Quote of the Week, Speaking with Gentleness,” Howard Thurman

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“In the midst of the outer conflict, I must find inner quietness to speak with gentleness.” —Howard Thurman (1899 – 1991) Source: Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1953), 56. Question for reflection: When I feel tension rising in a conversation, what practices help me return to inner quietness before I respond—and how might gentleness …

New Vlog Entry, “Conversing with Chatbots?” by Stephanie Bennett

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In this entry. . . Today we talk a bit about the emerging trend to engage AI agents to fulfill our needs for companionship and counseling. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Digital Shepherd. Relating to a bot for help and support is clearly easier than using our interpersonal skills to engage with an actual person, but what are we editing …

Quote of the Week, A Consistent Life Doctrine, by Richard Baxter, 17th Century

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“Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine… lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues.” – Source: Richard Baxter, 17th Century Puritan pastor and theologian, from The Reformed Pastor (England: Banner of Truth Trust, 1974) (originally published 1656), p. 63. Question for reflection: Would others describe you as someone who lives your life …

Column entry, “From the Valley to the Summit,” by Chris Hamstra

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Column Title: Leadership Life Stories: Communicating and Leading through Your Story Column Entry: “From the Valley to the Summit” By Chris Hamstra, PhD, Davenport University Description: There is a power when people come together to share stories. As people of faith, the practice and process of storytelling helps us understand ourselves, our communities, and our organizations. When combined with leadership, stories provide examples …

Column entry, “The Value of Human Labor, the Challenges of AI, and the Image of God,” by Elizabeth McLaughlin

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Column Title: Communitas Column Entry: “The Value of Human Labor, the Challenges of AI, and the Image of God” Column Description: The term Communitas refers to an unstructured community of equal members often traveling from one place to another. Like the characters in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, we are fellow pilgrims on the road towards the Father’s house, following Jesus as …

Summer 2025 Workshop Recordings Now Available

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In case you missed one more more of our summer workshops, you may still access the recordings and workshop resource pages with PPTs and other materials. Contact CCSN Executive Director, Robert Woods (rwoods@theccsn.com), and indicate which one or more of the recordings below you wish to access. Summer 2025 Workshops 1. Word-Gardening: From Seed (Idea) to Fruit (Publication), June 2 …