Biblical Leadership
The Bible speaks of three different kinds of leaders in every local church: elders, deacons, and members. Elders (also called pastors and overseers in Scripture – see Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:1-2) are the head and heart of the church – men responsible before God for the church’s theological and spiritual vitality. Deacons are the hands and feet of the church – the practical leaders who oversee various functions of the church’s ministry. Members are missional Christians who love Jesus, are committed to their church, and serve according to their abilities so that more people can meet Jesus.
We believe that the model of church government should be a plurality of elders. Sacred City is currently led by three elders, with more men in taking part in the eldership process.
Elders
Justin DeanJustin is the husband of Amanda and dad to Javen, Zoe, Piper and Norah. He is a graduate of Liberty University and Porterbrook Omaha. In 2009 he and his family moved to Omaha to complete a church-planting residency through Core Community Church in the Acts 29 Network before moving back home with a small group of people to plant Sacred City Church in 2011. Justin leads Sacred City through gospel formation, preaching, vision-casting and leader development. In his spare time you’ll find Justin CrossFitting in his garage, reading books by dead guys, playing with his kids, or enjoying a cigar with other gentlemen of the city.
Tom LyonsTom is the father of Jack. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, and practices family medicine with the Genesis Health Group. He leads Sacred City by providing hospitality in our kids ministry and for Missional Community leaders groups, leading liturgy and co-leading a Missional Community. In his spare time out of the doctor’s office, Tom enjoys serving as the team physician for North Scott athletics.
Casey ShuttCasey is the husband of Sarah and father to Cora, Henry and Oliver. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, with a masters from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and doctorate from Durham University. Casey is the headmaster of Morning Star Academy in Bettendorf and enjoys leading their faculty and students in classical education. Casey leads Sacred City by preaching, teaching Membership Classes, co-leading a Missional Community and offering structure and development to our kids ministry. In his rest time, Casey loves dining with his wife and going on adventures with his kids on the Duck Creek Trail.
Staff
Sam is the husband of Becca and father of Kuyper. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and Porterbrook Omaha. Sam moved to the Quad Cities in 2011 to live in community and on mission at Sacred City. On staff since 2012, leads at Sacred City as a Missional Community leader, by overseeing SC Kids ministry, and preparing for a future congregation plant in Illinois. When not in the office, Sam can be found hanging out in coffee shops downtown and collecting (and learning to play) obscure musical instruments and bringing their sounds to the Sunday gathering.
Joel is the husband of Julia and father to Judah. He is a graduate of Porterbrook Omaha and plans on pursuing further ministry training through Antioch School. Joel spent ten months at Core Community Church in Omaha before returning home to lead Sacred City as worship pastor. Joel serves Sacred City in overseeing the worship team, music writing and creative planning, and co-leading the MidTown Missional Community. When not on the stage on Sunday morning you’ll find Joel writing music, long walks on the many Quad City beaches, or enjoying a good cigar.
Ben is the husband of Mackenzie and a future father. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and Porterbrook Omaha. Ben moved to the Quad Cities in 2011 and since coming on staff in 2013, leads by coordinating all communication and events, helping oversee the Financial Team, and managing day-to-day details so that Justin is free to shepherd and disciple. In his spare time, you can find Ben hiking in the many QC area parks, kayaking on the Wapsi River and enjoying new-homeowner projects with Mackenzie.
Missional Community Leaders
Sacred City also has many committed and dedicated leaders of missional communities. It is in missional communities where the thrust of discipleship takes place, and we are blessed to have over thirty of these leaders hosting, teaching, feeding, and loving each of our missional communities on a weekly basis.