OUR STORY - Who we are and how we are different
We, Judy and Dick Reuning, are two Christians committed to providing resources for Christian adults that connect some of the most challenging issues and choices in life with the foundations of our Christian faith.
Our Christian education began in Sunday School and continued through high school, college, graduate school and ever since in various churches in different parts of the country – first as participants, then as leaders. Judy has taught Christian education to children, teens and later adults. Dick has taught mostly adults, often combing newspapers, journals and books for material on current issues. We were encouraged to write and publish these types of materials so that others could use them too. Along the way we have been mentored by several pastors and theologians, including pastors Enno Gahl, Gerald Miller, Fred Wiese, Karen Alsnauer, Betsy Williams and Julie Reuning-Scherer, as well as theologian Walter Bouman.
A seed was planted. We are now living that dream.
We feel that God is calling us to use our teaching gifts to provide adults with training and resources for discussing the questions and challenges in their lives. The LifeCrossings Resources for Life’s Choices that we write and publish are to help adult education classes and small groups in the church and in homes become the kind of safe and nurturing church community we have experienced in our walk through life. A strong Adult Education program is vital for developing such a community.
Three communities besides our church have had a significant influence on our Christian growth. One community is our biological family, beginning with our parents, which now includes two grown children, their spouses and two grandchildren plus a large extended family. Twice a month we meet with Noah’s Family Care Group to study, to discuss applications of Christianity in everyday life, and to support one another through our joys and trials. We also facilitate a monthly early morning group called “Connections: Faith at Work.” Members of this group discuss confidentially the connections between our faith and the many dimensions of work – work at a job, work at church, work at home, and work as a volunteer.
We’re Different!
We relish the opportunities and challenges of advancing Christian Adult Education. That is the mission of LifeCrossings – to cover the important and timely issues facing Christian adults and to present these using the most helpful teaching approach. We can consistently provide high quality resources because we are different in several significant ways: first, we have an independent Advisory Board that reviews and critiques our first drafts of each participant book. Secondly, we field test all of our materials before printing. Thus, we gain invaluable feedback which we use in fine-tuning the participant book and the Leader’s Guide. Thirdly, we incorporate a variety of active learning approaches such as case study and mini-drama. We have stuctured sessions to take advantage of one of the most effective pathways of adult learning - connecting new information and understanding to what adults already know. Read more in QUALITY ASSURED.
Our Professional Background
As experienced college educators in science, mathematics, and health care, we combine our passion for creating high quality learning experiences with over thirty years of teaching experience in the (Lutheran) church setting at both adult and children’s levels. Through LifeCrossings we are committed to writing and publishing learning materials for adults (with companion leader’s guides) that connect Christian faith with the daily challenges of adult life in American society. Drawing on the guidance of our advisory board, with its breadth of expertise and diverse Christian background, as well as our own experiences as volunteers and board members in the social service arena, we are developing resources for Christian communities of any denomination.
Dick has taught a variety of pharmacy courses at the professional and graduate levels as well as serving as chairperson and associate dean at the Ohio State University. In addition to administrative work at the Pontifical College Josephinum, Judy has taught secondary and college level mathematics plus college learning skills. Our teaching style reflects that adults learn best when they are presented with a situation or a problem and then are taught to use the principles that will lead to a solution.
Both of us are life-long members and leaders in the Lutheran church where we have held board positions in the Southern Ohio Synod, Faith Mission (homeless shelters), and Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio as well as numerous congregational offices including president. We have been volunteers in the Columbus Public Schools and local arts groups. Dick has returned to his love of music by playing violin with the chamber music group, Synchronicity Trio.
Our Christian education began in Sunday School and continued through high school, college, graduate school and ever since in various churches in different parts of the country – first as participants, then as leaders. Judy has taught Christian education to children, teens and later adults. Dick has taught mostly adults, often combing newspapers, journals and books for material on current issues. We were encouraged to write and publish these types of materials so that others could use them too. Along the way we have been mentored by several pastors and theologians, including pastors Enno Gahl, Gerald Miller, Fred Wiese, Karen Alsnauer, Betsy Williams and Julie Reuning-Scherer, as well as theologian Walter Bouman.
A seed was planted. We are now living that dream.
We feel that God is calling us to use our teaching gifts to provide adults with training and resources for discussing the questions and challenges in their lives. The LifeCrossings Resources for Life’s Choices that we write and publish are to help adult education classes and small groups in the church and in homes become the kind of safe and nurturing church community we have experienced in our walk through life. A strong Adult Education program is vital for developing such a community.
Three communities besides our church have had a significant influence on our Christian growth. One community is our biological family, beginning with our parents, which now includes two grown children, their spouses and two grandchildren plus a large extended family. Twice a month we meet with Noah’s Family Care Group to study, to discuss applications of Christianity in everyday life, and to support one another through our joys and trials. We also facilitate a monthly early morning group called “Connections: Faith at Work.” Members of this group discuss confidentially the connections between our faith and the many dimensions of work – work at a job, work at church, work at home, and work as a volunteer.
We’re Different!
We relish the opportunities and challenges of advancing Christian Adult Education. That is the mission of LifeCrossings – to cover the important and timely issues facing Christian adults and to present these using the most helpful teaching approach. We can consistently provide high quality resources because we are different in several significant ways: first, we have an independent Advisory Board that reviews and critiques our first drafts of each participant book. Secondly, we field test all of our materials before printing. Thus, we gain invaluable feedback which we use in fine-tuning the participant book and the Leader’s Guide. Thirdly, we incorporate a variety of active learning approaches such as case study and mini-drama. We have stuctured sessions to take advantage of one of the most effective pathways of adult learning - connecting new information and understanding to what adults already know. Read more in QUALITY ASSURED.
Our Professional Background
As experienced college educators in science, mathematics, and health care, we combine our passion for creating high quality learning experiences with over thirty years of teaching experience in the (Lutheran) church setting at both adult and children’s levels. Through LifeCrossings we are committed to writing and publishing learning materials for adults (with companion leader’s guides) that connect Christian faith with the daily challenges of adult life in American society. Drawing on the guidance of our advisory board, with its breadth of expertise and diverse Christian background, as well as our own experiences as volunteers and board members in the social service arena, we are developing resources for Christian communities of any denomination.
Dick has taught a variety of pharmacy courses at the professional and graduate levels as well as serving as chairperson and associate dean at the Ohio State University. In addition to administrative work at the Pontifical College Josephinum, Judy has taught secondary and college level mathematics plus college learning skills. Our teaching style reflects that adults learn best when they are presented with a situation or a problem and then are taught to use the principles that will lead to a solution.
Both of us are life-long members and leaders in the Lutheran church where we have held board positions in the Southern Ohio Synod, Faith Mission (homeless shelters), and Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio as well as numerous congregational offices including president. We have been volunteers in the Columbus Public Schools and local arts groups. Dick has returned to his love of music by playing violin with the chamber music group, Synchronicity Trio.