Rooted in Scripture By William Higgins In 2023 at their annual Labor Day weekend church retreat at Camp Deerpark, I led a series of Bible studies for Immanuel Community Church, from Flushing, Queens. I taught in a style of teaching that I call ‘Holistic Bible Study’ that involves lots of participation and a focus on applying Scripture to our lives. Our study was on “Stories about Jesus and… Read More
Byerland Congregation Supporting STEP students By Barbee Myer The congregation at Byerland has embraced helping STEP students with different projects and assignments. Providing opportunities for the body at Byerland to use the variety of gifts God has given them. Several people in the congregation have committed to praying for and encouraging the students. Others have provided mentoring and accountability. Our congregation’s support of STEP students has also helped foster leadership… Read More
Bishop Elders Team Biweekly Letter~Carta Quincenal del Equipo de Obispos Ancianos Carta Traducida al Español después de la de Ingles. The Gun at the Bottom of a Pond Written by Bishop Tuyen NguyenTuyen Nguyen Today, in the state of Illinois, on the west side of Chicago there is a gun lying at the bottom of one of the ponds. This gun belonged to a Vietnamese Captain of a merchant ship, which was used to carry cargoes… Read More
Get involved with STEP Do you have a hunger and desire to grow in your walk with Jesus? Has God called you to train and equip other leaders to become mature disciples of Christ? Are you sensing a call to some type of ministry? If so, have you considered STEP? The mission of STEP is to develop transformed leaders for skilled and Spirit-led ministry in congregations and the world. … Read More
Student Reflections (Year 3) by Ethan Myers The Value of the STEP Program By Ethan Myers Do you feel a calling to be a church leader, helping bring others closer to Christ? Would you like to learn how to minister to others effectively? These are the first questions that one should ask themselves when considering if the STEP program is a right fit for them. These are the same questions I asked… Read More
STEP Year 3 Missional Experiment: A Song of Lament!?! by Lynn Shertzer Over the years, I’ve heard so many stories of the trepidation of the pinnacle assignment of the STEP Program. From my vantage point as an instructor, I watch as many students have little or no idea how to proceed with the Missional Experiment that is part of the year 3 curriculum. It appears as a huge mountain! This experiment has the elements… Read More
Bishop Elders Team Biweekly Email – Carta quincenal del Equipo de Obispos Ancianos Esta carta está traducida al Español después de la de Ingles “Advent – Coming” As we entered the advent season, it was in the midst of my own pondering of God’s coming to us at a personal and corporate level. He came to us in the person of Jesus. He is with us and “comes to us” each day, and . . . He is coming back… Read More
STEP Curriculum “I find my biblical knowledge has grown significantly. I am more intentional about practicing the disciplines and I am much better at identifying and holding personal boundaries both at home and in ministry settings!” ~From a Student “STEP has been a big help in my new role as associate pastor. I found it very helpful to learn more about who I am and my own… Read More
Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places STEP Student Reflection (Year 1) by Elvin Kennel By Elvin Kennel In my faith journey, I have experienced several times where I felt that God was clearly nudging me into a “path shift.” Three years ago, I felt a renewed nudge that my ministry was to shift from that of a schoolteacher and administrator into another ministry. After thirty-six years of my ministry in the… Read More