Community Worship: Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck

Lakeside welcomes Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck as Preacher of the Week during the 103rd Lutheran Chautauqua Week June 18-23. Beck serves at the Director of Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary and as Co-Pastor of Wildwood United Methodist Church in Wildwood, Florida. This week’s preacher is supported in part by the Lutheran Chautauqua.  

He will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, June 18 in Hoover Auditorium.

Michael Shirtz and guest artists will provide musical leadership during the service, while the liturgy will be led by Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care. 

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 5-11) will proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. There will be a message by Richter, songs, crafts, lemonade and cookies to share. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult. 

Beck is a spiritual guide who helps people heal, love and unleash imagination to create better lives, organizations and communities. He serves as Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary and Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. Beck has a passion for helping laity and clergy plant new forms of church. He helps church leaders across the globe follow Jesus in fresh and exciting ways. 

He and his wife, Jill, are co-pastors of Wildwood/St. Marks United Methodist Churches in Ocala, Florida, a network of 13 fresh expressions led by laity that gather in tattoo parlors, burrito joints and digital spaces. The couple directs an inpatient rehab, a shelter for those experiencing homelessness and an anti-racism movement.  

Beck also teaches as an adjunct professor at several seminaries. He coaches, trains and educates leaders internationally across a broad theological spectrum and has consulted with hundreds of churches, districts, denominations, networks, synods and dioceses.  

Beck earned a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary Orlando and a Doctorate in semiotics and future studies at Portland (Oregon) Seminary with his mentor Leonard Sweet. He’s the author/co-author of nine books and is considered a global thought leader in the missional church movement.  

During Lutheran Chautauqua Week, join Beck for Faith for Living Hour at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday in Hoover Auditorium with a different theme each day. Immediately following, he will lead a dialogue open to the community at 10 a.m. Beck will also give a brief sermon at Vespers by the Lake at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday at the Steele Memorial Bandstand.  

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.