WASHINGTON (ABP) – The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is among sponsors of a four-day meeting next May to discuss ways to train up children and youth in a “new kind of Christianity.”
Scheduled May 7-10, 2012, at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., the Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity conference will bring leaders, ministers, volunteers, parents and students together for dialogue about the spiritual formation of children and youth in the “emergent” or “missional” church.
Brian McLaren
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Nationally known presenters include progressive evangelical social activists like Brian McLaren, Tony Campolo and Jim Wallis alongside children’s and youth ministry experts such as Ivy Beckwith, Joyce Bellous, Amy Dolan and Michael Novelli.
McLaren, author of books including A New Kind of Christianity, said in a promotional video that in his travels he has heard a recurring theme that new forms of ministry, worship and community taking root and growing around the world are not being transmitted effectively to children and youth.
“We are going into a revolution in the way we do church and the way we understand and practice Christian faith — a revolution that’s changing lives of so many adults, and especially young adults — but then we go down and we’re still using old, off-the-shelf curricula for children,” McLaren said.
“We are creating problems for youth and young adults,” McLaren said. “They are going to keep replicating some of the struggles of the last couple of generations.”
Planners said presenters will talk not only about innovative practices and vital issues, but also controversial topics like violence, racism, interfaith dialogue and sexuality. Program personalities include Jeremiah Wright, former pastor to Barack Obama, who as a presidential candidate resigned his membership at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ over controversial remarks by the now-emeritus pastor.
Presented by Emergent Village, Wood Lake Books, Virginia Theological Seminary and Calvary Baptist Church, sponsors include the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Dave Csinos, chair of the conference planning committee, said that along with event sponsorship by the national CBF, the CBF of Virginia will sponsor an opening reception.
“CBF is making a contribution to help sponsor this event,” said Bo Prosser, coordinator for missional congregations for the Atlanta-based CBF. “We typically try to share some funding to help produce a youth/children’s event each year with some group with whom we partner.”
Amy Butler
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Host pastor Amy Butler, who writes a regular column for Associated Baptist Press, is also on the program, coordinating and preaching in worship services. She said she became involved when she met Csinos, who was looking for a venue, and McLaren suggested Calvary.
“This is going to be an amazing conference,” Butler said. “Dave has been able to assemble quite a cast of characters for the conference and I am starting to get really excited.”
Prosser said CBF will have resource provider space for display, has been able to have input to the conference and will be visible during the event.
“Plus, we’re recognized as a national partner, so the exposure is good for us,” he said. “We’re also thrilled that a CBF church is hosting and that Amy will be speaking.”
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Bob Allen is managing editor of Associated Baptist Press.