Special Conference Events
Celebration Dinner
Guest Speaker: Justin Lee
Enjoy a special catered dinner on Friday night of the conference with special guest Justin Lee. Dinner tickets are only available for advanced purchase. Get your ticket here.
Justin Lee is a nonprofit executive and author who uses nuance and empathy as tools for global change. Justin first gained an international following for his work as a Christian ministry leader helping heal church and family divisions on LGBTQ issues. Today, Justin teaches audiences to apply the same powerful bridge-building techniques to all sorts of difficult issues, from political polarization to family disputes. Justin is the author of Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate, as well as Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree With—And Maybe Even Change the World.
Interview with Richard Hays
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​Karen Keen will interview renowned New Testament scholar Dr. Richard Hays during a special one-hour session. The interview will discuss Richard's new book, written with his son Christopher, who is also a scholar. In The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story, Richard and Christopher discuss why they have changed their minds to become affirming of covenanted same-sex relationships. Richard's previous writings have been used widely to promote a traditionalist view. Now he explains his new perspective. In addition to this special session, Richard will share his story during a plenary session. Both opportunities to hear Richard are available to conference registrants (whether in-person or online).
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Richard Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Duke Divinity School, is internationally recognized for his work on the Gospels, the letters of Paul, and on New Testament ethics. He has lectured widely in North America, Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Japan. An ordained United Methodist minister, he has preached in settings ranging from rural Oklahoma churches to London’s Westminster Abbey. Hays is a prolific author of numerous books including Moral Vision of the New Testament, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels, and Reading with the Grain of Scripture. His latest book, written with Christopher Hays, is The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story.
Documentary Screening: The Grove
Special Guests: Jeff Helpman, Justin Baker, and Stan Mitchell
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In-person conference registrants will have an opportunity to watch a screening of the documentary The Grove, as well as meet three people behind the film during a post-screening Q&A. In the film, Pastors Jeff and Jodi Helpman and the courageous members of The Grove community in Bryson City, North Carolina tell their story of becoming a fully LGBTQ+ inclusive church. Transitioning to an inclusive church created hardships, including loss of church membership, but their story is one of courage, resilience, and love as the congregation and its leadership comes alongside to embrace their LGBTQ+ siblings.
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