Dec 23, 2025 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:15-20 This Advent season our church looked at the questions asked by Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and the Wise Men when they encountered a divine revelation by either angels or a star. A striking feature in this process was the one group of people who did not ask a question – the shepherds. In fact, as we look closer at the brief story of the shepherds on that first Christmas Eve, we find a wonderful example of how we might wish to celebrate this season. Having witnessed a magnificent manifestation of the glory of God through the angelic choir declaring the message of the newborn babe in Bethlehem, the shepherds made a sevenfold response. In Luke chapter 2, we see that the shepherd’s heard, believed, left, went, worshiped, rejoiced, and proclaimed. Here is what I believe we can learn from their story...

Dec 21, 2025 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | God entrusts to steward leaders time, treasure, talent and relationships. The most precious of these good gifts is relationships! As transformational steward leaders we are called to love and serve God by loving and serving others! And we often are called to be agents of change. Picture a room filled with the employees of the organization you lead. Now, picture the room as three questions are asked. First question… “Who wants change?” All hands go up! Second question, “Who wants to change? All hands come down! Final question, “Who wants to lead change?” The room is empty! Looking back over my career I have been called by God to either create something new or help existing organizations change.

Dec 16, 2025 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | In last week’s blog, we looked at how the manger can become a stumbling block because of its indictment of our sinful nature and our deep brokenness that can only be healed through the coming of God in the flesh. For those who don’t believe they need anyone to save them, or who carry too much anger to hear the message, the little babe in the manger will not bring hope, peace, or joy. This week we turn to the second truth that will cause so many to stumble over the manger; you cannot separate the cradle from the cross...

Dec 14, 2025 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | 2025… This past year was another BIG one for our family. We have experienced several significant transitions in life and ministry. We now have 15 grandchildren! Bonnie’s dad went to heaven, and Jared and I are working closely together to establish Lakeside Christian Academy scheduled to open in the Fall of 2026. I completed a very rewarding year as interim head of school at King’s Ridge Christian School where Tony Fajardo is now serving as head of school, and I am now serving for 11 months as interim head of school at Augusta Christian School...

Dec 10, 2025 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | In last week’s blog, we looked at how the manger can become a stumbling block because of its indictment of our sinful nature and our deep brokenness that can only be healed through the coming of God in the flesh. For those who don’t believe they need anyone to save them, or who carry too much anger to hear the message, the little babe in the manger will not bring hope, peace, or joy. This week we turn to the second truth that will cause so many to stumble over the manger; you cannot separate the cradle from the cross...

Dec 3, 2025 | By Dr. Scott Rodin | I am looking out over our nativity on a snowy Spokane December morning. The ensemble is replete with wiseman, shepherds, donkeys, camels, sheep, an angel, an adoring Mary and Joseph, and of course at the center, a tiny manger enfolding a baby. The scene is quiet, peaceful. The words from the Carol come to mind, “Oh come, let us adore him, Christ the King.” Yet I am acutely aware that for so many in the world this baby Jesus does not bring quiet. He is not a source of peace. And He certainly is not a king to be adored. In fact, if we read our Bibles through the end, we know that this tiny infant grew up to be the most divisive figure in human history.

Dec 1, 2025 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | I am in the fourth quarter of my life and career. My goal as I look ahead to the finish line is to finish strong as faithful steward leader seeking the purposes of the Lord for all He has SO graciously entrusted to my care. Following my retirement from higher education, I have taken on a new role. I have served twice now as an interim head of school for two different K-12 Christian schools. Prior to my first of two interim experiences, I also witnessed firsthand, as a university VP, the struggles of an interim university president. To state the obvious, an organization needs an interim leader if it has come through a rough spot. This rough spot may look like a failed search, firing of the previous head with surrounding fallout or similar circumstances. You get the idea.

Oct 27, 2025 | By Dr. Brian Simmons | I know of a Christian organization that publishes a XYZ Today magazine for stakeholders. In a recent article a new Vice President was introduced. In preparation for the article, the VP was asked to name a person or two who was influential in his life. The media director called the mentor and included as a key component of the article details of the strong and loving relationship the VP and mentor share to this day...