Progressive Adventism

The 13th Annual Spiritual Renaissance Retreat starts today at Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort in Monterey, California, hosted by the husband-wife team of John Hughson (executive pastor of the Pacific Union College Church) and Joan Hughson (nursing professor at Pacific Union College).

Here’s a brief description of the Presenters and Topics:

Carrol Grady, Author, Lecturer: “SDA Families Dealing with Homosexuality: How the Church Can Help.” If a gay couple began attending your church what would you do?

Roy Ice, Campus Chaplain, Pacific Union College; Tim Gillespie, Campus Chaplain, Loma Linda Academy: “Squeaky Wheel Theology: Who is Defining Adventism to the World?” Are the “theological edges” defining the Adventist middle by default? Or does the middle have something important to say?

George Knight, Author & SDA Historian: “The Fat Lady Rides Again: A look at the Current General Conference Initiative on Restructuring.” If you were the devil, how would you structure the church? What if you were God?

Steve Mosley, Author, Script Writer: “Disarming Difficult People: How to Transform the Problem.” Is it possible that you can learn the most from the very people who annoy you the most?

Becky Wang Scriven, Physician, Lecturer: “The Health Message After Legalism: A Lifestyle for the New Century.” What is the relationship between health habits and our spiritual, physical and emotional well-being?

Chuck Scriven, President, Kettering College of Medical Arts: “The Remnant Church: Do You Love or Hate the Metaphor?” Does It Really Matter? Is claiming to be the remnant church being rather arrogant?

Borge Schantz, Specialist in understanding the Religion of Islam: “Islamism: A Genuine Threat to Western Culture and Christians?” Where does Islam fit in SDA’s end time scenario?

Alden Thompson, Religion Professor, Walla Walla College: “Predicting the End: Frightened Adventists, Frenzied Evangelicals and Secularists Who Shrug.” Knowing what we can know from Scripture and Adventist history, what should we be saying and thinking about the end-time?

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According to the Hughsons, the Spiritual Renaissance Retreat is a partner with Adventist Today for both seek to help in shaping progressive Adventism for its relevant role in a hurting world. SRR also identifies with the stated mission of the Association of Adventist Forums, “to create community through conversation.” It is a shared hope that the retreat will: (a) Inform and challenge, (b) Stimulate thinking and imagination, (c) Inspire service from a grateful heart, and (d) Motivate involvement in solutions that honor God.

If you want to be put on the mailing list for next year’s SRR, contact John Hughson through his homepage at the PUC Church website.

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