One of the most exciting events of the year will be held in Memphis, TN December 5-6. It is called The Great Emergence.

Just added are 1/2 day pre-conference offerings. Details below.

The event will be focused around the content of Phyllis Tickle’s excellent new book The Great Emergence.

Here are two videos that will tell you more about the event. Click here to register.

The first is an interview I did with Phyllis where she makes the suggestion that this event will be worthwhile for all people and not just leaders. I would love to see those of us involved in churches bring people from our communities.

Minding the Gap – A Meeting of the ‘Hyphenated’ Minds

Find yourself with an emerging ethos in a denominational setting? In the language of The Great Emergence you may well be among the ‘hyphenateds’ around the country who are struggling to ‘mind the gap’ between these oftentimes divergent identities. Join this landmark dialogue between Anglimergents, Presbymergents, and other ‘hyphenateds’ as we consider how we embrace the best that both emergent and individual denominations bring to the table and how we navigate the waters of change in the American Christian Church. In the morning, Phyllis Tickle will frame the conversation and representatives from emergents within several denominations will share their experiences. The afternoon will provide an opportunity for denominations to meet and consider how to engage the emergent conversation in their particular setting.

Thursday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00pm
Host – Wendy Johnson – wendy.j@episcopalmn.org
and Troy Bronsink – troybronsink@mac.com

New Monasticism and Resurrection of American Christianity

Statistics and denominational budgets suggest that Christianity is in decline as new generation of Americans find little need for church. But under the radar of popular religion, on the margins of society, God is stirring a new monastic movement of people who are experimenting in the truth of Jesus’ way. Join Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove of Rutba House and Geoff and Sherry Maddock of Communality for an afternoon of story-telling and conversation about what new monasticism is and what it means for the future of the church.

Thursday, 12 – 5 PM
Calvary Church, Memphis
Hosts – Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Geoff and Sherry Maddock – geoffandsherry@yahoo.com, jonathanwilsonhartgrove@hotmail.com

Writer’s Workshop

If you think you’ve got a book in you, this is the session for you. Publishing pros from the Christian book and magazine industries will talk you though the process–from building your audience, to writing a query letter and proposal, to getting your book into the hand of readers. Talk to editors and publishers about what the writing life really looks like and get solid advice from people who know the industry from the inside. If you have a manuscript or book idea in the works, bring it along and we will provide the opportunity for evaluation.

Thursday: 12-4:30, includes lunch, panel discussion, Q& A.
Calvary Church, Memphis
Host – Carla Barnhill – cbarnhill@mac.com

Theological Education in Light of the Great Emergence

While there has surely been a renaissance of interest in theological education as a part of the great emergence, many have also questioned the prevailing method thereof: the residential seminary model. Many in the emergent generation are asking that the modern seminary be significantly reconsidered. Some are suggesting a more monastic model, others are experimenting with online and new media resources, and still others want to catalyze collaboration between seminaries and the local church. Theological educators and interested pastors are invited to join in a day-long, open source conversation about the future of theological education

Thursday, 12 – 5 PM – Memphis Theological Seminary
Host – Tony Jones – jonestony@gmail.com