The police brutality and systemic racism that Floyd suffered, the wildfires in Northern California, and the low air quality in this country are just some of the harsh impacts of the climate crisis that have affected the planet even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This climate crisis illustrates our disconnection from our Self, from Nature, and from the planet Earth.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/09/jojobird.jpg315315Layton Williams/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLayton Williams2020-09-14 11:36:332020-10-30 17:11:38Reconnecting with Self, Nature, and the Planet
“Now, remember, Steven, if you run into any trouble out there, you can always bail. There’s never any shame in bailing.”-Greg Universe
The quote above comes from Steven Universe, a children’s cartoon that often promotes messages about healthy emotions and decision making to children and adults alike. It comes from Greg Universe, father of the title character, right before his son attempts something that is both very exciting and unlikely to work. Although his words are few, his message is profound: sometimes, even when we don’t feel like we should, it’s okay to stop. It can be better to abandon the plan than to try and force yourself into something that you know just isn’t going to be worth it.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/niklas-kickl-lr7rCduoXI8-unsplash-scaled.jpg16132048Layton Williams/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLayton Williams2020-01-10 15:35:262020-11-28 20:14:30Children’s Ministry, Failure, and Why Sometimes It’s Okay to Bail
One of these days, I’m going to write a book revealing all my struggles and my triumphs. My story is a story of faith and perseverance. A high school dropout that took the GED and now holds a doctorate degree. A guy who has so many interests and came through many dangers, toils and snares. I suppose if I were a good Presbyterian, I’d say it was all Providence!
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/10/eugene-zaycev-FT0sspZRF-I-unsplash.jpg11522048Layton Williams/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLayton Williams2019-10-17 18:12:562020-11-28 20:20:34Multiple Memberships on a Journey of Faith and Perseverance
Giving ourselves permission and invitation to ponder, we realized that as captivating as our originally conceived and fashioned VBS had been, it too had become a reliable, nearly institutionalized model. We began to ask ourselves the big wondering questions of how we could best use our time and energies both to strengthen the bonds within our church and to serve God and the community.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/featured-the-well.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-09-05 06:58:312019-09-04 20:03:24Re-post: The Well at Burke Presbyterian Church
As a Christian educator, I think about those wise words and wonder: When does a child learn he or she is a child of God? God has something to say on this.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/06/featured-selwyn-baby.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-06 06:05:092019-06-06 16:06:56I Believe the Children are Our Future
Whether paid or volunteer, the work of faith formation leader is never easy. Our voices are not magnified by the pulpit, or empowered with a vote. The following are eight things that those of us involved in the ministry of faith formation want church leaders to know.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/08/featured-storytelling.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-08-22 19:12:052018-08-23 09:13:05Eight Things Your Christian Educator Wants You to Know
Reconnecting with Self, Nature, and the Planet
/in Christian Education, Contemporary CultureThe police brutality and systemic racism that Floyd suffered, the wildfires in Northern California, and the low air quality in this country are just some of the harsh impacts of the climate crisis that have affected the planet even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This climate crisis illustrates our disconnection from our Self, from Nature, and from the planet Earth.
Children’s Ministry, Failure, and Why Sometimes It’s Okay to Bail
/in Christian Education, Contemporary Culture, Leadership“Now, remember, Steven, if you run into any trouble out there, you can always bail. There’s never any shame in bailing.”-Greg Universe
The quote above comes from Steven Universe, a children’s cartoon that often promotes messages about healthy emotions and decision making to children and adults alike. It comes from Greg Universe, father of the title character, right before his son attempts something that is both very exciting and unlikely to work. Although his words are few, his message is profound: sometimes, even when we don’t feel like we should, it’s okay to stop. It can be better to abandon the plan than to try and force yourself into something that you know just isn’t going to be worth it.
Multiple Memberships on a Journey of Faith and Perseverance
/in Christian Education, Contemporary CultureOne of these days, I’m going to write a book revealing all my struggles and my triumphs. My story is a story of faith and perseverance. A high school dropout that took the GED and now holds a doctorate degree. A guy who has so many interests and came through many dangers, toils and snares. I suppose if I were a good Presbyterian, I’d say it was all Providence!
Re-post: The Well at Burke Presbyterian Church
/in Christian EducationGiving ourselves permission and invitation to ponder, we realized that as captivating as our originally conceived and fashioned VBS had been, it too had become a reliable, nearly institutionalized model. We began to ask ourselves the big wondering questions of how we could best use our time and energies both to strengthen the bonds within our church and to serve God and the community.
I Believe the Children are Our Future
/in Christian Education, Contemporary CultureAs a Christian educator, I think about those wise words and wonder: When does a child learn he or she is a child of God? God has something to say on this.
Eight Things Your Christian Educator Wants You to Know
/in Christian Education, LeadershipWhether paid or volunteer, the work of faith formation leader is never easy. Our voices are not magnified by the pulpit, or empowered with a vote. The following are eight things that those of us involved in the ministry of faith formation want church leaders to know.
Faith Formation Resources
/in Christian Education, Church Leadership, ResourcesTo close out our series on faith formation, we asked folks to tell us about their favorite faith formation resources.