Value Add: Conversations and Reflections that add value to your life.

Janel and Lars sit down with one of their favorite Northwest Christian University professors. The podcast explores Doyle's testimony, awesome facial hair, memorization, and other ways communication adds value. Dr. Doyle Srader Ph.D., University of Georgia, M.A., Baylor University, B.A., Baylor University teaches public speaking, interpersonal communication, listening behavior, and other public address and interpersonal communication classes. He brings over 18 years of teaching expertise to the classroom. Doyle has authored numerous publications and writings including “Performative Listening,” which appeared in the International Journal of Listening, and “Before, after, during: Michael Chertoff’s post-Katrina arguments,” which appeared in Argumentation and Advocacy. 

Doyle is participating and mentions the missions trip to Cambodia that NCU campus pastor Troy Dean leads every year and that Lars and Janel both participated in during their time at NCU. Their primary partner in Cambodia is AIM, Agape International Mission. You can find out more and join the fight against Human Trafficking and Child sex slavery by visiting their website and supporting the many facets of their work.

Practical Theology, dialogue, group process, anxiety, maturity...Drew helps us think through these things. Drew Poppleton is a PhD canidate at Fuller Theological Seminary and a Teaching Assistant there. Lars and Drew explore the question of how you go about doing practical theology and not just writing a project or coming up with a program. The critical question to answer is "how will we be together?" Drew is also a contributor in the book Learning Change by Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor.

These episodes are personal reflections on topics that add value to your life. This first series is on three spiritual core values: Humility, Gratitude, and Simplicity. Gratitude is something you choose to do. It takes time and discipline to do "all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" as Paul puts it. Lars spends some time riffing about being thankful. The opening of the podcast has a series of scriptures read consectutively. If you are curious here are the references and order: 1) Psalm 100, 2) Mark 8:1-9, 3) Luke 17:12-19, 4) Matthew 26:26-30, 5) Colossians 3:12-17, 6) Ephesians 1:15-23, 7) Colossians 4:2-6, 8) Philippians 4:4-8, 9) I Corinthians 15:54-57. All passages quoted are from the NIV. Lars mentions the article "Gratitude: Pathway to permanent change" http://www.christianity9to5.org/gratitude-pathway-to-permanent-change/ and recommends the spiritual practice of Examen (https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen). Two resources for audio led versions of the Examen, 1) http://store.anewliturgy.com/album/no-6-the-examen-extended-edition and 2) on the https://pray-as-you-go.org app.

To be a follower of Jesus, what do I have to believe? What do I have to know? What do I have to do? I once heard that the essentials of any good youth ministry are couches, pizza, games, and lock-ins. I don't buy pizza for events, our couches are hard, my games are lame, and I avoid lock-in's as often as possible. Do I sound like a youth ministry failure to you? Somewhere along the way running a program and ministry elevated itself to being essential. But is it?

Lars gets a California geography lesson, what does it mean to be a Church of Christ Youth Minister, from football player to Student Minister...How do you raise your kids while in ministry? Jordan Coss is the Student Minister at the Campbell Church of Christ near San Jose.

Zac Luben is the Youth and Family Minister at the Culver Palms Church of Christ in Culver City, California. Zac has been in youth ministry for over 10 years and has been a mentor and friend since I moved to Southern California. We talk seminary degrees, ministry longevity, speed reading, and our friendship. We recorded this podcast at the Fall Middle school retreat called IMPACT.

These episodes are personal reflections on topics that add value to your life. This first series is on three spiritual core values: Humility, Gratitude, and Simplicity. Genuine humility is not a status you receive it is a lifestyle you cultivate. Humility is hard. Lars takes time to riff on humility. The opening of the podcast has a series of scriptures read consecutively. If you are curious here are the references and order: 1) Matthew 18:1-5, 2) Luke 10:25-37, 3) Luke 18:9-14, 4) I Peter 5:5b-7, 5) Matthew 7:1-5, 6) James 4:1-17, 7) I Thessalonians 5:12-24; 28. All passages are quoted in from the NIV. Lars mentions a book that has had tremendous impact on his understanding of humility and is the source for many quotes shared on this episode. We highly recommend reading: Murray, Andrew. Humility. Minneapolis, Minn: Bethany House, 2001.

A conversation about haircuts, diversity, valuing everyone, faith, and church while Lars gets his haircut at District One Barbers. Check out Shawn's shop and book your appointment on https://dob.youcanbook.me.

Part two of the conversation around the table at Fuller Seminary with fellow student Austin Tannous. This conversation zeros in on worship. Is worship music just an extension of the sermon? Are the songs we sing telling us what to believe about God?

Ever wondered if going to seminary will actually add value to your life? Are you listening to podcasts that stretch you? How does a music teacher approach theology? Join two students as we reflect on the things forming us. Part one gets the conversation going, part two will be coming out next week more pointed on worship.