iHOPE

Making Sense of the Bible: New Pastors' Class in October

The most critical issue facing Christians today?

Homosexuality? Middle East? Marriage? Culture Wars? Christology? Environment? Poverty? Racism? Sexism?

Those are all important and pressing issues to be sure. But underneath them all is something even more critical:

How do we read, understand and apply the Bible?

That is why Erik and I are both leading classes on the subject this Fall. We are going to be using Adam Hamilton's latest book, Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today as our guide. I think it is the best introduction and overview on the subject in the last 60 years. It's clear, accessible, thoughtful and wise. Whether you are a 'beginner' or an 'expert' on the Bible, you will find this book and this class useful and stretching.

Everyday Spirituality: A Class for Fall

We are created for a life of meaning and purpose, but not everyone experiences it. As a pastor, I have wondered why some people experience meaning and purpose in their lives and some don't. How is that some people's faith changes their life and  and their world, and some people can come to church for decades and never seem to grow?

After more than 30 years of observing, I have become aware of several obstacles to spiritual growth:  

We act like growth is automatic and have forgotten the practices that help us grow.

We act like spirituality is only for people who are more… “spiritual”.

We are looking in the wrong places: we act like God is found only on Sunday mornings in places like the sanctuary and miss God in the "Everyday".

Everyday Spirituality is a three-week class that will identify and remove some of these obstacles to growth. More than that, it will give some concrete guidance and helpful tips for making spiritual growth a reality in your life.

Come learn some of the ancient practices that have helped people recognize and respond to God in life-changing ways!  Lets learn from them as well as one another. At the end of this class, you will have not only some new insights, tools and resources, but a personalized “Plan for Growth.”

You were made for a life of meaning and purpose. You were meant to be fruitful and fulfilled. After more than three decades as a pastor, I believe that more than ever. "Everyday Spirituality" is a class to help make that belief a reality. I hope you'll join me!

Class Details

The Pastor’s Class meets at two times each week.  The content is the same, so choose the one that works best for you.

Wednesday nights:  6:45-8:00 pm

Thursday mornings: 10:15-11:30 am

Cost: None

Childcare is available upon request. You can use the Connection Card on Sunday mornings to indicate your interest and register.

Learning to Walk in the Dark: Summer Book Club's Last Discussion

“I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.”

Barbara Brown Taylor, Learning to Walk in the Dark

This Sunday (September 7) the Summer Book Club will be discussing the book, Learning to Walk in the Dark.

This summer, I chose three books that all have to do with witnessing to the way God moves in our lives, and Brown certainly has a story to tell. In fact, she is very good at telling stories, and the way she tells them allows insights to sneak into your consciousness. And then they stay there.  That is what happened to me as I read Learning to Walk in the Darkness.

Like many people, I hadn’t thought too much about “darkness”- except that it was “bad”. It used to terrify me as a kid and I’m not all that crazy about it as an adult. Yet a lot of important things in the Bible take place in the dark. Sometimes “darkness” is associated with evil. Many times, “darkness” is simply the place we fear because it is unknown, unclear, uncomfortable or dangerous. And that is one of the favorite places for God to show up.  To God, the darkness isn’t dark; the night is as bright as the day.