January 16, 2025: How Might the Church Become More Intentionally Intergenerational with Dr. Holly Allen Dr. Holly Allen is a world leader in the theory and practice of intergenerational ministry. Join us as she offers some practical principles for effective intergenerational ministry in local congregations. January 30, 2025: What Makes an Effective Small Group in a Church with Buddy Bell Buddy Bell has led small group ministries at churches, trained small group leaders, and led small groups in churches for over thirty years. Buddy will discuss his experience and name his best practices for effective small groups. February 11, 2025: Why Teach or Preach Expository Lessons with Dr. Orpheus Heyward Expository preaching (sermon) or teaching (Bible classes), in contrast to “text” (where one text is a jumping off place for multiple texts scattered throughout Scripture) or “topical” lessons, explores the content of a specific passage in Scripture in order to convey its message for modern readers. Dr. Heyward will discuss the importance of expository lessons and their value. February 27, 2025: Why are the Psalms Important for Followers of Jesus with Bobby Valentine The Psalms are the most quoted texts in the New Testament. Whether on the lips of Jesus (two different Psalms on the cross!) or sung by congregations of the Messiah (Ephesians 5:19), the Psalms have shaped the spirituality and faith of Jesus-followers from the beginning. Bobby Valentine will explore the importance and significance of the Psalms for disciples of Jesus. March 18, 2025: Let’s Be Careful Out There with End-Time Expectations with John Mark Hicks. The world is chaotic, violent, and the earth is shaking. Are these signs of something to come? Speculation abounds, the future is prophesied, and the end of the age is anticipated. What might we say about such tumult? How do we respond? March 25, 2025: The Mystery of Christ: Its Content and Normative Function with John Mark Hicks. Paul says in Ephesians 3 that he writes so that readers might have insight into the mystery of Christ, and their understanding of that mystery forms their identity and norms their lives. What is the mystery of Christ? How is it normative for Christian identity? April 3, 2025: Thinking about the Nature of Scripture with Lauren Smelser White. What is Scripture? What is important about how we think about the nature of Scripture and how it is read in community by the church? Join us for a discussion of Scripture, community, and interpretation. April 15, 2025 : What is the Benefit of Spiritual Direction with Dr. Kris Miller. What is spiritual direction, and what does a spiritual director do? Dr. Kris Miller has trained spiritual directors for over a decade and has practiced spiritual direction as both a leader and a participant for many years. Dr. Miller will lead us in a discussion of the value and practice of spiritual direction. Why is it important for disciples of Jesus, especially for leaders of Christ-followers? April 29, 2025 : A Case for Gift-Based Partnership for Elders and Ministers in Churches of Christ with Dr. Carlus Gupton. From the early days of the Stone Campbell Movement, the relationship between elders and ministers (evangelists) in the Churches of Christ has been plagued by chronic ambiguity and power struggles. It remains as the chief source of frustration for full-time ministers, who voice this openly among themselves. Our members and elders are often unaware of the intensity of this struggle, not knowing how acutely it diminishes the minister's capacity to thrive. It is also a primary factor in our minister shortage, which is likely to reach a crisis stage in the next decade. This session will discuss biblical and practical guidelines for stronger partnerships among elders and ministers.