New Church Perspective – Essays - ChapmanCast

Pearse and Derrick discuss leadership from two angles - how the Lord leads the individual, and how an individual can model his actions after the Lord in order to lead effectively. They liken good leadership to creating circumstances that inspire people to rise to the occasion, committing the best in themselves to the task at hand. They affirm that an effective leader will focus on the positive qualities, the strengths and virtues, in the people around them, and intuitively work to draw these qualities out. Are they talking about mind control? Listen and discern for yourself. -Editor

In this episode, we interview Chris Barber about the topic of "witnessing". Chris will be giving a presentation on witnessing at the General Church Assembly in Bryn Athyn this June. What does it mean to be a witness to the truth? Are we agents of the Lord in just what we say, or in how we live?

In this episode, Pearse interviews marriage and family counselor Kevin Roth about the connection between emotions and behavior. They discuss how our emotions are influenced by our thoughts and experiences. But our thoughts, experiences, and emotions don't define us. How does what we love fit in to the picture?

In this episode, Pearse interviews Curtis Childs about his theory of head bullies--the hellish influences that infiltrate your mind and want to make you miserable. Curtis wants everyone to take negative thoughts lightly, to know that you are cooler than you think you are, and to realize that life is better than you think it is. For more from Curtis, check out the video on Head Bullies on YouTube and think about subscribing to his channel: Head Bullies.

In this episode, Pearse interviews the Rev. Dr. Andrew Dibb, Dean of the Bryn Athyn College Theological School, about the calling to the priesthood. Andy describes his own calling to the ministry and discusses the qualities he looks for in a potential candidate. More generally, Pearse and Andy examine the calling someone can feel to any occupation. How do we know what we're supposed to be doing with our lives?

In this episode, Todd and Pearse interview Jim Adams about goings-on at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral--past, present, and future. He describes the recent renovations to the building and the services and tours available to visitors and worshippers. Hear Jim on the Cathedral's new status as a national historic landmark and live streaming of Sunday services. Why will workers soon be drilling 500 feet into the Cathedral hill, not once but 40 times? Find out on this episode!

In this episode, Dr. Synnestvedt, a professor of philosophy at Bryn Athyn College, outlines some categories of doubt: local or global, subjective or objective, from the intellect or from the will. With these categories in mind, he suggests ways of dealing with some of our doubts and the fear that accompanies them. He also recomends the book Alvin Steadfast on Vernacular Island How can we learn from and live with uncertainty?

In this episode, Pearse and the Rev. Brian Smith continue their conversation about doubt. They discuss the place of prayer in times of doubt--even when people may doubt the very God to whom they pray. And doubt doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. How can doubt be "the servant, if not the friend of truth"?

We interview the Rev. Brian Smith about doubt. Is it really necessary? It seems counterintuitive that often-painful times of doubt and despair can serve to build our faith, and yet Brian describes three ways doubt can help us. This is a first for us, a two part episode. Tune in next week for Part II!

In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Andy Dibb describes his religious upbringing and concept of God. Influenced both by his New Church mother and Anglican schools, he came away with conflicting ideas. Was God a trinity or unity of Persons? Andy later found resolution and peace in the idea of a single, loving, Human God. Andy discusses the impact a person's view of God has on the rest of his or her life. With that in mind, how does one discuss religion with an atheist or agnostic?