Dr. Carlus Gupton has provided a curated list of resources relating to reopening the church. This is the blog post he references in the video and you’ll find links to many resources on the blog post. In this video, he and Bob Turner discuss twelve pointers for effective reopening. Don’t be in a rush to…
Read MoreThere are no clear playbooks for churches during this crisis. We are all “building the plane as we fly it.” At this stage there are questions about reopening, and there is a plethora of resources. It may help to have a vetted list. Here are my top suggestions: Practical, Procedural Perspectives – Ken Braddy’s blogs…
Read MoreRuss Turman, Media Minister at the Highland Church of Christ in Memphis, talks with Bob Turner about his workflow and some of the equipment he uses. Russ has made several videos for HST over the years, which you can see on . Here are Russ’s notes about the gear he uses: I realize this equipment…
Read MoreHST student and Church of Christ at White Station minister Clay Fowler built a studio on a Coronavirus budget to make the church’s live streams better. Equipment mentioned: Adobe Premier Pro, iMovie Camera: Panasonic HC-V770* (any video recorder with a quality lens will suffice) Capture Card: Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder (HDMI to Thunderbolt 2)* –…
Read MoreDr. Carl Williamson (professor of discipleship and church planting at Harding University) and Matt Carter talk about ministry during communal trauma. Carl was leading a church plant when Superstorm Sandy devastated his community. He shares insight from that community trauma that can help ministers serving now during the Coronavirus pandemic. Key Take-aways: Don’t underestimate the…
Read MoreDr. Kevin Shelby serves as a professor in the Master’s in Professional Counseling program at Harding University on the Memphis campus. He and Dr. Matt Carter talk about the grief and trauma associated with this pandemic and how ministers can help their congregations and their own health during this time. Key Take-aways: Grief is the…
Read MoreDr. Olu Shabazz preaches for the Harlem Church of Christ in New York City, NY, in the midst of a virus hotspot. He visits with Bob Turner to share insight and hope for ministry in these difficult times. He also has served in patient relations in a hospital trauma center and brings this experience to…
Read MoreDr. Carlus Gupton and Bob Turner discuss insights and practices for church leaders in their daily work with new technology and social realities. Key takeaways: Be who you are. Stay out in front for your people. Your non-anxious presence is more important than your performance. Focus your lessons on the current need. As a general…
Read MoreDr. Carlus Gupton and Bob Turner discuss two models for church leaders to use to equip others to navigate these times of crisis. Key takeaways: The first model asks, “What do I want to be during COVID-19?” Three zones: Fear, Learning, Growth. Churches that move from fear to growth have a great opportunity to flourish…
Read MoreJimmy Stokes from the Northeast Side Church of Christ and HST’s Matt Carter discuss ministry in the age of online church. Topics covered: Communicate to your church: The church is not the building. We are still together in spirit even if we can’t touch each other. Now we’ve learned another way to reach the world.…
Read MoreEric Gentry (Highland Church of Christ) and Bob Turner (Church of Christ at White Station) discuss a survey of ministers about how they are handling ministry and worship during social distancing. The survey was published March 27, 2020 by Renew.org, a collaborative network, equipping millions of disciples, disciple makers, and church planters among all ethnicities.…
Read MoreDr. Carlus Gupton shares wisdom from Ecclesiastes 3 for navigating these unsettling times. Dr. Carlus Gupton is a Professor of Ministry at HST and co-directs our Doctor of Ministry program. He began preaching at an early age, and has over 30 years of professional experience in ministry for congregations small and large. For the past…
Read MoreJuan Meza from Iglesia de Cristo at the Church of Christ at White Station speaks with Bob Turner about how the Coronavirus distancing is effecting Latinx congregations. Originally from Torreón, México, Juan Meza has served at White Station since 2014. He was baptized in the summer of 1995 and graduated from preaching school in 2004.…
Read MoreJosh Ross, preaching minister at the Sycamore View Church of Christ, shares insight on how to communicate with our congregations during these challenging times. Here are some take-aways: The congregation’s vision/mission are to root of how we communicate and how we carry out the mission in this difficult time. You don’t need to reinvent this!…
Read MoreDr. Mark Powell shares some thoughts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together (available free here) as an example for us to follow during the time of this global health crisis. During the Nazi regime, Bonhoeffer’s church and seminary were forbidden from meeting publicly. Here is a key quote: It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of…
Read MoreDr. Dave Bland walks through Psalm 1 to encourage ministers to provide stability while many church members feel disconnected, anxious, and confused as we deal with Coronavirus. Key take-aways: In the Psalm, the wicked are busy, described with many action verbs. The righteous are at peace, meditating, standing like a tree as the wicked are…
Read MoreHST Library Director Bob Turner and Vice President Jim Martin share wisdom for preachers who find themselves in a new situation of preaching online during an anxious time. As church assemblies have moved online during the current global health crisis, preachers who have trained hard and spent a career preaching in pulpits are now preaching…
Read MoreCoronavirus is impacting churches in profound ways. Here are several links with helpful resources: Coronavirus and the Church is the best one-stop for articles, white-papers, and how-to guides on most issues churches are facing. It is hosted by Dr. Rick Warren and Dr. Ed Stetzer and sponsored by The Peace Plan, The Billy Graham Center…
Read MoreDr. Allen Black shares a message of encouragement from Psalm 91. This was recorded in Zoom at virtual chapel in the online Bible program at Harding University. Special thanks to HST alumnus Dr. Tim Westbrook. Dr. Allen Black is the dean of HST and Professor of New Testament. He has been at HST since 1983,…
Read More– Dr. Mark Powell visits the Isenheim Altarpiece, painted by Matthias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516. In our time of struggle, let us point to the Wounded Healer. Thanks to HST alum Dr. Nathan Guy, president of Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, AL, for the video. This is a part of Dr. Guy’s Light…
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