For Those Who Want More Than an Ordinary Life

Most Christians live the usual way, never knowing there’s an entirely different level to faith. The usual way is defined by ordinary rules and regulations. But the level up—the holy level, the set apart level—is something truly extraordinary. It’s the adventuresome, hero life. The only way to discover the complete life is by following Jesus.

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In Search of the Holy paints a picture of a full and complete life—a life that lives up to our craziest childhood dreams.

But rather than freewheeling pursuit of some individual ideal, the hero life comes from
an old concept, freshly relevant again today, called “holiness.”

When a lot of regular people think about being “holy”, they think about keeping the Ten Commandments. But the Ten Commandments are impossible. If the self-proclaimed holy rollers can’t keep God’s commandments, regular people don’t have a chance.

The good news is that in the Bible, being “holy” doesn’t mean being pious or “good enough.” It means to be “set apart for a special purpose”. The antonym not profane or obscene; it is “ordinary.”

And we don’t get there by following a set of rules, but by following the One who was there when the rules were written, Jesus. What makes life exciting is who we worship, what we believe, and how we live—all of these are connected. Following Jesus turns life from ordinary to extraordinary as His love and grace change us from the inside out.

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Shane L. Bishop

Shane has served as the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois since 1997. With his strengths of vision casting, preaching, teaching, soul winning and leadership, Christ Church total weekend worship attendance has increased under his leadership from 200 in 1997 to over 3,500 in 2023. Christ Church, an independent congregation, has seven weekly worship services, three regional campuses and a significant on-line community. In 2010, Shane received the prestigious Distinguished Evangelist award from the Foundation for Evangelism. Christ Church was recognized as one of the 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2018 by Outreach Magazine.

A former history teacher and coach, Shane holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He graduated cum laude in 1992 from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. There he received the Rollins Scholarship Award for his academic work and effectiveness in pastoral leadership at the St. James-Manchester Charge in Manchester, Georgia. From 1992-1997 he served the Sumner/Beulah Charge in Sumner, Illinois.

Shane has traveled extensively around the world in pilgrimage, mission and preaching ministry. He is the author of eleven books, has a large on-line presence and has been featured as a writer in various publications.

Shane and his wife Melissa married in 1983 and reside in rural Clinton County, Illinois with “300 pounds of rescue dogs.” The couple has two adult children and four grandchildren.

Features and Benefits:

Holiness Through Jesus

Learn how Jesus fulfills the Ten Commandments and how we can find true holiness in Him.

Heart Transformation

Discover how Jesus changes our hearts and not just our actions.

Purposeful Living

See how worshiping God, what we believe, and how we live are all connected to living a meaningful life.

Freedom from Rules

Understand that being holy isn’t about following strict rules but being set apart for something greater.

Empowered by Grace

Be encouraged to live a life full of purpose, led by God’s grace and love.