Gary Shogren's Blog
It is fashionable to criticize seminary training. For example, Peter DeHaan argues that “Seminary delays ministry!” That is, the years you invest in training, are years wasting God’s time. He writes: “If God actually tells you to go to seminary, then go. Otherwise just start serving him and leave the advanced education to the academics.... Continue Reading →
A speech I gave in January 2023, to celebrate Seminario ESEPA's 40 anniversary; several of the former rectors spoke during the week. Graduation speeches are a mixed bag at best. But I did hear a fine one at my high school in 1977; one of his counsels for the graduates was: “Extend your education, both... Continue Reading →
Scenario #1. At the Jersey shore in July, 2020, people ran in and saved a drowning man. They were at a beach wedding and saw the situation; they hauled him out and one man performed CPR and revived him. I saw it on the Philly news, and asked myself: Would I have taken that risk... Continue Reading →
The Twelve learned to pray by asking, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1 NIV). For that they received the Lord’s Prayer, which functions as Jesus intended, whether used as a model or prayed verbatim. In general the North American church fails to teach its people to pray. For... Continue Reading →
By Gary Shogren, Seminario ESEPA, San José, Costa Rica Much of my formative ministry experience took place at a summer Bible Conference in New Hampshire. What I would see was a famous preacher speaking to a crowd of 500 people every morning and night, wowing them with his expositions. In fact, it was sitting in one session... Continue Reading →
By Gary Shogren, Seminario ESEPA, San José, Costa Rica Some thoughts I wrote on another wordpress.com blog, which I reproduce with respect to the blogger: Greek study is a science. As with any science, it's not possible to scan the web and read various articles and then make a truly informed decision. There are good... Continue Reading →
Open Our Eyes, Lord! 