Canoeing the Mountains is a visionary series that invites The Shores Church to navigate uncharted territory as we approach our 100th year. Drawing from the leadership lessons of Lewis and Clark’s expedition—and grounded in the call of Scripture—we're learning how to lead and live faithfully when the maps we’ve depended on no longer apply. Like the Corps of Discovery, we find ourselves at the edge of a landscape no one fully anticipated. Our world, culture, and ministry context have shifted, and God is calling us to embrace adaptive leadership, courageous faith, and Spirit-led flexibility for the journey ahead.

Over these ten weeks, we’ll explore how to lead with conviction while letting go of outdated expectations, how to foster trust and unity as we navigate the unknown, and how to become a church that listens to the Spirit’s voice in real time. We’ll be challenged to rethink success, create margin for what truly matters, and stay deeply rooted in the mission of Jesus—making disciples who can thrive in this new frontier. Through it all, the heartbeat of this series is simple: while the terrain may have changed, the mission has not. And God is not finished writing our story.

Acts 15:1-11 (ESV)

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.[a] 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Tools For Staying United Amid Disagreement
1. Name It Early. Don’t spiritualize silence. Healthy churches talk.
2. Listen Beyond the Surface
3. Anchor in Testimony
4. Clarify Core vs. Preference
5. Submit to the Spirit and the Word

Great Commission
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the End of the age.”

For those exploring faith and checking out The Shores Church:

Whether you join us online or in person, Pastor Scott and Annie want you to know that you are genuinely welcome at The Shores Church. Our mission is simple: We want to help people live lives anchored to Jesus. That’s not a one-time moment—it’s a journey, and every journey starts with a first step.

If you’ve never decided to accept God’s forgiveness and declare Jesus as the Lord of your life, today could be the day everything changes. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Salvation is the beginning of a life anchored in Jesus. It’s a personal belief that God sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day. But it’s also more than belief—it’s a confession. It’s saying out loud, “I need Jesus, and I want Him to lead my life.”

If you’re ready to take that step, your prayer could be as simple as this:
"Jesus, I believe You are for me. I believe You died, were buried, and rose again for me. I confess I am a sinner, and today I receive Your forgiveness. I declare that You are the Lord of my life. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer—or are still processing—we would love to hear from you. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.