Tag Archive for: Forum Summaries

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

In a recent forum presentation, Regional Pastor Mr. Brandon Fall spoke to the Living Education-Charlotte students on the subject of God’s design in the universe. God’s handiwork is visible throughout the many wonders of creation, and the incredible design of our universe points directly to Him.

Ramifications of a Designer

As we in the Church understand, there are numerous proofs throughout creation that point to God, disproving the atheistic idea of the universe randomly coming into existence. The simple reality is that to believe in evolution requires more effort than to accept the evidence of intelligent design. The ramifications of intelligent design dictate purpose, order, and intent in everything that exists.

God’s Detailed Design

We see evidence of that intentional design in unique ways. For example, our sun is not only 400 times larger than our moon, it is also 400 times further away—meaning that from earth, we are able to witness perfect solar eclipses. The mathematical improbability of such precision points not to blind chance, but the wisdom of an intelligent Designer. 

The dramatic scale of the universe in which we live is also deeply impressive and an exciting thing on which to meditate. Mr. Fall explained that the earth could fit into Jupiter 1400 times—and that Jupiter could fit into the sun 900 times itself. While we may not realize the size and scale of the universe in which we live, it all points to the design and creativity of God.

Conditions for Life

Mr. Fall explained that in the past, there have generally been two criteria by which scientists believed life could exist on other planets:

1. A planet needs the right kind of star

2. A planet must be the right distance away from a star

Using this criteria, scientists have carefully searched for life on other planets. With only two parameters, it should seem easy—but over time, we have determined far more specific criteria for the kind of planet that can host life. As more and more criteria is added all the time, the odds of a planet like our earth that is capable of hosting life becomes far more slim—showing that the earth is unique by God’s design.

Stretching the Heavens

Mr. Fall pointed out that the truth about the universe defies the logic and probability that tries to refute the idea of a Creator. It takes far more blind faith to believe in blind chance than it does to believe in God’s intelligent design. That design is visionary and expansive—Isaiah 40:22 states: It is He who sits above the circle of the earth… who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” Science shows the universe is constantly and rapidly expanding—something that God has placed in motion. 

The Same Sky

The design and beauty of the universe and its elements is incredibly complex, and points to the wonderful and creative mind of God. King David mused in Psalm 8:3-4: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” We can be filled with wonder and excitement at the thought that the sky full of stars we see today is the same sky King David looked at ages ago, and that the God who created it all is the same God who has called us now.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Michael DeSimone, who serves as the Manager of Broadcast and Digital Media for the Church, delivered a forum message to the Living Education-Charlotte students on the subject of getting a job, sharing three keys to obtaining the job you want. The steps he shared can be critically helpful in obtaining the job you’re working to obtain.

Getting the Interview
Mr. DeSimone began by explaining how to get an interview. Most people simply send out batches of applications to listings they see. This is an ineffective way to ensure an interview, let alone get the job itself. Mr. DeSimone encouraged the students to pray and research companies that they would be interested in working for, rather than listings. Furthermore, don’t wait for an opening to apply to the company – the sky is the limit.

Mr. DeSimone gave specific instructions to help get your resume at the top of the stack rather than discarded. You should send an introductory letter to the company that states your name at least three times to build name recognition. To follow up, you should also send your cover letter and resume. You should also be sure to send it to someone who can make a hiring decision, or to someone who will forward it along to the right person. Finally, follow up with a phone call. Be persistent and don’t settle for voicemail. Instead, try your hardest to follow up directly via call.

Mastering the Interview

Once you’ve gotten the interview, Mr. DeSimone encouraged the students to never wing it. Show up 5-10 minutes early, well-groomed, and dressed appropriately for the situation. Mr. DeSimone advised being dressed a step or two above the level of the work you’d be expected to do. Furthermore, remember to be conservative with fragrance or jewelry.

Mr. DeSimone also encouraged the students to prepare for potential questions and to practice mock interviews beforehand. It’s important to know yourself, and to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and to be honest with your interviewer.

Negotiating Compensation

If the interviewer recognizes that you can provide value to the company and is intent on hiring you, it’s important to calibrate your enthusiasm before negotiating salary. Don’t discuss pay too early or too late in the game. If your interviewer is set on having you, they will want to retain the prospect of hiring you. That means they’re less likely to go lower on a perceived win-win compensation agreement. Don’t discuss the salary until you know that you have the job in the bag and that you want each other.

These principles are important and useful tools for obtaining an interview, mastering it, and navigating the details of compensation. Mr. DeSimone encouraged the students to pray before pursuing a job, and to be persistent and proactive.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

In a recent forum presentation, the Living Education-Charlotte students had the opportunity to listen to a video by the New York Times discussing the state of education today. The principles discussed provided an interesting perspective on educators’ challenges in the modern learning environment.

One idea discussed in the video was the fact that in a changing world, there is increasing uncertainty about what the world will expect from the next generation. This is a difficult thing to gauge on the part of the youth, but it is also difficult for parents and educators who have the responsibility for preparing those youth. In light of a changing world, how should children be educated and what should they be educated toward?

The discussion turned to activities that engage youth and create a dynamic atmosphere that encourages them to learn. It is important to find good metrics by which to measure how motivated and engaged kids are, and try to bring out their best. Part of the discussion also addressed the idea of education as a virtue rather than an instrument. While many people today treat education as a tool that you either have or don’t, having the mindset of an educated person who is intent on learning requires restructuring of your approach to what education really means. Treating the state of being educated as a virtue rather than an instrument by which means are achieved changes the way you approach life.

The video discussed different types of learners and their benefits and challenges. One important recurring theme was that if we don’t know what the future will ask of us, it is difficult to be personally instrumental in preparing for it. This can require a change in our approach, not only personally but societally. The tools we have available such as AI can assist educators, but can also impede learning—as our society has to carefully detangle the complex education scene, our efforts are being compounded by the rapid onset of this new technology. Allowing youth to have rampant overaccess to AI is not only unproductive, it is dangerous. Understanding the challenges that affect the learning environment for our youth is paramount as we strive to help prepare them for what an ever-changing world expects of them.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Michael Keesee is a Project Manager serving in the IT department at the Charlotte headquarters office. In a recent forum to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Keesee shared some of his background in the project management field, as well as important principles that you can use in your own life.

The Profession of Making Things Happen

Put simply, project management is the process of overseeing and managing projects. Mr. Keesee described project management as the profession of making things happen. This is a basic principle that can reorient a professional tool into a method for approaching things in our own lives.

We use project management on some level every day. Whenever you make a to-do list, create a system for yourself, or take on a task, you’re managing a project. Sometimes the ideas you or I have can be broad, nebulous, and hard to apply to reality – the skills project managers bring to the table helps turn visions into fruition.

Why Make a Project?

There are plenty of instances where you might undertake a project. Whether you’re in school, a career, or being given a particular responsibility in some other area, at some point you’ll likely find yourself being given a major project to accomplish.

Some important first steps would be:

1. Find out who the experts are in what you’re trying to do and get their input.
2. Meet together.
3. Determine constraints such as time, money, and manpower.
4. Narrow the scope of the project as needed. What might contribute to or hinder your success?
5. Anticipate potential roadblocks.
6. Create a timeline for the completion of the project.
7. Build your team.

It’s important to build strong bonds of cohesiveness within your team, and to delegate when possible. Being able to share ideas and work well with people is an important trait of an effective project manager.

Family Weekend Games

Mr. Keesee shared anecdotes from many years of helping to organize winter Family Weekend games. When organizing a Church activity, it’s important to ask:

1. How can we facilitate building bonds of brotherhood in the Church?
2. How can we include everybody?

By applying the steps from the previous point and applying them to these specific questions, it’s easier to keep the big picture in mind, especially with Church activities. An effective Church activity should foster bonds of brotherhood and honor God. Mr. Keesee stated that although he hadn’t expected to help out in this capacity, he has grown to enjoy coming up with ideas for these games, and his experience in project management has helped simplify the process of organizing them.

Lessons From Project Management

Mr. Keesee’s past experience in software development has helped him adapt to his role in IT at headquarters, and like him, we all have opportunities in life to take responsibility for different projects. A project manager is someone who takes a vision and is able to make it happen by using the tools at their disposal, and especially by working well with people. The application of these principles is not merely for working professionals, but can be applied to all areas of life.

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David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

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These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. John Robinson is the Managing Editor for the Living Church of God. In a recent forum message to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Robinson shared some of his experiences working in the print media industry, as well as some aspects of the Managing Editor’s job.

Experiences Are For a Reason

Mr. Robinson has a long background in print and publishing. He related to the students that many of the experiences, skills, and knowledge he gained as part of this career were not always directly applicable to his then-job. As time went on, he wondered why he would have certain experiences in life. It was 12 years ago that the job offer was posted for the Managing Editor for the Church—and the description matched him perfectly. 

Since then, it became clear to Mr. Robinson that the experiences he was given earlier in life were meant to suit him in the role God gave him later. This was an important lesson Mr. Robinson stressed to the students—while you may not always understand why you’re experiencing something, God is working out all things for good (Romans 8:28). The experiences and skills you gain now may come into play later on in ways you never imagined.

Principles of Design

One major aspect of Mr. Robinson’s job involves design. In his words, design is organizing information. This goes further than organizing visual elements in an aesthetic way, but also includes assessing the purpose of the design, accounting for every detail that goes into the creative process, and eliminating mental clutter. 

One challenge designers face is the fact that the human brain is always looking for a reason to stop reading. As a result, the layout process for the Church’s print media must be completed with care and deliberate intent. Mr. Robinson spoke in detail about the intentionality behind the design elements the Church uses. Everything—the fonts used, the sizes, the colors, even the amount of words in a line—serves a purpose, and is designed to make the reading experience as easy on the reader as possible, while also retaining the core intent of the original author’s vision. Mr. Robinson is a large part of this process, overseeing the layout, versioning, and editing of print media, from the Tomorrow’s World/Living Church News magazines to the booklets.

Design in Your Life

Mr. Robinson’s previous career in print and publishing led him to be a qualified and valuable asset to the editorial process in the Church. Just as the experiences that helped him reach that point did not always make sense, sometimes the things we experience in our day-to-day lives do not always make sense until later. The lessons we learn, skills we gain, and experiences we have may become relevant later on, and we must always have faith in God that He will be able to use those experiences for His benefit, in His timing—and it may mean you end up somewhere you never expected. Mr. Robinson stressed to the students that God is actively involved in all our lives, and is tailoring a life experience unique to all of us.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.