Globalized Gospel: Welcoming The Next Christendom

JONATHAN CASE

Attention North American Christians — we're no longer the center of the Christian world (if, really, we ever were). What happens when the center of gravity in the worldwide Christian church (including leadership and the lead role in theologizing) shifts to the two-thirds world, the "Global South"? Ready or not, it's happening now, and Western Christians need to get ready, both to understand these shifts and their implications for both North and South, and actively welcome the "Next Christendom". What issues are affecting Christians around the planet, and why should we care? Come explore a few startling ideas developed by Philip Jenkins, Francis Fukuyama and Bat Ye'or, and become a Globally Informed Christian.

Songsmithing: Lyric-Writing Workshop

Thu. - Leigh Nash, formerly of Sixpence None the Richer and a featured guest J-pop rocker with the Japanese band Rin, knows how a song can get airplay. Wildly popular and yet accessible, she'll talk a bit about her new album Blue on Blue. Fri. - Brookin Dekker from the electric Rue Royale (a husband and wife duo akin to Over the Rhine) will fill us in on some of the band's influences and the lyric journey he took when composing the song "Even in the Darkness". Sat. - John Davis, even when he was in Superdrag, hinted in his lyrics at an Evangelical upbringing. Now on his own as a solo artist, John is flying anything but solo. Come hear the message behind such songs as "Stained Glass Window".

Performance Art

BRADLEY HATHAWAY

Step by step Bradley will take you through the process of choosing a piece (poetry and prose, even a blog or essay) and polishing it into a professional performance. By attending these two workshops you will automatically be signed up for an open mic 7 p.m. Friday at the Talking Stage. Sorry, no walk-ons allowed.

The Wright Stuff: Thought & Theology of N. T. Wright

NICHOLAS PERRIN

Anglican bishop N. T. Wright is "a theological rock star" among Emergent types and beyond, and "a C. S. Lewis for our time." An incredibly prolific author who writes for academics and popular audiences, Wright has made fans at every level with his ability to make Christianity relevant in a postmodern world. He was named by Christianity Today as one of the world's five up-and-coming theologians for the new century. This seminar surveys Wright's contribution to the postmodern theological conversation, focussing on his most important contributions including narrative theology, the Historical Jesus, and the New Perspective on Paul.

A Sustainable Future: Design as Devotion

LOREN ABRAHAM

We see a world of abundance, not limits. In the midst of a great deal of talk about reducing the human ecological footprint, we offer a different vision. What if humans designed products and systems that celebrate an abundance of human creativity, culture, and productivity? That are so intelligent and safe, our species leaves an ecological footprint to delight in, not lament? —Cradle-to-Cradle

Protecting, preserving and restoring God's creation is not only mandated in many places in scripture but may be considered as an important act of faith, obedience and love for God. For hundreds of years Science and Faith have been apparently at odds with one another and the precarious state of the planet's current ecological health is very likely a direct result. As one of the early proponents of "Cradle-to-Cradle" protocols, Loren Abrahams argues that the conflict between industry and the environment is largely an unintended, if tragic, consequence of a failure of design — and that truly intelligent design will create products, systems, architecture — a future, in fact — in which nature (Creation) and commerce (human activity) can fruitfully co-exist. Many Evangelicals, however, seem to have given up on the idea of a future, believing that design and its products will ultimately perish when Christ returns and therefore we needn't worry about the environmental degradation that comes from "business as usual." So how do we untangle the truth about the moral imperatives we face from a biblical standpoint? And what about the apocalyptic visions revealed by the prophets Daniel and Ezekiel and most of all John in his book of Revelation? Is there hope for a future on Earth or should we be packing for the New Jerusalem?

Ordinary Radicals: How Little People with Big Dreams are Re-Imagining Faith

SHANE CLAIBORNE

We live in a world that wants things bigger and bigger. We want to supersize our fries, sodas, and church buildings. But amid all the supersizing, many of us feel God doing something new, something small and subtle. This thing Jesus called the kingdom of God is emerging across the globe in the most unexpected places, a gentle whisper amid the chaos. —The Irresistable Revolution

Amid the ruins of an abandoned cathedral where homeless families were living, Shane Claiborne and his community caught a fresh vision of what it means to be the Church. This seminar presents that vision as a call to move beyond complaining about the Church we see, and start becoming the Church most of us dream of. With ancient stories of the early Christians and contemporary stories of ordinary radicals living with great creativity, Shane inspires us to re-imagine what it means to be the Body of Christ alive in the world. Christians are meant to be radical non-conformists, interrupting the patterns of our world with prophetic imagination. After all, the Kingdom of God is not just something we hope for after we die, but something that we are to live out on earth as it is in heaven. Let's turn off our TVs, pick up our Bibles, and rethink the way we live. Let's imagine a revolution that is gentle and magnetic, a revolution big enough to set both the oppressed and the oppressors free.

Joining our Voices as ONE: Becoming Activists who Fight Global Poverty

ANNIE GILL-BLOYER

One billion people live on a dollar a day or less. 40 million people are HIV+. One person in seven has no access to clean water. Ever feel overwhelmed when you hear about the magnitude of needs around the world? Feel like there is nothing you can do? Well, there is a tool that each of us can use in the fight against extreme global poverty: Our Voice. This is a time of desperate need, but also one of tremendous hope. For the first time in history, the world has the financial and technological means to put an end to extreme poverty. All that is lacking is the will to make it happen. It is up to us to determine how our generation will be remembered. Will we bring our voices together as ONE and become the people to Make Poverty History?

Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, Revolutionaries & Other Christians in Disguise

ROBERT INCHAUSTI

Some of the most brilliant and original critics of modernity shaped their critiques from within a Christian perspective. As in his book of the same name, Robert Inchausti in this seminar maps out a tradition of thinkers — philosophers, activists and novelists — whose "unique contributions to secular thought derive from their Christian worldviews." These include Walker Percy, Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Jacques Ellul, Marshall McLuhan, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Soren Kierkegaard and Wendell Barry. This seminar puts Christian thinkers at the heart of all the important discussions of recent history and inspires listeners to join the conversation.

Make Affluence History: Culture-Jamming for Beginners

AIDEN ENNS

Affluence, as luscious as it seems, invokes spiritual poverty within and material poverty without. And yet few of us rarely think about curbing our pursuit of wealth. It's all connected: care for the earth, tending the soul, confronting hunger, addressing homelessness.

Engaging the E Words: Emergent, Evangelical & Ecclesiology (Etc.)

VINCENT BACOTE

Twenty-first century Christians asking lots of questions, and this seminar focuses on three topics which invite us to consider the how to be faithful in a changing context. The first question surrounds what has been called the "Emergent Church". Difficult to define but impossible to ignore, the conversation about how Christianity emerges in the midst of a postmodern and post-Christian society requires our attention. Is "emergent" a movement, the beginning of a new and contemporary Protestant movement, or is it simply one trend among others? Second, we will consider ecclesiology in the 21st century. What does "church" mean and what does Christian community look like today? How much do we hold onto past forms of worship and what new forms should we develop or embrace? Third, there is the word "evangelical". Should we keep it or lose it? Has it become so discussed and dissected that no one really knows what it means? Has it been so captured by certain political associations that it is more harmful than helpful? Or, should we hold onto it because it remains one of the best words to describe a large and vital group of Protestants in the United States and beyond? All of these "E" words demand our attention, especially in connection with one another.

Mere Sexism? C. S. Lewis & Gender Relations

MARY STEWART VAN LEEUWEN

Renewed attention on C. S. Lewis with the release of the recent Narnia film has provoked familiar charges of sexism for that self-described "dinosaur" of Old European academia. Psychologist and philosopher Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen casts an appreciative, but also critical, eye on Lewis, aiming to separate the "mere" Christianity in his writings about gender from conclusions rooted in other sources of influence. How much of Lewis's stance was a reflection of the Edwardian era into which he was born, and the monastic largely-male culture of Oxford where he spent most of his career? Was Lewis, like many of his intellectual adversaries, a better man than his theories — that is, were his relationships with actual women more mutually respectful and egalitarian than his writings? To what extent did his pronouncements about women and men change throughout his life, and why? Are some of the feminist diatribes against him that emerged in books and theses in wake of the second wave of feminism justified, or is the term "Christian feminist" simply an oxymoron? And just how much did Lewis — or anyone else of his era — really know about the psychology of gender? Teasing apart the threads represented by these questions will be the task of this seminar.

Reconciliation Blues: Black in a White Evangelical World

EDWARD GILBREATH

Even in the 21st century church, race still divides us more than it unites. Edward Gilbreath, author of Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity, takes a probing look at the state of racial and cultural diversity in the American church. How much progress have we really made? Is it enough? How do we move beyond superficial diversity to deeper unity? And what does it mean for our worship, theology, politics, and everyday living? An honest and challenging discussion about thecondition of racial reconciliation in the church.

Exclusion & Embrace: Trinity, Individual & Community

JONATHAN CASE

You may have been told that the doctrine of the Trinity is complicated and irrelevant to practical concerns faced by Christians. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's all about relationships. What is the proper relation between the Me and the Not-Me? How does the individual join the community (a friendship, a nation, a marriage) without being swallowed by the community? How does the community cultivate individuals without destroying the community? Come find out why our understanding and application of the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to understanding the church and her mission, and serves as a model for our relation with Others of every sort.

Lost in Translation: The Perils & Promise of Cross-Cultural Communication

BOB & NANCY SCHAEFER

Where there is communication — especially across cultures and/or language barriers — there is the possibility of mis-communication, mis-understanding and mis-interpretation. How do we transfer meaning in cross-cultural communication? What are some of the particular risks in translation of the Christian message? Bob & Nancy Schaeffer share their experiences — successes and failures — in taking the Gospel across cultures.

Going Native? How Far is TOO Far? (and How Far Isn't FAR ENOUGH?)

JOHN MOREHEAD

In history of Christian missions overseas missionaries have long wrestled with communicating the Christian faith in culturally appropriate forms, and in drawing upon the culture to create indigenous expressions of church and Kingdom community. But how far is too far? When does "contextualization" cross the line into syncretism? Western Christians are not used to appreciating the importance of this question in "Christendom" culture, but the shift to post-Christendom and increasing religious pluralism make these the leading questions for faith and living in the twenty-first century. These presentations will introduce the issues and will explore how the history of missions and the diverse cultural expressions of Christianity might inform our understanding of communicating the gospel and expressing it in America. We will also consider the relevance of creativity and artistry to the theological and missional tasks.

PostColonial Missions in India: Preaching an Un-"Christian" Christ

SUNIL SARDAR

Fed up with the ancient oppressions built into their Hindu faith, millions of lower-caste Indian Dalits — known as "Untouchables" — are actively looking for a new faith, one that can give them dignity and sense of value regardless of their social class — and offer the hope of overcoming a system that locks people into their classes forever. Christianity is certainly a very real option for many Dalits today, but the name "Christian" carries with it from West to East certain negative conotations and its own history of oppression. Sunil Sardar, the founder of Truth Seekers International, is an Indian Christian who has been working creatively within this difficult environment for many years. Part of his task involves separating the true Gospel of Jesus from the seemingly monolithic cultural and historical face "Christianity" presents to his people. Another part of the task has to do with communicating the Gospel from within the authentic cultural context of his people. Based on his experiences, Sunil has much to say about what it means to "contextualize" the Gospel within a given culture in a way that does equal justice to the message and the cultural context.

Love Thy Islamic Neighbor: Missional Engagement with Muslims

FRED NELSON

A missional church can’t afford to fear or avoid or misunderstand Muslims. It’s not enough to just listen or just talk. We need to do both. These sessions are designed to help you take practical steps to better understand, listen to, love, and witness to your Muslim friends and neighbors.

Self-Funding the Great Commission: Business as Missions

TIM BOCK

So much of mission-work involves the often unpleasant and always delicate task of raising funds — sometimes seen as taking time away from the "real" mission, and often threatening to taint the work of preaching the Gospel with the dollars and cents. At the same time, business is often seen in certain Christian contexts as a necessary evil at best, a corrupting influence at worst. Can any good come of bringing mission and business together? For the past twenty-five years, Tim Bock's mission has been business: he has developed and overseen a range of "tent-making" endeavors that support Christian missions around the world, including Cornerstone Festival. Tim is a real entrepeneur, who sees business opportunity through the eyes of a missionary. In recent years, he's traveled around the world — to Southeast Asia, India, and Eastern Europe to consult with missionaries looking to fund their work by starting locally-based businesses. Tim combines a zeal for the Gospel and business acumen (and deep sense of business ethics) that will inspire you and open your eyes to new posssibilities.

Feast of Fools: Burning Man, Rainbow Gathering & Holy Festivity

JOHN MOREHEAD

History has seen the rise of a number of utopian community experiments, and this is also the case wit the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. One of the more interesting post-modern utopian experiments is the Burning Man Festival in Nevada. This seminar will explore the meaning of this festival for participants, and will consider it in comparison with other countercultural utopian movements such as the 1970s Rainbow Tribe. We will also explore the relevance of festival as a missing dimension of the church's connection with nature and the liturgical calendar of celebrations and what Burning Man might be "saying" to the church's omissions as a result.

The Sympathetic Imagination: Wonder and Compassion in the Works of G. K. Chesterton & Abraham Joshua Heschel

ZACH KINCAID

English thinker G. K. Chesterton and Rabbi Abraham Heschel pursued God in wonder: both understood that wonder is a question that demands a response, often in compassionate action. What is the link between wonder and compassion? How can we make the link in our own lives?

Writing Workshop: The Soul Tells a Story

VINITA HAMPTON WRIGHT

What is your creative process, and how can you work with it better? How does your creativity merge with your life of faith? How can you more intentionally approach your art with spiritual sensibilities and your spirituality with creativity? This workshop will involve discussion, informal lecture, and writing exercises designed to help you connect with your creative gifts.

Married & Lovin' It

TINA HERRIN

Fall in love and never get up! We'll discuss steps in building a marriage and love that will last a lifetime. What is love? How can we find guides for true communication? Can we 'fight fair'? What are some keys to unlocking a love that lasts?

"Who Am I?" A Same-Sex Story

AMY TRACY

Sex, sex, sex ... it's everywhere in our culture. And for one woman, sex, drugs, and activism ruled her life for a number of years. Amy Tracy seemed to have it all: a loving female partner, a successful activist career, friends, and the respect of all who knew her. But there was still something big missing. Join Amy as she tells her story and explores issues involving gender, sexuality, and living a newly radical life.

Love, Sex & Relationships: Connecting the Dots

WENDI KAISER

Spend three days connecting the dots in your life spiritually, relationally and sexually as we discuss what is love, how to increase your emotional IQ, the thrill of a righteous romance and developing a life plan for your relationships. We will spend one session with an open mic to talk about anything and everything connected with love, sex and your relationships. Be a part of this personal "think tank" at C-stone! (Many consider this seminar as a must for your first festival experience. ) .

CHRISTIANS FOR BIBLICAL EQUALITY

Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) is a non-profit organization that believes the Bible teaches fundamental equality of men and women, reflected in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you all one in Christ Jesus." In addition to seminars listed below CBE will have prayertime from 8 to 9 a.m. For their complete schedule visit www.cbeinternational.org. Christians for Biblical Equality is sponsoring the following seminars:

Desperate Measures: How the Church is Driving Women to Wicca — and What it Can do to Draw Them Back

JULIA BUTCHER

Neo-Paganism, the religious movement under which Wiccan is typically placed, is growing rapidly among women in many western countries, including the USA. Many of these women formerly identified themselves as Christians. Why are so many women attracted to earth religions and goddess worship? Why are they choosing them over the Christian church? How should the church respond? Come and learn about this growing trend and observe first-hand how changes in the attitudes and worship-styles of the church could be the key to attracting these women back to Christ.

Modesty: A Word for Boys and Girls

MARISSA CWIK

Marissa Cwik on why a woman's clothing is NOT a measure of her spirituality and how to think more holistically about modesty in our churches and youth groups.

Somebody Else's Problems: Why Should I Care About Things That Don't Affect Me?

MARISSA CWIK

Tired of hearing about war? Excited about helping those in need? Does the idea of volunteer work make you queasy? Can't wait to do missions work overseas? Whether you are excited about social activism, or need to be convinced, this seminar is for you! Why "social justice" is more then a trendy phrase and how our faith calls us to action.

Who Wears the Pants in the Trinity? God & Mutuality

MARISSA CWIK

Ever wonder about the relationship between God the Father and God the Son? Well, you are in good company. In this lecture we will explore how our thoughts on God affect how we view other people and what the church has to say about the Trinity.

Is Jesus My Bread of Life? Reflections on how the Church Handles Dieting & Eating Disorders

MEGAN GREULICH

Our culture places ridiculous expectations in women to be supermodel thin. Christians are hardly immune to this: rates of eating disorders are the same or worse than the rest of the culture. Megan Greulich examines why the church has such a hard time with food and explores healthier attitudes about our bodies.

Should I Pray for my Future Spouse?: Exploring Questions We Ask When We are Young, Single, and Dating

MEGAN GREULICH

All around us, we hear messages about relationships and being single. Movies tell us that we won't be happy unless we are in love. Christian dating books tell us that girls want romance and guys want sex. And in the middle of all that, we have our own hopes for the future and questions about our purpose. We will explore these issues in hopes of clarifying and developing healthy and God-honoring attitudes about relationships.

Slaves to Culture or Servants of Christ: How the Church Finally Got it Right on Women's Service in the Church

MIMI HADDAD

A three-part series that will explore how the Church struggled to embrace the biblical rather than cultural message concerning women's Gospel-Service beside men.

Women in Christian Leadership

GLENN KAISER

Glenn Kaiser shares lessons from Scripture and his experience serving with his wife Wendi during his years of travel and community living.

The Ephesians Model of Marriage

WENDI KAISER

Wendi Kaiser takes the "Great Commandment" magnifying lens to Ephesians chapter five.

My Loved One is Mentally Ill: Support for Friends & Family

DEELIGHT MURPHY & DEBRA STRAHAN

Dee and Deb will tell the stories of their own journeys "walking alongside," and share some lessons they have learned along the way, including some of the challenges loved ones face; fears of the future, isolation, disappointment, self-care, stigma, finding support, re-creating relationships, and pursuing resources. Deelight Murphy & Debra Strahan each have close family members with mental illness.

What Happens to 'Wild-Hearted' Women & 'Captivating Men'?

CHRISSY STOCKTON

What happens when women and men don't fit into the gender role they are supposed to? Are feisty women and sensitive men bad Christians? Learn what happens to "wild" women and "captivating" men in a sea of books devaluing their identity and what we can do to look at ourselves and others as holistic, gendered persons.

Overcoming Sexual Violence: Finding Freedom & Justice from the Trauma of Rape

SARAH SULLIVAN

Sarah Sullivan (a rape survivor and longtime counselor) reflects on the effects of sexual violence on individual and society and the process of moving past the trauma into healing and recovery.

Manly Reflections on Mutuality

JON TROTT

In "Manliness & Mutuality," Jon Trott asks, "Do I lose my masculinity in mutually submitting to a woman?" The session "Mutuality in Bed" (note: mature subject matter) explores mutuality within the sexual context of marriage.