Author Archives: Israel Galindo

About Israel Galindo

Israel Galindo is Coordinator of the Leadership in Ministry program at the Center for Lifelong Learning, Columbia Theological Seminary. Formerly he was Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary and Dean at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.

Virtual church

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Some of us observe with amusement, and some impatience, the ongoing occasional conversations in theological education about the legitimacy, value, or congruence of online delivery for seminary education. At one time it was appropriate to include in that conversation talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, congregational life, philosophy, technology and education | Comments Off on Virtual church

Aesthetics

Posted on December 15, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I’ll be teaching the educational philosophy course during J-term. It’s a course I enjoy teaching and one I think, when it connects with students, yields enduring understanding. Recently a former student wrote me to share his frustration at the lack … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy | Comments Off on Aesthetics

The Gadget Gene

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I suffer from the male genetic malady of the Gadget Gene. If it blinks, lights up, requires batteries, has a button, buzzes, lights up, vibrates, connects to something else via wireless or a cord, and has a computer chip, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in books, humor, technology and education | 1 Comment

What are seminarians like these days?

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I recently received a surprise call from a former professor of mine. He was gracious and kind to call me to congratulate me on the new job. A former dean himself I accepted the condolences. It was one of those … Continue reading →

Posted in teaching, theology, vocation | 2 Comments

So what’s it good for?

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I recently heard again the pragmatist question “So what’s it good for?” related to systems theory. It’s a natural question whenever matters of theory arise. The best answer, of course, is that it’s a theory and therefore not really good … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, development theory | 1 Comment

Self care and self-definition

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Israel Galindo

For ministers, and aspiring ministers, who embrace that part of their calling involves service to others, self-denial, and self-sacrifice, investing in self-care can be a challenge. Whatever its source, feelings of obligation, guilt, or shame; or a lacking sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, personal growth | 1 Comment

“Book illustrator”

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Well, I can now cross out “Illustrate a book” from my list of 50-things-to-do-before-I-die (yeah, just 50, I’m not ambitious). I’ve had the privilege of illustrating the latest book by my friend Bill Tuck. He asked me to illustrate his … Continue reading →

Posted in books, liturgical seasons | Comments Off on “Book illustrator”

A classic pastoral triangle

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I’ve experienced the third instance in recent months of a classic pastoral triangle. It’s “classic” in the sense that it has all of the components of an “elegant” emotional process triangle: (1) it is generated by anxiety, (2) its source … Continue reading →

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The pastoral leader as resident theologian

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Students in my online class have been studying about leadership in the congregation. From their reading (The Hidden Lives of Congregations) they are discussing some of the concepts addressed in the book: (1) the function of leadership is influence, (2) … Continue reading →

Posted in leadership, theology | Comments Off on The pastoral leader as resident theologian

Assessment: Yeah, it’s hard

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Israel Galindo

One of the topics in my current online course is educational assessment in the congregational setting. The students are reviewing a model for rigorous assessment of Christian education that my friend Marty and I present in our forthcoming book.* One … Continue reading →

Posted in administration, Christian Education, curriculum, Sunday school | Comments Off on Assessment: Yeah, it’s hard