Chris lives in Salisbury, NC, with his wife, Molly, and their four children. As a pastor, Chris is a teacher/preacher, writer, leader, and ambassador in the community whose heart is to mobilize and equip the local church to be the bridge-builder, barrier-breaker and change-agent it is meant to be, while being a people who are known by their love one another. Chris has most recently as Lead Pastor of Life Church and Director of Operations with Rowan Helping Ministries, both in Salisbury. He is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MACM), previously studying at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently, working toward a D.Min degree in Social Justice and Community Advocacy with Hood Theological Seminary. Chris and Molly are also both proud alumni of Appalachian State University. Prior to ministry in Salisbury, Chris served as the Carolinas Regional Manager for Samaritan’s Purse. The Shelton's have lived in several different locations across North Carolina, where Chris has served as a Church-Planter and on staff with churches in Boone, Wilson and Charlotte. The Shelton's are active in their community, building relationships and partnerships to advance to Gospel of Christ, while contributing to the strengthening of the existence of an active, missional, multiethnic, multigenerational, socioeconomically diverse, irresistible Church in the community.
A reflection on Lent through Isaiah 58 At the time of this particular entry, Lent is just a few days away. Lent is one of the five major seasons observed historically in many liturgical church traditions (by ‘liturgical,’ I mean more structured, perhaps scripted and antiquated styles of worship or tradition) ; it is preceded … More An Acceptable Fast
A lesson on radiance, goodness and the glory of God from Psalm 34 In 1998, I was crowned champion of the Appalachian State Intramural Pickleball Tournament. (Trust me, that sounds way more glamorous than it actually was.) While pickleball has caught on over time and has become, as one website put it, “one of the … More Radiance & Goodness
Shovels, Wells & Wide Open Spaces Recently my family has been in the process of preparing my grandparent’s farm for sale. This has already proven challenging, especially considering all the sentimental ties. My grandparents purchased this 60+ acre property in 1955, and tended it with great care and fervency – as if it had been … More Rehoboth
January 1, 2018 What’s Your One Word for 2018? The beginning of a New Year marks the time when many people make goals (or resolutions) for areas of their lives they would like to see or experience change. According to Barna Research Group, nearly two-thirds of American’s make New Year’s resolutions, but only 20% report … More One Word, One Year
[This first appeared at LifeChurchNC.com] March 25, 2018 A Brief Overview of Holy Week There are usually five – in some cases, six – days during Holy Week that are specifically commemorated, beginning with Palm Sunday (this Sunday), which commemorates Jesus’s paradoxical Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. (John 12:12-19). Although not as common, some set-apart the following Wednesday as ‘Silent Wednesday;’ a day traditionally viewed as a … More A Brief Overview of Holy Week
Sermon from March 17, 2019 at Integrity Church in Burlington on Matthew 7:1:6. While Jesus warns against judging others, He does not forbid all forms of judgement. “Don’t be so critical, but be a little critical.”
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard the word ‘catastrophic’ these last several days, specifically related to the imminent flooding that’s expected to begin today and persist over the coming days, starting on the NC/SC coastline. While Hurricane Florence has weakened over the last 24 hours, forecasters, state and local officials, emergency responders, and disaster response … More When Storms Approach
