Shaped by the Word
How does our engagement with Scripture form us?
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT
Register for this Free Webinar
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT
Skeptics of the Christian Spiritual Formation movement often worry that it contradicts or underemphasizes the Bible. And yet, one of Renovaré’s eight core ideas is “The Centrality of Scripture.” We immerse ourselves in the Bible: it is the great revelation of God’s purposes in history, a sure guide for growth into Christlikeness, and a rich resource for our spiritual formation.
In this webinar, Tim Mackie (lead research scholar and co-founder of BibleProject) and Carla Harding (International Strategy Director for 24 – 7 Prayer and a writer and host for Letio 365) will help us explore the Written Word as both a “sure guide” and as a place of encounter with the Living Word.
Guided by participant questions, host Carolyn Arends will talk to Tim and Carla about topics like:
- What does the Bible say about spiritual disciplines and spiritual formation in general?
- Why is there often confusion about what the Bible teaches on a variety of topics?
- What happens when a spiritual movement ignores or neglects Scripture?
- What are some healthy — and unhealthy — ways of engaging Scripture?
- What are some practical tips for reading in a way that changes us and helps us to encounter God?
Tim Mackie
Tim Mackie is the co-founder of the BibleProject, a nonprofit animation studio helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. He is the former pastor of Blackhawk Church in Madison, Wisconsin, and Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon. Mackie also served as a part-time professor at Western Seminary. His early research interests focused on the manuscript history of the Bible and the biblical canon. Mackie holds a bachelor’s degree from Multnomah University, a theology degree from Western Seminary and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Carla Harding
Carla Harding is the International Strategy Director for 24 – 7 Prayer and a writer and host on the Lectio 365 App. Her life was hijacked by God in the first 24 – 7 Prayer Room and since then she has spent over 25 years helping others learn to pray and encounter God like she did. Carla was born in Ireland but lives in England with her husband and two children. She loves prayer, worship, a good book, a great song, food with friends and a challenge to get her teeth into.
Carolyn Arends
Carolyn Arends oversees the Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation as well as several other Renovaré initiatives, including the Book Club. She is also a recording artist, speaker, author, and college instructor. She lives near Vancouver, BC, with her husband Mark and their two children.