By: Rhonda Davis on September 5, 2019
In recent years, I have had many conversations with American students who needed guidance as they navigated the minefield of vocation and calling. These conversations typically began with the student’s expression of a sense of call to “Kingdom work” or missional endeavor, but they inevitably as this question along the way: “What is a pastor,…
By: Jenn Burnett on September 5, 2019
Authenticity has long been a hallmark of my ministry. One winter Sunday morning in my first year of seminary, I rolled out of bed late. Skipped a shower. Threw on my orange mod robes and a grey (somewhat clean) T-shirt and raced to church. People were still slipping in given the icy conditions. As the…
By: Greg Reich on September 5, 2019
I am certainly no expert when it comes to culture. Though I find some cultures fascinating some are harder for me to understand and get my mind around. Once I do, I always tend to focus on the similarities lying amidst the many differences. One of the fascinating aspects of any place whether abroad or…
By: Chris Pollock on September 5, 2019
No culture is backwards. I have overheard people and been near to friends and family members as various cultures, people groups and nations have been referred to in such a way, most affectionately of course. Backwards? My dad, a retired middle school English Teacher in Victoria, BC would often mention to his classes when the…
By: Jer Swigart on September 5, 2019
I do my best to approach travel within our global village as a learner. Utilizing books, documentaries, and curious conversation, my education frequently begins by learning “about” the place (and its people) that I’m set to immerse within. My intention is to crawl inside the history, politics, culture, customs, and current events of my host…
By: Harry Edwards on September 5, 2019
I had lunch with a department head of a private Christian university a few weeks ago. This was not unlike any other lunches since I try to make it a point to stay in touch and network with former colleagues. However, in the course of our conversation, she said something that struck me as odd…
By: Darcy Hansen on September 5, 2019
I’m a “soccer mom” through and through. Personally, I only played the game once when I was in second grade. Mostly I kicked dirt and turned cartwheels on the field, because I learned quickly that getting to where the ball was located at a particular second, only to then to see it kicked away or…
By: Karen Rouggly on September 4, 2019
Calling is truly one of life’s great mysteries. Given the current cross-cultural milieu around terms like vocation and calling, it’s important to remember that these terms have a historically theological implication. Christianity has carried out the idea that our lives count for something because God created us with intention and had direction in mind for…
By: Rev Jacob Bolton on September 4, 2019
“BLAZE!” I hear my children scream in delight as we hike along the Leatherstocking Trail in Southern Westchester County. We are hiking a stretch of the trail that is new to us, so we are keeping an eye out for a blaze – the trail markers that indicate that we are on the right path…
By: Steve Wingate on September 4, 2019
Generally, in the Pacific Northwest where I lived, people walk downtown or in a neighborhood greeting each other, at least with a glance. Usually, that is an entirely different type of experience than living in an urban Midwest or on the east coast populated environment. These different parts of the United States of America (USA)…
By: Nancy Blackman on September 4, 2019
Three takeaways from two travel guidebooks: Culture Shock! London by Orin Hargraves and Culture Shock! Great Britain by Terry Tan The subtle and not-so-subtle differences between English and “the other English” language Being polite goes a long way Watch the cues and stay in the queue! Language: Travel guides are always a great way to…
By: Joe Castillo on September 4, 2019
Sept. 3-5: Reading – Hargraves, CultureShock! London and Tan, CultureShock! Great Britain We visited London for the first time in 1997 when my wife and I were on our way to Equatorial Guinea Africa as missionaries. We only really stay in London for a few hours and din got a good sense of the British…
By: Shawn Cramer on September 4, 2019
With our advance nearing, I acknowledge the different identities I embody along with their accompanying attitudes and postures I’ll bring with me. As an ethnographer, I look forward to finding the opportunity to connect deeply with the true Londoner and the true Brit. Hargraves provides some perspective as he outlines the three different “Londons”.…
By: Mario Hood on September 4, 2019
Recent figures value the US leadership development industry at nearly $14 billion.[1] The Church Growth Movement, a corollary movement in the arena of church culture, has also seen an explosion in influence over the past six decades.[2] While statistical measurements of monetary output and numerical growth point to signs of success within the leadership space…
By: Dylan Branson on September 2, 2019
In 1979, Joe Walsh, former leader of the James Gang and current lead guitarist for the Eagles, released a song entitled “In the City”. The song serves as a yearning to leave the fast-paced, hard knock life of living in the big city. The first verse of the song goes, “Somewhere out on that horizon…
By: Shermika Harvey on July 4, 2019
We live in a world where there is an increase revision of Christianity which allows people to create “their own versions of what Christianity means, abandoning the nuances of traditional theology in favor of religions that stroke their egos and indulge or even celebrate their worst impulses.”[1] However, as Christian leaders, we are commissioned to…
By: Shermika Harvey on June 25, 2019
Survival guides are written to prepare people for possible cultural dynamics of a soon to be visited country. Though guides such as “CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette” and CultureShock! Great Britain provides a practical overview for people moving to London primarily; it always gives tourists an insight into the history and customs…
By: John Muhanji on June 24, 2019
As it is written here that Gold has been a treasured by cultures all over the world since the beginning of time. When we were growing up, we remember visiting many gold mining areas in our community in Kenya. I felt connected to this book as if it was being written for me, especially in…
By: Karen Rouggly on June 23, 2019
Learning about the Gold Rush of 1848 and 1849 is a part of most California education. In 4th grade is when I learned all about California history, from the missions to the pioneers who came panning for gold. In my school, our section on the Gold rush culminated in Gold Rush Day, where our parents…
By: Shawn Hart on June 22, 2019
Wow! Talk about a smack in the face! In “Mining for Gold,” Comacho had me from the beginning; what can I say, it’s one of those “God” books I enjoy reading. To draw me deeper, the author used King David as a reference point; one man that has always inspired and motivated me as a…
