About Us
Equipping leaders, helping churches thrive
Our mission is to equip and serve church leaders and other Christ-followers for God’s mission in the world. In so doing, we provide tools to help you lead more skillfully and we offer resources and conversation partners to nurture your spiritual health. Ultimately, we hope that the services we provide will help local congregations and the church at large to flourish.
As a team, we work diligently to expand our offerings and to address the ever-changing landscape of congregations in the 21st century.
WHOM WE SERVE
In the spirit of our Stone-Campbell heritage, we welcome opportunities to work with any churches and leaders who seek the types of resourcing we provide and who choose to utilize our services. Because of our context and experience, we are best equipped to serve those in a free church tradition – one without formal denominational structures.
With an expanding portfolio of resources, we offer resources for a variety of Christian leaders: ministers, church planters, ministry directors, chaplains, elders, small group leaders, and those who simply are committed to a robust Christian witness.
WHAT WE DO
For a snapshot of some of the ways we have been partnering with churches through the last year, you can view 2023-24 Year in Review booklet via this digital (PDF) version.
“Our ability to be on the road with ElderLink and Equipping for Ministry events has returned. We have welcomed people back onto ACU’s beautiful campus for Summit. We are also witnessing growth in the opportunities to consult and walk alongside more and more congregations as they face an array of challenges and opportunities! The Siburt Institute is journeying with elder groups, ministers and other church leaders as they navigate a wide range of challenges and opportunities.” —Carson Reed, Executive Director
History
Abilene Christian University established the Siburt Institute in 2012, reflecting the university’s commitment to engage with congregational leaders and to support and resource the vital work of churches across the nation. Royce Money, ACU chancellor, was the institute’s first executive director, and Carson Reed now serves as executive director for the Siburt Institute and vice president for church relations.
OUR NAMESAKE, DR. CHARLES SIBURT
Dr. Charles Siburt
The institute bears the name of the late Charles Siburt, who was affectionately known as the “church doctor.” Charles was a respected churchman who committed his personal and professional life to understanding the complex needs of congregations struggling with communication, conflict resolution, administration, and leadership training. He was a beloved mentor and father figure to countless numbers of students, providing encouragement and counsel long after they transitioned into ministry. You can read some of his famous sayings, affectionately dubbed “Charlie-isms.”
Dr. Siburt joined the Abilene Christian University faculty full time in 1988 and was one of ACU’s leading voices in churches for over 20 years. Formerly ACU’s vice president for church relations, he also served as associate dean for ministry programs and services, O.L. and Irene Frazer Professor of Church Enrichment, director of the Doctor of Ministry program, and director of the Center for Church Enrichment. Read more.
In 2012, ACU established the Siburt Institute in Charles’s memory, reflecting the university’s commitment to engage with congregational leaders and to support and resource the vital work of churches across the nation.Royce Money, ACU chancellor, was the institute’s first executive director, and Carson Reed now serves as executive director for the Siburt Institute and vice president for church relations. In 2023, our associate director, David Kneip, sat down with Royce to talk about Dr. Siburt, his ministry, and his legacy; you can listen to that interview at our podcast page.