“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 …
Join us for the August 14 meeting of the Raven Society, Learn More
Join us for coffee and conversation about research and teaching with faculty, students, administrators, and others interested in the intersections between Christianity and Communication Studies. Our desire is to continue the kinds of rich conversations we have during our face-to-face pre-conferences each year at the National Communication Association. We hope to strengthen and extend our relational bonds and sense of …
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 …
Monthly Meeting of the Raven Society, August 14
Join us for coffee and conversation about research and teaching with faculty, students, administrators, and others interested in the intersections between Christianity and Communication Studies. Our desire is to continue the kinds of rich conversations we have during our face-to-face pre-conferences each year at the National Communication Association. We hope to strengthen and extend our relational bonds and sense of …
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 …
