“What is Emerging?: A Conversation about a New Kind of Church”

Brian McLaren will be in Grand Rapids next month for this event;

Details here:

Grand Rapids Theological Seminary is pleased to present Talking Points, a one-day seminar designed for ministry leaders who desire to reflect critically about ministry in the twenty-first century.

Over the past several years the church has witnessed the rise of the “emerging church” movement. While some evangelicals praise the “emerging church”, others condemn it as being outside the camp, and some are completely unfamiliar with it. That is why the seminary, in partnership with Zondervan, has asked Brian McLaren, Mike Wittmer, and Ed Dobson to engage in a conversation and reflect on the background, current state, challenges, potential, and future direction of this movement. This seminar will help you become more informed about the key ideas and issues surrounding the emergent conversation.

Schedule

8:30-9:00 Registration & Refreshments

9:00-10:30 Session 1 – The Emerging Church: Past, Present, and a Kairos Moment

Presenter: Dr. Brian McLaren

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:45 Session 2 – The Emerging Church: A Historical/Theological Professor’s Reflections

Presenter: Dr. Mike Wittmer

11:45-12:45 Lunch at Gainey Conference Center

1:00-2:00 Session 3 – The Emerging Church: A Pastor’s Reflections

Presenter: Dr. Ed Dobson

2:00-2:15 Break

2:15-3:45 Session 4 – The Emergent Conversation: Present and Future & Challenges and Potential

Presenter: Dr. Brian McLaren

3:45-4:30 Session 5 – The Emerging Church: Reflections & Questions
Presenters: Dr. Ed Dobson, Dr. Brian McLaren & Dr. Mike Wittmer
Moderator: Rev. Steve Argue

Featured Speakers

Dr. Brian McLaren

Brian McLaren is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in the Baltimore-Washington area. Brian holds Master of Arts degree in English language. He is the author of multiple books, including A New Kind of Christian, The Story We Find Ourselves In, and A Generous Orthodoxy. Brian is married to Grace, and they have four young adult children.

Dr. Ed Dobson

Ed Dobson is the senior pastor at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Ed holds a Master of Arts in religion, as well as a doctorate in higher education. He is the author of multiple books, including: Simplicity:
Finding Order, Freedom and Fulfillment for Your Life, Starting A Seeker Sensitive Service, and Finding God In the Face of Evil. Ed is married to Lorna, and they have three young adult children.

Dr. Mike Wittmer

Michael Wittmer is the associate professor of systematic theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 1996. He holds a M.Div. and Th.M. from GRTS, as well as a Ph.D. in systematic theology. Mike is the author of Heaven is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God. Mike is married to Julie, and they have three young children.