Spire.Network

In the age of AI, the Church can be a beacon of hope. 💡

At SpireConference, Carey Nieuwhof challenged us to look beyond what technology can do and ask what it’s doing to people.

How will it shape our relationships, our work, and our ability to flourish? And how can the Church help people find healing and genuine connection?

That’s where Bold & Beautiful comes together. Truth and grace. Conviction and compassion. A message with substance, shared in a way that draws people toward Jesus.

How can your church build deeper human connection in an increasingly digital world?

Bold and beautiful. Truth and grace. And, according to Mike, maybe a little bald and beautiful too. 😄

Mike Breaux shared what the theme means to him, and offers a timely reminder for pastors 👀 we can’t manufacture what God is doing. We can be faithful, rely on the Holy Spirit, and make room for Him to work in people’s lives.

People are hungry for meaning, purpose, and hope. May our churches meet that hunger with faithfulness and the leading of the Spirit.

Church leaders need people who will encourage them, share what they’re learning, and walk with them through the seasons of ministry.

Pastor Virgil Grant knows the value of those relationships. He’s led Eastside Community Church in Richmond, Kentucky, for more than 36 years. After attending a Spire event last year, he returned this year with a team of 17.

For many on his staff, Eastside is the first church they’ve served. Virgil wanted them to experience the support of a broader church community and build connections that will serve them for years to come.

This week, they’ve enjoyed time together, learned from other ministry leaders, and found encouragement through new relationships.

We’re grateful for Virgil and the Eastside team. Their story is a beautiful reminder of why we gather and why investing in your team matters.

Who has been a source of encouragement in your ministry? Give them a shout-out in the comments!

Courage is contagious.

When pastors boldly preach what Scripture says, they help the whole church find courage to stand firm in what they believe. In a culture that can make faith feel lonely, the Word still brings life, and people need to hear it.

Thank you, Tim, for bringing this reminder to Spire this year. Let’s be bold and beautiful as we share the truth with courage and grace.

Emma Mullings knows what it’s like to be 16, pregnant, scared, and trying to make a life-changing decision in secret.
What she needed wasn’t condemnation.
She needed someone to sit beside her, help her see a way forward, and remind her that fear didn’t have to make the decision for her.
She needed truth — but she also needed practical love, compassion, and a pathway forward.
That’s the challenge for the Church:
It’s not enough to tell people what we stand against.
We have to be willing to stand beside them.
Truth and compassion were never meant to compete. We need both.

Tim Liston was instructed to wear a bulletproof vest while preaching in his own church.
Not because he was trying to provoke anyone. Not because he wanted attention.
But because he refused to self-censor the truth.
His point is powerful: if the Church becomes afraid to faithfully proclaim the Word of God, people may never hear the very truth God wants to use to transform their lives.
Bold. Patient. Faithful. Week after week.
The Church cannot afford to be silent.

Boldness and beauty belong together.

Emma from History Makers Church joined us at SpireConference to share how the gospel calls us to speak with conviction and lead with grace and kindness.

Her encouragement for church leaders? Stay flexible, keep moving forward, and remember that “everything is figureoutable.” God has given you more strength, grit, and wisdom than you may realize.

Thank you, Emma, for sharing your heart with us!

What we’re unwilling to examine, we’re unable to surrender.

Being known takes courage. So does admitting we’re struggling, asking for help, and facing the things we’ve kept hidden.

The gospel invites us to bring our weakness into the light and trust God to meet us there. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

This moment at SpireConference challenges us to take an honest look at our hearts.

Tell someone you trust. Let them walk with you. Bring what you’ve been avoiding before the Lord. You don’t have to do this alone.

What is one step toward honesty you can take today?