Today we are joined by ACTS Alumnus Brad Sumner. Brad is the lead pastor Jericho Ridge Community Church in Surrey, BC. We asked him to join us on this podcast because of a recent sermon on protecting the witness of the church. In the many difficult political issues that arise in our culture, we wanted to glean some insight on how to navigate political differences while fostering community and love within the church body.

For more, check out Brad's sermon, Watching Our Witness: https://www.jerichoridge.com/sermon/watching-our-witness-how-to-respond-in-a-time-of-vaccines-mandates-conversion-therapy-bills/

Today we talk with Anne Mackie Morelli. As a former Canadian Olympian who competed in track and field, Anne has a pretty remarkable life story. She has been a clinical counselor, educator, and–more recently–a writer and public speaker. She is also currently a student with ACTS Seminaries.

In our conversation, Anne addresses the importance of grief and how we can learn how to approach it through the example of Job. Anne is not new to the topics of grief and lament, as they are the focus her book, When Grief Descends: Suffering, Consolation and The Book of Job. To learn more about Anne, you can visit her website: www.annemackiemorelli.com. 

In light of the advent season, today we’re doing something a bit different: looking at doubt and deconstruction. While December is often marked by the reminders of all things “merry and bright,” Advent reminds us that this is a time of preparation for the arrival of Christ. In this preparation, we often face some of the hardships of life, especially in light of the difficult times of the past year.

Ryan Klassen, executive director of ACTS, joins us to discuss these topics and examine what deconstruction can look like in our lives, and what it means for the church.

Today we talk with Joel Meszaros, our Student Success Coordinator at ACTS Seminaries.

Joel supports students by helping them find the resources they need and encouraging them with advising and prayer. Joel is also a student himself, still finishing his program! Today we discuss what seminary is like, both from a student perspective and as someone working with ACTS, specifically in light of the challenges of COVID-19.

When we think of chaplaincy, we often picture someone in a hospital, prison, or military context. In reality, chaplains can be found in numerous areas of life. Gloria Woodland, Director of the Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care Program, shares just how diverse and important chaplaincy and spiritual care can be. 

Dr. Brian Cooper is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of Student Development with MB Seminary. His passion is to help believers do theology well and to understand how to engage cultural issues, theological and historical texts, and Scripture. In this episode, he shares a bit of theological insight on the Bible: what it is, its history, what inspiration is, and how we can approach the Bible in our daily lives.

Read more from Brian on his website: bdrcooper.com. 

Today we are joined by Ryan Klassen, executive director at ACTS Seminaries, to talk about COVID-19. In our conversation, we discuss some of the challenges churches and believers have faced the past year as well as what the future might look like as we carefully come out of the pandemic. Of specific importance, Ryan encourages us to consider how we can rebuild unity among believers after so much time apart. As always, he also reminds us of the call to remain faithful in our lives and ministry.

We're excited to share the story of Dr. Estera Boldut, Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at ACTS Seminaries. In this episode, Dr. Boldut shares her own story of becoming a therapist, the spiritual side of therapy, and how to join God in ministering to people in a holistic way. 

If everyone is a theologian, what kind of theologian are you? Today we talk with Kevin O'Coin about theology and what it means to ask questions about God. 

We're excited to bring you the first episode of 2021! Staying with the model we’ve seen in previous episodes, today we’ll discuss the questions of “What is ministry?” with Kevin O’Coin, Assistant Director of Admissions at ACTS.

Seminary Insider is brought to you by ACTS Seminaries. 

Music for this episode: Blue Dream - Cheel