Over the past several years, many of us have felt like change in the only constant. From COVID to denominational splits to political divisions, it can feel like everything around us is unsteady. Hearing the phrase “God is in control” can sometimes add to our sense of uncertainty. We may ask ourselves: Does this mean that all things happen according to a divine plan? What about human freedom? What about sin and evil?
It’s beyond the scope of this blog post to address the theological questions at play here. Our Churches of God tradition includes both an emphasis on human free will and a recognition that God is at work in the world, drawing people to himself through Jesus. We recognize that we have a responsibility to respond to God in obedience and to participate in God’s mission of redemption in the world.
We can’t hold everything together around us and we don’t have all the answers to the problem of evil. What we do have, however, are these promises:
In Jesus, all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).
We can take heart, for Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Ultimately, God is making all things new (Revelation 21:5).
Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s mission is “to equip leaders for service in God’s kingdom.” We don’t have the responsibility or the power to hold everything together. Instead, we have the invitation to be co-laborers with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). We get to participate in the work of the Kingdom as we lead by serving. Kingdom work is God’s work; we get to be a part of it.
Winebrenner offers flexible, affordable, and quality education. While we can’t solve all the challenges we face in our contexts, we can remove barriers to training for Kingdom service. We can participate in the particular work God has called us to, trusting that the ultimate work remains God’s. This is why we reimagine theological education. Contexts change; challenges come and go. God’s mission continues.