During the recent Rio Texas annual conference gathering, guest teacher Blair Thompson-White spoke of the church forgetting over time its “why” in being the church. We were reminded that the “why” or purpose of the church is to simply be about fulfilling God’s dream for humanity, that of health and wellbeing, provision, and peace. God’s shalom comes to mind for me as God’s dream.

I sway between being preoccupied about the troubles and anxieties in the world and seeking to see glimpses of God’s glory and hope through the lives and experiences of people in the church, community, and world. I suppose others may experience the same. Steve Manskar of Discipleship Ministries offers a great expression of God’s shalom as “peace that is born of righteousness and justice that bring reconciliation, healing and wholeness to human bodies, souls, and communities.”

All this to say, I really want to be one who is pursuing God’s dream for the world. As the world has passed through times of pandemic, the context of anxiety and brokenness is apparent, and the world is crying out for shalom. We hear great stories of how these times have shaped and stretched the faith of the church for such a time as this, to be shalom-makers pursuing God’s dream for the world.

The Transformational Communities Network invites you to connect to the 2nd Annual SHALOM SUMMIT, October 20 & 21 at Travis Park Church, San Antonio, TX. The event speaker will be Shane Claiborne with special guest Fred Smith. 

Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author.  Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia.  He heads-up Red-Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “as if Jesus meant the things he said.”

Rev. Dr. Fred D. Smith Jr. has over 30 years of training and experience as an educator, strategist, facilitator, and innovator in public theology, especially in the field of faith and health. During last year’s inaugural Shalom Summit, Fred Smith inspired the participant’s to be bearers of shalom in pursuing God’s dream for the world.

To register for the 2nd Annual SHALOM SUMMIT, go to https://bit.ly/44YwrnZ.