Mission Statement
Lifework Forum is an organization presenting patterns for living to both religious and secular audiences. We are dedicated to the application of Biblical truths to all areas of life. We place an emphasis on the practical outworkings of our discoveries. It is our desire to bring fresh insights to traditional thought as we confront age-old questions and current issues.
The name
Lifework Forum comes from the concept that a person's life is his or her work. As with an artist's lifework, one ought to be able to look back over what has been produced and see the expression of a worldview. For the Christian, that means clear evidence of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.
The heart of our ministry is Romans 12:1-2. We urge you to look these verses up and reflect on their meaning.

Biographies

 

J. Curtis Lovelace, Executive Director of Lifework Forum, has lectured on four continents. He holds Political Science, History and Doctor of Ministry degrees. His work experiences include serving in the U.S. Navy and teaching at the secondary, college and graduate levels. An award winning writer, Curt has had articles published in numerous periodicals, has served as managing editor of a small group of weekly newspapers and as a pastor of several churches. He currently serves as pastor of a small but growing congregation in rural Maine.

Curt and Sandra have been married for over 40 years and are the parents of two daughters. They also have three grandchildren (so far!). They are former board members of MassHOPE, an organization of home educators, and speak widely on that topic. They have worked together on television and radio. Visiting and living in other cultures has enriched their appreciation of the diversity of God's people. They served on the staff of L'Abri fellowship in Switzerland. The Lovelaces bring a wealth of education and experience to their ministry.
 

Our staff also includes several part-timers who assist us in various manners.
 

Please check out our other pages for a glimpse of what God has been doing with us and how we can minister to you, your church, or your organization.

Sandra A. Lovelace is an international speaker who is known for her "candor and warmth." She holds a graduate degree in Communication Arts. Her teaching experiences include public, private, outdoor and home education. As the Co-Director and Educational Consultant for Lifework Forum, Sandra has lectured and consulted around the US and in Europe and Asia. She received the Massachusetts Full-Time Homemaker Award in 1987 and is currently the International Consultant for HSLDA. Also an award winning writer, Sandra has had articles published on a variety of topics and completed the manuscript for her first book.

Topics

 
Curt and Sandra are prepared to address whatever subjects your group may wish to explore. The topics listed below are simply a partial list of those they have already presented at conferences and seminars. Workshops, seminars and retreats can be arranged to fit your needs.
 
Christian Living

A Dead Dinosaur
Many call our age a "post-Christian era." They say that the church is like a dinosaur and should be declared extinct. Curt takes a look at popular worldviews in America today and offers Biblical responses.
 
Angels in the Pews
There is a strong Biblical mandate for children to be included in the corporate worship experience. Curt presents the Scriptural support for this concept. Sandra provides practical suggestions for parents who are unsure how to accomplish it. Many details that enrich and expand the child training and education experience of the home school family are explained.
 
Christians and Culture
How can the Christian relate to his or her environment? How can we carry out our responsibility to be salt and light in our society without being assimilated by the culture? Curt deals with these questions in the light of Biblical commands.
 
The Christian Family at Risk
 In this startling and fact-filled lecture Curt and Sandra discuss the forces which are out to undermine our families. They also explore the Biblical means by which to combat the onslaught.

Unequally Yoked
For some wives, living with an unsaved husband is an incomprehensible trial. Sandra speaks to what she calls God’s incomparable classroom from her years of personal experience. In this series of dynamic workshops she will address the issues of attitude, position and submission through the grid of Scripture.
 
The Christian Mind and the Media
Christians cannot help but be affected by the media bombardment to which they are subjected daily. This is a discussion about the various media which affect us and practical ways in which to deal with them.
 
The Framework for the Christian Life
Curt looks at some of the popular views of the bible today. Then he opens God's Word to see what it says about itself. In Scripture we discover the only framework which will enable us to build a life which is pleasing to God.
 
Lost at Sea
The struggles and conflicts of life often make us feel like a ship's captain looking for a safe port in a storm with an empty horizon and no compass. That harbor can be found and assistance is available. Sandra outlines the principles she has learned in the art of long-suffering.

Giant Midgets
Adult children, raised in dysfunctional families, often have difficulty dealing with life in a mature way. Vast amounts of research and personal contacts allow the Lovelaces to bring hope to those caught in this dilemma, as well as those who wish to support them.
 

What’s it All About?
Pursuing the Christian life in the midst of a fallen world is filled with challenges. In this three part retreat format Sandra addresses the basic issues outlined in Scripture for running the race with victory. She presents information and insights on a personal, congregational and community level.

Other Christian Recovery Topics Include:
A Call to Christian Recovery
• Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Tools? (Is the "Twelve Step" model appropriate for Christians?)
• Perfectionism
• Harnessing a Volcano (Anger and the Christian)
• Cycle of Fear

Topics particularly for men
 

Headship, Submission and Other Hard Stuff From the Bible
A series of talks for Christian men regarding their roles in the church and the family. We explore what the Bible tells us about not only our roles, but the balance between those roles. Titles include “Be a Man (of God),” “Be THE Man,” and “Be Her Man.”

What in The World Am I Doing Here?
We all remember the phrase “finding ourselves.” Especially in the 1960s and ‘70s (but still today, as well), people would check out of life in general and tell people they were trying to “find themselves.” Some ran off to communes; some just got stoned and pretty much stayed that way; some turned to religion. For those who weren’t just using this concept as an excuse to drop out, there were some serious issues involved. In a sense, they were or are asking the same questions we all ought to consider: Who am I? What am I doing here? What am I supposed to be doing?

  Education Topics
 

With more than 60 years of experience as educators, between them, in a variety of settings all over the world, the Lovelaces are able to share Biblical, philosophical and pedagogical insights to those interested in their childrens' education.

Dealing With Difficulties
From the moment parents decide to pursue a program of home education it seems opposition and problems abound. Curt and Sandra will outline the various areas of difficulty with Biblical principles and advice to conquer them.
 
Extinguishing Burnout
Even the most dedicated Christian home schooling parents sometimes feel overwhelmed. Curt and Sandra discuss both the symptoms and solution to this perplexing problem. Using a Biblical example, they present God's truth.
 
Francis Schaeffer on Education
Though theologian Francis A. Schaeffer of L'Abri Fellowship never wrote a book on education, his writings are full of his educational philosophy. Curt and Sandra share from his extensive works as well as their personal relationship with the Schaeffers as they present this biblical worldview.
 
Fresh Wind in the Doldrums
A doldrum is a period of stagnation. Sometimes home educators (and others) experience a slump. Maybe it's related to weather, maybe the time of year. Curt and Sandra discuss reasons and resources in this talk which is intended to encourage those caught in a listless period.
 
Games and Learning Go Hand-in-hand
Whether store-bought or homemade, games can enrich the educational environment of your home. Sandra will outline the various benefits of incorporating games into your homeschool and offer plenty of suggestions on the process. A generous resource list will be provided.

God is on the Move: Home Schooling Around the Globe
Sandra will provide information on the development in the home school community worldwide. Specific details and personal stories from both national and expatriate families will be presented. You will learn ways to support your brothers and sisters overseas.
 
Home Education: A Biblical Alternative
What is home education? Is it biblical? How do you teach your own children? Is it right for my family? Curt and Sandra outline this family-centered, Scripturally sound educational option. They also give an overview of the process.
 
Learning for a Lifetime: More Than a Homeschool Topic
Overseeing the education of our children can often strike parents as a daunting task. Understanding the goals of education from a Biblical perspective can be a great help in our efforts to raise godly offspring. Sandra offers encouraging insights as she presents these topics and offers ways to apply them to the broader role of parenting.

The Love of Learning
The Lovelaces believe that real education begins with a proper understanding of its goals. From understanding Biblical perspectives on education to making decisions on how to apply them, they offer many encouraging insights.
 
Memoirs of a Homeschool Mom
Twenty years in the homeschool trenches and ten years later she’s still alive to talk about them. God’s sanctifying work has taken Sandra from the joy of finding one other homeschool family to the opportunity to care for families around the globe. Sandra will share her deepest memories, greatest lessons and richest blessings.

Nobody's Purfick
How do you keep going when nothing's going right? Curt supplies Biblical insights into the world in which we live and God's call to us. Sandra speaks from many years of experience as she provides practical support for developing perseverance.
 
The Nuts and Bolts of Success
Creating an educational philosophy sounds like an impossible task. The Lovelaces explain how to go about it step by step. They follow up with clear suggestions on how to meet your personal goals.
 
Passing the Baton: another generation for Christ
What’s it like to homeschool into the second generation? How do you pass the baton with confidence? Sandra and Jenna will answer these questions and many more. This mother and daughter pair will offer straight talk on reasons, responsibilities and relationships.

Pursuing a Christian Education at Home
Curt presents the Biblical foundation for pursuing this path. Sandra lays out the philosophical basis for each unique traveling family. A list of practical support materials is provided.
 
Reaping the Rewards
The home school environment is a fertile field to receive the blessings of the Lord. Curt will outline the Biblical truths about the consequences of pursuing this educational choice. Sandra will describe their manifestation in our lives.

Seasons of Service: God's Care in the Midst of Home Schooling
Encouragement for parents in the midst of the demanding days of active home school service. Without minimizing the stresses and strains, Biblical truth will be the support to stand firm and receive rich blessings. Personal examples and real life stories will enrich teaching points.
 
When Home Schoolers Rebel: Biblical Hope
Sandra presents a matter-of-fact look at the reality of rebellion in the home school family. She brings practical support through the examination of Biblical truth and the application of its principles. This topic is addressed out of our own experience through which God, in the face of confusion, pain and fear, lavished His love and grace on our family.
 
Why Should I? Discover the Value of Obedience
Curt and/or Sandra present Biblical lessons on obedience as the simple guideline for an abundant life. The principles and concepts are applicable to all families, but especially those who home school. Parents adjust their worldview in this area and then model and set Biblical standards for their children.

 

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