Reimagining the Church & Renewing Church Leaders: Sabbath Church
Session 2 | Shepherd of the Valley, Afton

The American church has been too easily entangled in the power struggles of culture and politics — shaped more by the pressures of the age than by the Gospel. How do we find our way back?

This session explores the Sabbath Rule of God as the path to recovering our true identity and purpose as the Body of Christ.

Dr. Joel Lawrence will lead two in-depth sessions — tracing the ecclesial identity crisis of the American church, then digging into the Sabbath Rule as envisioned in the creation narrative of Genesis and inaugurated in the incarnation of Jesus. As the church continues to navigate the pressure to conform to the political patterns of the age, the origins of Scripture offer a different vision — inviting us to re-order our aims toward becoming the Sabbath Church, witnesses to the rightful rule and order given in the beginning.

Pastor Michele Arndt will follow with an applied session on formation. If we are to re-form what has been conformed, it begins with identifying the old wineskins — and then asking better questions. Michele will share how she has developed formation spaces that shift from metrics focused on what to think to how to think, orienting congregations toward the kingdom of God rather than the powers of the age.

Wednesday, August 19 | 9 am – 1 pm
Can stand alone but builds on Session 1 (June 3).

*The cost of this event includes coffee, snacks, water, and lunch, all of which will be provided. If you are able to contribute $25, we ask that you do so under general admission. Scholarship options are also available for those who are unable to pay, and you will see that option under “get tickets.” We in no way want cost to be a barrier to attending this event. Thank you—we truly value and appreciate your integrity.