I’ve known Shannon for a few years now, and I do know that her heart is one for God’s people, all people. So, if you would…
As some of you know, I have been striving over the last six years to serve out my call to ministry and be as faithful a servant as I can be. It has been my great joy to lead two new communities filled with people who have lots of hurts and needs and even more questions about what it means to follow Jesus. Having not grown up in the church and faced many difficult times myself, I find it easy to relate. It’s been an amazing whirlwind time that has required a tremendous sacrifice of love, control, time and money by not only myself but my family-it has been the most trying and yet the most joyful time in my life. Now, as I am continuing to delve deeper into this wonderful journey, I am seeking out others who, like me, have a passion to live among people, not throw church at them; who see that you can’t claim to follow Jesus and yet refuse to get your hands dirty and serve sacrificially; who understand that church is not a building and that we should love and live alongside people everywhere-not just the ones who show up on Sunday. I need to be among those who are willing to think outside the box and reclaim the crazy, joyful, and authentic meaning of being church and living like Jesus. This is why I’ve decided to join Forge-a missional network of people who are embarking on this kind of journey all over the world. You can learn more about Alan Hirsch, Michael Frost and this organization at www.forgeamerica.org orwww.forgedallas.org (my local hub).
This is a network that trains, supports, and holds participants accountable-it’s precisely the kind of community I need right now. I will continue my work in the church I currently serve but simultaneously seek to learn and grow through this residency, but I need support from you, my friends, my brothers & sisters. Like most programs there is a cost for this residency and normally I would just pay for it like I do for most any workshop and as I did for seminary but in learning to live as a missionary in my own context, I am being asked to put myself out here and see if I have been impacting lives and bearing fuit, to trust in the generosity of others; I am asking (which makes me a little uncomfortable but I think that’s a good thing) that 10 of you covenant with me, most importantly to pray for me and my ministry over the next 9 months, and also to support me in this missionary process with a donation of $25/mo (or a one-time donation of $225). The money goes to supplies/books, meeting space, childcare, etc. and not someone’s pocket (everyone involved at Forge raises his/her own missionary support and makes nothing off the fees-we are all giving of our time and energy freely).
If you would be willing to pray for and support me, if you believe that God is calling me and working through me, or if you have any questions about Forge or my ministry, please email me at revshannonmurray AT gmail DOT com and I’ll be happy to get back to you personally. This idea of asking for help is really a new thing for this pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-straps kind of girl, but I think it’s good for me to get out of my comfort zone and learn to receive generosity as well as give generously. If there is ever any way I can support you, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please know that my love, gratitude, & prayers are with you all.
In Christ, Shannon
Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
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