July 5, 2023
In May, Dr. Jody Owens, professor of Bible and congregational ministry at Johnson University, conducted a brief survey of Christian leaders on issues of sexuality and gender identity, two of the most polarizing issues of our day. . . . Plus briefs from two churches in Illinois, ICOM, Orchard Group, and more. . . .
September 13, 2022
Our educational system and culture train us in a way of reading literature that works against the way the Scriptures were designed to be read and experienced. Our information culture resists embracing a text written primarily for transformation rather than information.
August 17, 2022
In these briefs we feature news about Encounter, a support and recovery ministry at the Elizabethtown (Ky.) Campus of Southeast Christian Church, and also an Adaptive Sports and Activities Program at Northside Christian Church in Fortson, Ga. Also, briefs about GNPI, an upcoming Spiritual Formation Leadership Summit in Tennessee, and more.
July 13, 2022
Briefs about almost 150 ICOM "Exhibitor Spotlights," tornado recovery efforts near Cincinnati, a Christocentric art exhibition in Northeast Ohio, a sewing ministry in North Carolina, and a learning retreat in Indiana.
August 19, 2020
By Jim Nieman Jody Owens says senior ministers are feeling “under the gun” because of the stress of leading during the coronavirus pandemic. The ministers are working hard to conduct ministry in a form and fashion for which they were not trained and are not accustomed, says Owens, professor of Bible and pastoral ministries with Johnson University. These ministers are making hard decisions and are dealing with other stressors, and—due to circumstances—they are “not getting the feedback and the positive comments they are used to receiving.” INTENSIVE LEARNING RETREATSOwens gleaned some of this information from ministers and church leaders—about 20
July 14, 2020
By Jim Nieman The coronavirus has proven to be a complex issue for churches and church leaders. And it can be further complicated—and even turn emotional—when there are COVID-19 diagnoses in leadership. Johnson University professor Jody Owens recently interviewed two senior ministers, Matthew Sink and Greg Taylor, who have been personally affected by COVID-19 diagnoses. Sink, senior minister with Pinedale Christian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., is doing well after he and his three children, along with his parents—who live next door—contracted the disease. He has completed a two-week quarantine. Taylor, lead minister with Second Church of Christ in Danville, Ill., didn’t
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
April 7, 2026
David Faust
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok