More than once over the past few days, I have told several different individuals just how much I am looking forward to Summit. In each of these instances, the conversation has started with a person asking me a simple question about Summit, and it has ended with me waxing poetically for far too long about the tremendous blessing that I believe Summit is going to be.

Yes, I am excited by the fellowship that occurs within the whole of the Summit community as well as the opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones. However, it goes deeper than that. Even though I no longer serve in congregational ministry instead working to serve and equip ministers, whether those already in churches or the students in my classrooms, I look forward to walking alongside and learning from others who are serving so passionately across various contexts. I eagerly anticipate delving into Scripture in a way that opens up new knowledge or perspectives that I might not have otherwise considered. And I relish the thought of being enveloped by worship in a way where the joyful noise of the Lord is not just heard but also deeply felt. And perhaps most importantly, I am anxious to imagine what “holy discomfort” means in community with each other as we all seek to grow closer to God.

While Summit has become more centered on ministry communities, the general interest area has retained a more traditional “lectureship” model with the Biblical text as its focus. The general interest community, led by ACU Bible faculty Dr. Amanda Pittman and Dr. Wes Crawford, will concentrate on the Gospel of Luke as they examine Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem and how the pivotal moments of this journey shaped his ministry. As they begin with this turning point in his ministry, they have also invited other New Testament scholars to participate in this conversation and to consider ways Jesus’s teachings are relevant for us today. 

In the ministry-focused communities, facilitators have constructed unique opportunities for engagement that are specific to the needs of a ministry area. In the adult formation community, Rachel Howell and Steven Carrizal will lead a workshop experience that is collaborative in nature and focuses on how we are formed through elements such as story, practice, mission, and Scripture; the group will then imagine what that formation means for churches. Shawn Johnson and Austin Wright have partnered with experienced voices for the small church community, as they explore the health and vibrancy that is possible in small churches even in the midst of transitions. The preaching community, led by Cynthia Ownby and Dr. Mason Lee, will engage with their community in conversation from the perspectives of practitioner, pastor, and scholar, examining not only the challenges that can happen in preaching but the reimagination as well. And, they will do so through the words of the Psalmist. 

The other three communities—Hispanic ministry, children’s ministry, and missions—will be equally as impactful as the facilitators have listened to ministry leaders and churches to determine the important conversations that are desired and needed. Dr. Omar Palafox and Alejandro Ezquerra, leaders for the Hispanic ministry community, will explore the transformation that occurs as communities work together to grow closer to Christ and to each other while moving through points of discomfort. In the children’s ministry community, Stacey Losher and Jeremiah Haywood are encouraging ministers to lean into the importance of soul care in their own lives as they seek to learn more about building resilience in the lives of children. Moreover, they are empowering leaders to cultivate spiritual giftedness within their ministries. The missions community is asking the question, “What would it look like to reorient our own church communities away from a traditional perspective of missions and toward life together in Jesus’s kingdom on earth?” As facilitators, Dr. Zane McGee and Joel Ruch are partnering with experienced missionaries to engage in these conversations both locally and globally.

While the community gatherings will undoubtedly be meaningful, I am also excited by the opportunities that we will have to come together as a larger community and reflect on our theme of Holy Discomfort. This year, we will hear from keynote speakers Dr. Sara Barton, Dr. Don McLaughlin, and Rev. Esau McCaulley, Ph.D.—all thoughtful and powerful voices—as they explore “holy discomfort” as embodied through Scripture. 

It wouldn’t be Summit, though, without opportunities for worship and reflection, and we are blessed to have Dr. Jerry Taylor leading us in a devotional message meant to call us closer to God as a community of believers. And Stephen Maxwell will join us once again to lead us in times of praise that are meant to uplift and inspire. 

Can you tell that I am excited? 

As you can likely guess, I could go on and on about Summit this year— this synopsis is truly only a glimpse into our time together on Oct. 11-13! From the gatherings in smaller ministry communities, to the moments of worship, to the powerful words that will be shared by Esau McCaulley, we hope Summit will be a meaningful opportunity for renewal, support, and growth for you, and we invite you to join us as we journey closer to God and embrace “holy discomfort.”

For more information or to register, see our website at acu.edu/siburt-summit.