Week 7 – Presence in a Partisan World

Christ in the City, Week 7: Presence in a Partisan World with Jackson Gillespie This week we will finish up our conversation around Politics. Last week Rev. Jess Shults led us in a discussion about politics without contempt. This week, Jackson Gillespie will be speaking on Presence in a Partisan World. Drawing upon his doctoral work, Jackson will be giving … Read More

Week 6 – Presence without Contempt

Rev. Jess Shults is a pastor, teacher, and keynote speaker who brings deep pastoral wisdom to conversations about leadership, formation, and life together in divided times. She spent nearly two decades serving a local congregation, where she learned to guide communities through disagreement with patience, clarity, and care. At The Colossian Forum, Jess works closely with partners to translate formation … Read More

Week 6 – Politics and the Nervous System

Christ in the City – Wee 6: Politics and the Nervous System with Jess Shults This week we will jump into presence politics. Joining us is Rev. Jess Shults who will lead us in a discussion about politics without contempt. Jess is the Chief Operations Officer of the Colossian Forum, an organization dedicated to training churches and organizations in living … Read More

Week 5 – Presence in Another’s Pain

Christ in the City – Week 5: Presence in Another’s Pain with Richard Nelson. Last week Rev. Kyle Boer led us in a discussion about presence with our own pain. This week, we are turning outward. Richard Nelson will invite us into thinking about presence with other people’s pain, drawing upon his experience in working with individuals re-entering society from … Read More

Week 4 – Presence in our Pain

Christ in the City – Week 4: Presence in Our Pain This week we will jump into presence with pain: our own and others. Joining us is Rev. Kyle Boer who will lead us in a discussion about presence with our own pain, drawing upon his experience as a counselor. Then, next week Richard Nelson will invite us into thinking … Read More

Week 3 – Presence Across Difference

  Christ in the City – Week 3: Presence Across Difference with Dr. Carlos Thompson This week we will be continuing to talk about presence with people: ourselves and others. Last week counselor Scott Courey led us in a discussion about presence with our own stories. Now, Dr. Carlos Thompson will lead us in a discussion around presence across differences. … Read More

Week 2 – Presence with Ourselves

Scott Courey Scott Courey is a psychotherapist in private practice with 35 years of experience in marriage and relationship counseling. He earned his Master of Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University and also served for 11 years as Director of Counseling Services at a private Christian university. Scott and his wife Lisa have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. Scott’s … Read More

Week 1 – Presence in a Wandering World

Dr. Jessica Stovall Jessica Stovall serves as Assistant Professor-in-Residence of Counseling at Western Theological Seminary and as a limited licensed counselor at Leadlight Counseling. She earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In her clinical practice, Jessica is honored to counsel individuals, couples, and families experiencing the pain of relational trauma and disconnection. … Read More