Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary, and senior consultant and founding director of the Lewis Center
Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., director of the Lewis Center and the James C. Logan Chair in Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship) at Wesley Theological Seminary

Video Presentations

Unit 1: Why Look to Nehemiah for Lessons on Leadership? (8:59 min) presented by F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
This unit introduces Nehemiah and the situation that gave rise to his call, how he learned of the plight of his people, and how he reacted to that news.

Unit 2: Leadership and God’s Call (6:54 min) presented by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
This unit explores how Nehemiah understood his leadership as a calling from God, how he grounded his action in prayer, and how everything Nehemiah did came from the belief that he was doing God’s will.

Unit 3: Seeking God’s Vision (7:15 min) presented by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
This unit reveals how Nehemiah understood the importance of a rallying vision and how he was always asking God to provide vision for him.

Unit 4: Discerning a Vision (9:47 min) presented by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
This unit explored how the process of discerning a vision is most successful when leaders take certain deliberate steps to unearth the clues that point to God’s preferred future.

Unit 5: Building a Team (7:59 min) presented by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
This unit describes how engaging others was  critical to Nehemiah in understanding the situation, confirming the vision, and achieving the vision.

Unit 6: Staying the Course (7:15 min) presented by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Even God’s people get tired and grumble. This unit explores how Nehemiah stayed the course and kept the team engaged to fulfill the vision.

Study and Discussion Guide

Each Study and Discussion Guide unit includes key scripture passages, discussion questions, and a brief prayer to be used in addition to the video for each session. Available on PDF.

Sample Study and Discussion Guide pages:

Leading Like Nehemiah: Rebuilding Together E-book

This PDF e-book includes complete transcripts of the video lessons on a number of key leadership themes in Nehemiah’s story:

• How faithful leadership is grounded in God’s call and bolstered by the power of prayer
• The critical role of vision in effective leadership
• The process of discerning and naming a relevant vision
• The importance of engaging others and building a team
• The need for patience and perseverance in pursuing worthy goals

The e-book is also available separately. Learn more.

Sample e-book pages:

Instructional Segments

Unit 1: Why Look to Nehemiah for Lessons on Leadership?

• Why Look to Nehemiah for Lessons on Leadership? video (8:59 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 1: Why Look to Nehemiah for Lessons on Leadership? (PDF)

 

Unit 2: Leadership and God’s Call

• Leadership and God’s Call video (6:54 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 2: Leadership and God’s Call (PDF)

 

Unit 3: Seeking God’s Vision

• Seeking God’s Vision video (7:15 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 3: Seeking God’s Vision (PDF)

 

Unit 4: Discerning a Vision

• Discerning a Vision video (9:47 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 4: Discerning a Vision (PDF)

 

Unit 5: Building a Team

• Building a Team video (7:59 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 5: Building a Team (PDF)

 

Unit 6: Staying the Course

• Staying the Course video (7:15 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 6: Staying the Course (PDF)

Related Resource

“Leading Like Nehemiah,” a Leading Ideas Talks podcast episode featuring Lovett H. Weems Jr.
Listen now or read interview.

Usage Rights

Leading Like Nehemiah: Rebuilding Together is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post Leading Like Nehemiah: Rebuilding Together first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Leading Like Nehemiah: Rebuilding Together appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Dr. David Lowes Watson is the presenter and the principal contributor to this course. A native of England, he was educated at Oxford University (M.A.), Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri (M.Div.), and Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Ph.D.). Dr. Lowes Watson has written extensively in the fields of Methodist history and theology, evangelism, and congregational life and mission.

Video Presentations

Session 1: Class Leaders in the Early Methodist Movement (9:25 min)

Session 2: The Role and Responsibilities of Class Leaders (9:19 min)

Session 3: What are the Qualities of a Good Class Leader? (3:32 min)

Session 4: Class Leaders in the Church Today (6:24 min)

Session 5: The Nature of Discipleship and the Role of Class Leaders (9:59 min)

Session 6: Helping People Grow as Disciples (7:31 min)

Session 7: Class Leaders and the Role of Laity in Today’s Church (5:37 min)

Study and Discussion Guide

Each Study and Discussion Guide unit includes a short reading, discussion questions, and a brief prayer to be used in addition to the video for each session.

Sample Study and Discussion Guide pages:

Instructional Segments

Session 1: Class Leaders in the Early Methodist Movement

• Class Leaders in the Early Methodist Movement video (9:25 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 1: Class Leaders in the Early Methodist Movement (PDF)

 

Session 2: The Role and Responsibilities of Class Leaders

• The Role and Responsibilities of Class Leaders video (9:19 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 2: The Role and Responsibilities of Class Leaders (PDF)

 

Session 3: What are the Qualities of a Good Class Leader?

• What are the Qualities of a Good Class Leader? video (3:32 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 3: What are the Qualities of a Good Class Leader? (PDF)

 

Session 4: Class Leaders in the Church Today

• Class Leaders in the Church Today video (6:24 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 4: Class Leaders in the Church Today (PDF)

 

Session 5: The Nature of Discipleship and the Role of Class Leaders

• The Nature of Discipleship and the Role of Class Leaders video (9:59 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 5: The Nature of Discipleship and the Role of Class Leaders (PDF)

 

Session 6: Helping People Grow as Disciples

• Helping People Grow as Disciples video (7:31 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 6: Helping People Grow as Disciples (PDF)

 

Session 7: Class Leaders and the Role of Laity in Today’s Church

• Class Leaders and the Role of Laity in Today’s Church video (5:37 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 7: Class Leaders and the Role of Laity in Today’s Church (PDF)

Usage Rights

The Methodist Class Leader is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post The Methodist Class Leader first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post The Methodist Class Leader appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Dr. Ann A. Michel, associate director of the Lewis Center
Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., director of the Lewis Center and the James C. Logan Chair in Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship) at Wesley Theological Seminary
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., distinguished professor of church leadership and founding director of the Lewis Center

Video Presentations

1. Biblical Hospitality (10:23 min) presented by F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
The Genesis 18 account of Abraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers offers important lessons on the nature of hospitality. The story prompts us to ask: How do we initially encounter others? Do we focus on their needs? Do we truly listen?

2. Seeing your Church through the Eyes of Someone New (4:02 min) presented by Ann A. Michel
Church members generally fail to notice what might be unfamiliar, unwelcoming, or off-putting to newcomers. This presentation suggests strategies for putting yourself in the place of someone new in order to understand their concerns and expectations.

3. Your Welcome Begins Online (5:30 min) presented by Ann A. Michel
In today’s digital world, a newcomer’s first exposure to your church is likely to be through your website or online worship. And potential visitors often checkout livestreamed worship before stepping foot into your building. This presentation considers how you can convey a welcoming presence through these online points of connection.

4. How Welcoming is Your Building? (6:32 min) presented by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Is your church building an impenetrable labyrinth? Does it send the signal that nothing new or exciting has happened in decades? This presentation outlines steps to make sure your building and grounds make a good first impression.

5. Hospitality is Everybody’s Responsibility (10:41 min) presented by Ann A. Michel
An effective ministry of greeting begins with the understanding that everyone in your church is a greeter. This presentation explores how to develop a congregation-wide culture of hospitality, with a well-trained cadre of official greeters on the front lines.

6. Making Your Worship Visitor-Friendly (11:09 min) presented by F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
Every church’s worship is full of code words, insider-language, unfamiliar music, and unspoken assumptions that confuse visitors and make them feel they don’t belong. This presentation outlines best practices for making your worship more accessible to visitors by eliminating insider language and unspoken assumptions that can make them feel they don’t belong.

7. Letting Your Visitors Know You Want to See Them Again (8:00 min) presented by F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
Effective and systematic visitor follow up requires that you have a system – but one that doesn’t seem mechanical and impersonal. This presentation explains how to track and follow up with visitors and invite them to come again without making them feel they are being stalked.

Instructional Segments

Unit 1: Biblical Hospitality

• Biblical Hospitality video (10:23 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 1: Biblical Hospitality (PDF)

 

Unit 2: Seeing your Church through the Eyes of Someone New

• Seeing your Church Through the Eyes of Someone New video (4:02 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 2: Seeing your Church Through the Eyes of Someone New (PDF)

 

Unit 3: Your Welcome Begins Online

• Your Welcome Begins Online video (5:30 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 3: Your Welcome Begins Online (PDF)

 

Unit 4: How Welcoming is Your Building?

• How Welcoming is Your Building? video (6:32 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 4: How Welcoming is Your Building? (PDF)
• Making a Good First Impression — Congregational Inventory (PDF)

 

Unit 5: Hospitality is Everybody’s Responsibility

• Hospitality is Everybody’s Responsibility video (10:41 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 5: Hospitality is Everybody’s Responsibility (PDF)
• The Ministry of Greeting: Guidelines for Greeters (PDF)

 

Unit 6: Making Your Worship Visitor-Friendly

• Making Your Worship Visitor-Friendly video (11:09 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 6: Making Your Worship Visitor-Friendly (PDF)

 

Unit 7: Letting Your Visitors Know You Want to See Them Again

• Letting Your Visitors Know You Want to See Them Again video (8:00 min)
• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 7: Letting Your Visitors Know You Want to See Them Again (PDF)

 

Unit 8: Action Planning

• Study and Discussion Guide — Unit 8: Action Planning (PDF)

The post Be the Welcoming Church first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Be the Welcoming Church appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

N.T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England and one of the world’s leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the Chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. For 20 years he taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford Universities. Being both one of the world’s leading Bible scholars and a popular author, he has been featured on ABC News, Dateline, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air. His award-winning books include The Case for the Psalms, How God Became King, Simply Jesus, After You Believe, Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, Scripture and the Authority of God, The Meaning of Jesus (co-authored with Marcus Borg), as well as being the translator for The Kingdom New Testament. He also wrote the impressive Christian Origins and the Question of God series, including The New Testament and the People of God, Jesus and the Victory of God, The Resurrection of the Son of God and most recently, Paul and the Faithfulness of God.

Audience

This is an excellent course for both established believers and seekers that can be used with or without the Simply Christian book. (The book itself is written for a general audience but might prove a bit challenging for those not used to reading theology. The relevant section of the book is briefly summarized and then expanded upon in each lecture.) The book is available at Cokesbury and Amazon. Some churches have used Simply Christian again and again, even adapting it for use with youth groups and with new members classes.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. Simply Christian Introduction (20:45)
2. Justice & Spirituality (16:30)
3. Relationships & Beauty (15:22)
4. God (16:47)
5. Israel (17:24)
6. Jesus (19:49)
7. The Holy Spirit (16:27)
8. Worship & Prayer (18:43)
9. Scripture (18:33)
10. Church & New Creation (18:37)

Preview of Lesson 1: Simply Christian Introduction

Bonus Video Presentations

The bonus video showcases stimulating, in-depth conversation between N. T. Wright and Richard B. Hays. The conversation can be viewed as a whole or watched by topic.

1. Purpose of Simply Christian (3:50)
2. Prayer (4:08)
3. Israel & Judaism (8:05)
4. Other Religions (3:21)
5. Exile & the New Testament (9:23)
6. Resurrection (10:13)
7. Heaven & Earth (3:40)
8. Evil (20:17)
9. Unity & Diversity (11:22)

Free Publicity Materials Downloads

• Bulletin Insert
• Postcard
• Signup Sheet

About the Download Files

This video-based study curriculum is 2.3 GB in total and may take several minutes to download. We recommend a broadband connection for faster download times.

Upon purchase you will receive an email receipt with links to download each video (MP4) and document (PDF) file separately. If you do not receive a receipt, please check your spam folder for an email from wesleyseminary.edu@mg.wesleyseminary.edu.

Video files range from 26.2 MB to 180.5 MB, and document files are smaller than 1.9 MB. All files will be available for download for one year from date of purchase.

The post Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Denise Dombkowski Hopkins is Professor of Hebrew Bible at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She earned her BA magna cum laude from Syracuse University, where she was named to Phi Beta Kappa. Her MA and Ph.D are from Vanderbilt University. She studied twice at the Ecumenical Institute for Advanced Theological Studies (Tantur) on the West Bank. She is the author of “Judith” in the Women’s Bible Commentary (expanded ed.; ed. C. Newsome and S. Ringe, WJK), and has been a preacher, speaker, and teacher in hundreds of churches. She has a particular interest in exploring the intersections between the Bible and our pastoral caring of one another in our congregations.

Lessons and Video Presentations

• Lesson 1. Praying the Psalms, Praying Into Wholeness (14:23)
• Lesson 2. The Synagogue, the Church, and the Psalms (14:40)
• Lesson 3. Your Hallelujahs Don’t Have to be Hollow Anymore (13:28)
• Lesson 4. You Get What You Deserve, Don’t You? (11:45)
• Lesson 5. Complaining in Faith to God (10:59)
• Lesson 6. Life in the Meanwhile (9:46)
• Lesson 7. The Lord Reigns: Enthronement Psalms (11:13)
• Lesson 8. I’ll Never Be the Same Again (6:08)

Lesson 1 Sample Video

Course Includes

• Eight class sessions in your church or online, led by persons from your church for the people of your church
• Video introductions on DVD or download to each of the eight class sessions
• Leader’s Guide (PDF download available upon purchase)
• Participant’s Guide (PDF download available upon purchase to share with your group)
• Weekly letter from Professor Hopkins (PDF download available upon purchase)

Audience

Journey Through the Psalms is appropriate for laypersons in churches of all denominations. The course is devotionally focused and possesses widespread and enduring appeal. Leaders and advanced students are encouraged to read the Journey Through the Psalms book in connection with the course. (The book is probably too challenging for casual readers, but it is not required for successful participation in the course.)

Schedule

The course schedule is set by your local church. Like other Wesley Ministry Network courses, you may begin and end the class based on your church’s own calendar

Online Small Groups

To help congregations that might be unfamiliar with the technical aspects of distance learning, we have assembled a How-To Guide For Online Studies webpage filled with helpful tips and suggestions to get your study groups online.

Also, Journey Through the Psalms video lessons are available through the end of 2020 on Vimeo — so watching them is as easy as using YouTube. Vimeo allows you send the video links to group members and ask them to watch each video lesson on their own. Then everyone can come together on a phone conference call or video chat to discuss the materials. Upon purchase, you will receive the links for the Vimeo videos to share with your group.

Free Publicity Materials Downloads

• Bulletin Insert
• Postcard
• Signup Sheet
• Poster

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Did David write the psalms? Probably not. The ancient world was not really interested in authorship or copyrights. It was natural for ancient Israel to tie the psalms to David, who enjoyed a great reputation as singer, musician, and poet. David was introduced into Saul’s court as a musician (1 Sam. 16.17,23). David also made Jerusalem his political and religious capital by bringing the Ark of the Covenant (God’s portable throne) to it (2 Sam. 6). 1 Chronicles credits David with organizing the choir guilds and worship of the Temple. Designating a psalm “of David” was a way of honoring him.

2. What is a superscription? It is the text printed in small type above the first verse of the psalm. For example, above Psalm 3 is this superscription: “A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.” Superscriptions often contain musical notations, e.g., “with stringed instruments” appears above Psalm 4, and “for flutes” appears above Psalm 5. In all, 117 of the 150 psalms have superscriptions, which were probably added to psalms in the process of collection. A superscription gives us one clue for interpreting a psalm but is not the only clue. Seventy-three of the psalms have “of David” in their superscriptions, but this does not necessarily mean that David wrote the Psalms (see FAQ 1 above).

3. Who are Korah and Asaph? They are the heads of major guilds of Temple singers (2 Chron. 20:19). Their names are found in the superscriptions (see FAQ #2 above) of several psalms: Korah (Psalms 42-49) and Asaph (Psalms 50, 73-83). Perhaps they collected these psalms or were responsible for their musical presentation.

4. What is a Song of Ascent? Psalms 120-134 have this phrase in their superscriptions (see FAQ 2 above). Perhaps these psalms were sung as pilgrims made their way up to Jerusalem.

5. What does “selah” mean? Scholars are not certain. It is perhaps a musical notation or a signal indicating a pause in the recitation of a psalm that allowed for music, dancing, or silence.

6. Why is the Psalter divided into five books? Early Jewish interpretation suggested that the five-fold division was to mirror the five books of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), which would give the psalms authority by association. Each of the five books of psalms ends with a doxology (praise verse to God). These doxologies (Psalms 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48; and 150:6) act as dividers.

7. Where does the word “psalm” come from? Psalm is the Greek translation (psalmos) of the Hebrew word mizmor that is found in 57 psalm superscriptions (see 2 above). A mizmor is a song sung to musical accompaniment.

8. What does “hallelujah” mean? The Hebrew title for the whole psalm collection is tehillim, which means, “praises” and is formed from the verb root hll, “to praise.” To this root is added “jah,” which is the German spelling of the shortened form of Yahweh, the divine name that is translated as LORD in most Bibles. Literally, “hallelujah” means, “praise (a plural command) Yahweh.” Thus, “hallelujah” means, “praise the LORD.”

9. What does metaphor mean? “Metaphor” (Greek) means literally “to carry across.” A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing in terms of another. It is imaginative speech that helps create visual images. Psalm poetry is saturated with metaphors. Metaphors for God in the psalms include rock, fortress, refuge, deliverer, judge, creator, king. The metaphor of path or way runs like a thread through the collection, reminding Israel how to respond to God.

10. Is anger at God sign of a weak faith? Not in the psalms. Anger is just one of the many human emotions that the psalms express in honest conversation with God. Anger shows how much we depend upon God.

11. What is a Torah psalm? Psalms 1,19, and 119 are classified as Torah psalms. The Greek translation of the Bible (the Septuagint, third-century B.C.E.) translates Torah as “law,” but the word means much more than that. Torah is God’s “instruction” or “guidance” for Israel, which includes law, but also poetry, story, and genealogy. Jews call the first five books of the Bible the Torah. In Israel, Torah and creation are understood together, for following Torah is the way Israel is supposed to respond to God’s well-ordered creation.

12. What does Zion mean? Scholars are not certain. It is used in the Old Testament as another name for Jerusalem, or for the fortress in the city, or for the Temple mount area upon which God’s sanctuary is found. Zion is also used as a metaphor (see 9 above) for security and protection (Psalm 46; 125; Rev. 14:1).

The post Journey through the Psalms first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Journey through the Psalms appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Dr. Larry Hurtado is a scholar of the New Testament and Christian origins, with posts in higher education since 1975. In August 2011, he retired from his post as Professor of New Testament Language, Literature & Theology (University of Edinburgh) in which he served from 1996. Prior to that, he was in the Department of Religion, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg). His own research over the decades has focused mainly on the origins and development of “devotion to Jesus” in earliest Christianity, and also on textual criticism and the study of earliest Christian manuscripts as informative artifacts of ancient Christianity. In retirement, he resides in Edinburgh, and continues to pursue his research interests in the area of New Testament and Christian Origins.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. Introduction to Jesus Devotion (26:19)
2. Roman and Jewish Backgrounds (18:53)
3. Jesus in the Letters of Paul (24:12)
4. Jesus in Jewish Christianity (23:12)
5. Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels (23:13)
6. Jesus in the Gospel of John (21:48)
7. The Costs and Consequences of Jesus Devotion (21:32)
8. How Did It Happen? What Does It Mean for Today? (22:44)
9. Bonus Track: Selected images form the Methodist Church Collection of Modern Christian Art

Audience

Devotion to Jesus is a more academically-oriented course that will be best understood by those possessing some background in biblical studies. Those who are aware of modern controversies concerning the identity of Jesus will find the course especially interesting and helpful.

Free Publicity Materials Downloads

• Bulletin Insert
• Postcard
• Signup Sheet
• Poster

About the Download Files

This video-based study curriculum is 1.2 GB in total and may take several minutes to download. We recommend a broadband connection for faster download times.

Upon purchase you will receive links to download each video (MP4) and document (PDF) file separately. Video files range from 26 MB to 169.9, and document files are 2.1 MB.

Usage Rights

A Life Worthy of the Gospel is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post Devotion to Jesus: The Divinity of Christ in Earliest Christianity first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Devotion to Jesus: The Divinity of Christ in Earliest Christianity appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Bishop Kenneth Lee Carder is the Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School. He served as bishop to the Nashville and Mississippi conferences of the United Methodist Church. While serving a church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Bishop Carder helped initiate an ongoing dialogue between scientists and theologians, including a dialogue between members of the Council of Bishops, on In Defense of Creation. He is the author of Sermons on United Methodist Beliefs, A Bishop’s Reflections, Living Our Beliefs, and a study guide for Who Are We? The Doctrine, Mission, and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Audience

Serious Answers to Hard Questions is an outstanding introductory-level course that appeals to a very wide audience. Each lesson is freestanding, so it is easy to adapt the course to your particular needs. This is a great starter course that encourages much lively discussion.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. Evil — R. Kendall Soulen (27:05)
2. Religion and Science — John Polkinghorne (31:00)
3. Other Religions — Sathianathan Clarke (32:12)
4. Evangelism and Tolerance — Scott Jones (26:14)
5. The God of the Old Testament — Amy-Jill Levine (31:05)
6. Jesus and Christianity— Richard B. Hays (30:15)
7. Resurrection — N.T. Wright (30:52)
8. The Gnostic Gospels — Ben Witherington (32:52)
9. The Sins of the Church — Douglas M. Strong (30:44)
10. Forgiveness — L. Gregory Jones (27:43)

Sample Video Clips

About the Download Files

Each video and PDF will be available for download individually. All the files together are 1.9 GB, so you may wish to save everything to a flash drive.

The download links will be available on the receipt that is emailed to you upon purchase, so save your email if you do not download all files at once. Please check your email spam folder if you do not receive a receipt. All files will be available for download for one year from date of purchase.

The post Serious Answers to Hard Questions first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Serious Answers to Hard Questions appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. was the 16^th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In this role, he oversaw the work of the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world, spanning the spectrum from basic to clinical research. Dr. Collins is a physician-geneticist noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the international Human Genome Project, which culminated in April 2003 with the completion of a finished sequence of the human DNA instruction book. He served as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at NIH from 1993-2008. Before coming to NIH, Dr. Collins was a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at the University of Michigan. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2007, and received the National Medal of Science in 2009.

Audience

Religion and Science is a mid-level course that does not require a background in science to understand it. Each of the nine lessons is freestanding, so it is easy to adapt the course to your particular needs.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. 1. Introduction — Francis S. Collins (26:29)
   2. Friends or Foes? The Story of a Complex Relationship — David A. Wilkinson, St. John’s College (25:31)
   3. Truth in Science and Religion — Philip Clayton, Claremont School of Theology (29:42)
   4. God and Nature — Keith Ward, Oxford University (31:32)
   5. Creation and Evolution — Darrel Falk, Point Loma Nazarene University (26:27)
   6. What Does it Mean to be Human? — Warren Brown, Fuller Theological Seminary (28:14)
   7. The God of Hope and the End of the World — John Polkinghorne, Cambridge University (27:09)
   8. Genetic Science and the Frontiers of Ethics — Ted Peters, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (29:21)
   9. Concluding Bible Study on Creation Care — Beth Norcross, Denise Dombkowski Hopkins, Bruce Birch, Susan Willhauck, and Kendall Soulen, Wesley Theological Seminary (32:00)

Sample Video Clips from Lessons 2-9

Bonus Video Presentations

1. A Conversation Between Francis S. Collins and Nobel Laureate William Phillips, NIST (6:03)
2. The Dawkins Delusion? — Alister McGrath, Oxford University (30:37)
3. Reflections on a Life of Faith and Science — Nobel Laureate Charles Townes, Berkeley (19:03)
4. Natural Selection and the Economy of Grace — Amy Laura Hall, Duke Divinity School (20:54)
5. Two Different Faith Journeys — Francis S. Collins and Nobel Laureate William Phillips, NIST (9:33)

About the Download

Videos and PDFs are available for download individually upon purchase. All the files together are 1.6 GB, so you may wish to save everything to a flash drive.

Upon purchase, you will receive an email that includes the download links and your receipt. Please save this email if you do not download all files at once. If you do not receive this email, please check your email spam or junk folder. All files will be available for download for one year from date of purchase.

The post Religion and Science: Pathways to Truth first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Religion and Science: Pathways to Truth appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Dr. Craig C. Hill is dean of Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. A New Testament scholar, Dean Hill previously served on the faculty of Duke Divinity School, where he was executive director of the Doctor of Ministry and Master of Christian Practice programs. He also was a research professor of theological pedagogy. Prior to his tenure at Duke, he held numerous positions over the course of 15 years at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. They included professor of New Testament, executive director of academic outreach, director of the Wesley Ministry Network, co-director of the dual degree program with The American University and director of the Master of Theological Studies degree program. Education: D.Phil. University of Oxford; M.Div. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; and B.A. Illinois Wesleyan University. Selected publications include Servant of All:  Status, Ambition, and the Way of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Press, 2016) and In God’s Time: The Bible and the Future (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Press, 2002).

Sessions and Video Presentations

1. Are We There Yet? (16:52)
2. The History of the Future (17:59)
3. The Covenant Future (16:32)
4. Apocalypse Then (20:03)
5. Between the Testaments (20:39)
6. Daniel (21:21)
7. Revelation (18:13)
8. Jesus and the Things to Come (22:22)
9. The Once and Future Kingdom (22:41)
10. Conclusion: Hope Unseen (20:27)

Session 1 Video Preview

Session 1 Sample from the Participant’s Guide

Click to view a PDF of Session 1 materials from the Participant’s Guide.

Study Includes

• 10 lessons on download or DVD
• Leader’s Guide (spiral-bound or PDF version)
• Participant’s Guide (PDF)
• Weekly letter from Dr. Hill (PDF)

The In God’s Time book (available at Amazon) is an optional but helpful addition to the course.

Instructional Segments

Session 1. Introduction: Are We There Yet? (16:52)
This session focuses on the meaning and importance of eschatology. It challenges both an uncritical embrace of eschatology on the part of some Christians and an overhasty divorce from it on the part of others. It also highlights problems with traditional eschatologies, such as their view of time, cosmology, and creation. Modern Christians must face these issues squarely as they think about this vital subject.

Session 2. The History of the Future (17:59)
Many of the biblical writings deal in some way with the future. Naturally, this is true of the prophetic books. It was common in the ancient world to believe that the future could be predicted. However, it was seldom easy to tell which prophets were true and which were false, an issue that the biblical writers take up at numerous points and in various ways.

Session 3. The Covenant Future (16:32)
Increasingly, the prophets also foretold a renewed world in which God’s righteousness would reign over all people. In this and other ways, they thought from the perspective of faith about the future. In the work of the later prophets of the Hebrew Bible, we witness the beginnings of apocalyptic thought. A future is imagined that could be brought about only by an extraordinary act of God.

4. Apocalypse Then (20:03)
Apocalyptic thinking flourished in times of turmoil and dislocation. Such thinking was widespread in the Judaism of the inter-testamental period (that is, in the centuries between the Old and New Testaments). Apocalyptic texts wrestle with the problem of evil. They assert that “despite all appearances to the contrary, God has everything under control,” and believers are exhorted to endure persecution. A number of the ideas and images common to Jewish and Christian apocalyptic writing were also found in surrounding cultures.

5. Between the Testaments (20:39)
1 Enoch contains the earliest and most important of the non-biblical apocalypses. Many parallels exist between the New Testament and 1 Enoch. Seven key predictions common to apocalyptic literature are listed with examples taken from a range of ancient non-biblical works. Each of these points has some counterpart in the New Testament.

6. Daniel (21:21)
Daniel and Revelation tend to be regarded either as books of historical foresight or theological insight. The figure of Daniel appears prior to the setting of the biblical book of Daniel. The narratives of Dan. 1-6 are different in many respects from the apocalyptic materials found in chapters 7-12. The visions of Daniel center on the figure of the Antiochus IV, who prohibited Jewish practice and desecrated the Jewish temple. The author(s) of Daniel anticipated a soon-coming vindication of Israel and the resurrection of the most righteous and the most wicked.

7. Revelation (18:13)
The situation in which Revelation was composed is similar in many respects to that of the book of Daniel. The author of Revelation made extensive use of Daniel and other apocalyptically-oriented biblical writings. Much of Revelation is taken up with descriptions of the judgments awaiting God’s enemies, in particular, the emperor, the imperial cult, and the city of Rome itself. Revelation ends with a glorious vision of “the world reborn and Paradise revisited.” Revelation does not provide us with a “roadmap” to the future; nevertheless, it is a valuable book that still challenges and inspires modern believers.

8. Jesus and the Things to Come (22:22)
Two key questions in New Testament study are: Was Jesus an eschatological figure? And, did the early Christians, including the New Testament authors, basically get Jesus right? Christianity arose astonishingly quickly and spread rapidly. These facts weigh against the notion that the early church fundamentally misunderstood and/or misrepresented Jesus. Jesus proclaimed the dominion of God, which was both present and future and which was characterized by reversal. Jesus’ teaching also included mention of a future judgment. Jesus believed that he himself would play a central role in the realization of God’s reign.

9. The Once and Future Kingdom (22:41)
The crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus were regarded as eschatological work already done. The early church’s eschatology
shifted over time, for example, from a more “future” to a more “realized” eschatological perspective (i.e., toward an increasing emphasis on the things that Jesus had already accomplished). The distinction is evident
in the New Testament as well as in contemporary Christianity. The eschatology of the apostle Paul makes for an especially interesting study. Two patterns of theological orientation correspond to future and realized eschatological perspectives.

10. Conclusion: Hope Unseen (20:27)
Today’s most popular form of eschatology, Premillennial Dispensationlism, goes back to the 1820’s and 30’s. Its founder, John Nelson Darby, argued that Christ would return twice. His interpretation of Scripture is ingenious, but it flies in the face of the biblical witness. It borrows widely from a range biblical authors and creates a single eschatology that is actually foreign to all of them. Hope is not the same thing as certainty. There is much we do not know about the future, but we may trust the future with God. Christianity is a religion of hope. To live Christianly is to experience newness of life now.

Audience

In God’s Time is appropriate for laypersons in churches of all denominations.

Schedule

The course schedule is set by your local church. Like other Lewis Center studies, you may begin and end the class based on your church’s own calendar

Online Small Groups

To help congregations that might be unfamiliar with the technical aspects of distance learning, we have assembled a How-To Guide For Online Studies webpage filled with helpful tips and suggestions to get your study groups online.

Free Publicity Materials Downloads

• Bulletin Insert
• Postcard
• Signup Sheet
• Poster

About the Download Files

Each video and PDF will be available for download individually. All the files together are 1.4 GB, so you may wish to save everything to a flash drive.

Upon purchase, you will receive an email that includes your receipt and download links. Please save this email for future use if you do not download all the files at once. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam or junk mail folder and search for wesleyseminary.edu. All files will be available for download for one year from date of purchase.

Usage Rights

In God’s Time is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post In God’s Time: The Bible and the Future first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post In God’s Time: The Bible and the Future appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Dr. Sondra Wheeler is the Martha Ashby Carr Professor of Christian Ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Within the broad discipline of Christian ethics, she specializes in theological bioethics, biblical ethics, virtue ethics and the historical roots of Christian moral theology. She holds a Ph.D. from Yale University. Her books include Wealth as Perill and Obligation: The New Testament on Possessions; Stewards of Life: Bioethics and Pastoral Care; What We Were Made For: Christian Reflections on Love; and Children of One’s Own: Creation and the Limits and Parental Power.

Lessons and Video Presentations

Introduction
1. A Christian Way of Living? (20:51)
Four Models for Christian Ethics
2. Scripture: The Story that Forms Us (23:53)
3. Augustine: Ordering Our Loves (25:20)
4. Luther: The Spirit of Christian Life (14:13)
5. Wesley: Transforming Grace (21:41)
Conclusion
6. Learning from Our Traditions — A Test Case (26:42)

Audience 

A Life Worthy of the Gospel is a mid-level course that is densely packed with rich content. It requires a few pages of reading for each session and is a perfect match for serious study groups that want to go deeper. A Life Worthy of the Gospel builds to a very powerful climax in Lesson 6.

Free Publicity Materials Downloads

• Bulletin Insert
• Postcard
• Signup Sheet

About the Download Files

This video-based study curriculum is 1.1 GB in total and may take several minutes to download. We recommend a broadband connection for faster download times.

Upon purchase you will receive links to download each video (MP4) and document (PDF) file separately. Video files range from 107 MB to 218 MB, and document files are less than 671.7 KB.

Usage Rights

A Life Worthy of the Gospel is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post A Life Worthy of the Gospel first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post A Life Worthy of the Gospel appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Dr. Amy G. Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University. Prior to that she served as Dean and Professor of History of Christianity at Wesley Theological Seminary. Her Ph.D. in Religious Studies is from Southern Methodist University. Dr. Oden’s areas of special interest and publication include early Christianity, hospitality, and women’s contributions to church history. Her books include Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness (Abingdon, 2017), God’s Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World (Pilgrim Press, 2008), and In Her Words: Women’s Writings in the History of Christian Thought (Abingdon, 1994).

Audience

This is a mid-level course for both women and men who want to grow in faith and see how God works in difficult times and places. Each session requires a few pages of reading.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. Introduction: Our Family History (11:53)
2. Perpetua (26:41)
3. Macrina (18:30)
4. Juana Inés de la Cruz (21:55)
5. Susanna Wesley (21:37)
6. Jarena Lee (18:16)
7. Georgia Harkness (18:08)
8. Our Stories: We Speak of God (7:42)

Preview of Lesson 1 — Introduction: Our Family History

Free Supplementary Materials

• Weekly Letters from Dr. Oden (PDF download)

About the Download Files

Each video and PDF will be available for download individually. All the files together are 871.2 MB, so you may wish to save everything to a flash drive.

The download links will be available on the receipt that is emailed to you upon purchase, so save your email if you do not download all files at once. Please check your email spam folder if you do not receive a receipt. All files will be available for download for one year from date of purchase.

The post Women Speak of God first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Women Speak of God appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Beth Norcross is the founder and executive director of the Center for Spirituality in Nature (centerforspiritualityinnature.org) and an adjunct faculty member at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, where she has developed and taught courses on eco-spirituality and eco-theology. She regularly speaks, teaches, and writes about the importance of immersion in nature as an essential way to encounter the Divine Mystery deeply and intimately, and to foster a healthy relationship with the Earth.

After receiving a B.A. in mathematics and a Master of Forestry from Duke University, Beth spent the early part of her career working as professional staff for the U.S. Senate National Parks and Forests Subcommittee. After leaving the Senate, Beth worked as Vice President of Conservation for American Rivers. Then she returned to school to study the interface between ecology and theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, completing a Master of Theological Studies and Doctor of Ministry degrees specializing in eco-spirituality.

7-Session Study Includes

• Videos
• Study and Discussion Guide
• Try This, suggested spiritual practices in nature

Video Presentations

1. From the Beginning (8:52)
2. Provision and Thanksgiving (8:24)
3. The Spirituality of Water (9:46)
4. Connection and Compassion (9:08)
5. Death and Grief in Nature (7:00)
6. Renewal and Response (8:19)
7. Developing a Regular Spiritual Practice in Nature (7:15)

Session 1 sample video presentation:

Study and Discussion Guide

Each Study and Discussion Guide unit includes scripture, a brief reading, discussion questions, and Try This, a suggested spiritual practice in nature.

Session 1 sample Study and Discussion Guide pages:

Instructional Segments

Session 1: From the Beginning

• From the Beginning video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 1: From the Beginning

• Try This — Lectio Divina in Nature

Session 2: Provision and Thanksgiving

• Provision and Thanksgiving video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 2: Provision and Thanksgiving

• Try This — Eating Meditation

Session 3: The Spirituality of Water

• The Spirituality of Water video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 3: The Spirituality of Water

• Try This — Mindful Drinking

Session 4: Connection and Compassion

• Connection and Compassion video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 4: Connection and Compassion

• Try This — What is it Like to be You?

Session 5: Death and Grief in Nature

• Death and Grief in Nature video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 5: Death and Grief in Nature

• Try This — Write a Lament Psalm for the Earth

Session 6: Renewal and Response

• Renewal and Response video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 6: Renewal and Response

• Try This — Renewal

Session 7: Developing a Regular Spiritual Practice in Nature

• Class Developing a Regular Spiritual Practice in Nature video
• Study and Discussion Guide — Session 7: Developing a Regular Spiritual Practice in Nature

• Try This — Sacred Circle

About the Download Files

This video-based study curriculum is 3.56 GB in total and may take several minutes to download. We recommend a broadband connection for faster download times.

Upon purchase you will receive links to download each video (MP4) and document (PDF) file separately. Video files range from 434 MB to 587 MB each, and document files are less than 2.6 MB.

Usage Rights

Nature: Our First Way of Know God is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post Nature: Our First Way of Knowing God first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Nature: Our First Way of Knowing God appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Rev. Dr. Justo L. González, a Cuban American Methodist historian and theologian, is a prolific author and an influential contributor to the development of Latin American theology. He attended United Seminary in Cuba and received his M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale. Dr. González is the author of the popular two volume textbook The Story of Christianity that covers the history of the church from founding till the present in a readable style. He is also the author of the three volume work History of Christian Thought.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. John and Charles Wesley: The Early Years — Paul Chilcote (28:15)
2. Methodist Beginnings: 1725-1737 — Amy Oden (30:33)
3. Aldersgate and Its Results: 1738 — Steve Rankin (15:09)
   Methodist History: 1739-1744 — Henry Knight (14:18)
4. Early Methodist Revival: 1740-1760 — Hoo-Jung Lee (14:09)
   Methodism in Britain: 1760-1791 — Peter Forsaith (15:47)
5. The Legacy of Charles Wesley — S T Kimbrough (25:00)
6. American Methodism: 1740s-1760s — Douglas M. Strong (16:11)
   African Methodism in Early America — Dennis C. Dickerson (15:02)
7. The Holiness Movement and Missions — Steven O’Malley (13:34)
   Global Methodism — Robert Hunt (17:26)
8. Methodism and Social Holiness — Wendy Deichmann Edwards (30:41)

Lesson 1 Video Preview

Supplemental Video Presentations

9. Methodism in Europe — Patrick Streiff (38:09)
   In China, Japan, and Korea — Gunshik Shim (19:40)
   In India, Phillipines, and Oceana — Luther J. Oconer (15:23)
10. Methodism in Africa — Jimmy Dube and Patrick Matsikenyiri (27:43)
    In Latin America and the Caribbean — Paulo Ayres Mattos (21:08)
    In Russia and Eurasia — Sergei V. Nikolaev (20:16)

Complete Study Package Includes

• 8 lessons plus supplemental videos on download or DVD
• Study guide and supplemental presentations on download or CD
• Contributions by 18 of the world’s leading Methodist scholars

Closed captioning is provided for all lessons on the CD version only.

Schedule

The course schedule is set by your local church. Like other Lewis Center studies, you may begin and end the class based on your church’s own calendar

Online Small Groups

To help congregations that might be unfamiliar with the technical aspects of distance learning, we have assembled a How-To Guide For Online Studies webpage filled with helpful tips and suggestions to get your study groups online.

About the Download Files

Each video will be available for download individually. PDFs will be available for download in a ZIP file. All the files together are 2.77 GB, so you may wish to save everything to a flash drive.

Upon purchase, you will receive an email that includes your receipt and download links. Please save this email for future use if you do not download all the files at once. If you do not receive this email, please check your spam or junk mail folder and search for wesleyseminary.edu. All files will be available for download for one year from date of purchase.

Usage Rights

Methodist Identity — Part 1: Our Story is designed for use within a single congregation or charge. To purchase rights for further distribution, please contact the Lewis Center at (202) 664-5700 or lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu. Bulk rates are available.

The post Methodist Identity — Part 1: Our Story first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Methodist Identity — Part 1: Our Story appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Bishop Gregory Ingram is presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has distinguished himself throughout African Methodism, in particular, and the religious community, in general, for his expertise on stewardship and tithing. He has authored a number of publications that are heralded throughout African Methodism, including Equipping the Saints for Service, and The Joy of Giving More Than Enough and The S.A.T. Manual on African Methodism: A Study Guide on the Faith, Beliefs, History and Structure of the World’s Oldest Denomination Founded by Blacks, an acclaimed instructional tool for new members that has been updated and expanded. Bishop Ingram holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary.

Lessons and Video Presentations

1. The Nature of Methodist Doctrine — Sharon Grant and Ted Campbell (29:22)
2. Divine Trinity and Christology — Scott J. Jones (30:03)
3. Prevenient Grace and Repentance — Elaine A. Robinson (29:35)
4. Justifying Faith and Assurance — Walter Klaiber (28:54)
5. Sanctification — Sondra Wheeler (29:36)
6. Baptism and Christian Initiation — Henry Knight (27:21)
7. Eucharist — Lawrence Hull Stookey (26:05)
8. Eschatology — Randy L. Maddox (28:57)

Bonus Video Presentation

• Forms of Ministry in the Methodist Tradition — Ted Campbell (51:59)

Includes

• 8 lessons plus bonus video on DVD
• Study guide and extensive supplemental presentations (including many of Wesley’s own writings) on CD
• Featuring contributions by 9 of the world’s leading Methodist scholars

 Closed captioning is provided for all lessons.

The post Methodist Identity — Part 2: Our Beliefs first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The post Methodist Identity — Part 2: Our Beliefs appeared first on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.