Harbor, Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Living the Shepherd's Prayer

Jack Williamson

Psalm 23 and the Lord's prayer are so well known that many believers take these passages for granted. In this class we will take a closer look at how these key passages can be pivotal in our spiritual formation and relationship with God.

When the Spirit Messes with Your Life: Living the Cross-Shaped Life

Russ Corley

This session will look at the challenges of character formation for those serious about following Jesus and being taught by him as our lives are transformed through the Spirit while we learn to faithfully obey Jesus.

Building Bridges to Children, Teens and Families

Thereasa Winnett

Young people are rejecting the Church and choosing their own individual paths now more than ever. In the process, they are losing the benefits the Church provides in helping them develop strong faith foundations, reach their godly potential and survive the storms of life. Ministry to children and teens can change this dynamic by building a bridge between young people and the Church. Learn creative and effective ways to reach out to children and teens in the community, while also strengthening the faith foundations of the young people in their congregation.

Can't We All Just Lead Together? Principles and Practices for Shared Church Leadership

Jason Thompson

Our movement has a long history of shared leadership which is difficult, but possible. When done well, it is rewarding. When done poorly, it creates inertia, chaos and conflict. We will discuss best practices and principles for partnership among elders and ministers and review models of various sized congregations.

Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in Disguise

Richard Beck

God comes to us in strangers, but the strangeness of strangers causes us to miss the call to hospitality. Welcoming the Jesus who comes to us in disguise requires spiritual formation.

Disenchantment with Disenchantment: Faith in a Secular Age

Richard Beck

Disbelief and doubt are on the rise with the "Nones." How do we nurture and cultivate faith in a secular age?

Naming the Devil: Spiritual Warfare Isn't What You Think

Richard Beck

Satan. Lucifer. Beelzebub. Explore how the names for the Devil can expand and challenge our notions of "spiritual warfare."

Open to the Spirit, Part 2

Scot McKnight 

One study after another has demonstrated both that the church is declining in the USA and that more and more of us are becoming self-oriented. We are in need of renewal of the church and revival of a Spirit-shaped life. The message of the Bible is clear and compelling, but are we genuinely Open to the Spirit? Many claim they are open but are they genuinely open?

Open to the Spirit, Part 1

Scot McKnight

One study after another has demonstrated both that the church is declining in the USA and that more and more of us are becoming self-oriented. We are in need of renewal of the church and revival of a Spirit-shaped life. The message of the Bible is clear and compelling, but are we genuinely Open to the Spirit? Many claim they are open but are they genuinely open?

Tall Tales of the Lethal Sort, Part 3

Jeff Childers, Joel Childers 

Tall Tales of the Lethal Sort. We have a tendency to fall for half-truths. While these myths may seem convenient, they can undermine a healthy life of faith and Christian community. Even when we claim not to believe the myths, our practices can reveal otherwise. This class examines some common 'tall tales' about commitment, tradition, and over-reaction, offering practices that can remedy the dangerous impact of these myths in our lives, homes, and churches.

Tall Tales of the Lethal Sort, Part 2

Jeff Childers, Joel Childers 

Tall Tales of the Lethal Sort. We have a tendency to fall for half-truths. While these myths may seem convenient, they can undermine a healthy life of faith and Christian community. Even when we claim not to believe the myths, our practices can reveal otherwise. This class examines some common 'tall tales' about commitment, tradition, and over-reaction, offering practices that can remedy the dangerous impact of these myths in our lives, homes, and churches.

Tall Tales of the Lethal Sort, Part 1

Jeff Childers, Joel Childers 

Tall Tales of the Lethal Sort. We have a tendency to fall for half-truths. While these myths may seem convenient, they can undermine a healthy life of faith and Christian community. Even when we claim not to believe the myths, our practices can reveal otherwise. This class examines some common 'tall tales' about commitment, tradition, and over-reaction, offering practices that can remedy the dangerous impact of these myths in our lives, homes, and churches.

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.