Saturday, February 2, 2008 Another Brick in the Wall
Just Another Brick In the Wall: Why We Don't Join Institutions Anymore     Will Our Church Have Children? Emergent Possibilities
Keynote Speaker Bob Sweetman Historian of Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies		Daddy's flown across the ocean Leaving just a memory Snapshot in the family album Daddy what else did you leave for me? Daddy, what'd'ja leave behind for me?!? All in all it was just a brick in the wall. All in all it was all just bricks in the wall. –Pink Floyd
Trinity Western University 7600 Glover Road, Langley, BC Northwest Building Auditorium		· Campus Map · Transit Info (or call 604-953-3333)
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Schedule

Keynotes

MORNING
Just Another Brick In the Wall: Why We Don't Join Institutions Anymore.

The world changes at a dizzying rate. Bob Sweetman tells a story about the role our social institutions—church, home, school, governments—played in that change. Those institutions were forged to build a better world. They were designed to help people with different visions share the same political, economic and religious landscape. Over the past generation, however, our society has lost much of its faith in these institutions, leaving them ill-suited to meet the challenges of our new era. Finally, Bob examines how these institutions might adapt to address these challenges.

AFTERNOON
Will Our Church Have Children? Emergent Possibilities

The difficulties faced by all institutions have in today's society also bedevil the church. The old issues—doctrinal purity, converting unbelievers, or beating back evil secular humanists—don't have much traction today. Many dismiss the church as too authoritarian, inauthentic, irrelevant and scandal prone. Bob Sweetman suggests that a large part of the problem is that the church is organized to fight yesterday's battles. He also suggests that the emergent church movement offers some valuable clues for what the church could look like beyond yesterday's battles and today's yawns.

Bob Sweetman was born of missionary parents in Tokyo, Japan. He surprised himself by becoming a professional medieval historian with a PhD from the University of Toronto (1988) and a historian of philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies. Bob is married to Rosanne Lopers and has three children at or near university age, who keep him young even as they tire him out.

Conversations

MORNING

Panelists Scott Macklin, Randall Mark Peters and student respondent Steven Talene will share their insight and experience. Scott and Mark move beyond observing bricks and mortar to intentionally engaging in change. Their conversation together with audience questions will help us all move forward in fresh ways.

Scott Macklin promotes the thoughtful development and dissemination of next-generation technologies. He serves as the Chief Information Officer of the College of Education at the University of Washington. He will explore adaptation to institutions represented by social networking tools such as Facebook. During his spare time he makes award winning documentary films. Masizakhe speaks to community remaking after institutional change in South Africa http://www.myspace.com/scottmacklin.

Randall Mark is the host of a multi-religious daily television show that covers national and international issues through the lens of faith, http://www.chnutv.ca/tv/standard/. He also teaches religion and philosophy at Trinity Western University and was a co-founding pastor of neXus in Abbotsford. He will explore how the Emergent movement is working to develop community and connection based not on affirmation of doctrinal positions but on a common cause that is embodied in the Kingdom of God.

Steven Talene is a Biblical Studies major planning to enter ministry. He has an interest in the current status of evangelism, and a Christian's responsibility in the world of scholarship, and anything else that can glorify our Lord.

AFTERNOON

Panelists Mary-Lee Bouma, Rob Des Cotes will speak to the case of the institutional church. Mary Lee and Rob engage others on spiritual direction and church formation in ancient and emerging ways. Student respondent Shayna Jones will offer related reflections, speaking from her own perspective and that of her generation.

Mary-Lee Bouma has worked for the past year among those outside the church to develop a network of simple churches meeting in condos, parks, or other public spaces all over downtown Vancouver, BC. Her previous background includes years as a Christian Reformed campus minister engaging students and faculty in spiritual discussions, and creating Christian communities, on large university campuses.

Rob Des Cotes is a spiritual director and pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Vancouver, BC. He teaches Contemplative Traditions and Worship Studies at Trinity Western University. Rob also directs Imago Dei (MB), a network of faith communities that encourage the contemplative life, http://www.imagodeicommunity.ca/.

Trinity Western University student Shayna Jones came from a non-Christian family but fell in love with Jesus at age 15 and hasn't been the same since. Christ completely transformed her mind, soul, and reshaped the way she views and interacts with life.

Morning and Afternoon Moderator, John Suk, is President of the Institute for Christian Studies and a communications scholar, secularization is one of his areas of interest.

Registration

Please register by Jan 29 to ensure lunch availability.

If you have any questions please Contact Eleanor McComb by email at or by telephone at 604-530-2353.

Sponsors