Bobbie Schaeperkoetter
8 min read ⭑
“I have learned that my priority cannot be producing; it must simply be to be with God. I often think of myself as an extension cord. I’m not the power source. I just plug into the power source and let that power flow through me into the thing God wants to animate.”
Bobbie Schaeperkoetter is passionate about helping people engage with God in relational and transformative ways. She’s the pastor of discipleship and spiritual formation at Capital City Christian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri, and is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Talbot Seminary at Biola University with a focus on the areas of preaching, apologetics and spiritual formation. She has recently written a book called “With God Every Day: A Flexible Framework for Spiritual Practice” to help others learn how to practically experience a deeply intimate relationship with God.
Bobbie sat down to answer some questions for Rapt, and we’re happy to share her insights with readers. Continue reading to hear her share about the beauty and shadow side of being an overcommitter, how evening walks with her husband across their hilltop land have become a spiritual practice for her, and how she enjoys the Sabbath by joy stacking things that bring her life.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
Food is always about more than food; it's also about home and people and love. So, how does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
Although I grew up about an hour east of here, Jefferson City, Missouri, has been my home for more than 25 years. It’s where my husband and I have spent our married life and where my kids grew up. We love all of the local establishments and have several favorites that we love to rotate through, but if I’m with my husband, we’re tucked into a booth at Arris’. I’m having a gyro salad, and he’s ordering the Herculean pizza. We’re absolutely asking for a to-go box pretty quickly after dinner arrives though because dessert is the main attraction here! The chocolate chip cookie dough marshmallow cake is to die for! More often, though, my husband will run out to grab a few steaming aluminum takeout trays of arroz con pollo and nachos from our favorite local Mexican place. Then my family will congregate around the big kitchen island, reaching over one another and half-heartedly arguing over who is taking too much of the cheese dip.
Tolla; Unsplash
QUESTION #2: REVEAL
What “nonspiritual” activity have you found to be quite spiritual, after all? What quirky proclivity, out-of-the-way interest, or unexpected pursuit refreshes your soul?
We live just outside of the city in a more rural suburb. We renovated an old farmhouse that sits at the top of the highest hill in the area. It overlooks our local Catholic church, subdivisions and pastureland. We run our cattle there, alongside our neighbors’ cattle and sheep. My husband and I have developed a deep love for evening walks on this beautiful little hilltop.
Right before the sun goes down, we head out and wind our way through our neighborhood. It’s peaceful here, with only the sounds of the animals and the occasional “hello” from our friendly neighbors. The sky is so big out where we live. It’s like watching a miracle each evening as God paints deep pinks and gold across our view and the sun dips below the horizon. That’s also our time to talk and to process all that’s going on in our hearts, minds and lives. This has become one of our favorite things to do together.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So, what’s your kryptonite and how do you confront its power?
I’m an overcommitter. I wish I could say that I’m a recovering overcommitter, but the truth is I’m not good at resisting the pull toward doing more, so I can’t even claim the title of “recovering” yet. I am passionate and hard-working. I dream big and love a good mission. I will be the first to catch your vision and agree to be a part of whatever you’re doing. That is my superpower and also my kryptonite.
My dad used to say that if you choose to be a jack-of-all-trades, you choose to be a master of none. That’s the shadow side of being an over-committer. I often find, juggling multiple deadlines, due dates and projects at once, that nothing gets 100% because I’m handing out smaller percentages to so many things.
I’m getting better at practicing good boundaries. Soul care is something I really value because I can push myself too hard. I’m also learning to be more discerning about what I give my time, energy and attention to.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
I have one burning passion, but, as per my previous answer, I’ve got a few places this passion gets lived out. I’m the spiritual formation and discipleship pastor at Capital City Christian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri, and the president of a citywide, multi-denominational nonprofit women’s ministry called INSPIRE. I’m also a spiritual director.
I just wrote a book called “With God Every Day: A Flexible Framework for Spiritual Practice” because I saw the same need in each of these areas. Followers of Jesus are longing for someone to help them understand how to experience a rich, personal, intimate, loving relationship with God. They don’t just want more information about God, they want to know what it looks like for them to tangibly and practically live their life with God every day so that he can truly change them and their lives.
My passion is helping people engage with God in ways that are deeply relational and transformational. That’s what birthed the book and its accompanying daily practice. I believe God is inviting us into more, but we sometimes need a little help slowing down and making space to enter into the with-God life. I felt like God was inviting me to create a simple, flexible, customizable resource people could use to be with him.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Whether we’re cashiers or CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need God’s love flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
The easiest way for me to partner with God in the work he is inviting me into is to get alone with him. When I have a project to do and I know I want God leading and inspiring it, I don’t sit down at my desk. I get alone with my journal and my Bible, I lace up my shoes and take a walk, I run a hot bubble bath or I find some other way to just create space to hear from God. For me, the more I try to muster up something in my own strength, the more frustrated I become.
I have learned that my priority cannot be producing; it must simply be to be with God. I often think of myself as an extension cord. I’m not the power source. I just plug into the power source and let that power flow through me into the thing God wants to animate.
I am not sure I can articulate how I know it’s God, but I undeniably do. I will be out on a walk or in the shower and have to pause to grab my phone and voice text myself these thoughts that somehow God just downloaded into my mind while I’m with him. Things that felt confounding become clear. Places I felt stuck experience fresh perspective. It sounds a little supernatural, and I suppose it is, but it’s also as natural as breathing.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So, let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
I’m big on Sabbath. Since I’m a pastor at a church with multiple weekend services, I observe the Sabbath on Fridays. These Sabbath days look a variety of ways, but they always include time with God, good food, play, rest and time with the people I love.
I always try to sleep in and enjoy a slow time with God in my daily practice. I usually go for a long walk to soak in the beauty of God’s creation and to move my body. I enjoy a good meal, sometimes with a friend and sometimes on my couch in my pajamas. Sometimes, I go out on a little adventure to explore some of my favorite local places, and other times I just enjoy a day lounging around the house and reading a good book. My Sabbath days always include an evening with my husband watching a movie, having dinner or going for a walk.
I joy-stack on these days and try to include lots of the things that I love and find life-giving.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and changed your heart?
I love books on spiritual formation. John Mark Comer’s “Garden City” was pivotal in my Sabbath-keeping journey. I also love his other work. Rich Villodas, Tyler Staton, Megan Fate Marshman, James Bryan Smith, Gem and Alan Fadling, and Tish Harrison Warren are some of my favorite modern writers who are also easy to read and practical in their teaching.
John Ortberg has a few different podcasts out, and I always find his work so down to earth and helpful.
I love a great journaling Bible with wide margins. The Holy Spirit is a great teacher, and I love reading Scripture and just jotting down the little thoughts he stirs up as I’m reading.
I’m a little partial, but I sit under some of the most amazing preachers at church. Our teaching team, especially our lead pastor, Frank Goehringer, is exceptional. Gathering with the local body and learning from the Word of God together and then digging deeper in group life has been one of the most formative things in my journey.
Certain things can be godsends, helping us survive, even thrive, in our fast-paced world. Does technology ever help you this way? Has an app ever boosted your spiritual growth? If so, how?
I love the Centering Prayer app. It’s so simple, but it’s one I return to over and over. I like to be led into prayer with a simple, ancient prayer and then end the prayer in the same way. It’s a no-frills app, but I love it.
I also really love the YouVersion app because I can engage in their reading plans with community. I can chat about what I’m learning with others even if we aren’t physically able to be together.
I know this might not be popular, but I love Instagram. I’ve been intentional about curating my feed. I follow people who inspire me and help me grow. I love hearing from other authors, pastors, spiritual directors and fellow Jesus-followers about their journey. Their stories motivate, inspire and instruct. The same is true of Spotify. I love curating a playlist centered around the things I really need to hear in a particular season.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
My book, “With God Every Day: A Flexible Framework for Spiritual Practice,” is just releasing, so I’m still listening to God regarding what he wants to do with it now that it’s out into the world. I love traveling to teach and lead conferences. I’m praying for some opportunities to do that more in this season.
I’ve felt a nudge from God to share this practice with younger people, specifically high school and college-aged students who are just exploring what living into their own unique relationship with God looks like. I’m talking with God a lot about that.
I’m finishing up my dissertation at Talbot Seminary at Biola University right now. My plan is to graduate with my Doctor of Ministry in May, so that will be getting quite a bit of my energy in this season as well. I’m also in the very early stages of outlining another book. There are some things that surfaced for me as I’ve worked through this book that feel important to explore more.
I’m hopeful, expectant and excited for this season with God.
Bobbie describes her life as an extension cord and God as the power source. She says, “I just plug into the power source and let that power flow through me into the thing God wants to animate.” How can this perspective change your interactions with people around you today? Considering that we have, through Jesus, that direct connection to his power supply, ask God to give you opportunities today with people around you who need to connect to the true source of life, power and love.
Bobbie Schaeperkoetter serves on staff at Capital City Christian Church as pastor of discipleship and spiritual formation and is president of INSPIRE; she is also a spiritual director who loves companioning others as a soul friend on their journey with the Father, Son and Spirit. She holds a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership from Central Christian College of the Bible and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at Talbot Seminary at Biola University, focusing on preaching, apologetics and spiritual formation. Married to her high school sweetheart for 26 years, she and her husband have two sons and three doodles, and home is her favorite place to be — often found with her nose in a book, writing, cooking or spending time with family. She also enjoys running, walking and biking while soaking in the beauty of creation, and when she has a free window, she loves grabbing coffee with friends, exploring great spots around her city and gathering with the people she loves.