Hazelip Exchange Videos

A Case for Gift-Based Partnership for Elders and Ministers in Churches of Christ

With Dr. Carlus Gupton

From the early days of the Stone Campbell Movement, the relationship between elders and ministers (evangelists) in the Churches of Christ has been plagued by chronic ambiguity and power struggles. It remains as the chief source of frustration for full-time ministers, who voice this openly among themselves. Our members and elders are often unaware of the intensity of this struggle, not knowing how acutely it diminishes the minister's capacity to thrive. It is also a primary factor in our minister shortage, which is likely to reach a crisis stage in the next decade. This session will discuss biblical and practical guidelines for stronger partnerships among elders and ministers.

The Nature of Scripture

With Lauren White

What is Scripture? What is important about how we think about the nature of Scripture and how it is read in community by the church? Join us for a discussion of Scripture, community, and interpretation.

Unity and the Mystery of Christ in Ephesians

With John Mark Hicks

Paul says in Ephesians 3 that he writes so that readers might have insight into the mystery of Christ, and their understanding of that mystery forms their identity and norms their lives. What is the mystery of Christ? How is it normative for Christian identity?

End Times

With John Mark Hicks

The world is chaotic, violent, and the earth is shaking. Are these signs of something to come? Speculation abounds, the future is prophesied, and the end of the age is anticipated. What might we say about such tumult? How do we respond?

Why are the Psalms Important for Followers of Jesus?

The Psalms are the most quoted texts in the New Testament. Whether on the lips of Jesus (two different Psalms on the cross!) or sung by congregations of the Messiah (Ephesians 5:19), the Psalms have shaped the spirituality and faith of Jesus-followers from the beginning. Bobby Valentine will explore the importance and significance of the Psalms for disciples of Jesus.

Expository Preaching

With Orpheus Heyward

Expository preaching (sermon) or teaching (Bible classes), in contrast to “text” (where one text is a jumping off place for multiple texts scattered throughout Scripture) or “topical” lessons, explores the content of a specific passage in Scripture in order to convey its message for modern readers. Dr. Heyward will discuss the importance of expository lessons and their value.

Effective Small Groups

With Buddy Bell

Buddy Bell has led small group ministries at churches, trained small group leaders, and led small groups in churches for over thirty years. Buddy will discuss his experience and name his best practices for effective small groups.

How Might the Church Become More Intentionally Intergenerational?

With Dr. Holly Allen

Dr. Holly Allen is a world leader in the theory and practice of intergenerational ministry. Join us as she offers some practical principles for effective intergenerational ministry in local congregations.

The Theology of the Black Church

With Dr. Aaron Howard

Dr. Aaron Howard, Professor of Ethics at Lipscomb University, discusses his research into the history of the Black Church which has always had a theology of gospel liberation. This was true even before the rise of modern liberation theology in the 20th century. How did the Black Church--enslaved, oppressed, and separated--proclaim the gospel in its history? What does that mean for the proclamation of the gospel today?

Effective Adult Teaching

With Dr. Holly Allen

Dr. Holly Allen, retired Lipscomb University Professor, shares some practical principles for teaching an effective Adult Bible class. How might we improve our classes? What does that look like? Dr. Allen offers suggestions and responds to questions/comments.
 

Husband-Wife Team Ministry

With Tanesha and Brian Bradshaw

Tanesha and Brian Bradshaw, both graduates of Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University, discuss team ministry as a married couple. They studied theology at the same time and minister together in Nashville, Tennessee.

Spirit Stories

Professor C. Leonard Allen

Dr. Leonard Allen’s presentation tells stories from the history of churches of Christ about how theologies of the Holy Spirit took shape and played out. One of the stories tells of a crossroads where two opposed views of the Spirit clashed and diverged—a divergence still playing out in our time. The stories show how views of the Spirit function like a litmus test for the theologies that shaped churches of Christ.

Shephard Covenants

With Mark Adams and Josh Jackson

Mark Adams (minister of the Tusculum Church of Christ in Nashville) and Josh Jackson (minister at the Rural Hill Church of Christ in Nashville) discuss what Shepherd Covenants are and their value in terms of relationship among the shepherds themselves and with the staff. This serves as an introduction. There will be another opportunity to go deeper and/or pursuing such a covenant in a congregation through implementing a process for creating a covenant. In this session learn what a Shepherd Covenant is and its value for serving the congregation those shepherds lead. 

Romans 8 - The Heart of Pauline Theology

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks discusses the significance of Romans 8 in Paul’s theology in light of N. T. Wright’s new book Into the Heart of Romans. This session will also introduce and invite participants to pursue a deep dive into Romans 8 through a non-credit online/Zoom continuing education opportunity over four weeks. The course will include online videos, reading Wright’s book, a discussion board, and weekly Zoom meetings over four weeks.  

Discovery Bible Study

With John King

John King introduces the simple but profound method of group discipleship through reading the Bible together. The approach emphasizes shared leadership, participation in community, and exploration of a single biblical text for the sake of formation into the image of Christ. The primary goal is discipling people as followers of Jesus.  
 

A Trinitarian Theology of Suffering

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks discusses the role of the Father, Son, and Spirit in a theology of suffering, particularly in relation to the experience and endurance of believers. What is the meaning and significance of the Trinity in the life of sufferers? 
 

Three Healthy Ways to Read the Bible

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks talks about three ways to read the Bible: story (narrative), study (exegetical), and silence (meditative). Each is important, and one without the others lacks balance. Studying the Bible involves all three to be fully formed by God's word.
  
 

Why do we Need Theology?

Professor Lauren White

Lauren White discusses the importance of theological reflection and the role of theology in the life of the church. Everyone is a theologian, and everyone needs to think like a theologian.
 

The Value of Liturgy

Professor Claire Davidson Frederick

Claire Davidson Frederick is the liturgist and worship leader for the All Saints Church of Christ. In this session, as we approach Easter, she will share with us the value of liturgy and its significance for a gathering of believers. After some interaction between Claire and John Mark Hicks, the floor will be open for discussion, questions, and comments.

Theological Comparison of BW Stone and Alexander Campbell

Professor John Mark Hicks

The theological differences between Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone, two early formative leaders in the American Restoration Movement, were profound. Nevertheless, they found a path toward unity even though it was often uncomfortable. What might we learn from this early period in the history of the Stone-Campbell Movement that might help us today?

Elder Minister Relationships

Professor Carlus Gupton

Carlus Gupton will discuss with us the relationship of elders and ministers within the American Restoration Movement. His wide experience among churches and teaching leadership over the decades equips him well to provide counsel and direction for leadership teams struggling with this relationship.

David Lipscomb on Slavery, Race, and Segregation

Professor John Mark Hicks

David Lipscomb owned slaves the decade before the Civil War, opposed the segregation of churches after the Civil War, and mentored African Americans during Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era in paternalistic ways. In this discussion, we will describe and reflect on this history in order to understand it and what it means for us.

A Brief History of Restoration Hermeneutics in Churches of Christ

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks leads a discussion of three moves within Restoration hermeneutics, that is, how churches of Christ have historically read the Bible. In the beginning, we employed a regulative principle. In the 1960s, critical historical scholarship began impacted our reading of the Bible. For the last few decades and presently, many are prioritizing a theological reading of Scripture.

Reason and Emotion in the Assembly

Professor Aaron Howard

Aaron Howard, who leads the Gospel Choir at Lipscomb University, will provide some perspectives on the relationship of and need for both reason and emotion when believers gather to praise God. What is the balance? Why are both needed? What is often missing?

The Israeli-Palestinian Context

Professor Rob McRay

Rob McRay has lived in Israel-Palestine, traveled there repeatedly, and teaches classes on Israel and Palestine at Lipscomb and in churches. His father was an archaeologist, and his brother is a medical doctor who has taken medical students on educational trips to the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel. Rob is well-positioned to offer some perspective and guidance in how we navigate the current crisis in the Middle East with our congregations and friends.

Jesus and Paul: Discontinuity or Continuity?  

Professor John Mark Hicks

Should we prioritize the Gospels over Paul’s letters? Did Paul morph the Jesus movement into something unrecognizable by Jesus himself? Should we be primarily “Red-Letter” Christians? We tend to gravitate toward extremes, but there is a way to process these questions in healthy and fruitful ways.

The Grace of Troublesome Questions

Professor Richard Hughes

Richard Hughes made the decision when he was 23 years old to become an historian. This vocation was inspired especially by his discovery that the churches of Christ, which he had been taught had no history other than Jesus and the Apostles, had a very particular this-worldly history after all. But it wasn't until he was a graduate student at Abilene Christian College in 1966-67 that he discovered a far deeper and far more compelling vocation--the summons to serve as one of Jesus' disciples. That discovery shook him to the core and transformed his life, his work, and his vocation.

The Ban: Exploring its Ancient and Literary Context

Professor Phillip Camp

The "ban," God's command to Israel to destroy all the Canaanites, rightly creates concerns and raises tough questions for God's people today and for those who might otherwise be attracted to the God of Israel and the church. Rather than ignoring it or dismissing it, let's spend some time trying to understand the ban in its historical and literary contexts as well as the ethical implications.

Grief, Lament, and the Psalms

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks discusses how reading and praying the Psalms helped him process grief in ways that led to acceptance, trust, and transformation.

Grief, Lament, and Job

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks discusses how reading and meditating on Job helped him process grief in ways that led to acceptance, trust, and transformation.

Grief, Lament, and Ecclesiastes

Professor John Mark Hicks

John Mark Hicks discusses how reading and reflecting on Ecclesiastes helped him process grief in ways that led to acceptance, trust, and transformation.

Spirit Stories

Professor C. Leonard Allen

This presentation tells stories from the history of churches of Christ about how theologies of the Holy Spirit took shape and played out. One of the stories tells of a crossroads where two opposed views of the Spirit clashed and diverged—a divergence still playing out in our time. The stories show how views of the Spirit function like a litmus test for the theologies that shaped churches of Christ.

Gospel, Kingdom, and Renewal of Israel

Professor Mark Black

The Old Testament prophets proclaimed that "on that day" God would forgive Israel and restore the kingdom to her. Luke says that God inaugurated that kingdom through Jesus and the church. If the church is essentially "restored Israel," there are major implications for the nature of the church, the mission of the church, and the church's understanding of the Old Testament.
 

The Unhurried Jesus

Professor Deron Smith

Because Jesus is never in a hurry and because He is never late, I can trust Him with a person, a family, a team of leaders, a church, the community we serve, and with myself. Jesus will bring change, renewal, or healing in His time and in His way. When we ask God to transform, we are simply asking God to do what God loves to do.

God’s Amazing Story

Professor Earl Lavender

Everyone chooses a narrative of meaning that gives their life meaning, purpose, and direction. In a world of multiple competing stories, are we prepared to offer God's story as that in which we can become the best version of ourselves?

How (Not) to Use Greek in Sermons

Professor George Goldman

George Goldman discusses mistakes people make using Greek in sermons, with some examples from my own lessons. What does it mean to say "this Greek word means"? You will be "called out" for "missing the mark" because the gospel is God's "dynamite.

Philemon, Slavery, and the Gospel

Professor John Mark Hicks

Prior to the Civil War, Philemon was used by both abolitionists and enslavers to justify their positions. Presently, some critique Paul for returning Onesiumus while others have a more generous understanding of what Paul is doing. How might a theological reading of Philemon speak into these different approaches? Does the epistle to Philemon proclaim or embody the gospel of Jesus? Or is Paul overly accommodative to the social powers of slavery in his world?