Column Title: Fanning the Flame: Reigniting the Joy of Christian Communication for Pastor, Pew, and Public Column Entry: “The State of Things” By Joseph Bird, PhD, MDiv, William Carey University Column Description: Preaching and teaching are public communication art and science, but never easy. It is especially difficult when we lose the joy we once had to effectively communicate God’s Word. This …
Quote of the Week, Communication Substance vs. Style, by C.S. Lewis
“No [writing, communication] style can be good in the mouth of a man who has nothing, or nonsense, to say.” C. S. Lewis, English Literature in the Sixteenth Century, Book II.III, para. 63, p. 315
A Prayer about Expectations in Communication, by Kevin Jones
Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of communication. I am very grateful for this gift you have trusted me with. Forgive me when I have misused your gift, especially when I have placed expectations on other people that have not been fair or justified. Give me the words I need to clearly express my expectations to those people who …
New Vlog Entry, Family Communication and the Christian Faith, with Stephanie Bennett
A terrific new book by Jonathon Pettigrew and Diane Badzinski on Family Communication and the Christian Faith is the springboard for today’s thoughts on the subject of family communication. Can we eliminate the contradictions in our primary relationships? Should we? Listen in, and we’ll explore what it means to live in the “already, not-yet” reality. The Secret Place is a …
Quote of the Week, Communicating Love, the Apostle Paul
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. . . ” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (New International Version)
Book Review, Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing
Book Reviewed: Hoover, Heather M. Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023) Reviewed by: Jeffrey M. Ringer, PhD Journal of Christian Teaching Practice Volume 11, (January – December 2024) Reviewer Affiliation: University of Tennessee, Knoxville Total Pages: 161 ISBN-13: 978-1-54096603-2 True to its title, Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing …
New Column Entry, “From Fault Lines to Bridges of Understanding,” (Part 4 in a series), by John Hatch
Column title: Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication Column entry: “From Fault Lines to Bridges of Understanding,” (Part 4 in a series) By John Hatch, Ph.D. Eastern University (retired) CCSN Senior Fellow Column Description: As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This goes against the grain of our social and cultural conditioning. We seek …
Upcoming Webinar, Jan. 17, 7-8 pm, Holy Ghost in the Catholic Machine, with Jenni Digler
Title: Holy Ghost in the Catholic Machine: Spirit-Structure Tensions in Parish Preaching Work Presenter: Jenni Sigler, PhD (Purdue University) Date/Time: Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 7-8 pm EST Description: Most studies of preaching take a theological, biblical, rhetorical, or mechanical angle. But preaching is also work—difficult, time-consuming, prayerful work, and frequently frustrating, exhausting, faith-testing work. In this webinar, Jennifer Sigler will discuss …
A Prayer for Direction in the Face of Uncertainty, by Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that …
Quote of the Week, the Path to Communication Wisdom
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21 …
