Brethren in Christ Study Conference 2022
The 2022 Brethren in Christ study conference was held on November 4, 2022 in Hostetter Chapel at Messiah University.
The theme for this year's conference was "Confronting Christian Nationalism in our Churches."
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About This Year's Conference
This study conference sought to address the challenges of ministering effectively in the midst of Christian nationalism. It addressed such questions as:
- What is Christian nationalism, and why is it a problem for U.S. churches today?
- What biblical and theological resources exist for pastors and other church leaders who want to resist the influence of Christian nationalism in their congregations?
- What are pastors and other church leaders already doing to address this issue? What more can be done?
Attending this conference was an opportunity to fulfill one Lifelong BIC Learning credit, an expectation for all Brethren in Christ pastors within each renewal period.
Major Conference Sessions and Speakers
What is Christian Nationalism and Why is it a Problem? - Dr. Drew Strait
Dr. Drew Strait teaches the New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, IN). His writing focuses on peace and peacemaking in early Christianity, along with early Christian negotiation of political idolatry. He served as a pastor at Living Water Community Church, a Mennonite Church USA congregation in Chicago and as an elder at Peace Fellowship in Washington, D.C. before relocating to Indiana. Strait is married and has three children.
Here is the link to Dr. Strait's powerpoint slides for this session. Please do not distribute these as there are multiple sources cited in comments that are not visible in the PDF. This content will also be available in Dr. Strait's book coming out next year, titled, Strange Worship: How to Protest White Christian Nationalism with the Way of Jesus.
Perspectives on Christian Nationalism - Panel Discussion
Adam Forry (Pastor, Elizabethtown BIC), Esther Spurrier (Brethren in Christ World Missions, Zambia), Kerry Hoke (Senior Director of Development & Church Relations, Messiah Lifeways)
A Pastoral Approach to Resisting Christian Nationalism's Influence in the Local Congregation - Dr. Drew Strait
Here is the link to Dr. Strait's powerpoint slides for this session. Please do not distribute these as there are multiple sources cited in comments that are not visible in the PDF.