What Happens in Our Friday Seminars
Our Friday Seminars have evolved into intimate gatherings where participants share deeply about life's most challenging seasons. The central theme revolves around navigating periods of feeling "stuck" or "restless" - what we call "life's ruts" - and how our relationship with time changes through significant life events.
Each week, participants courageously share their personal experiences with:
- Medical diagnoses that alter our perception of time
- Career transitions and unexpected periods of stillness
- Loss of loved ones and family crises
- Learning to surrender control and trust God's timing
- Finding purpose in suffering and helping others
"This setting is new to me and helpful. I've never been able to bounce these kinds of things off of people that understand the Spirit. It's comforting to hear others doing the same thing, living the same."
- Mark, regular participant
Real Stories from Our Community
Time & Medical Wake-up Calls
"A heart rhythm issue in 2023 significantly altered my perception of time's value, moving from taking it for granted to a profound appreciation for 'one day at a time.'"
Navigating Forced Stillness
"After losing two wives and sustaining an injury, I'm learning to contend with abundance of time in a period of 'downshifting' that contradicts my lifelong nature of constant activity."
Multiple Family Tragedies
"A series of dramatic losses - parents, brother's stroke, son's schizophrenia, daughter's health issues - reminded me of God's ability to lift me from 'a deep pit.'"
How Faith Meets Real Life
Participants discover practical spiritual strategies for navigating difficult times, including honest prayer (like David in the Psalms), small steps of obedience, community connection, and learning to be content with God's daily plan rather than their own to-do lists.
Biblical references emerge organically from the discussion, providing comfort and framework for understanding struggles. Recent sessions have drawn wisdom from Psalm 40 ("lifted from a deep pit"), Romans 8:28 ("all things work together for good"), and Philippians 4 (contentment in any situation).
The Power of Shared Experience
What makes these seminars transformative is the recognition that personal suffering, when openly shared, can be "repurposed" by God to bless and guide others going through similar trials. Participants regularly express how encouraging it is to hear others "doing the same thing, living the same."
Sessions are recorded via StreamYard and made available for those who might benefit from hearing these shared experiences of navigating life's difficult seasons with faith, hope, and community support.
"God can use these things that we share to encourage them on their journey. No experience is wasted when shared with others who understand."
- Session facilitator
Recent Friday Seminar Sessions
Watch previous Friday Seminar sessions where participants share authentically about life's challenges, navigating difficult seasons, and finding God's presence in times of struggle. Each session is recorded and available for those who might benefit from these shared experiences.
What Do You Do With Your Pain?
Participants share honestly about processing pain through grief, loss, and life struggles. From hiding behind laughter to learning vulnerability with God, transformative stories about moving through pain rather than around it.
What Are You Learning About Love?
Understanding love through decades of marriage, breaking free from performance-based expectations, forgiving difficult relationships, and discovering authentic community. Heartfelt testimonies about genuine connection and transformation.
What Story Are You Telling Yourself?
Exploring the internal narratives we run and discovering new perspectives on difficult seasons.
Life's Unexpected Turns
Sharing about navigating unexpected changes and finding stability in God during uncertain times.
Finding Purpose in Pain
How our struggles can be repurposed by God to encourage others on similar journeys.
Community in Struggle
The power of shared experience and authentic community during difficult seasons.
Time and Healing
Discussing how our relationship with time changes through significant life events and loss.
Surrendering Control
Learning to trust God's timing and plan when life feels out of control.
Family Crisis and Faith
Navigating family emergencies, medical diagnoses, and maintaining faith through crisis.
Trust and Waiting
Learning to trust God's timing during seasons of waiting and uncertainty.
Hope in Dark Seasons
Finding hope and God's presence during life's darkest and most challenging periods.
Grief and Loss
Processing grief, loss of loved ones, and finding comfort in community understanding.
Contentment in Struggle
Learning contentment with God's daily plan rather than our own expectations.
Extended Community Sharing
Extended session with deep community sharing about life's ongoing challenges and victories.
In-Depth Life Stories
Extended sharing session with participants opening up about major life transitions and healing.
Seasons of Change
Navigating major life transitions and finding God's guidance through change.
Community Support
The power of authentic community and mutual support during difficult times.
Extended Deep Sharing
Longest session with comprehensive sharing about life's deepest struggles and God's faithfulness.
Early Community Building
Building authentic community and learning to share vulnerably about real struggles.
Foundations of Friday Sharing
Early session establishing the foundation for authentic community sharing and mutual encouragement.