The Being Church Across Generations event at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University is partnering with The Resource Center’s rescheduled Teaching Excellence Colleague Forum for what promises to be an amazing learning opportunity on Saturday, April 23, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. This event brings together the region’s most capable and thoughtful pastors, lay people, and Christian educators for a one day forum based in evocative scholarship to wrestle with its implications for our work in faith formation across generations.
Our first plenary presenter for this unique event is Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, 
Assistant Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean for Contextual Education at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the last two years, she has been active in the faithful response of churches and individuals to the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Important research emerged from her involvement which became a volume entitled, Ferguson & Faith: Sparking Leadership and Awakening Community, published by Chalice Press last summer. Ideas from this research will serve as the jumping off point for our dialogue together on April 23.
Our second plenary presenter is Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, ABC-USA. Dr. Haggray brings more than twenty years of pastoral ministry experience in the local church along 
with another decade of judicatory leadership to his role. More importantly, he brings a passion for developing and implementing creative strategies that express God’s love and concern for all people. From his vantage point as lead visionary for the many domestic ministry partnerships that comprise the American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ work, Dr. Haggray brings a unique perspective on the challenging journey of Being Church Across Generations to which we are called.
The event will begin at Coburn Chapel on the campus of Virginia Union University for a time of worship during which Dr. Haggray will be the preacher. Following worship, we will relocate to the Wilder Library first floor lecture hall for the remainder of our program. Both facilities are handicap accessible. Participants will also chose from three engaging workshops, including a session by Dr. Gunning Francis that focuses on the implications of her research for teaching and learning. Cost for this amazing day of learning together is just $60 with lunch and breaks included.
ACT NOW: early bird discounted registration of just $50 for those who register on or before April 15!
Click here to register or contact us with questions!
