Rural Church
We are saved in a fabric, a community, woven together. The Gospel is that the King has come, the Kingdom has broken into the world in such a way that we might be saved–saved from disintegration, from coming undone, from being torn asunder. We know that the world is not okay. How can we weave wholesome fabric in our small towns, fabric that holds people together in the love of Jesus–the mission of God for the sake of the world–that is empowered by the Spirit of God? How can we join God in God’s Mission?
COMMUNITY DETAILS
Dr. Michael Harbour and Dr. Chris Cobbler are guiding the rural church community at Summit this fall. We are excited to have their dedication to and passion for rural churches leading this ministry area. Their desire to partner with others who are equally as dedicated to imagining what it means to lean into Woven Together will be a blessing to all who attend. Check back for more information on the different speakers who will contribute to this conversation.
Facilitators
MICHAEL HARBOUR
Michael was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He began his professional life in the restaurant business, working as a manager for Crystal’s Pizza in Tulsa, Denver, and Abilene. He has served five churches as their preaching minister. For the last eight years, he has worked with the 4th and Elm Church in Sweetwater, Texas. He has served as faculty and staff at Abilene Christian University and Grand Canyon University. He is also a professional photographer. He has studied at the University of Oklahoma, Stephen F. Austin State University, and ACU. He completed his D.Min. at ACU in 2006. His project was titled Blessing and Sending the Church into the World for the Sake of the World, Using Congregational Blessings as a Missional Enterprise. Michael and Sandra were married in Abilene, Texas in 1982. Their two children, Jake and Jacquie, make them proud.
CHRISTOPHER COBBLER
Dr. Christopher Wilberforce Cobbler Sr. was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and currently lives in Macomb, Michigan with his wife Kahra-lyn and their three children, Hannah, Christopher Jr., and Elijah. He has a wide variety of academic and congregational experience in the field of spiritual and vocational formation. His journey of faith was deeply shaped by the vivid Spirit-driven passion of his Pentecostal background and the high view of Scripture he shares with the Church of Christ heritage. He has served as a minister in Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, and nondenominational churches in Canada and the United States. Christopher graduated from Alberta Bible College, Rochester University, and Lipscomb University and has over fifteen years of pastoral experience. Christopher is currently the Executive Director of the Center for Vocational Formation and Dean of Vocational Formation at Abilene Christian University, Dallas Campus. His greatest passion is to see Christian communities become a sign, instrument, and foretaste of the kingdom of God.
SESSION INFORMATION
A host of voices will come together in the rural church community to imagine what it means to truly be the people of God throughout the community. How do we lean into our lived faith?
THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS
9:30 am | God Calls Us to Our Work
DR. CHRISTOPHER COBBLER
Chris serves ACU Dallas as the Dean and Executive Director for the Center for Vocational Formation. God Calls Us to Our Work, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are all on assignment from the Lord.
10:30 a.m. | Living in the Empire
DR. STEPHEN JOHNSON
Dr. Stephen Johnson, CEO for ACU Dallas, is also a skilled preacher who has expertise in apocalyptic literature. He will center us in the text of Revelation. His presentation is titled Living in the Empire.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS
1:30 p.m. | The Peace Table
DR. JERRY TAYLOR
Dr. Jerry Taylor, Director of the Carl Spain Center and retired Associate Professor Emeritus (ACU) will lead us in The Peace Table. How can we be brave to sit down together, across our perceived differences, between urban and rural, between conservative and progressive, and learn from each other? Could we gather in hospitable spaces and eat, laugh, and talk? Then, perhaps we could worship together.
2:30 p.m. | Making the Most of Our Opportunity
MELANIE GIBSON
Melanie Gibson, the Associate Minister at 4th and Elm in Sweetwater, Texas, will share with us a proven strategy for local missions in Making the Most of Our Opportunity.
3:30 p.m. | Foundations for Spiritual Champions
STEPHANIE BAKER
Stephanie Baker, the founder and director of Cornerstone Christian School in Sweetwater, Texas, will walk with us through the steps of starting a Christian School in Rural West Texas in her session on Foundations for Spiritual Champions.
FRIDAY MORNING SESSIONS
9:15 a.m. | Blessed Are the Peacemakers
DR. JOEY COPE
Joey Cope, an expert in conflict management and mediation will help us find ways to manage conflict in a godly way. Blessed Are the Peacemakers will help us explore how we would be better if we could stay together.
10:15 a.m. | Roundtable Discussion
The Friday morning session will close with a Roundtable discussion to close out our time together.