Pepperdine Bible Lectures

Is it possible for followers of Jesus to reconcile faith with the violence of war? In this class, Dr. Vic McCracken will lead attendees through an exploration of the Christian tradition, exploring the church's nonviolent witness as well as the development of the Christian just war tradition. Teacher: Victor McCracken

If you feel you have been put through the wringer and nearly given up and you would like to know you are not alone, join me as I share my story of falling and getting back up again. Teacher: Summer Morris

In a letter addressed to Robert Hooker in 1675, Isaac Newton wrote what became one of his most famous statements, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Whether we care to admit it or not, we are who we are due in large part to those who have come before us. Some of them we can picture. Others we can name, though having never seen their faces, even in a photograph. Then there are the rest, the majority, whose names and faces we never knew. Their impact endures in us even when we can't remember them. It's humbling to think that one day we will be just like them…forgotten. But there is a name that will never be lost to the turning pages of history. It is the name that is above every other name. Teacher: Jason Pagel

"We must learn to suffer what we cannot evade; our life, like the harmony of the world, is composed of contrary things, and one part is no less necessary than the other." ~Michel de Montaigne In a world filled with suffering, one may feel it unfair or unnecessary to go through life's turmoils. Maybe it's a terminally ill loved one. Perhaps you feel that systemic conditions have unfairly burdened your life. Why did your marriage dissolve? How is it that your beautiful kids have turned to substance abuse? When will this grief stop? Is there a purpose in our pain? As believers, we must allow the Word to inform our worldview when the world around us makes no sense. In this session, we will look at what it means to Suffer Well. Teacher: Alvin Edington

Have the past few years left you not just tired, but weary? Me too! Let's talk about it. Teacher: Ben Fike

How to be a leader in a valley of dry bones. Teacher: Brad Cox

Teacher: Jonathan Storment

Jesus' teaching on fear and worry in Luke 12 Teacher: Kindy DeLong

Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family. Sex is a pervasive topic in our society and a very relevant issue for young adults. Statistics show dishearteningly high rates of unmarried young adults and teens are sexually active. Young adults need a safe place to talk about sexual issues, and they need adults in their lives who are willing to talk, listen, understand, and guide. There is so much in our culture that is untrue about sex. God has given us a beautiful gift in our sexuality, and we need to talk about how He does want us to use this gift. Join us as we discuss helpful ways to talk about sex in a way that young adults are likely to hear and understand. Teacher: Dori Lansbach

Every week, preachers face the pressure of coming up with something new to say about a book that has been talked about for 2000 years. Originality is an essential element for effective communication – but what can we possibly say that hasn't already been said before? In this class, we will explore how and why good preaching endeavors to gain a fresh hearing for an old, old story. Teacher: David Ayres

Trophies. Promotions. Raises. Power. Authority. Honor. Credit... These are all things that the world around us values, pursues, and covets. This year we have yet another election cycle where individuals will be jockeying for votes, offices, and power. We can't turn on the TV, listen to a podcast, get on a website, or even walk out our front door without being bombarded with the temptation to seek after the same type things. And yet… rather than grasp worldly power, fame, or authority Jesus actually shunned them. Instead he used words like humility, sacrifice, service, and submission. So how do we as Christians in the 21st century, follow the way of Jesus that teaches that an upside down ethic that teaches other first and us second? And how in the world do we get our churches to turn off the political pundits and spend more time living out the Greatest Commands and the Great Commission? Teacher: Jeff Hubbard

In this panel presentation, three women will discuss the challenges and opportunities of church and campus ministry planting in America. Teacher: Bruce Bates Panelists: Gina Isaziga, Brenda Woods

Did you know that there are four simple elements that make a good conversation great? Join Scott and Kim Lambert as they explore Hebrews 10:24 and share Heather Hollerman's four mindsets that everyone should consider when having a conversation. This class will have a practical hands-on element so come ready to participate! Teachers: Kim and Scott Lambert

Teachers: Jeff Walling, NextGen Ambassadors Worship Leader: Won by One

Chris Goldman, NWChurch Worship Band A musical and spoken word worship experience built upon Isaiah 40 - 43, music by the NW Worship Band, and a desire to breathe spiritual energy into all who participate.

Teacher: Bobby Valentine  

Teachers: Scott Lambert, Jim Martin Spiritual leaders need encouragement to keep pressing forward in challenging Kingdom work. Approaches and tactics to wrestle with burnout, stress and anxiety will be accompanied by words of blessings, courage and prayers over each person in attendance. Both nights will offer practical insights as well as the feeding of each leader's soul. End the Harbor day with a time of encouragement to stay courageous in serving God and His people.

Teachers: Jason Locke, Tod Vogt Panelists: David Berry, Charles Kiser, Ryan Smith, Chale Wesson In this Reimagining Church workshop, the panelists will look at how to move beyond the tired and futile hamster wheel of worship improvements, revolving preachers, rebrandings, facility improvements, and the like. Instead of just rethinking how to improve the weekly hour of worship, what if we as churches rethought how to do life together? What if Christian communities both new and old could imagine and live into a new future of being the church in the world? This session will look at concrete ideas for how to break out of existing frameworks.

Teacher: Stanley Talbert This class explores theological perspectives on love, justice, and hope. If “God Loves Forever,” what are the implications of human love for God, the neighbor, and the self in the 21st century? The class will think with theologies of love, justice, and hope while constructing an ethic for the church's engagement in our contemporary world.

Teacher: Esau McCaulley Words have meaning in context. What should the Christian mean when he or she speaks of justice? What are its foundations, aims, and purpose. Related to this question is the doctrine of sin. Is sin personal, corporate (systemic), or some combination of the two? This seminar will outline a Christian definition of justice rooted in the vision for the Kingdom of God that emerges across the canon.

Teacher: Rubel Shelley The message of Scripture is that same-sex activity is outside God's will, but our culture tells us that "authentic personhood" and "one's true identity" must not be denied. The role of the Holy Spirit is to empower virtue and to enable Christians -- whether heterosexual or homosexual by orientation -- to live in chastity and fidelity as we are transformed into Christ's likeness.

Teachers: Josh Ross, Chris Seidman Life and ministry is much richer when we're not the only ones doing the talking. We'll pull on the thread of the Lord's voice that runs throughout Scripture and talk practically about the challenges of discerning and following His voice in our lives today. We'll also enjoy a few testimonies, and laugh (or cringe) over a few misguided experiences along the way.

Teachers: John Barton, KIBO Group John will share experiences and lessons learned in his work with Kibo Group International, and his thirty years of involvement in cross-cultural church work and community development.

Teachers: Sharon Hargrave, Dee Dee Mayer Many of us worry from time to time, but those who suffer from anxiety often experience fear that limits daily life and activities and makes it hard to find joy. Anxiety also impacts our ability to relate to one another in healthy ways. Over the last decade, mental health issues have been on the rise, with anxiety and depression taking the lead. The National Institute for Mental Health reports that 31 percent of adults in America experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. These numbers are not different for people in the church. In fact, research shows that approximately one in five people sitting in congregation each week are struggling with a diagnosable anxiety disorder, and pastors are not immune to this statistic. Join Sharon Hargrave and Dee Dee Mayer as they share new resources created through the RelateStrong Leadership Series to support people seeking to constructively address anxiety personally or in those they lead and serve. Whether a lay leader or a minister, this session is for you.

Teachers: Greg Anderson, Grady King In 2022, Hope Network Ministries facilitated a nationwide Compelling Preaching survey on behalf of Pepperdine University's Office of Church Relations. The purpose of this class is to review some of the key takeaways from the data, process where we are aligned and where we are disconnected, and offer suggestions to church leaders on how to equip their congregations for more compelling preaching.

Teacher: Cliff Barbarick The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 grapples with a universal human experience: sometimes the loving God responds to our cries for justice with silence. How do we understand such moments, and what do we do? To explore this story, we will learn it by heart and tell it to one another. It's possible—and fun!—to learn the story quickly, and the process deepens our appreciation for this deceptively simple parable.

Teacher: Michael Chaffin The Hebrew Scriptures are filled with superlative language describing the faithfulness of God. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases," or "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever." These are words of protest as well as praise; words offered in the midst of suffering, not simply once it has passed. What might these extreme expressions of inexhaustible loyalty mean for God's groaning creation? What are the ultimate implications for a God of such character? Psalm 139 shifts our expectations of God's promises by expanding our experience of his presence.

Teacher: Kindy De Long "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). God's love is at the center of the story of Jesus. It is why the Word was made flesh, why Jesus died rather than conquered, and why we experience grace through Christ. Focusing on God's love in the New Testament, this class will explore what it means to be loved by God and how being loved by God changes us.

Teacher: Bryn Valencia There is a gap between believing women are fully welcomed to lead in the Church, and seeing that liberty realized in our local churches – how do women and men live healthy, vibrant lives of faith and leadership in this in-between season? Rooted in the fundamental belief of the Imago Dei residing within every person, this class will help us unlock creative solutions for reclaiming hope, empowered soul care, and active engagement while in a season of waiting.

Teacher: Jovan Barrington You're invited to attend this class that focuses on how to make Sundays meaningful, fulfilling, and enjoyable. We will discuss topics such as the importance of gathering with your church, participating in spiritual practices, and alleviating anxiety and disappointments while cultivating celebration and joy. This class is open for ministry leaders and anyone who wants to make Sunday a great day and create a deeper connection with God. Join us and discover how Sundays can be your best day of the week.

Teacher: John Mark Hicks As congregations process pastoral leadership and the inclusion of women, one of the most frequent barriers is three Greek words traditionally translated “husband of one wife.” These two classes explore the interpretation and practice of this “qualification” in the history of the church (with emphasis on the Restoration Movement) and offer an understanding of this Greek idiom that does not exclude women in the context of 1 Timothy 3.

Teacher: Charles Kiser Many people leave churches and faith because they have experienced spiritual abuse and trauma due to toxic religious narratives. In this session we explore the concepts of spiritual abuse and religious trauma, and present pastoral leadership practices and postures that foster congregations that are healing for the spiritually traumatized.

Teacher: Mark Mayo Learn how to share your faith with gentleness and respect. In a world that is dark and divided, we will discover new ways to bridge the gap and bring the one true answer to hope and peace-Jesus Christ.

Teacher: Carlos Isaziga What do you do when you can't shake the feeling of being tired? Maybe it's a simple all too common physical depletion of energy, or are you dealing with a weariness much deeper than that? Society is feeling the effects of fatigue on many different levels, Jesus makes an invitation to a life of rest and refreshment.

Teachers: Dudley Chancey, Josh Griffin, Mike Shepherd, Jeff Walling In a world of ever-increasing and -invasive technology, which way should youth ministers turn? How can we reach teens who live in a digital world yet desperately seek authentic relationships? Sharing truth in imaginative ways has never been more important. Come hear some recent research and fresh ideas on how to leverage technology to give you more time to lean into relational ministry from experts and creative voices in the field of student ministry.

Teacher: Pat Bills We are living in a time where churches are struggling with their attendance and morale is low; things just aren't “what they used to be.” But what if churches actually embraced a strategy that measured success in different ways than before? Join me as we explore specific strategies that have “grown” our church into becoming a smaller more faithful and focused community of disciples.

Teacher: Nick Zola The Gospel of Mark is likely the earliest surviving written story of Jesus. It's fast paced and action packed, revealing some rough language yet real literary artistry, with an abrupt start and a surprising twist at the end. In this workshop we will explore the good news Mark conveys to his listeners and how to relate that good news ourselves, if we dare.

Teacher: K. Rex Butts This class will explore the participation of the local church in the mission of God among college contexts. The operatives of transforming and planting will shape this discussion.

Teacher: Cheryl Russell Dialogical preaching and the opportunities and advantages it provides for churches in the new missional era.

Teacher: Dori Lansbach Romantic relationships are in the forefront of every person's mind at some point in their life. So much of our lives including our identity, our past, and our future are impacted by the partners that we choose to become involved with romantically, but how do we navigate these relationships in a broken world? How do we prepare our individual emotional and spiritual health to be ready to be in a relationship? How do we date in a way that brings glory to God? How do we navigate the dynamics of marriage to reflect God's vision for a holy partnership? How do we discern the unhealthy dynamics of relationships? Whether you're single and preparing yourself to date, actively dating, or are married, this session will help you consider different aspects of relationships that are so often overlooked or misconstrued in today's world.

Teacher: Jeanette Duval A straightforward look at these three vital aspects of God and how our understanding of them impacts every level of our spiritual health. Especially relevant for our younger adults, teens, and children!

Teacher: La Shonda Coleman At times it can be challenging to love and show compassion for self in the many ways that we so readily do for others. We may have bought into the myth that self care is selfish. Yes, I named it a myth and if this is something you have bought into, extend yourself grace--while leaning into an opportunity to believe differently. An opportunity to experience love starting with Jesus and YOU. In the scriptures, Jesus models for us the practice of self-care and compassion. The truth is, Jesus loves you and gives us permission to love ourselves as well (Leviticus 19:17-18). This love can be expressed through self-care practices and through the practice of self-compassion. The question now is, how does it look to love and show compassion for ourselves? This class will prepare participants to create a self-care plan and to experience a variety of sensations that flow from self compassion. Through education, embodied practices, guided reflections, prayer, meditation and dialogue, participants in this class can expect to have a wholehearted experience!