By: Jennifer Vernam on December 2, 2024
The stories societies tell reflect their cultural values and expectations. If I were living in Greece or Rome at the time of Christ’s birth, here are some of the stories of gods who might have been retold in my local temple: Prometheus[1], a god of fire, who, dared to defy the gods and share fire…
By: Esther Edwards on December 2, 2024
Tonight we honored friends of ours as they celebrated the anniversary of the church they planted twenty years ago. Today it is a thriving congregation that has planted a host of churches and continues to reach out locally and globally. We have been in the trenches as friends throughout these many years weathering highs and…
By: Jana Dluehosh on December 2, 2024
Ten years ago, at my church on the north side of Portland, we had a “mission” moment. This moment of mission was not what I had expected. It was not missionaries from some foreign country or inner-city project; it was different than I had ever heard. Three young women got up from their pew and…
By: Cathy Glei on December 2, 2024
“Inevitably, to attempt the tracing of Christianity’s impact on the world is to cover the rise and fall of empires, the actions of Bishops and kings, the arguments of theologians, the course of revolutions, the planting of crosses around the world. It is, in particular, to focus on the doings of men, yet that hardly…
By: Glyn Barrett on December 2, 2024
I was first introduced to Peter Northouse’s book Leadership: Theory and Practice[1] during my Master of Leadership Course. Since then, it has become a staple go-to for me in anything leadership-based. Since its publication in 1997, it has become a cornerstone text in the field of Leadership and has undergone multiple revisions, with the most…
By: Noel Liemam on November 24, 2024
Introduction “The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex and Creativity – and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race, “by Daniel Z. Liberman, MD and Michel E. Long is a very good book that has good foundation which were based on the studies and experiment on how…
By: Mathieu Yuill on November 23, 2024
When was the last time your plans went exactly as expected? If you’re anything like me, the answer is probably never. The world doesn’t work that way. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises—the good, the bad, and the bewildering. And yet, so much of our leadership training, our organizational structures, even how we run…
By: Joel Zantingh on November 22, 2024
I’ve lost track of how many ads I see a day. Even though I make a point to not click on them, and have shut off nearly all of my notifications, the habitual desire to pick up my phone and check in on all my texting and social platforms is strong, and so, even the…
By: Glyn Barrett on November 22, 2024
Why are we never satisfied? This blog will read more like a preach than previous efforts. I am, after all, a preacher, and the truth contained in this week’s blog is too good to miss. The pursuit of “more” is global and timeless. King Solomon, arguably and historically one of the wisest men to ever…
By: Daren Jaime on November 22, 2024
Every week Salome is greeted by the members before church with a question. “Hey Salome, are you singing this week?” Salome is the lead vocalist of his local church choir. A great young man, tall, former college athlete, graduating amongst the highest in his class. His hybrid voice resonating so emphatically across generational lines singing…
By: Jana Dluehosh on November 21, 2024
I met my husband in Chicago. We both worked in residence life at North Park University and were in Seminary together. I love big cities, the chaos, the unpredictability, and the order, especially Chicago, where everything is in a grid. When we started dating, as all dating people do, you take an interest in their…
By: Elysse Burns on November 21, 2024
I have been reflecting deeply on authentic, relational community lately, especially its significance for Christian leaders. The further I journey in leadership, the more I recognize community’s essential role in sustaining leaders. A healthy community provides diverse perspectives, constructive feedback, and shared reflection—offering mutual encouragement and growth. However, this kind of community can look different…
By: Chad Warren on November 21, 2024
A Navy SEAL is a highly trained U.S. military forces member specializing in unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism operations. Known for their exceptional physical fitness, mental toughness, and ability to operate in diverse environments, Navy SEALs undergo rigorous training to prepare for challenging missions worldwide. One phrase recruits here often during the selection process…
By: Julie O'Hara on November 21, 2024
According to authors Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long, dopamine’s motto is “more.”[1] Funny, I thought it was my motto. The banquet was the final event at a 12-Step conference and my husband was the only person in the group not in recovery. We had been through the buffet line and were sitting down to eat…
By: Todd E Henley on November 21, 2024
“Warriors for the Human Spirit are awake human beings who have chosen not to flee. They abide.”1 The above quote is taken from Margaret J. Wheatley’s website and is a perfect segway to the rest of this blog. Warriors A warrior is known as a fighter, a winner, someone who perseveres until the battle/goal is…
By: Diane Tuttle on November 21, 2024
Three books we explored discussed concepts that can impact our interactions with ourselves, others, work, and everyday life. The perspectives of the authors were different, yet each of them was valuable in their own right. These books are connected by the implications they have for leadership strategies. This blog will address how do Mindset, Grit,…
By: Christy on November 21, 2024
In The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity-and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race by Daniel Lieberman, MD and Michael Long explore the powerful (and sometimes devastating) effects of dopamine on the human brain, behavior, and society. [1] From romantic relationships to addictions to…
By: Adam Harris on November 21, 2024
I’ve been fascinated by quantum physics and consciousness studies for a while, that is, once I started to somewhat understand it. The double-slit experiment Margaret Wheatley mentions in Leadership and the New Science has made its way into the general population, so it’s easy to find videos of physicists or Youtubers attempting to explain its…
By: Russell Chun on November 21, 2024
د ترهګرو درسونه Lesson from Terrorists (Pashtu) Part 1 Introduction Part 2 What my peers are saying Part 3 What others are saying Part 4 What I learned Epilogue Part 1 Introduction Margaret Wheatley’s book, Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World[1], takes leadership studies in an interdisciplinary direction. She…
By: Kari on November 21, 2024
The Molecule of More: How a Single Molecule in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity- Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race by Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long is fascinating. The book examines the neurotransmitter dopamine and its role in causing us to desire “more” as we anticipate future pleasure and excitement.[1] The…
