Dr. Toddy Holeman |
June 18, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development Thrive in 5
Contempt is the corrosive acid in any relationship. Relationship experts, John and Julie Gottman, define contempt as verbal (e.g., name calling) and non-verbal communication (e.g., rolling your eyes at something your conversation partner says) that says, “You...
Jessica White |
June 17, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development
Americans are ranked as the loneliest people in the world. National surveys show the United States is in a loneliness epidemic. Despite being more connected through the internet, cell phones and social networking, loneliness is a real problem that can foster...
Linda Gist |
June 6, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development Thrive in 5
Thrive in 5 – Spiritual “What comes into our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us … Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, ‘What comes into your mind when you think about God?’ we might predict with...
Sarah Linder |
June 4, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development
“Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) has been my spiritual and intellectual home,” said Cassie Olson, a new IWU philosophy and theology graduate. Olson was introduced to IWU by a spiritual mentor who saw potential in her and began helping her prepare for college. Olson...
Jessica Sheets |
May 29, 2019 |
Pastor Spouse Connection
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ~ C. S. Lewis I am an extrovert. I like being around people and I thrive on conversations. I’ve been accused of smiling too much and,...
Marietta Williams |
May 29, 2019 |
Pastor Spouse Connection
Imagine an ultrasound picture of a precious baby. Or better yet, imagine holding that child in your hand while reading this Psalm (139): 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and...
Sarah Linder |
May 29, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development
Photo credit: Bailey Karfelt, Houghton class of 2012 A textbook introvert who likes to throw out the textbook every once in a while just to see what happens, Laura grew up in Buffalo, New York, where she learned valuable life skills like how to clear a snowy driveway...
David B. Lewis |
May 22, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development Thrive in 5
Developing an Exercise Routine (Part 2) Faith persists: “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” (Colossians 2:6). Christian faith has a “starting point” along with the admonition to “continue in the faith.” Applying this...
Gabriela Garver |
May 16, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development
When Amy Spaugh and her husband, James, came to Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church in the small town of Hertsford, North Carolina, Spaugh didn’t put curtains up in the parsonage, fairly certain that as a young pastor’s family, they wouldn’t stay at the congregation long....
Shannon Bradford |
May 14, 2019 |
Pastor Spouse Connection
I never dreamed of being a pastor’s wife. Never did a thought enter my mind that it would be a possibility for me. In fact, when a friend wanted to introduce me to my future husband, I told her no because the thought of dating a pastor was so odd to me. Well, here I...
Dr. David Higle |
May 7, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Leadership that is Christian Henri Nouwen challenges us to remember that all leadership that is Christian must be grounded in the greater reality of God’s love. Nouwen provides important ballast to Wesleyan ministry leaders since, according to the latest research...
Dr. Virginia Holeman |
April 17, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Peacefulness through Prayer May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:34 This Lent I (Dr. Toddy Holeman) committed to engage in 20 minutes of centering prayer every day until Easter. Centering...
Jessica White |
April 11, 2019 |
Blog Colleges Education & Clergy Development Featured Blog News
In its first year, Southern Wesleyan University’s (SWU) online doctorate program in curriculum and assessment has 37 students enrolled. The faculty at SWU is excited about how well the program has taken off and looks forward to positive outcomes as it progresses. Many...
Gabriela Garver |
April 9, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development Featured Blog
IWU alumnus spotlight: Josh Grimmer If you meet pastor Josh Grimmer on the streets of Portland, he won’t invite you to his church. He’ll likely invite you to play spike ball or to join a board game club. On an average day, you’ll find Grimmer baby-sitting for other...
Dr. Mark Rennaker |
April 3, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Thrive Financial Initiative The Wesleyan Church was blessed with a second million-dollar grant from the Lilly Endowment. The program, offered through Education & Clergy Development, is called the Thrive Financial Initiative (TFI) and is designed to help pastors...
Sarah Linder |
April 3, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development
“Church in prison is my favorite church anywhere,” said Judy Adams, a correctional institutional chaplain in Canada. Adams was a teacher at the institution for 13 years and has served as its chaplain for the past four years. Adams’ draw toward organizing and taking...
Dave Higle |
March 15, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Reflecting God’s own triune nature, we are created to live in loving community with others as well as with God. Too much isolation can lead to loneliness, depression, and sense of abandonment. Our perceptions can become distorted. A healthy pastor will...
Dave Higle |
March 15, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Reflecting God’s own triune nature, we are created to live in loving community with others. As pastors who love, it is essential that we empathize with others: to feel what others feel. People must sense that we understand them. People will know that we...
Dave Higle |
March 15, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” implying that our physical bodies and energy levels do have an impact—for better or worse—on our spiritual lives and ability to be there for others. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your...
Dave Higle |
March 15, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Stewardship includes taking healthy care of ourselves so we can be there for others. It also involves thinking ahead to care for those we love in the event of a tragedy. Some believe that purchasing life insurance indicates a lack of faith in God’s...
Dr. David Higle |
March 15, 2019 |
Blog Education & Clergy Development Thrive in 5
As a pastor, you know how important your emotional vitality is to ministry. The pastoral vocation is unique in nature compared to all other helping professions. Ministry is not a 9-5 job; insisting on “normal hours” will...
Dr. David Higle |
March 14, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” implying that our physical bodies and energy levels do have an impact—for better or worse—on our spiritual lives and ability to be there for others. If we do not maintain good physical health...
Dr. David Higle |
March 14, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
As a pastor, you are a Christian spiritual leader of others. You know how vital it is to your well-being to maintain an active intellectual life and engage key leadership practices. Here are five suggestions that can help you stay ahead of the curve and position...
Dave Higle |
March 14, 2019 |
Blog Thrive in 5
Thrive in 5 – Spiritual Sustaining Pastoral Excellence The most fundamental level of self-care is the pastor’s personal relationship with God in Christ through the Spirit. Everything in the pastor’s life flows from and is dependent upon the spiritual...
