King Josiah and his people discovered the scriptures and listened deeply to what God was saying through those writings. We all can do the same! Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on 2 Kings 22.
Elijah’s Silence
1 Kings 19 records the story of Elijah retreating with God and being sent back into the world on God’s mission. How can this encounter be a template for our own spiritual formation? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on this text.
Jesus, the Silence-Bringer
After a glorious worship experience in Revelation 7, the first verse of chapter 8 records thirty minutes of silence in heaven. What role can silence play in our spiritual lives? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon here:
Jesus, the Community-Maker
Jesus’s prayer in John 17 is a commissioning prayer for his disciples. How does Jesus create a community of people to follow in his footsteps? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on this passage.
Jesus, the Preacher
Luke 4:14-30 records Jesus’s sermon in his hometown Nazareth, which was met with mixed responses. In this story, Jesus shows his remarkable skill at involving his listeners in his message. Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on this foundational sermon!
Jesus, the Word of God
In this first sermon in Pastor David’s Doctor of Ministry professional project, we explore the notion of Jesus as the Word of God while we walk through John 1.
The Word of God At Work in You
What’s going on in a sermon? How is God’s word at work in us even today? Pastor David explores these questions as we hear from God through 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.
Faith, Hope, Love
We start a new series on 1 Thessalonians, and Pastor David introduces his Doctor of Ministry project starting next January. Listen here!
Thoughts from the Shalem Conference
Last weekend, I attended a conference in Rockville, Maryland – where it was sunny and hot, nearly 90 degrees! – hosted by the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. As their website says, “Shalem is grounded in Christian contemplative spirituality yet draws on the wisdom of many religious traditions.” I would guess, simply based on observation, that the vast majority of the 150+ attendees to this conference are Christians, but they practice Christianity in a way that is a bit different than how you and I usually practice it.
I attended this conference in order to fulfill a requirement for my current Doctor of Ministry “independent study” course. I designed this course a few months ago, in consultation with my supervising professor, in order to propel me forward into the Professional Project which will be the culmination, the capstone, of my doctoral work. According to the seminary’s instructions, my independent study was to include an “immersion experience” which would connect to this Professional Project and, at the same time, would stretch me in some meaningful, significant ways. Last weekend’s Shalem conference did exactly that. Continue reading
Doctor of Ministry: I’m Not Going Anywhere
Recently, I have heard a few people at church express their concern that my Doctor of Ministry work is leading to one inevitable outcome: my “moving on” to another pastoral position at some other church. If those few people had the courage to share their feelings with me directly, I can only imagine that others of you may be feeling the same thing privately.
Let me clear some things up for you: I have no intention of leaving Mt. Haley any time soon. I am not doing this Doctor of Ministry degree as a “career advancement” move. I’m doing these studies because I believe in this ministry, the Mt. Haley Church of God, and I want to enhance both my skills as a pastor and our ministry together as a congregation. Continue reading