[Trinity Wall Street press release] The story of Jesus has spoken powerfully to generations for more than two millennia, but how has it continued to be made relevant over thousands of years? During the Nov. 21-23 conference, a diverse group of leading scholars and theologians will take up the challenge of articulating the story of Jesus anew. At Trinity Institute’s 43rd National Theological Conference, The Good News Now: Evolving with the Gospel of Jesus, they will consider how historic tenets of the faith address current realities and relate fresh and meaningful ways to recount the story for these times.

Conference participation is open to clergy and laypersons of all faith traditions and can be attended onsite at Trinity Church (Broadway at Wall Street, New York City) or at video-linked partner sites located throughout the U.S., and internationally. Churches, cathedrals, seminaries, and other organizations that host Trinity Institute experience all aspects of the conference either in real time — where they can submit questions for speakers via email during the live Q&A — or time-delayed, via video. Onsite reflection groups can be coordinated using materials prepared and provided by Trinity Institute.

“Conference speakers from a variety of perspectives — traditional and revisionist, mystical and scientific, academic and artistic — will reflect on key aspects of Christianity as they relate to the past, present and future of the faith,” said Bob Scott, director of Trinity Institute. “The experience of the conference will directly support the preaching, teaching, and other ministries of participants. In a larger sense, the goal is to help all Christians to become conscious and faithful participants in the evolution of the faith.”

Keynote speakers and panelists for this year’s conference include:

• Chung Hyun Kyung (Hyun Kyung and Alice’s Fabulous Love Affair with God, with Alice Walker), Associate Professor of Ecumenical Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York.
• Derek Flood (Healing the Gospel: A Radical Vision for Grace, Justice, and the Cross), a voice in the post-conservative evangelical movement.
• Otis Gaddis III (Chaplain, University of Maryland), a recent graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and a founding member of The Episcopal Evangelism Network.
• Stanley Hauerwas (A Cross-Shattered Church: Reclaiming the Theological Heart of Preaching), named “America’s Best Theologian” by Time Magazine in 2001.
• Elizabeth Johnson (Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God), a distinguished Catholic theologian who is mining the theological significance of the theory of evolution.
• Kimberleigh Jordan (The Riverside Church, New York City), a preacher and blogger who brings dance and other arts to her interpretation of theology.
• David Sloan Wilson (Darwin’s Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society), a Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences and Anthropology at Binghamton University.
• Almeda Wright (Assistant Director of Religious Education, Yale Divinity School), a writer and speaker on adolescent spiritual development, African American religion, and the intersections of religion and public life.

In response to the 75th General Convention’s call for the development of continuing education plans for clergy, lay professionals, and licensed ministers (Resolution D009), Trinity Institute offers two (2) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for all persons who complete each year’s National Theological Conference.

For more information about attending the conference in person at Trinity Church or becoming a partner site, click here , call 1-800-457-0224 or email institute@trinitywallstreet.org.

Trinity Institute
Trinity Institute is a continuing education program founded in 1967 as an outreach of Trinity Wall Street, an Episcopal parish. The Institute’s annual National Theological Conference equips clergy and laypersons for imaginative and catalytic leadership. Recent conferences include Building an Ethical Economy: Theology and the Marketplace, Reading Scripture Through Other Eyes, and Radical Christian Life: Equipping Ourselves for Social Change. The conference presents emerging and inclusive theological perspectives and engages participants in inquiry, dialogue, and reflection. Theological reflection groups are assembled both onsite and at partner sites and provide opportunities to arrive at a deeper understanding of the presentations through peer learning, reflect on how to integrate conference themes with life and work, and build community with colleagues. Participants from all faith traditions are welcomed.