Welcome to The Journal

Welcome to The Journal: The Official Blog of United With Christ School of Ministry

Where can leaders go to find fresh content that is biblical, theological, and supernatural? Right here.

As a pastor and leader, I searched for a place that would bring together my passion for encounters with God that bring change, exciting biblical study, theological perspectives from history. These three themes were always the fields of treasure that yielded the most value for my own leadership development. Some content I’ve found focuses on biblical knowledge. Other sources specialize in theological and historical nuggets which spoke to questions I wrestled with at the time. Other leaders and ministers give inspiring testimonies of supernatural encounters with God that provoke me to go deeper spiritually. However, I rarely find a source of content that brings all three of these themes together in one place.

This blog, The Journal, is a fusion of the biblical the theological, and the supernatural.

I know there are many others, like myself, who are passionate about loving God with all their heart, soul, strength and mind without excluding one of them. If that is you, then this blog is for you.

Biblical

As a kid, my family and church culture taught me to love Scripture. The result? I love nerding-out studying Scripture. Covenants, symbolism, exegesis, yup I like all that stuff. As a pastor, I find myself needing to continually grow in the skill of studying Scripture. As an extrovert, I like to do that in conversations with other pastors and leaders. I so appreciate when scholars provide valuable insights into certain passages or answer questions I have. It helps me do what I do, preach and teach, better. I know I’m not alone. Many of you who are also passionate about growing in your ability to grasp the revelatory meaning in God’s word. Whether you’re a pastor or a servant-leader in business, government, education, etc., this blog will provide you with thoughtful articles about Scripture that will enrich your leadership.

Theological

History and theology will also be a part of the content on this blog. Over the years, I experienced countless “ah-ha’s” studying brilliant men and women of God from history. In every age, people were praying, thinking, and seeking God for biblical answers to pastoral problems. In every time period, people faced unique challenges. They had to hear God for the revelatory truths that would solve the spiritual and natural needs of the people they served. Those truths come to us as historical theology. In various articles, this blog will bring you some of those theological “ah-ha’s” with fresh application for today. Rediscovering hard-won wisdom of the past will help you thrive in leading your own sphere of influence.

Supernatural

I found that my life and leadership changed in profound ways through encounters with God. Sometimes they were radical. Sometimes they were subtle. Inevitably, God used them to shape me. As a result, I loved finding resources from other leaders who discuss how God-encounters shaped their lives. These testimonies strengthened, encouraged, and opened me to wild ways God interacts with us. Periodically, The Journal will feature testimonies of God encounters from myself and others. The testimonies will communicate vital truths, in line with scripture, that God imparted. I pray that these accounts will ignite your heart with a hunger and excitement to experience God in powerful and transformative ways.

Biblical. Theological. Supernatural. You don’t have to choose one over the others. Together, they are a powerful combination.

I know that the articles posted here at The Journal will be a resource that helps you hone your leadership edge.

-David Hoeflein | Pastor, Dean, Friend

Feel free to leave comments, ask questions, and interact.