Emerging Leaders Project

Submitted by Stephanie Wert ... on November 14, 2008 - 5:00am.

When: November 14-16, 2008
Where: Minneapolis, MN
Who: The Plymouth Center for Progressive Christian Faith

About the Conference

The progressive Christian movement today is less a movement and more a groundswell of Christian people who believe the politicized Christian right in the United States does not speak for their own gospel-centered faith and practice. Through conferences, publications, and social blogs, progressive Christians are building national networks and coalitions.

To build upon this network, the Plymouth Center for Progressive Christian Faith annually brings together selected seminarians and recent seminary graduates from across the country who desire to be more knowledgeable and articulate in the progressive Christian conversation for a mentoring weekend in Minneapolis, MN. These emerging leaders gather with experienced leaders in progressive Christianity (theologians, professors, organizational leaders, and pastors) to strengthen their leadership skills for work in congregations, seminaries, civic, and political communities. The gathering is designed to be small enough for all participants to know one another with the goal of building relationships and networks that will last well into the future.

This year, the Plymouth Center presents "Claiming Our Story: A Gathering of Emerging and Experienced Leaders in the Progressive Christian Faith Movement". This weekend conference, November 14-16, 2008, will address the following areas:

• Telling our stories – who are we and how does our personal story connect with the biblical story and the progressive Christian movement?
• History of the progressive Christian movement – what is the shape of the movement from past to present?
• Communicating the progressive Christian movement – how does one communicate the progressive Christian message in an age of polarization and conflict?
• Contemplation in action – how does one ensure that his/her compassion and action in the world is drawn from a personal and communal spirituality rooted in the power of the Gospel?

Strengthening the progressive Christian network for justice, compassion, & peace