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Realism & hope for
your mission and your audience

John Stackhouse is remarkably knowledgeable across cultural fields...I greatly respect his forensic skill in argument, his range of reference, and his forceful yet engaging modes of presentation.

David Martin†,
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, London School of Economics

Evidence-based counsel for those who want tomorrow to be significantly better than today.

CLARITY

Whether at the level of the concerned individual, in a social sector such as church, academy, or popular media, or even on a national scale, John Stackhouse specializes in identifying exactly what's going on. He draws on the social sciences to ground analysis in evidence and on philosophy and theology to call things by their proper names.

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CONTEXT

We can't move forward—as individuals, institutions, or societies—until we have thoroughly understood where we have been and what has brought us to the present moment. Only then can we plan for a better future. Wide training in history and experience in studying leaders and institutions equips Professor Stackhouse to help you understand your story, the story of your organization, and the story of your context

ACTIONABLES

Supported by decades of extensive research, John Stackhouse has more than a few good ideas about what works and what doesn't. As an ethicist, expert witness, and experienced institutional consultant, Professor Stackhouse makes recommendations for the real world. The mission of ThinkBetter Media is to offer you the best possible counsel: specific, concrete, and practical.

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To a group of well established, high-performing professionals seeking to enhance their
public service careers by studying at the Harvard Kennedy School, Dr Stackhouse put forth a productive,
charitable, and realistic approach to diversity aimed at helping decision-makers navigate a 21st-century marketplace.

Tyler Thigpen, University of Pennsylvania

Professor Stackhouse has addressed teachers in Malaysia, physicians in Canada, executives in Korea, ethicists in the United Kingdom, CEOs in the USA, scholars in China, student leaders in New Zealand, pastors in India, educators in Australia, and religious leaders in Israel.

 

He offers serious audiences around the world what such people seek from experts: analysis, explanation, and prescription.

He has given expert testimony to the British Columbia Supreme Court, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, and the Canada Revenue Agency. He's been privileged to counsel the leaders of major congregations, charitable agencies, camps, and professional societies. And he has offered personal coaching to CEOs, physicians, industry leaders, pastors, lawyers, and politicians.

Front-line academic work grounds the consultative work he does, drawing together both information and patterns from several disciplines: 

  • cultural, intellectual, and ecclesiastical history

  • sociology of religion

  • comparative religious studies

  •  philosophy of knowledge 

  •  philosophy of religion 

  •  historical and constructive theology.

This range of studies has prepared Professor Stackhouse to help individuals and organizations understand & solve their problems.

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HONG KONG UNIVERSITY

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Thoughtful questioners, problem solvers,

decision makers, and earnest disciples—

 

Analysis, explanation, and prescription for audience-specific topics

AVAILABLE LIVE OR VIRTUALLY

Professors & Teachers

  • Celebrating (and recovering) one's love of teaching

  •  How religion does (and doesn't) belong in the classroom

  •  What teachers should and shouldn't attempt with their students.

  • Faculty workshops on clarity of vocation

  •  Excellence in teaching

  •  Fruitfulness in scholarship.

Lawyers, Jurists, Politicians & Journalists

 

  • Individual and corporate religious rights

  • Multiculturalism; diversity, equality & inclusion; and CRT

  • God and public institutions

Health Professionals

  •  Conscience rights

  •  Bioethical controversies

  •  Issues of gender and sexuality.

Students &

Campus Groups

  • What it means to be a Christian citizen on campus

  • How to share one's faith and both courtesy and conviction 

  • Public lectures, missions & debates

Pastors & Ministry Leaders

  • Money (what it is and what it ought to be to us)

  •  Worship (what it is and how to do it well)

  •  Sexual ethics

  • Realistic and redemptive leadership structures

  • Effective preaching

  • Deep discipleship.

Churches

A lifelong churchman, Dr. Stackhouse has preached and taught in Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Christian Reformed, Evangelical Free, independent, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, nondenominational, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, and United congregations.

Can you imagine holding the attention of a group of divorce attorneys on the subjects of religion and philosophy for hours?

I was an organizer for a weekend of speakers for such a group. They are a tough and critical audience. I warned John Stackhouse, but he was willing to come anyway. And he was great. They loved him, and wanted more.

Sandra R. Murphy, McDermott Will & Emery, LLP, Chicago

KEYNOTES & SEMINARS

Who Are the Evangelicals—and What Do They Want?

Evangelicals are in the news—all around the world. And evangelicalism is one of the fastest growing religious varieties in the world. But who are these people? Where did they come from? Where are they going? Are they dangerous?

Or are they among the most socially productive people on the planet?

 

"I'm Right. You're Wrong. Go to Hell"

How to Talk about Religion

How can we discuss our deepest differences, including religious differences, with both courtesy and conviction? How can we engage in conversation about spiritual matters—in school, on campus, at the workplace, in our families, and in our politics—as gift-giving rather than as martial arts?

How can diversity in religion mean greater mutual richness rather than greater hostile division?

Can I Believe? Can Anyone?

Defending & Commending the Faith in the Real World

Christianity is the most popular explanation of reality ever to appear. Two billion people today, across all lines of culture, profess to believe it.
But why? It's such a strange story: How is a man suffering on a Roman cross supposed to symbolize life and hope? And it's such a strange religion: How is the chequered history of the Church supposed to impress anyone, let alone welcome them to join?

This is apologetics as gift-giving, not as martial arts.

The Ticking Bomb

Why Leaders Fail—and How to Keep Them from Failing

 How can leaders help their teams out of their strengths without hurting them out of their weaknesses? How can companies and churches structure themselves to keep leaders from

screw-ups & scandals?

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