Summary: About Shane Shane Blackshear is a public speaker and blogger with a passion and vision for communicating to people of all ages about living out the story that God has written for them in their personal and vocational lives. He is the host of the excellent podcast Seminary Dropout, featuring interviews with people like Philip Yancey, Richard Foster, and Sarah Bessey. Shane grew up in Big Spring, TX then at 18 moved to Brownwood, TX to attend college at Howard Payne University. After graduation he left Brownwood for a time to do college ministry in Buffalo, NY and then briefly moved to New Orleans before evacuating following Hurricane Katrina. This brought him back to Brownwood and eventually led him, along with his friends, to plant Nexus Community Church, a community existing to bring Jesus Christ to the marginalized and overlooked. While serving as pastor of Nexus, Shane had other positions including being a case worker for the state of Texas, and a Regional Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Shane now lives with wife Kate and their new baby, Margot, in Austin, TX. When he is not speaking or working in real estate he enjoys reading comic books and growing beards. What is Gospel Neighboring? Gospel Neighboring is the response to the announcement that Jesus is Lord, and is renewing the creation. Important Lessons Learned in Gospel Neighboring You have to be careful when leading other people not to be a 'false prophet' when it comes to the specifics of a missional endeavor. Have the flexibility and agility to adapt and adjust, growing in your Gospel Neighboring as you learn together. If you can engage in a genuine, long-term friendship with someone who doesn't yet embrace Jesus, full of hope and prayer, you're doing pretty well as a gospel neighbor. If you're working with the homeless or needy, and you're doing it to be thanked, you're going to be disappointed. But you may have moments of genuine kingdom insight, when the people you're serving demonstrate to you that the labor you're engaged in is not in vain. Action for the Next 24 Hours Get out of your house and meet people. Don't forget the Matthew 28 "as you go..." nuance of the Great Commission. You go to work every morning. You can't just go to the street corner and start preaching. Embrace the natural relationships "as you go". Shane's Final Bit of Gospel Neighboring Wisdom Have the courage to see the places and people around you as changeable. Dig in, and, by God's grace, you will see change. Shane's Favorite Gospel Neighboring Resources Shane's podcast interviewees have been incredible sources of inspiration. His greatest hits: Philip Yancey Shane Claiborne Sarah Bessey Richard Foster Tony Campolo David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw of Prodigal Christianity Connect with Shane Twitter Instagram Facebook Web and Podcast
