Monthly Archives: December 2014

On church growth and rural churches

Posted on December 30, 2014 by igalindo

I recently visited with a pastor of a small rural congregation (average Sunday morning attendance is between 40 to 50). He’s been at that church for ten years and enjoys pastoral ministry. He is intelligent and well-educated, with a divinity … Continue reading →

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The number of the Beast

Posted on December 16, 2014 by igalindo

One of my favorite Advent poems is Yeat’s “The Second Coming,” with its line, “And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,/ Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?” Granted, not your typical Advent/Christmas poem. I grew up among … Continue reading →

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The persistant power of the past

Posted on December 15, 2014 by igalindo

Lately I’ve had occasion to appreciate again the power of the past to influence the present. What is amazing to me is how much that influence operates below people’s awareness, and how powerful that influence is on systemic homeostasis and … Continue reading →

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Do you know what you’re doing?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by igalindo

Many folks who find themselves engaged in the task of congregational education tend to be able to jump right in and keep the programs running. And they do an acceptable, if not admirable, job of keeping things going smoothly. Programs … Continue reading →

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From the dean’s blog: The LAST thing you should do is start a new degree program

Posted on December 3, 2014 by igalindo

From the Wabash Center’s blog for theological school deans. Read the article here.

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The two questions you fail to ask when using a teaching method

Posted on December 2, 2014 by igalindo

After a formal group conversation about educational theory at a recent event a theology professor and I took our break outside the conference building. As we sat on rocking chairs looking over the vista the professor apologetically shared his frustration … Continue reading →

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Personality type and religious leadership

Posted on December 1, 2014 by igalindo

Personality Type and Religious Leadership reports the result of research done by Roy M. Oswald and Otto Kroeger at the former Alban Institute. Around 1983 Oswald began using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to help church professionals across denominations understand … Continue reading →

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