The writer of Hebrews describes the word of God as “alive and active” (Heb 4:12). In the book of 1 Peter, we read about its “living and enduring” nature (1 Pet 1:23), and likewise, the prophet Isaiah proclaims the purpose-filled movement that is central to God’s word (Isa 55:11). The gift of Scripture is that God has given it to us for the express purpose of instructing and guiding us, providing us wise counsel, and challenging us to deeply examine our own lives as we seek to be transformed into the image of Christ. In doing so, we come to know the Triune God more intimately as we bear witness to the living word of God.

 ACU is in its 116th year of Summit, and this spring’s edition focuses on the living word of God and the impact it has on our churches, our ministries, and our lives. Whether you serve in a specific area of ministry—either formally or informally—or simply seek to immerse yourself more fully into the message of God, we hope you will join us as we come into deeper conversation with the living word through each of these different areas.

 Our general interest community is being led by Dr. Amy Bost-Henegar and Dr. Don McLaughlin, and they have entitled it “Alive, Powerful, and Piercing: The Word of God in the Book of Hebrews.” They, alongside a number of Bible faculty, will focus on the challenges experienced both 2,000 years ago as well as today through an in-depth study of the book of Hebrews.

 The family ministry community, led by the family ministry team from McDermott Road Church of Christ, will explore how to create a family-centric ministry through the lenses of philosophy, strategy, and application. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, they will encourage participants to reflect on their specific contexts and challenges and imagine what family ministry might look like for them.

 Our Hispanic ministry community, led by Dr. Omar Palafox and Alejandro Ezquerra, is shaping a contextualized environment for contribution, collaboration, and intercultural communication. At Summit this spring, the Hispanic ministry community will discern, reflect on, and imagine what the living word means to each person both as followers of Christ and as larger ministry communities. 

Dr. Tiffany Dahlman and Joshua Jackson are leading the preaching community this spring. In it, special attention will be given to the challenges of preachers in ordinary, small, or rural churches (contexts that are quite extraordinary!). They will also engage in discussions such as open pulpits, soul care strategies, and sermon series that fellow preachers have found to be transformational.

Participants in the worship community will spend time considering the living nature of worship as speakers answer questions related to what a church’s worship is communicating. Jeff Nelson and Michael Stanford will lead the community as they and the presenters examine the unique considerations of worship ministry that are driven by the realities of ministry such as budget, special events, and more. 

We know Summit will be a blessing for all who attend. You can find more information about the different ministry communities, the Anchor Point dinner with keynote speaker Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne, and a link to registration by visiting the Summit website. Mark your calendars for the spring edition of Summit on March 30-31. Early registration ends Feb. 26, and registration closes on March 15. We hope to see you there!