Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Just Keep Swimming

Teachers: Liz Perez, Robert Perez

What is your Individual Ministry Plan (IMP)? How do you happily navigate in ministry in adversity (God's way), especially when you are a woman? Come see how godly women in the Bible and women of today are using their God given talens and calling in today's world. God has an IMP for everyone, which includes both men and women. I Peter 1: 13-16

Streaming with the Spirit

Teacher: Phil Brookman

The average American watches a staggering 4.5 hours of TV per day. Other than sleep and work, we will spend more time watching TV over the course of our lives than any other activity, making it one of the most powerful forces in our formation as people. This class will offer a perspective as to how we might approach the shows we watch as disciples of Jesus. What metrics of evaluation might we employ in our discernment? How do we know the differences between helpful and harmful?

Husband of One Wife: ”Nothing Else Needs to Be Said” (Part 1)

Teacher: John Mark Hicks

As congregations process pastoral leadership and the inclusion of women, one of the most frequent barriers is three Greek words traditionally translated "husband of one wife." These two classes explore the interpretation and practice of this "qualification" in the history of the church (with emphasis on the Restoration Movement) and offer an understanding of this Greek idiom that does not exclude women in the context of 1 Timothy 3.

Tombstones to Cornerstones: Hope and Help for Churches in Stress and Decline

Teachers: Jessica Knapp, Rick Krug

Many churches face hard times for many reason, and while struggling to make the right decision for each unique congregation, many church leaders are finding the future is far less certain than ever before. The search for congregational identity, what to do with the church properties that when first developed were worth a fraction of what they are now, and how to serve a rapidly changing social and economic demographic have many  congregations wondering if they should even exist at all. To help bring the hope of God back to the people, Rick Krug and Jessica Knapp bring insights and admonitions designed to help churches and their leaders navigate the unknown future.

The Bitterness of God’s Love: Hearing Obadiah and Jonah

Teacher: Cliff Barbarick

God has revealed to his people over the generations that he is a generous and merciful God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. When God extends his loving forgiveness to those who have hurt us deeply, however, it can be a bitter experience. The prophetic works of Obadiah and Jonah, which appear in sequence in the Book of the Twelve, offer God's people a way to process this better experience. For this session, Cliff Barbarick will perform Obadiah and Jonah from memory and lead a discussion about how these books help us wrestle with our relationship with our enemies.

#QuietQuitting in Church

Teacher: Brock Paulk

The combination of social division, political partisanship, and an ongoing global pandemic have made community - including church community - uniquely difficult. Many of our churches have experienced significant attrition among members and even leaders as we wrestle with pressures and problems that seem to have caught us flat-footed. Together we'll explore principles and practices to address anxiety and burnout so that we can help one another stay the course.

”None of These Diseases” Revisited & Expanded

Teacher: Allen Wai Jang

The popular 1963 book by Dr. S.I. McMillen, MD revealing health "secrets" from the Bible, has gone through several revisions and, after his passing in 1990, was expanded by Dr. David E. Stern, MD. Adding insights from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), we can unlock further insights that illustrate the universality and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures!

Passing the Testimony

Teachers: Doug Crum, Lance Havens

"I used to go to the wildest, craziest, most awesome parties ever - but now I go to church instead." A testimony can tell an amazing story of how Jesus is transforming our lives: it can also glamorize sin, glorify the sinner, and present God/Christianity as a boring afterthought. How can we use such a powerful tool to help our members tell His story? Come share your ideas and mull over a few of ours. If you only attend one class . . . then this will be the best on you go to.

Post-Traumatic Pastor: Healing Among Those Who Hurt You

Teacher: David Ayres

Religious trauma is an occupational hazard for ministers. But how do you heal from wounds inflicted by the church when you work for one? Join us as we explore a framework for finding renewal and resilience on the other side of church-induced trauma in ministry.

Trueish: Church Leadership Principles That Sound Right, but Aren’t Anymore. Mostly. (Part 1)

Teacher: Tim Spivey

Even prior to the pandemic, the church was changing in dramatic ways. This class discusses, humorously, the expiration of several popular leadership principles, and offers a look at the prevailing church of the rest of the 21st century.

What the Old Testament Tells Us About God’s Love

Teacher: Rick Marrs

There is a 500 Pound Rock in my Garage

Teacher: Rick Gibson

Being honest about things that may not belong in our lives or in our churches.

Embracing the Wilderness Way

Teacher: Drew Dixon

"I am making a way in the wilderness." (Isaiah 43:19)
The church in America is in a wilderness season. Congregations are declining and fewer people profess Christian faith every year. But what if instead of looking back to "the golden years," the way forward is a divine invitation deeper into the wilderness? By looking at Jesus' wilderness season as well as the example of the ancient desert mothers and fathers, we can discover wisdom and hope in embracing the wilderness way.

Dealing with Criticism!

Teacher: Caleb Grimes

Criticism comes with influence, leadership and changing lives. It's not fun but you're not alone.

Praying the Psalms for Spiritual Formation

Teacher: Bryon Fike

Sixty-five books of the Bible were written for the purpose of communicating God's Word to us. One book was written to help us communicate our words to God. the Psalms were written to be prayed. Come and learn one way you can pray all 150 Psalms.

And Also Some Women...” (Luke 8:2). A Panel Conversation with Several of Our Women Pulpit Ministers

Teacher: Amy Bost Henegar

Panelists: Candace Nicolds, Jess Lowry, Tiffany Dahlman, Cheryl Russell

You may have attended classes about woemn in ministry, heard from elders who have led change for inclusion in their congregations, studied the theology behind it with scholars, even heard from churches with female elders. But this panel invites you in to a unique conversation with several of the women who are currently serving as pulpit ministers in our churches. a diverse array of questions will be asked and honestly answered, including the questions you bring!