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.

Facilitated By: Amanda Pittman and Wes Crawford

Formed: Practicing Our Way into a Bigger Story with God Together

How are churches forming and equipping adults in times of cultural upheaval? In the face of competing stories, church leaders can help others lean into God’s expanding story. But what story are we telling about God? In this community, we will first explore the story of God’s abundant life-producing love that Jesus shows us and how that story forms us. We will then engage, share, and generate creative and practical ways churches can cultivate adult transformation.

Facilitated By: Rachel Howell and Steven Carrizal

We can’t afford to waste a single moment with our kids! Every time and space holds opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children, their families, and the kingdom of God. But, do we always feel equipped to handle the many challenges facing our children and their families? Join fellow children’s ministers and mental health experts as we explore ways to best serve our children and families to make a lasting impact on the kingdom. As we explore the theme of Holy Discomfort: Our Journey toward God, we will identify areas for the individual and the collective to be fully engaged and present with God as we seek to recognize God’s presence in all of life’s uncomfortable spaces. We will create sacred space for those who minister with children to express their feelings to a Holy God, and we will examine ways to move our children and ourselves closer toward God. Come, be fed, and grow in connection with others who pour into the lives of children and their families.

Facilitated By: Stacey Losher and Jeremiah Haywood

Experience the transformative power of holy discomfort as you embark on a spiritual journey. Join us for an inspiring event that invites you to explore the depths of your spirituality and confront the profound questions that shape our existence. We'll delve into personal growth, surrender, crisis, and paradox through four in-depth sessions. We want to consider how we move closer to God in community and with each other, knowing that we will be called upon to lean on each other at discomfort points. We will ask ourselves, what does it mean to embrace holy discomfort? We want to encourage ourselves to imagine this discomfort for the ministry and community.

Facilitated By: Alejandro Ezquerra and Omar Palafox

Holy discomfort is fueling a much-needed critical assessment of typical "missions" practices. Local ministry leaders, long-term American missionaries, and missiologists have long been calling for fundamental change. Summit's missions community will explore how congregations can faithfully respond to that critique. What would it look like to reorient our own church communities away from “missions” and toward life together in Jesus's kingdom on earth? And what would that mean for how modern American churches understand themselves within their own local contexts? We’ll start close to home, exploring principles and characteristics for American churches to embody within our local communities. We'll then ask how these same principles could transform our interactions with our global neighbors so that our cross-cultural relationships and partnerships nurture humility, mutuality, dignity, and faithful long-term transformation. Join us as we explore Kingdom-oriented approaches to our participation in God's mission.

Facilitated By: Zane McGee and Joel Ruch

Hard Spaces, Divine Invitations: Leaning into Difficulty and Finding the Good Word God Has Given You

Ours is a challenging time for preachers. Congregations are in decline, leadership teams are anxious, and our members are divided and suspicious. Those called to preach in this climate are pressured from every side. But what if this were also a time in which preachers have a unique invitation to speak a Word from the Lord as never before? Could it be that this challenging season holds a holy discomfort, one that can lead us to discover our true calling as those charged with preaching a Word from the Lord for this time and place? The preaching community at Summit this fall will create space for preachers to reflect on the challenges they face in their preaching ministries. We invite you to join us while we lean into these questions, so that we might discern God’s invitation to participate in the good work God is already doing in your church community.

Facilitated By: Cynthia Ownby and Mason Lee

Every minister and church has undergone a transition period of some sort, and oftentimes, these moments are filled with stress and discomfort. Transitions can be disheartening or confusing. They can also bring about hurt and uncertainty about the future. Ministers may wrestle with emotional, spiritual, financial, and personal burdens, and churches may experience conflict. The small church community will examine how to move forward in healthy ways and provide ideas and resources that can help the healing process begin. It will also explore positive ways that churches and ministers can interact with each other so that when a new partnership begins, it will be fruitful and lasting. Come participate in this conversation as we walk through ministry in small churches together.

Facilitated By: Shawn Johnson and Austin Wright