“Govern my tongue, O Lord, that I speak not but that which is true, pure, gentle, faithful, and charitable. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but that which is good and edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” –Thomas Becon (1512–1567) Source: Thomas Becon, The Pomander of Prayer (London: John Day, 1560), 112. Reflection: Where …
Quote of the Week, The Weight of Words, by Charles Spurgeon, 19th Century
“A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him, they reckon his deeds as pounds and his words as pence.” –Charles H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) Source: Charles H. Spurgeon, “The Teacher’s Motto,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 22 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1876), 337. Reflection: How does my daily conduct …
August 2026 Column Entry, Leadership Life Stories, by Chris Hamstra
Column Title: Leadership Life Stories: Communicating and Leading through Your Story Column Entry: “The First Lesson Wasn’t Leadership” 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 of …
Book Review, AI Shepherds and Digital Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Return to Journal of Christian Teaching Practice (in Communication Studies) Book Reviewed: O’Callaghan, Sean, and Paul A. Hoffman. AI Shepherds and Digital Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2025). Journal of Christian Teaching Practice, volume 13. Reviewed By: Kevin Schut, PhD, Dean, School of the Arts, Media, and Culture; Professor, Media …
New Book, Uncle Bud Robinson: Enduring Lessons from an Early Twentieth-Century Simple Folk Preacher, by Abram Book
“Uncle Bud” Robinson: Enduring Lessons from an Early Twentieth-Century Simple Folk Preacher Now Available Author: Abram J. Book Foreword: Steven Hoskins Total pages: 142 Price: $20.00 Purchase (from publisher, amazon, ingramspark) Description Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson, born a moonshiner’s son in Tennessee and converted under the preaching of a traveling circuit rider while working as a Texas ranch hand, persevered …
A Prayer for Guarded Words, John Cassian, 5th Century
“O God, make speed to save me; O Lord, make haste to help me. O God, be attentive unto helping me; O Lord, make haste to rescue me.” —John Cassian (c. 360–435), Conferences, 9.18, in Nicene and Post‑Nicene Fathers, Second Series, vol. 11, p. 429. Reflection: Where do I most need God’s quick help to restrain my speech and steady my heart?
Quote of the Week, Speech that Reveals the Heart, by Origen, 4th Century
“Let your words be the image of your mind.” — Origen (c. 185–254), Homilies on Leviticus 10.2. Reflection: How might my speech more truthfully reflect the interior life I am cultivating before God?
Column Entry, July, Exile and Ache, by Brandon Knight
Column Title: Exile and the Ache for Home July 2026 Entry: “Lost and Searching for a Sign(post)” (Part 1 of 2) By Brandon Knight, PhD, William Carey University Column Description: Have you ever felt disconnected? What if such moments of disconnect point to a greater reality? A lost memory of unity with creation only hinted through nostalgia. Often even as we …
A Prayer for Charitable Communication, by Jeremy Taylor, 17th Century
“Keep me from all rashness of speech, from all uncharitable and evil speaking; that my words may be few, seasoned with salt, and such as may minister grace to the hearers.” —Jeremy Taylor (1613 – 1667) Source: Jeremy Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living, ed. Charles P. Eden (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1883), 78–79. Reflection: Where in …
Quote of the Week, The Ethics of Expression, by Erasmus, 16th Century
“Let your speech be the genuine expression of your mind, not a mere display of words.” –Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) Source: Desiderius Erasmus, Ecclesiastes (1535), Book III Reflection: In my own teaching, preaching, or everyday communication, do my words genuinely express truth or do they sometimes become a performance rather than an act of faithfulness?
