What if what we believe and what we are living from are not always the same thing?
That question sits near the center of 180 Perspective. These gatherings give believers time to worship, open Scripture, and look honestly at whether the truth we profess is the same truth we are actually living from.
We can know the right answer and still live from a different picture.
A believer can say, “God loves me,” and still approach Him as though He is disappointed, distant, or waiting for us to get ourselves together.
We can know what Scripture says about who we are in Christ and still see ourselves mainly through failure, rejection, fear, weakness, or what other people have said about us.
The issue is not that doctrine does not matter. It does. The issue is that what we know can be different from the picture that has taken hold of the way we actually see.
That is where 180 Perspective begins. I am interested in what is happening beneath the words we use—the way we are actually seeing God, ourselves, other people, and the life in front of us.
These events give us enough time to work through those questions from Scripture rather than trying to force everything into one sermon or a few quick talking points.
Nothing complicated. We want enough time to actually work through the issue.
We will worship together, spend serious time in Scripture, and leave room to think about what the teaching means instead of racing through a program.
Worship
Worship is part of the gathering because this is ultimately about knowing God. It should help turn our attention toward Him without becoming the event itself.
Time in Scripture
I want enough time to open the biblical text, explain what I mean, and follow the thought where it needs to go rather than rushing through material simply because the clock says we are done.
Room to Work It Through
The point is not to fill a notebook. There should be room to stop, think, ask questions when appropriate, and consider what we may actually be living from.
The questions we keep coming back to.
Who Is God Really?
Not the God we fear, assume, inherited from someone else, or built from painful experience, but God as He has made Himself known in Jesus Christ.
Who Are You in Christ?
What has God already made true of the believer in Christ, and what changes when we begin to see ourselves from that reality?
What Does Renewal Change?
How does the renewal of the mind bring our thinking and perception into agreement with what God says is true?
What Is Shaping the Way We See?
What is influencing our perception before we ever stop to evaluate it, and how do we bring those influences under the truth of Scripture?
I want these events to strengthen what local churches are already doing, not compete with them.
180 Perspective Community Events are not an attempt to pull people away from their churches or build another church around this ministry.
My hope is that people return to their own congregations with a clearer picture of God, a stronger grasp of who they are in Christ, and a greater ability to engage the teaching and life of their church from that reality.
What am I asking from pastors?
Very little.
I am not asking you for pulpit time, money, or a formal endorsement.
I want to give you enough information before the event to understand why we are gathering, what I intend to teach, and where 180 Perspective is coming from theologically.
If, after reviewing the information here and on the local event page, you believe the gathering may benefit people in your congregation, you are welcome to let them know about it.
If you have questions before making that decision, I would be glad to talk with you personally.
Pastors and ministry leaders are also warmly invited to attend the event themselves. No endorsement, partnership, or other commitment is expected.
Want a fuller picture of the teaching behind 180 Perspective?
Much of the concern behind this ministry is explored more fully in my book, The God-Shaped Life: Restoring Our View of God, Self, and Others.
The book looks at the way our perception of God affects how we understand ourselves, relate to Him, and live the Christian life. If you are a pastor or ministry leader who wants a better sense of where I am coming from before deciding whether to tell people about an event, this is one place you can look more closely at the biblical framework behind the ministry.
Explore The God-Shaped LifeUpcoming 180 Perspective gatherings.
Event information will be added here as dates and locations are confirmed.
Albany, Oregon
A 180 Perspective Community Event is currently being developed for the Albany area.
We are working through the venue, date, and other details now. The Albany page will be updated as those pieces are confirmed.
Albany Event DetailsThe concern behind the ministry is pretty simple.
Believers can hold true doctrine while still seeing God, themselves, and life through a distorted lens.
180 Perspective exists to bring those places into the light of Scripture and help believers see what is already true in Jesus Christ more clearly.
Pastor. Teacher. Author.
Dr. Steven E. Goodenough is the founder of 180 Perspective. He has served as a pastor, interim pastor, preacher, teacher, and ministry leader.
He holds an M.Div. in Homiletics from Liberty University and a D.Min. in Practical Theology from Gateway Seminary and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Practical Theology at Liberty University.
About Dr. Steven GoodenoughA few things people may want to know.
Who are these events for?
Is 180 Perspective tied to one denomination?
Will there be a charge to attend?
How can pastors know what will be taught before sharing an event?
Are pastors and ministry leaders welcome to attend?
Is this trying to replace the local church?
Can our church tell people about an event?
Interested in bringing 180 Perspective to your community, church, or event?
180 Perspective can serve through community events, local churches, conferences, retreats, and other ministry gatherings where there is an opportunity for substantive biblical teaching.
If you are a pastor, ministry leader, event organizer, or someone who believes this ministry could serve the people you are reaching, I would be glad to hear from you.
Albany, Oregon
Event details are currently being developed and will be added as they are confirmed.
Albany Event Details