College Conversations

Our concluding episode for season 2 is a candid recap conversation regarding our presence at the 78th Annual Meeting for the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), America's oldest and largest accreditor of Bible colleges and our accrediting agency. 

The conversation includes a review of the conference, in which Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay were presenters, and Ben Reese was a vendor, introducing Summer Internship and Students Living A Mission (SLAM) to other Bible colleges. 

Associated links: 

www.instituteforgod.edu

www.slamweb.org

www.godsi.org

www.myabhe.org

www.barna.com

In this episode of College Conversations, Jeff Sherrod hosts professors Benjamin Reese and Gregg Garner, President and founder of The Institute for GOD, to discuss the evolving role of therapy in society and specifically Christian culture. 

They explore how therapy, once rarely discussed in churches, is now more openly embraced. Key discussion points include when to seek therapy, evaluating its efficacy, and the comparison of therapists to modern-day priests. Benjamin Reese appreciates therapists' work but questions their comparison to the priesthood, highlighting differences such as the lack of marketing and silence in the Levitical priesthood. He shares personal experiences with therapy, noting the costs and marketing involved, and discusses the safe space therapists provide, akin to confessional spaces in churches. 

The conversation touches on the rise of therapy culture, especially post-COVID-19, and its impact on Gen Z. They debate the gains and losses of this culture, the diversity in therapy types, and the importance of holistic health approaches. Concerns about over-fixation of mental health and the potential for therapy to create dependency are also raised. 

The speakers emphasize the need for discernment in therapy, the role of biblical education, and the importance of having someone who knows you well for holistic health recommendations. They discuss the influence of social media on therapy, the qualifications of therapists, and the potential for miscommunication and unintended consequences. The episode concludes with reflections on the value of elderly guidance, the importance of measurable results in therapy, and the integration of physical health considerations. 

Gregg Garner, Jeff Sherrod, and Laurie Kagay, all professors at The Institute for GOD, discuss the point of awareness media — both the consumption of it and the creation of it. If we are made in the image of God, and God sees and hears the suffering of people and thus responds, what should his people do, especially when we are now aware of more than ever before? 

In this episode of College Conversations, host Jeff Sherrod welcomes Professor Benjamin Reese and Gregg Garner, president of The Institute for God, for a thought-provoking dialogue on faith deconstruction. Together, they explore the challenges, benefits, and spiritual implications of deconstructing religious beliefs. The conversation also features the story of Lindsay Holifield, whose faith journey—highlighted in Christianity Today—led her through deconversion, exploration of Judaism, and ultimately, a return to Christianity. With insights from books like Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis and Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, this episode sheds light on how doubt can lead to growth.

In a life of ministry, teachers, pastors, and facilitators make choices every day on what type of behavior is permissible and what is not. What should guide our efforts? How do you implement the grace of God, while not losing control of the program you’re a part of? What does discipline teach to a student or individual within your group? 

Episode features President Gregg Garner, Academic Dean Jeff Sherrod, and Professor Laurie Kagay from The Institute for GOD. 

Visit www.instituteforgod.edu for more information.

In this episode, Jeff Sherrod, Gregg Garner, and Benjamin Reese explore the significance of “the college years.” Are they solely for learning? Should students rush to work? Should they be free from concerns of career and financial stability, or challenged to figure it all out now? Tune into the discussion based on biblical principles.

In this episode of College Conversations, Jeff, Gregg, and Laurie discuss the concept of calling and its relationship to occupation, exploring whether calling is an internal discovery of one's passions or an external directive from God. They emphasize the importance of understanding calling through a biblical lens, highlighting the communal aspect of calling rather than solely individual pursuits. 

In this episode of College Conversations, host Jeff Sherrod is joined by Gregg Garner and Benjamin Reese. They engage about the impact of media usage for young people, and what power it has to inform one’s values. Media is not bad, but does have an impact on your spirituality. Gregg, Ben and Jeff discuss the evolution of media and the need for colleges to incorporate better media literacy into their curriculum. 

In this episode of College Conversations, Jeff Sherrod, Gregg Garner, and Laurie Kagay discuss the pervasive issue of burnout, exploring its causes and effects on individuals in various life stages, particularly within the context of Christian ministry. They discuss practical strategies for recognizing and addressing burnout, emphasizing the importance of waiting on the Lord and sharing burdens with others. The conversation highlights the need for self-awareness and the understanding that seeking help is essential for maintaining mental and emotional health.

Why Christians Should Ask Better Questions