Author: jodyddean

“Together We Equip: Integrating Discipleship and Ministry Leadership for Holistic Spiritual Formation” This is the first book to be released from our Center for Discipleship and Ministry Leadership at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. We have brought together 15 contributors to facilitate a guide to the two driving concepts in ministry that parallel our equipping…

I love a perfect cup of coffee. Dark Roast with no sugar or cream in a nice big mug on a cool Fall morning on the lake would be an ideal cup of coffee and setting for me. Today we begin another Fall semester at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The Dean family counts this…

In recent weeks many aspects of life in our family have been challenged through sickness and death. This confrontation has been real in relation to the research project in my life that is focusing on some of the issues children today are facing unlike two generations previously and the ministry impact that results from this…

What is my heritage from my father? Fatherless to the extent no Father’s day cards are created as a child for a father, no birthday or Christmas gifts made or purchased, no advice about dating, no college or career advice in high school,  and that key male figure God intended to help shape a child…

Have you ever watched a storm approach? I remember the intrigue of watching storms approach after observing lightning and then being able to see the rain fall in the distance until it reached where I was standing on the porch or inside. These were usually summer pop ups that brought more rain and muggy temperatures…

It was an appointment that had been made out of humoring others. I am not a fan of going to the doctor and especially the idea of any kind of surgery. The doctor immediately agreed it was good that the appointment had been made and kept, which resulted in a biopsy with an outcome labeled…

James 1: 19-27 James in this passage exposes the concept of the mirror in our lives spiritually. He leads the reader to consider personal action as a result of hearing and responding to God’s Word. In the middle of the verses a common everyday item is mentioned to cause the reader to pause and observe…

Families are crucial for society and their future because family is the primary place for influence upon the moral as well as spiritual development of children. The book of Deuteronomy reminds us of the responsibility we have in shaping the impressionable lives around us. The issue is not a political or human rights issue in…

Jesus was compelled to invest in a few men instead of focusing on a platform ministry that relied on his personal gifts and abilities. Greg Ogden captures this idea in that, “by focusing on a few that Jesus was able to ensure the lasting nature of his mission.” This idea causes me to pause and…

Arthur Flake had a philosophical belief that all people need Sunday School because all people need to study the Bible.1 The churches in each community should enlarge the Sunday School by enrolling lost people, which would give them an opportunity to be taught the Bible. This belief provided the foundation for the development of his…