As I talk with a lot of folks from a lot of different areas, I know these last few months have taken their toll on all of us. There are so many emotions in this season. Some are struggling with fear. Others are mourning loss. There’s more than enough anger and frustration to go around.… Continue reading How Are You Preparing to Love Your Neighbors in the Months to Come?

I’ve been thinking about gathering and scattering lately. I’m sure some of you have as well. Most of us have gone a long stretch of time where we couldn’t gather with our local congregations in the way we were accustomed. Even as many congregations have begun to reopen, we’re discovering that it’s not going to… Continue reading Are We Willing to be Scattered?

This week I want to make you aware of several resources that might prove helpful in navigating these difficult days we’re all living through. Race, Justice and the ChurchOur friends at Winebrenner Theological Seminary (www.winebrenner.edu) and the Winebrenner Alumni Association are hosting an online event on Race, Justice and the Church this coming Thursday, July… Continue reading Resources and Upcoming Learning Opportunities

It’s an honor to have Dr. Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary step in as a guest blogger today. Brent has some very exciting news about how WTS is working to make seminary education far more accessible than it’s ever been. I expect that many of you will want to share this news with… Continue reading WTS Makes Theological Education More Accessible

I know that might seem like a silly question, perhaps even a little hurtful. Look at the past four months! Of course we’re disturbed! Our normal rhythms have been disrupted. Some of us don’t know what to do without live sports on ESPN. Some of you have developed a new appreciation for NASCAR because it’s… Continue reading Are You Disturbed?

Our society tends to move on rather quickly. Sometimes that’s not all bad. I’m glad parachute pants didn’t become a fixture of American society. It was okay to let Milli Vanilli have their fifteen minutes of lip-synching fame and then move on to the next flavor of the month. There are many, many examples of… Continue reading Don’t Just Move On

I mentioned to a friend earlier today that I was never discipled in social media as a follower of Jesus. I was discipled about a lot of things: what was okay to drink or not to drink, whether I could wear an earring or not (and which ear), what kind of music to enjoy, and… Continue reading Seeking the Kingdom First and the Challenge of Social Media

This coming Monday will mark three weeks since George Floyd was killed by a police officer on a street in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It’s been three long weeks. We’ve seen this before. Again! I’ve had several black friends reflect upon their initial response to the news of Floyd’s death: Again. It’s happened again. It’s almost expected… Continue reading I Can’t Breathe – Why We Can’t Go Back to Normal

My brother Bill Shoemaker loved to teach the truth found in scripture. This past Friday, Bill taught us one last lesson from James 4:13-14, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even… Continue reading In Memory of Bill Shoemaker

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Bill Shoemaker, Director of Mobilizing Disciples, passed away Friday evening May 29, 2020 after developing complications from surgery following a heart attack. We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear brother and co-laborer in Christ, but we don’t grieve as those without hope (1… Continue reading