Do we need a whack on the head?

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 08 January 2013 15:53

There’s an old saying that sometimes you need a good whack on the side of the head. Nothing could be truer today in this speeding world of instantaneous communication.

While there are countless ways of doing so, many of us remain tied to the comfort of doing something in the same way. As a result, it becomes more difficult to think about doing it any other way.

It’s time for all of us to break out of this rut of familiarity. Let’s begin by looking somewhere else.

Finding new ideas or a new way of doing something is akin to prospecting for gold. If you look in the same old places, you’ll find tapped out veins. On the other hand, if you venture off the beaten path, you’ll improve your chances of discovering new ideas.

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Bartlett to direct theological education at Tabor

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 08 January 2013 15:43

Bartlett Rick Bartlett, Fresno, Calif., has been named the first director of the theological education program at Tabor College.

Bartlett also will serve as an assistant professor of ministry and provide direction to the Christian ministry undergraduate program and the newly created master’s degree being offered in entrepreneurial ministry leadership.

“We are blessed to have Rick Bartlett provide leadership and expertise as we begin a new chapter at Tabor College,” said Jules Glanzer, Tabor president. “Rick has a rich understanding of our Anabaptist heritage and brings practical experience in ministry and theological education.”

The graduate theological program, which Bartlett will be developing and implementing beginning with the...

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Does anyone actually listen anymore?

Written by John Schlageck Monday, 31 December 2012 12:00

Today, information bombards us like a meteor shower. It’s everywhere.

Each day our eyes see thousands of images on television and computer screens. Our ears hear thousands of words. Many people read thousands of words on the printed page.

People text and talk. They Facebook and walk. They Twitter and tweet. They blog and beep. They Bluetooth—didn’t know that was even a word until a few years ago. One thing I do know, it shouldn’t be a verb.

Folks who can’t speak or write our own English language are making up their own version daily, but that’s a whole ’nother story.

Does anyone listen anymore?

Listening and reading. Wise men and women throughout history have told us we ought to be doing more of this. Give your eyes a...

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A penny once meant something

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 04 December 2012 18:19

Until recently, I often stopped by the corner convenience store after work to treat my sweet tooth. From the time I was 4 years old and walked barefoot down to Vern Wagner’s little general store, I’ve always enjoyed the wonderful taste of chocolate.

Today, I wind up plunking down nearly a buck and a half ($1.50) for my favorite candy—either Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or the mouth-watering chocolate sticks. While this chocolate treat is every bit as good as any “Denver Sandwich” or “Cherry Mash” I ate as a boy, today’s bar appears to be about half the size I paid one nickel for 50 years ago.

Now that I think about it, $1.50 is much easier to come by today than a nickel was when I was a youngster growing up in the...

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