Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Keynote (2 Corinthians 3)

Andy Wall

"Transformed!"

Wind, Water and Fire, Part 3

Jeff Walling

"The Fire That Changes Us"

The Tale of the Dove, Part 3

Don McLaughlin

"The Shocking Untold Story of the Holy Spirit"

Never has religion seemed less relevant and the church been more essential. Critics rail and Christians wail about the church. Both sense the church is meant for more, so what's missing? Join us for a practical look at how to reengage the Spirit in our local churches.

Keynote (Luke 4)

Kindy DeLong

Keynote (Galatians 5)

Jovan Barrington

"Indulgences For Sale"

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." - The Apostle Paul. How do we love and produce the fruit of the Spirit in a world where self-gratification and overindulgence are virtues?

The Tale of the Dove, Part 2

Don McLaughlin

"The Shocking Untold Story of the Holy Spirit"

Never has religion seemed less relevant and the church been more essential. Critics rail and Christians wail about the church. Both sense the church is meant for more, so what’s missing? Join us for a practical look at how to reengage the Spirit in our local churches.

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.