General Interest

Just before Jesus begins the journey to Jerusalem, he invites his disciples to follow after him on a journey characterized by his own self-giving, cross-bearing way of life: “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Through the central chapters of his Gospel, Luke invites us to journey to the cross along with Jesus and the disciples, listening as Jesus teaches about the defining characteristics of life walked in the Way of the Lord. Those characteristics are as essential—and as radical—now as they were then. We’ll spend our time as a community closely exploring these defining characteristics, imagining together what it means to both hear these words of Jesus and put them into practice in our current contexts, relationships, and ministries.

COMMUNITY SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12

10:00 - 10:50 a.m. | “The Journey to Jerusalem in Luke’s Gospel” | Wes Crawford

11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | "Pull Up a Chair: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Table Fellowship" | Heather Gorman

2:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Sessions 1 and 2 Wrap Up and Discussion | Amanda Pittman

2:30 - 3:20 p.m. | “Rich Toward God: Luke’s View of Possessions” | Ken Cukrowski

3:40 - 4:20 p.m. | “To Fear or Not to Fear? Jesus' Teaching on Fear and Worry in Luke 12” | Kindalee Pfremmer De Long

4:40 - 5:30 p.m. | Sessions 3 and 4 Wrap Up and Discussion | Wes Crawford

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13

8:45 - 9:35 a.m. | “Persistent Prayer in Luke’s Gospel” | Amanda Pittman

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. | Final Session and Section Wrap Up and Discussion | Amanda Pittman and Wes Crawford

FACILITATORS

AMANDA PITTMAN

Amanda Pittman did undergraduate and graduate work at ACU before going on to do a Th.D. at Duke University, focused on Christian formation and the New Testament. In her role as an associate professor in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry at ACU, she teaches New Testament survey courses along with courses on Luke, Acts, and Christian formation. Her scholarship and ministry seek to integrate the insights of the New Testament and practical theology in service of Christian formation. Amanda and her husband live in Abilene with their two young sons.

WES CRAWFORD

Wes Crawford is associate dean of the Graduate School of Theology and assistant professor of church history at ACU, where he also directs the Center for Restoration Studies. His research interests center on American religion generally and the intersection of race and religion specifically. His book, Shattering the Illusion: How African American Churches of Christ Moved from Segregation to Independence, examines the relationship between white and Black members of Churches of Christ throughout the 20th century. In addition to his academic pursuits, Wes also served as a preaching minister for 20 years in Texas, splitting time between Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock and Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler. Wes and his wife, Kim, have been married for over 20 years and have four children.

sessions

THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS

WES CRAWFORD

Associate Dean & Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Theology (Abilene Christian University)
“The Journey to Jerusalem in Luke’s Gospel”

HEATHER GORMAN

Professor of New Testament, School of Bible and Theology (Johnson University)
"Pull Up a Chair: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Table Fellowship"

THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS

KEN CUKROWSKI

Associate Professor, Graduate School of Theology; Dean, College of Biblical Studies (Abilene Christian University)
“Rich Toward God: Luke’s View of Possessions”

KINDALEE PFREMMER DE LONG

Professor of Religion & Associate Dean of Seaver College (Pepperdine University)
“To Fear or Not to Fear? Jesus' Teaching on Fear and Worry in Luke 12”

FRIDAY MORNING SESSION

AMANDA PITTMAN

Associate Professor, Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry (Abilene Christian University)
“Persistent Prayer in Luke’s Gospel”