I was born in Southern California and graduated from Thousand Oaks High School. I received a B.S in Ministry from Bethany Bible College in Scotts Valley, CA, and a Master’s in Ministry (Leadership) from the Graduate School at Southwestern Christian University. I moved to the Little Portion Community in Eureka Springs, AR to join the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, where for four years I was the only Assemblies of God minister who was also a monk. After leaving the Little Portion, I married Barbara in 1994.
I enjoy playing piano, photography (the family calls me Papa-razzi), and writing. But my real passion is teaching Scripture and seeing lives changed by the truth of God’s love.
I’ve written a book about my time at the Little Portion Hermitage called Taking Off My Comfortable Clothes. Many of the posts are from this book I hope to see published soon. Other posts are from a collection of essays I call Scriptures That Bother Me: Letting the Message Shape the Messenger. Eveybody has their favorite Scriptures. These are my least favorites, because the pinch and prod and remind me of how far I’ve yet to go in my decision to be a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth. I figure if I’m bothered by these Scriptures, then I’ll share my misery with you!
In September 13, 2009, I became the lead pastor at Cathedral of Praise, Independence, KS. If you are ever visiting our town, you are welcome to be our guest.
Wow! Awesome! You are the MAN! Keep rocking it out for JesusChrist!
By: streetministry on December 15, 2008
at 11:34 am
Wow. Very interesting. Your posts have a very interesting angle.
Would love for you to join the Assembly of God Blogs network! (The website it the Network ‘home’. Look along the right hand side for ‘click here for code’ on how to join this growing network.)
~Sharon~
(An A/G Pastor’s Wife in Indiana)
By: Sharon on January 4, 2009
at 2:46 pm
I’ll look into it. But since I’m not longer a minister with the Assemblies of God, will they still let me join the group?
By: Jim Thornber on January 5, 2009
at 7:41 am
Hi Jim
You and I went to Bethany at the same time, but I can’t remember you and your face doesn’t look familiar. (I’m from Marin County, CA, and was at Bethany from 1981 – 86). Another old Bethany friend pointed me to your website yesterday. It’s quite interesting.
I’ve been married to a lady from India since 1987, and we now live in Calcutta.
I’m still Pentecostal, but both my wife and I now find that Catholic writers are almost the only ones who can nourish us spiritually and intellectually. My wife is a big fan of Brother David Steindl-Rast (she has most of his books); and the only theologian who is helping me make sense of my bizarre Indian life is a Jesuit scholar from Harvard Divinity School named Francis X. Clooney.
Please write back to my email if you get a chance. And if you can attach a picture of yourself during the Bethany years, it might jog my memory.
God bless,
Jonathan Rice
By: Jonathan Rice on January 8, 2009
at 5:59 am
I’m going to spend some time looking through your blog (after dinner and the kids are in bed).
Some time ago my pastor helped me realize that I “think out loud.” For me, sometimes it’s messy. But not as messy as it was.
By: mssc54 on January 21, 2009
at 3:14 pm
I told my wife about your comment. She said that she should get together with your wife and start a support group for wives with husbands like us!
By: Jim Thornber on January 22, 2009
at 7:54 am
Jim,
Hey Brother, Aimee Larson Murphy here….from looooong ago and far away!!! From reading your blog, you seem to be doing well, PTL!! It’s been a long time and I’ve thought of you often, glad to see you are an old married man…any kids?? Robie and I will be married 18 years next Monday and have 22 grandkids!!! We are blessed! Write when you get a minute…Blessings in Jesus!!
By: Aimee Larson Murphy on July 30, 2009
at 5:37 pm
Jim-
Yet another blast from the past- TOHS. I’m not sure what possessed me to Google you, but I’m glad I did. You seem very well. I am also. Response unnecessary – assuming that you remember me. Know that I think of you often.
Angie Robinson
By: Angie on August 6, 2009
at 12:53 am
So I’m just curious how you deal with the things in your community that are contrary to your beliefs. I mean, there are many many Catholic teachings that conflict with Assemblies of God, so how do you reconcile that?
By: normbetland on August 18, 2009
at 8:22 pm
Norm,
If you’ll read my post “Truth is a Rainbow,” (http://jimthornber.com/2009/06/24/truth-rainbow) I think you’ll have a better understanding of how I reconciled those two divergent beliefs.
Jim
By: Jim Thornber on August 19, 2009
at 5:26 am
Hello, Mr. Thornber,
I stumbled across your blog while researching The Woman at the Well. I found your post concerning John 4:1-42 to be incredibly insightful and challenging.
I am leading a ladies’ retreat for our church in October and this passage is my text. I am seeking God’s face (and favor) to see what he wants these women to glean from this unprecedented event in the New Testament.
Often we are far too gullible–accepting interpretations of Scripture blindly. I, too, have swallowed others’ interpretations and have failed to follow the Bereans’ example.
Thank you for a candid survey of a story we think we think we know and understand so well, but not perhaps as well as we thought.
May our God continue to speak and teach through you and your blog.
Because of his grace,
Tamera
By: Tamera on September 2, 2009
at 4:40 pm
Exploring Protestant Evangelical Monk and Intentional Christian Communities (Acts 4). Desire for Christians to disciple/live/serve/pray/study together. Just starting out with 3 houses on 2+ beautiful acres in inner city, high crime, low economic area of Orlando (NOT Disney World). Accepted 9 residents (needed $) before fully forming thoughts on mission. We have community gardens, bible study, discipling, tutoring, music classes, and art. Any advise for finding the right people or bringing the ones we have together.
By: debra creighton on February 18, 2010
at 10:38 am
New to WordPress. So glad to have come across your blogs.
By: vimago on March 5, 2010
at 5:10 pm
Powerful! Your story makes me smile.
God bless you,
Mary
By: marycoxpace on March 9, 2010
at 11:39 am