iPhone craze

Posted on July 2, 2007 by Jon

If you would like to read a humorous piece on the introduction of the new iPhone check this out.  My friend, Rich Melheim, put this link on his blog which is a great resource for Christian Educators.

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Posted in humor | 1 Comment

A Writing Experiment

Posted on July 1, 2007 by mcanaday

Instead of using the common methodology of asking a question in a classroom setting with adults, what if we asked the question but did not permit anyone to answer until after he/she had written out a thorough response to the question, and then we asked participants to share their thoughts about the question. I’m convinced that class discussion would be quite different from the quality of discussion we often experience!

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Posted in Christian Education, personal growth, Sunday school, teaching, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Where have you been? (A contest!)

Posted on July 1, 2007 by Israel Galindo

One of the teachers at the elementary school at which I was a principal would take a vacation to a different state every year. Her family’s goal was to eventually visit all fifty states and so at the school year’s end she and her husband would pack up the kids and pets and take off for the next state on their checklist. Continue reading →

Posted in games, humor | 8 Comments

Make it your ministry, it’s your calling

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Israel Galindo

I firmly believe that to teach, to serve on a committee, or to minister through a church ministry is a response to a call. How each individual works out that calling is part of the wonderful and enriching dimension we depend on to flesh out the prompting of the Spirit. I had a high school art teacher who cringed anytime a student copied the style of a celebrated artist. He would say, “Everybody wants to paint like Norman Rockwell. So what? There’s only one Norman Rockwell! Work on finding and developing your own style!” No two people will do ministry the same—thankfully! Each brings his or her gifts and visions to the task. Having said that, however, there are some things that are a “given” when we answer a call to ministry. These are not new, I think, but they deal with basic responses of discipleship to Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in personal growth, Sunday school | Comments Off on Make it your ministry, it’s your calling

Movie: Akeelah and the Bee

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Israel Galindo

I’m a sucker for spelling bees. Our elementary school spelling bee was one of the highlights of the year when I was a school principal. And I always try to catch the Scripps National Spelling Bee—a real nail-biting sporting event! Continue reading →

Posted in movies and films | 3 Comments

Hitchens isn’t so great either

Posted on June 27, 2007 by Israel Galindo

Christopher Hitchens’ book, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything appears on the New York Bestseller list as No. 7 (you can read the first chapter on that site if you are so inclined). I picked up a copy at a recent browsing trip to Borders and read a chapter and several sections—enough to know I didn’t want to waste my money on it. How these kinds of books come to be “best sellers” is a mystery to me.

Jacques Berlinerblau provides what I think is a responsible critical review of the book in the June 1, 2007 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education (“Secularism in the Elimination Round”). It’s worth the read. Continue reading →

Posted in books, world view | Comments Off on Hitchens isn’t so great either

Like a Three-Legged Stool

Posted on June 26, 2007 by mcanaday

Eric H.F. Law, Episcopal priest and internationally known consultant on multiculturalism, in his book, Inclusion: Making Room for Grace, invites congregational leaders to think of their church ministries in three components. The three ministry components and descriptions are:

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Posted in assessment, leadership | 1 Comment

Icebreakers and rainy day games resource

Posted on June 25, 2007 by Israel Galindo

When I was in parish ministry one of the things I most enjoyed was planning and leading the summer children’s camp. I doubt I have the energy to do that anymore, but it was a lot of fun. There are two things to keep in mind about planning a weeklong children’s camp: (1) you have to plan for 24 hours a day, and, (2) you need to plan for those rainy days when you’ll need to keep the kids indoors (and you can count on at least one rainy day!). Continue reading →

Posted in children, games, handouts, vacation bible school | 2 Comments

Ante Studium

Posted on June 22, 2007 by Israel Galindo

Some time age I posted Johnn Calvin’s student prayer and said that I’d post one by St. Thomas Aquinas. Here it is. When it’s time to hit the books or get back to school, these can put one in the right frame of mind and spirit. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, personal growth, teaching, Uncategorized, worship | Comments Off on Ante Studium

Buechner Benedictions

Posted on June 21, 2007 by mcanaday

I’m a Frederick Buechner fan and particularly like two benedictions that he has written. Let me share them with you.

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Posted in worship | 2 Comments