NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN NETWORK
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THE UNITY PROJECT 2023
February 25, 2023
10am-2pm
Unfortunately, conflict is often the end of discipleship. After the initial excitement and commitment fade, the messiness of real life in the church often leads to conflicts that stall our attempts to grow as Christians. It can feel like conflict with other people is the main obstacle to growing as a Christian, so we often run from conflict and try to find a church with people who are just like us.
But what if conflict was the end of discipleship in another way--what if it was part of the goal of discipleship? What if growing as a Christian means learning to resolve conflicts with others in a Christ-like way? What if conflicts aren't obstacles to Christian growth, but the best opportunities we have to become more like Jesus?
At this year's Unity Project, our entire event will be focused on this idea: learning to view conflict, not as an obstacle to real ministry, but as the very core of discipleship. Our keynote speaker is Doug Marshall, lead pastor at Valley Christian Church as well as a certified Christian councilor and Pastorserve coach. We hope you can join us on February 25th for a day of great speaking, challenging practical discussions, and meaningful fellowship!
WHAT IS THE UNITY PROJECT?
The Unity Project exists to equip and encourage Christians to live up to the vision of Jesus: that his disciples would be known by their love for each other.
We are not a "unity movement"--we are not trying to merge denominations or make Christians agree on points of doctrine. We are a unity project: an ongoing conversation about how we as Christians can love each other
You can join the conversation by following us on Facebook, attending our annual gatherings (on the last Saturday of February), or checking out content from our previous gatherings below. You can even put on a Unity Project of your own!
2023 KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
DOUG MARSHALL
Lead Pastor, Valley Christian Church
Christian Conciliator
Pastorserve Coach
Doug is currently the lead pastor at Valley Christian Church in Wilsonville, Oregon but has served seven different churches over his 41 years of ministry. Doug and his wife, Lisa, planted a church in Los Banos, CA, through Stadia: New Church Strategies. Doug is a certified Christian conciliator through the Institute of Christian Conciliators (ICC), a certified communication instructor through Interpersonal Communications Programs (ICP) and is a certified professional coach through New Vibe Training in Tigard, OR. Doug has a passion for equipping Christians, especially church leaders, to communicate and do relationships in a way that reflects Christ and builds His church. He has created a communication curriculum to equip Christian leaders to learn, practice, and teach communication called “Conversations that Grow.” He received his B.A. in Bible and preaching from Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds, WA, and his M.A. in theology and philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary, in Lincoln, IL. Doug and Lisa, live in Donald, OR with three cats and a dog, and have raised two boys who are married and have six amazing grandkids!
PAST EVENTS
Take a Look
2020: UNITY IN A DIVIDED WORLD
The first Unity Project was a live event focusing on the importance of unity--held right before the start of the COVID pandemic. Several of the workshops were rerecorded for the 2020 Convention, along with contributions from pastors and missionaries. Click below to watch!
