Robert H. “Bob” Thune is an American pastor, author, and church planter who serves as the founding and lead pastor of Coram Deo Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
He holds a Master of Arts from Reformed Theological Seminary and a degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Thune is the author of Gospel Eldership and co-author of The Gospel-Centered Life, The Gospel-Centered Community, and The Gospel-Centered Life for Teens — all published by New Growth Press.
He is also the creator of the Daily Liturgy podcast and serves as a Council member of The Gospel Coalition.
Outside of preaching and writing, he coaches church leaders and helps lead a classical Christian school in Omaha.
Bob Thune At a Glance
| Full Name | Robert H. Thune |
|---|---|
| Known As | Bob Thune |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (undergraduate); Reformed Theological Seminary (MA) |
| Spouse | Leigh Thune |
| Children | Four children |
| Church | Coram Deo Church, Omaha, Nebraska |
| Role | Founding and Lead Pastor |
| Founded Coram Deo | 2005 |
| Denomination | Non-denominational / Reformed Evangelical |
| Organization | The Gospel Coalition (Council Member) |
| Books | Gospel Eldership; The Gospel-Centered Life; The Gospel-Centered Community; The Gospel-Centered Life for Teens |
| Podcast | Daily Liturgy |
| Website | bobthune.com; cdomaha.com |
| Social | @bobthune (X/Twitter) |
Early Life and Education
Bob Thune grew up with a faith foundation that eventually led him into pastoral ministry.
He pursued his undergraduate education at the University of Oklahoma, before going on to earn a Master of Arts from Reformed Theological Seminary — one of the most respected Reformed seminaries in the United States.
Before planting Coram Deo, Thune served in two key roles that shaped him as a pastor and ministry leader.
He worked as a college pastor at a megachurch in Omaha and as a Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) staff member working with college students in Austin, Texas.
These years gave him both pastoral depth and evangelistic reach — a combination that would later define Coram Deo’s culture.
Planting Coram Deo Church in Omaha
In the fall of 2005, Bob Thune gathered a small group of people and planted Coram Deo Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
The name comes from the Latin phrase meaning “before the face of God” — a phrase that captures the church’s theological heartbeat.
Every sermon, every community group, every act of service is meant to be lived as if standing before God himself.
Coram Deo is located at 8787 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE 68114, and holds three Sunday morning services at 8:00 AM, 9:45 AM, and 11:30 AM.
The church has grown from a small band of people into a thriving multi-service congregation that serves Omaha and the surrounding region.
Bob Thune’s Role at Coram Deo
Within Coram Deo’s leadership structure, Thune’s primary responsibilities center on preaching, vision, strategy, and theological leadership.
He also helps lead a classical Christian school connected to the church’s broader ministry in the community — reflecting his belief that Christian formation extends beyond Sunday mornings.
Bob Thune’s Books
Bob Thune is one of the more prolific pastor-authors connected to the Reformed evangelical world.
His books are known for being theologically grounded yet practically accessible — written for people who want more than theory.
Gospel Eldership
This is Thune’s solo-authored work and arguably his most significant contribution to the church.
Gospel Eldership makes the case that healthy church leadership flows from the same gospel truths that transform individual lives.
Elders who haven’t experienced the gospel in their own hearts can’t effectively lead others toward it.
It is widely used in elder training programs across Reformed and evangelical churches.
The Gospel-Centered Life and The Gospel-Centered Community
Co-authored with Will Walker and published by New Growth Press, these two studies are among the most widely used small-group resources in gospel-centered church communities.
The Gospel-Centered Life walks individuals through how the gospel applies to every area of daily living.
The Gospel-Centered Community extends that lens to how the church functions as a body.
A teen-focused version, The Gospel-Centered Life for Teens, followed — designed to help young people engage the same truths at their level.
Daily Liturgy Podcast
Bob Thune created the Daily Liturgy podcast as a resource for Christians who want a rhythm of prayer, Scripture, and reflection in their daily lives.
The podcast reflects his broader conviction that Christian formation happens through consistent, daily practices — not just weekend gatherings.
It has built a loyal audience among those looking for something more structured than a casual devotional app.
The Gospel Coalition
Bob Thune serves as a Council member of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) — one of the most influential networks in Reformed evangelical Christianity.
TGC exists to connect, resource, and equip churches and church leaders committed to gospel-centered ministry.
Thune’s membership on the Council places him among pastors, theologians, and ministry leaders who shape evangelical thought and practice on a national level.
Church Planting and Leadership Training
Bob Thune has invested heavily in the next generation of church planters and leaders. In addition to his pastoral work at Coram Deo, he has coached church planters through the Acts 29 Church Planting Network — one of the leading church planting networks in the English-speaking world.
He continues to coach and train church leaders through various channels, drawing on twenty years of pastoral and planting experience.
Bob Thune’s Personal Life
Bob Thune is married to his wife, Leigh Thune. Together they have four children. Thune has spoken publicly about his desire to grow older in ordinary, faithful service — not platform or profile.
In one widely shared social media post, he described aspiring to “live quietly and faithfully in my little corner of the world: loving my actual flesh-and-blood neighbors, seeking the good of my city.”
That posture — rooted, local, unhurried — shapes everything from how he preaches to how he leads the classical school he helps run. For Bob Thune, the ministry of one city over decades matters more than a national stage.
Theology and Ministry Philosophy
Bob Thune’s theological identity is firmly in the Reformed evangelical tradition. He preaches expository sermons, values elder-led church governance, and believes the gospel is not merely the entry point to the Christian life — but the ongoing center of it.
His books and sermons consistently return to how the finished work of Christ applies to every area of human experience: marriage, parenting, leadership, suffering, and community.
His X (formerly Twitter) bio describes his passions as “Christian theology, classical education, and cultural renewal” — three anchors that together paint the picture of a pastor who thinks long-term about both individual souls and the broader culture around them.
Interesting Facts About Bob Thune
- The name “Coram Deo” is a Latin phrase meaning “before the face of God” — a term drawn from Reformed theology and used by figures like John Calvin.
- Bob Thune served as a Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) staff member in Austin, Texas, before entering pastoral ministry.
- He planted Coram Deo with a small band of people in 2005 — and has remained its lead pastor for over twenty years.
- His Gospel-Centered Life series has been used in churches and small groups around the world, not just in the United States.
- He helps lead a classical Christian school in Omaha — reflecting a conviction that Christian education and pastoral ministry belong together.
- He has been public on social media about John Piper’s preaching, theological debates, and the intersection of faith and culture.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Pre-2005 | Served as college pastor at an Omaha megachurch |
| Pre-2005 | Served as Cru (Campus Crusade) staff member in Austin, Texas |
| 2005 | Planted Coram Deo Church in Omaha, Nebraska |
| Ongoing | Served as Council Member of The Gospel Coalition |
| Various | Co-authored The Gospel-Centered Life and The Gospel-Centered Community with Will Walker |
| Various | Authored Gospel Eldership (New Growth Press) |
| Various | Co-authored The Gospel-Centered Life for Teens with Will Walker |
| Ongoing | Created and hosts the Daily Liturgy podcast |
| Ongoing | Coaches church leaders; helps lead classical Christian school in Omaha |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pastor Bob Thune?
Bob Thune is the founding and lead pastor of Coram Deo Church in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also an author, Council member of The Gospel Coalition, and creator of the Daily Liturgy podcast. He holds an MA from Reformed Theological Seminary.
Where does Pastor Bob Thune preach?
Bob Thune preaches at Coram Deo Church, located at 8787 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The church holds three Sunday morning services.
Did Bob Thune resign from Coram Deo?
As of the time of this writing, no credible public source confirms that Bob Thune resigned from Coram Deo Church. He remains listed on the church’s staff page as Lead Pastor. If there has been a pastoral transition, no formal public announcement has been widely documented. Readers should check Coram Deo’s official website for the most current information.
Who is Bob Thune Sr.?
There is no widely documented public figure known as “Bob Thune Sr.” in connection with Pastor Bob Thune. The query may refer to his father, but no verified public information about Bob Thune’s father by that name is available in public records.
What books has Bob Thune written?
Bob Thune has authored Gospel Eldership and co-authored The Gospel-Centered Life, The Gospel-Centered Community, and The Gospel-Centered Life for Teens — all published by New Growth Press and co-written with Will Walker.
Is Bob Thune on social media?
Yes. Bob Thune is active on X (formerly Twitter) at @bobthune. He posts on theology, classical education, cultural questions, and pastoral life.
What denomination is Coram Deo Church?
Coram Deo Church is non-denominational with a clearly Reformed evangelical theological identity. It is affiliated with The Gospel Coalition and has had connections to the Acts 29 Church Planting Network.
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