Happiness is overrated and unproductive

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Israel Galindo

During the J-term course on systems theory I made a passing comment in class about the current use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications (over)prescribed in our culture. It was made during a moment of rabbit-chasing while we were talking about the concept of anxiety. Continue reading →

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Using desists in classroom management

Posted on January 28, 2008 by Israel Galindo

One of my all-time favorite cartoons growing up was Quickdraw McGraw and his faithful companion, Babalooi (does that date me?). Do you remember them? Quickdraw was the noble but naïve, quick-on-the-trigger sheriff who fought off wicked desperados who inevitably found their way into his small quiet prairie town. Babalooi was the devoted and wise Mexican companion who always saved Quickdraw from his misguided attempts. In case you didn’ t know, Quickdraw was a horse and Babalooi was a burrito (a donkey, not the Taco Bell kind!)—they were the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza of Saturday mornings. Continue reading →

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Posted on January 25, 2008 by Israel Galindo

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Book review: Urban Disciples, by Paris and Eyring

Posted on January 24, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Jenell Paris and Margot Eyring have prepared a most useful tool for those involved in missional efforts, whether leader or participant. Urban Disciples: A Beginner’s Guide to Serving God in the Inner City (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2000. 99 pages. $14.00. ISBN 0-8170-1367-9), is a workbook for persons or teams participating in, or planning on engaging in, urban mission experiences. The content is adaptable for various kinds of missions groups, including, as listed by the authors, “church Bible study groups, college ministry groups, small groups, cell groups, urban plunge programs, short-term mission projects, urban ministry courses at seminaries and colleges, and people in the first years of long-term ministry.” Continue reading →

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Book review: Teaching Them Obedience in All Things by Elliston

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Edgar Elliston’s chapter in the book, Teaching Them Obedience In All Things: Equipping for the 21st Century (Evangelical Missiological Society Series Number 7. Pasadena, CA: William Cary Library, 1999. 286 pages. $9.95. ISBN 0-87808-381-2) is the seventh in a series in a collection of ten papers presented in 1998 at the Evangelical Missiological Society. Under the rubric of obedience, the papers are organized in four sections: Biblical and missiological foundations, Christian higher education, case studies, and curricular issues related to the training of missionaries. Continue reading →

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Leaving Well (If you’re going to go, go!)

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I’ve been consulting with several clergy who are contemplating leaving their ministry settings. It’s not unusual for these consultations to come in waves, and it’s always interesting that they do. It seems that issues, crises, and topics have their seasons. I’ve not yet learned to read the signs in the wind or in the patterns of the clouds to know how to anticipate when that phenomenon happens, I just accept that these things “come in threes” as they say—or fives or sixes. Continue reading →

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Posted on January 21, 2008 by Israel Galindo

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Posted on January 18, 2008 by Israel Galindo

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Book Review: Christianity for the Rest of Us by Bass

Posted on January 17, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Much is said and written today regarding the emerging church. In Christianity for the Rest of Us, Diana Butler Bass shares stories from mainline Protestant congregations experiencing renewal and transformation through re-connection with historic Christian practices. In reality, she debunks the myth that only fundamental conservative congregations transform lives. Continue reading →

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Book review: Fashion Me a People by Harris

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Israel Galindo

The title of Maria Harris’ work, Fashion Me a People: Curriculum in the Church (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989), engages the reader from the outset. Here is a work about the Church claiming its identity as the people of God to live out its pastoral vocation. Anyone who is passionate about being God’s people and the particular call “to end our isolation from others by living each day of our lives rooted …in the Christ,” will want to read, explore and most importantly engage this work. However, it is not a book for the pastor’s library or for the Christian educator’s resource shelf alone. It is a work that is written for reading together as the church community and is written to engage both clergy and laity. It is a book written to and for the church with sound theological reason and practical exercises, not only for group reflection but also for group participation. Continue reading →

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