep trying with my child? How? This class is an honest exploration of the thoughts, feelings, and struggles we have when our children reject the faith of their childhood and some coping skills/strategies from a couple who is in the thick of this difficult journey.

Gospel Culture

Teachers: Alexander and Eleni Melirrytos

Embracing God's message on "The Way."

How Churches Can Reach People Suffering from Addiction

Teachers: Jeff Garrett, Jim Johnston, Ray Meadows

This session will explain the amazing impact that Jesus Christ is having in Huntington WV, the city that CNN, in 2016, called “America’s Drug Death Capital.” God is doing amazing things in The Movement that is transforming the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Hundreds of people who were suffering from addiction have given their lives to Christ, enjoy extended periods of sobriety, get their children back, obtain employment, and become productive members of society. Rocky, Jim, and Jeff will describe what grace looks like through the eyes of recovering alcoholics and addicts. God is doing amazing things in Huntington WV. He can do the same in your city!

Jesus’ Arrival: Freedom for the Oppressed

Teacher: Jovan Barrington

From Reba McEntire and Rage Against the Machine to Rabbi Jesus

Teacher: Joe Neal

In a world longing for justice, poets and musicians become prophets seeking the divine shalom. They long for what is broken to be made right in the world. In this class, we will examine stories and songs of injustice as they point to the Gospel of Jesus and help us communicate the Kingdom of God to a world hungry for redemption and peace.

I’m Not OK

Teacher: Jason Burnett

Last September I finally went to my Elders and said: “I’m not ok.” Part autobiographical, part instructive, part group “therapy,” we will spend our time in this session looking at burnout in ministry, the terrifying moment of vulnerability to say “I’m not ok,” and how church leaders can help their ministers.

The Age of Overwhelm

Teacher: Wilson McCoy

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Have you ever felt stretched thin by too many errands, demands, and responsibilities? How do we navigate stressful seasons in faithful ways? Join us as we explore Scriptural insights, the latest research in psychology, and spiritual wisdom to learn to move through overwhelm towards a more grounded and godly life.

What is Spiritual Direction?

Teacher: Drew Dixon

Spiritual direction has grown in popularity in recent years. Is it a new fad or an ancient practice? Is it for the spiritual-but-not-religious crowd or can it serve followers of Christ? This session is an opportunity to learn about spiritual direction—what it is, where it came from, who it's for, and how it can be a critical resource for both church leaders and those who are wrestling with the church and their faith.

God is Not Codependent

Teacher: Mitchell East

The Church Fathers taught that God has perfect joy, which means that God, in his divine nature, cannot suffer. But this teaching flies in the face of a recent idea that God suffers alongside us. Which teaching is more faithful to Scripture? Which teaching holds good news for the suffering of the world? 

What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There

Teacher: Jarrod Robinson

In a world that is always changing (at what feels like an ever-increasing speed), how can the church find new ways to remain faithful? This class will explore four key shifts that we need to make as followers of Jesus in order to empower our faith communities to effectively reach the outside world around us.

Don’t Squander the Gift

Teacher: Susan Giboney

This class is developed for Seniors and those who minister to our senior citizen community. It will focus on understanding the thoughts and needs of our vital and precious Senior members and how to wisely tap their experience and skills. The content is developed from research and surveys of current Seniors, who will hopefully be enlightened and encouraged by the topic. This session is part of the Sunset Haven Senior Ministry Series.

Forming Resilient Children

Teacher: Holly Allen

Our Covid experience has confirmed what we had already guessed: all children need resilience. This presentation builds a bridge between resilience studies and children’s spiritual formation, showing how spirituality intersects with most of the protective factors resilience scholars have suggested. It will also demonstrate four ordinary ways parents, grandparents, teachers, children’s ministers, and others can nurture children spiritually—ways that also foster the resilience children need to face the common troubles of childhood and to persevere when facing more serious adversities that may come their way.

Curious Christ

Teacher: Michael Chaffin

Of all the methods Jesus could have chosen to implement his messianic mission, he chooses...mystery. Jesus teaches wisdom in the Sermon on the Mount. Then he steps down and embodies his sermon. But he does so in surprising and even shocking fashion. Matthew 8-13 contains constant confusion over Jesus and his understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven. What does this teach us about the Father and the Kingdom? And what are the implications for discipleship today? Come participate in a discussion of our erudite, yet elusive Jesus.

From Glitches to Glory

Teacher: Robert Perez

After 32 years, Santa Paula Church of Christ (SPCC) has appointed and confirmed two elders. This class will focus on the process of how we moved to being a church with elders, as well as lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid.

”No Other Grace...”

Teachers: Jeff and Kera Hubbard, Bret Morris

We aim to highlight that through the grace of Jesus we are new creations. Our old rhythms, habits, or addictions will be exposed for the false security and comfort that they are. Instead, through the grace of Jesus we can be made new, seeing and experiencing the world in new ways. The old is gone and the new has come. There is no other answers than Jesus in regards to who can comfort, forgive, empower, and lead us into the way life was intended to be.

The Only Thing That Matters, Part 2

Teachers: Josh Ross, Joshua Graves

Love is the only legacy that matters. This two part class will explore what it means to love well and be loved. Howard Thurman wrote, "Love or perish." No human prior or since Jesus exemplifies what it means to live this kind of beautiful life like Jesus of Nazareth. If you want to be a better practitioner of love, these two sessions are for you!

The Only Thing That Matters, Part 1

Teachers: Josh Ross, Joshua Graves

Love is the only legacy that matters. This two part class will explore what it means to love well and be loved. Howard Thurman wrote, "Love or perish." No human prior or since Jesus exemplifies what it means to live this kind of beautiful life like Jesus of Nazareth. If you want to be a better practitioner of love, these two sessions are for you!