Big Tent Christianity: Being and Becoming the Church
On September 8-9, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina, we will be offering a first-of-its-kind national conference, Big Tent Christianity: Being and Becoming the Church. Thanks to a generous grant from the Ford Foundation, we are able to keep registration costs low.
All sessions will be held at New Community Church of Raleigh, 9621 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC.
Who’s coming to the conference?
We have invited three dozen leaders on the cutting edge of “Big Tent” style ministry and theology to talk with you about issues close to their hearts: justice, theology, sexuality, the Bible, and the future of denominations. Among the speakers are:
Philip Clayton, Brian McLaren, Shane Claibourne, Phyllis Tickle, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Bill Leonard, Keith Ward, Tripp Fuller, Gareth Higgins, Hugh Hollowell, Anthony Smith, Tim Conder, Terence Fretheim, Jo-Ann Badley, Jay Bakker, Brian Ammons, Tim King, Spencer Burke, Tom Oord, Christopher Copeland, Frank Green, Peter Rollins, Greg Boyd, Stephanie Spellers, and Ian Cron.
Why “Big Tent Christianity”?
Numerous battles in the past produced the large number of denominations and separate churches within American Christianity today. Some of these battles were important. But many of the old battlelines no longer speak to Christians today, especially to the youth. Indeed, our divisions are driving some folks away from the church altogether.
In the old days revival tents were set up outside towns and cities across the South. The people of God would join together for celebration, community, and revival. The revival tent was a sign of Christian unity and Christian renewal — the ongoing and active work of the Holy Spirit in our midst.
What would happen if Christians came together from across the South to proclaim what unites us as followers of Jesus Christ and as His disciples in this modern world? Some two dozen leading Christian speakers from around the country will be assembling in Raleigh for this event. They will share with you new and innovative forms of church-based ministry and renewal — new ways of being and becoming the church. And they will inspire you with their vision for how we can speak even more powerfully in and to the world of the 21st century.
Join us to celebrate the blessed tie that binds. Join us to celebrate “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”. Join us to celebrate what God’s Spirit is doing in and through the Church today!
Exhibits
There will be an exhibit area available for organizations to set up displays. We will provide 6-foot tables, with access to electrical outlets. The cost for a table is $20. Exhibitors are required to register, but may do so at a discounted rate of $69. (Total cost for an exhibit with one person is $89.)
Space is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To register an exhibit, follow the link above. When you enter your organization’s name in the registration form, simply note that you are an exhibitor. Your payment constitutes a reservation of the table.
Schedule and Costs
Big Tent Christianity will begin at 1:00 Wednesday afternoon, September 8, and ends Thursday evening, September 9, at 6:00.
Rooms are available at the Comfort Suites Raleigh Durham Airport/RTP for a special conference rate of $98/night. This rate will be available until Friday, September 3rd. To place reservations, call 919-314-1200 and ask for the “Big Tent Christianity” Group Rate. The hotel is located at:
5219 Page Road
Durham, NC 27703
Check out the Schedule
Registration Options:
$89 Two-day registration
$59 Group rate (Three or more registrants from same church or organization)
$69 Student rate
Please contact Justin Heinzekehr, conference coordinator with questions about Big Tent Christianity.
