Churches and Leaders as Instruments of Peace (guidebook + videos)

Our congregations exist in divided times. Often the chaos around us creates unhealthy conflict within us. Yet churches are called to be a unifying force in such times. Join us as we challenge and equip congregations and their leaders to become instruments of peace for the sake of the world.

PATHWAY GUIDES

Eric Gentry and Wilson McCoy

GUIDEBOOK

Click below to flip through a digital guidebook, view recordings of each session, and explore resources to extend your learning. Additionally, the session videos are accessible in the Summit 2020 playlist on the Siburt Institute’s YouTube channel.

SESSIONS

THE CULTURE OF CONFLICT: Forces Shaping Our Divided Times

Carson Reed

In this session, we will explore cultural forces in the world around us that are challenging peace within our churches.

THE CHURCH OF UNITY: Historical Priorities for Our Movement Today

Douglas A. Foster

In this session, we will explore the unifying roots of the restoration movement and how those foundations might inform ways for our churches to pursue peace in our world today.

THE CHURCH OF TRANSITION: Staying Unified in the Midst of Change

Corey Trevathan

In this session, we will look at one minister’s experiences in churches that have undergone significant transitions and the lessons he has learned through those trying times.

THE PRACTICE OF UNITY: How to Do Healthy Conflict in Churches

Lori Anne Shaw

In this session, we will explore practical strategies that churches might implement in order to navigate conflict in healthy and God-honoring ways.

Speakers and Pathway Guides

DOUGLAS A. FOSTER

Douglas A. Foster is university scholar in residence at Abilene Christian University, where he taught church history and directed the Center for Restoration Studies from 1991-2017. His scholarly work has centered on the Stone-Campbell movement, the idea of Christian unity, and the history of white supremacy and racial oppression in American Christianity. Married in 1979, Doug and Linda have two children and two grandchildren.

ERIC GENTRY

Eric Gentry has been a preaching minister at Highland Church Christ in Memphis since 2012. Eric is a graduate of ACU and a board member for HopeWorks, an organization that provides hope and job training to the chronically unemployed and formerly incarcerated in Memphis. Eric and his wife, Lindsey, have three children.

WILSON McCOY

Wilson McCoy has served as the associate minister at College Hills since June 2010. In that time his focus has been on working with young professionals, life group ministry, preaching and teaching, and helping to cultivate an intergenerational focus in the life of the church. This focus on forming generations together resulted in his Doctor of Ministry project that he completed in 2016 with Lipscomb University.

CARSON REED

Carson Reed is vice president for church relations at ACU and executive director of the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry. Through the Siburt Institute, Carson does consulting work with congregations and church leaders across the country. His teaching and research center on practical theology with a particular focus on leadership, preaching, and issues surrounding faith and culture. Carson and his wife, Vickie, have four adult children.

LORI ANNE SHAW

Lori Anne Shaw has served as executive director at ACU’s Duncum Center Solutions since 2017. Lori Anne is also the director of registration operations for ACU's Dallas campus. Lori Anne sat for three years as a board member for the Texas Association of Mediators, five years as an officer for the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable, and is currently serving on the board of Come before Winter.

COREY TREVATHAN

Corey Trevathan is the preaching minister for the Riverside Church of Christ in Coppell, Texas. Corey has been in ministry for over 20 years, with the first 16 spent in youth ministry and the last five in preaching. He loves communicating God’s word in ways that helps others experience the love of Jesus. He and his wife, Alisha, are blessed with three kids.