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.

Photoshop and training clergy

Posted on August 20, 2007 by Israel Galindo

An aspiring artist friend and I enjoy occasional conversations about art and aesthetics. One on-going philosophical conversation has to do with “what is art?” This, in the context of how current and emerging technologies are changing the practices, if not … Continue reading →

Posted in curriculum, philosophy, technology and education, vocation | 3 Comments

Don’t miss it: “God’s Warriors”

Posted on August 18, 2007 by Israel Galindo

Don’t miss CNN’s upcoming program “God’s Warriors” Correspondent Christiane Amanpour presents a three part (Jewish, Muslim, Christian) documentary in the “God’s Warriors” series that will be airing on CNN at 9 pm Tuesday through Thursday evenings (Aug. 21-23) next week. … Continue reading →

Posted in ecumenical, movies and films, world view | 1 Comment

Myths about Penicillin, Bacteria, and Baptism

Posted on August 17, 2007 by Israel Galindo

The following is from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction? MYTH: Penicillin kills bacteria.

Posted in children, ecumenical, theology, worship | Comments Off on Myths about Penicillin, Bacteria, and Baptism

Three basic educational questions

Posted on August 16, 2007 by Israel Galindo

At a recent consultation I ran into a scenario that has come to symbolize for me what is wrong with much of what passes for “education” in congregations. I was being given a tour of the educational facilities by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, curriculum, philosophy, Sunday school, world view | 2 Comments

Why BFST is useless

Posted on August 15, 2007 by Israel Galindo

Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) seems to continue to grow in its interest to and influence among clergy, denominational leaders, and seminaries. I think this is a good thing, overall. Many have found in BFST a frame of reference that … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, leadership | 2 Comments

What makes a real teacher?

Posted on August 14, 2007 by Israel Galindo

The following is excerpted from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction? MYTH: Anybody can teach. Teaching is just communicating information, through effective verbal and instructional … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy, teaching | 1 Comment

A question from a reader

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Israel Galindo

A regular reader of the GRACE Writes blog sent a question. She’d like some advice from readers of this blog to the situation she describes below. This person is in her first ministry position out of seminary and serves as … Continue reading →

Posted in second chair, Sunday school | Comments Off on A question from a reader

Love those classics

Posted on August 11, 2007 by Israel Galindo

Every once in a while, at my former church, we’d break out the old (and I mean old literally) hymnbooks for a Wednesday evening hymn sing. People would call out the numbers of their favorite hymns to the songleader and … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, Design, teaching, worship | 1 Comment

Fix the problem

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Israel Galindo

My engineer son has a mantra: “Fix the problem.” As mantras go, it’s a pretty good one. Simple, memorable, intuitive, and to the point. The mantra refers to our tendency to go about addressing issues, problems, or stuck situations by … Continue reading →

Posted in curriculum, Sunday school | 2 Comments

Cop-at-the-door (contest)

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Israel Galindo

When we were young my siblings and I would often receive a warning from our mom whenever we ventured from home. With a somber voice and a straight face (but not without a twinkle in her eye) she would admonish … Continue reading →

Posted in children, personal growth | 3 Comments