Thursday, March 4
9:00am - 9:15am
CST
Introduction & Welcome
Dr. G. Steve Kinnard & Dave Pocta
​
​
9:15am - 10:30am
CST
Introduction to Biblical Justice
Dr. G. Steve Kinnard
​
This presentation sets the foundation for the Let Justice Roll conference. We will focus on the definition and role of justice in Scripture. We will take a quick survey of major passages on justice in the Pentateuch, the Hebrew Prophets, and the ministry of Jesus. We will also talk about what to expect from the conference and how to get the most from the conference.
10:45am - 12pm
CST
Entertaining Angels: Embracing Community Justice
Suzette Lewis
​
Many would say that individuals are hardwired to show favor, preference, and interest to those who look, talk or think like them. Generally, those with similar experiences find allyship and cohesion more natural and intuitive. Yet, something extraordinary happens when we embrace God's Kingdom boundaries as dashed lines with indistinct and irregular contours. Imagine the limitless opportunities to honor God that begin to emerge when we saturate ourselves among those who have no inclination or capacity to offer us anything in return for our service. You and I will never know this side of heaven, the countless angels we will have inspired as they witness our doing what is necessary versus what is comfortable out of love for our communities.
2pm - 3:15pm
CST
The Biblical Lament and a Personal Account of Racialized Trauma
James Becknell
Processing trauma and pain is not a new phenomenon. In the history of the people of Israel, they had many traumatic experiences to deal with Major family and tribal dysfunction within the clans of Abraham's line (Jacob, Esau, Rachel, Leah the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel.) Enslavement and oppression in the land of Egypt Visceral hatred, animosity, rivalry, and military attacks from neighboring people groups in the land of Canaan Warfare, exile, and occupation by the global powers of the Ancient Near East Israel desperately needed ways to process deeply painful and challenging circumstances in life. What did they do? They cried, whaled, flung themselves on the ground, tore their clothing, wrote sorrow songs to God, and threw ashes on their heads. In essence, what they did was lament! Pain and open expressions of sorrow are a common practice for those in the world of ancient Israel as well as for Jesus and his disciples. Walter Brueggeman, in his book An Unsettling God, defines a lament as … a cry of need in a context of crisis when Israel lacks the resources to fend for itself. In light of our surging awareness of issues related to social, racial, and biblical justice, racialized trauma, and the life of the disenfranchised, this vitally important biblical practice is needed by the people of Jesus today. I can’t think of a more appropriate response to our present climate. Let’s make the biblical lament useful to our souls and the souls of others as we seek to heal from and understand our personal and collective traumas.
3:15pm - 6:00pm
CST
Expo
.
​
6pm - 7pm
CST
A Disciples of Christ View of Communion and Justice
Dr. D Newell Williams
​
This class explores the connection between the Lord’s Supper and Justice in the writings of Alexander Campbell, William Robinson, and contemporary female Disciples of Christ scholars.
7:15pm - 8:30pm
CST
A Spiritual Perspective on Racism, Poverty and Inequity
Jamila Michener
This class will focus on how disciples of Jesus can keep a spiritual perspective while engaging in crucial discussions on racism, poverty, and inequality.
Friday, March 5
9:00am - 9:15am
CST
Introduction & Welcome
Dr. Steve Kinnard & Dave Pocta
​
​
9:15am - 10:15am
CST
Breaking the Silence: Courageous Conversations about Race & Reconciliation in the Church
Dr. Ben Barnett
​
This class will be a presentation of my doctoral research. The potential significance for this research project is development of a method useful for breaking racial barriers and building bridges across racial lines. My hypothesis assumes that silence about race is the problem. In a context where blacks and whites generally separate on Sunday mornings and lack the intentionality and ability to talk about race in America, it was my primary goal to discover intentional ways that black and white Christians can begin to courageously have conversations about race that are spiritual, safe, and strategic. Another goal of my research was to begin a dialogue on race within the local church to determine if small groups are a viable, strategic and missional way to address issues around race.
10:30am - 11:30am
CST
A Theology of Poverty
Robert Carrillo
​
Justice for the poor is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. For this very reason Jews, Christians and Muslims have endeavored throughout the centuries to fulfill God’s commands and concerns in regard to caring for the poor. Western Christianity has wrestled with it’s obligation fulfilling the call to various degrees of success. Restoration churches have lacked intentionality, experience and impact. Consequently, many of today's disciples of Jesus in the ICOC are in search of a clear understanding. This class will present and discuss this important topic from a theological perspective.
11:45am - 12:45pm
CST
Lunch/Panel on Teaching Ministry
Ed Anton, Tammy Fleming, Dave Hooper, Rafael Lua
​
1pm - 2pm
CST
Breakout Classes
-
Emmanuel Emeh & Paul Smith: Building a Continental Teachers Group; The African Experience
-
Tanner Versage: Characterization as a Catalyst of Theme in the Gospel of Mark
-
Dr. Courtney A. Bailey: Imperialism as Injustice: Exploring Paul’s Subversive Subtext in the Pastorals
-
Gordon Ferguson: Black Tax and White Benefits
-
Rolayo Ogbonnaya: Personal Renewal in God through Solitude, Meditation and Rest
-
Thomas Paresi: The Cultural Context of the Creation Story
-
Ayhanna Booker: In His Image: spiritual disciplines as a vehicle for sanctification and transformation
-
Gabriel Santos: Culture, Race, and the Now-Time of the Spirit
-
Andy Fleming: The Myth of a Christian Nation
-
Kyle Spears: Racialized Trauma: Core Issues
-
Deb Anton: Jesus and Women
2:15pm - 3:15pm
CST
Breakout Classes
-
Tammy Fleming: Fear No Evil
-
Carlos Santos: Making Sense of Suffering
-
Dr. Richard Rodriguez: How American Slavery Violated the Scriptures
-
Dr. Andrew K. Boakye: There is Neither Jew nor Greek: The Church, The Gospel and the Question of Race
-
Jennifer Becknell: Curiosity may have killed the cat but it can help you resolve conflict
-
Malcolm & Penny Cox: Ecology, theology and a vision for kingdom justice
-
Michael Burns: The Forgotten Element of Unity: The Role of Cultural Humility in Diverse Churches
-
Arturo Elizarraras: To Die is to Gain
-
Gregg Marutzky: Justice in Leadership: An Inclusive Model
-
Sherie Gayle: Justice for Dry Trees: Barrenness, Single-hood, and Other Foreign Bodies in the Body of Christ
3:30pm - 4:30pm
CST
Breakout Classes
-
Kay McKean: City Set on a Hill
-
Matina Montes: Toledot Reimagined in the 21st Century: Adolescent Spiritual Formation
-
Jason Alexander: Barren Women and the Power of God: The Confounding Nature of Biblical Hope
-
Dr. Bill Moulden/Vince Hawkins: Lifelong Learning for Ministry
-
Todd Asaad: Building Deep: The value of an educated staff
-
Dr. Dyron Daughrity, Rafael Lua: Still Rising: A global report on Christianity’s changing demographics
-
Jeanie Shaw: The Views from Our Windows: Presuppositions and Interpretation
-
Douglas Jacoby: Justice and Judgment: The Scream of the Prophet Amos
-
Joey Harris: Paul and Slavery: The Challenge of Biblical Justice in a Non-Christian World
-
Rolan Monje: Justice with the Covenant of Israel
4:30pm - 6:00pm
CST
Expo
.
6pm - 7pm
CST
After the Dream .. a Tribute to Dr. King's Work for Justice
Ted Williams
Excerpts from 1619: The Journey of a People, created and produced by Ted Williams. This dynamic musical production commemorates the struggles, recognizes the heroes, and celebrates the story of America's African sons and daughters.
​
This will replay at 8:30pm
7pm - 9pm
CST
A Night with Fred Gray - Let Justice Roll
Fred Gray
​
Fred Gray is a civil rights attorney and minister in Atlanta, GA. He has represented Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as Rosa Parks and the plaintiffs of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. He is author of Bus Ride to Justice.
Saturday, March 6
9:00am - 9:15am
CST
Introduction & Welcome
Dr. Steve Kinnard & Dave Pocta
​
9:15am - 10:15am
CST
Escaping the Web of White Supremacy: A Crucial Task for Christians
Richard Hughes
​
Relying on history, Hughes will show that white supremacy is not confined to a few fringe groups but is the very air we breathe, both in the nation and, sadly, even in our churches. And relying on Scripture, Hughes will present the biblical mandate for why we must recognize this reality and embrace the long, slow work or expelling white supremacy from our hearts, minds, and lives.
10:30am - 11:30am
CST
Empathy in the Midst
Jennifer Konzen
​
Jennifer Konzen, PsyD, LMFT, CST, CCDC. Dr. Konzen is the director for the Center for Sexuality in San Diego, CA. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a certified sex therapist, and a certified chemical dependency counselor. She is also a two-time nationally award-winning researcher, an international speaker, and an adjunct professor in San Diego at Bethel Seminary, Point Loma Nazarene University, and Alliant International University, and online at Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology. Dr. Konzen is the author of The Art of Intimate Marriage and Redeemed Sexuality and the upcoming The Ransomed Journey: Couples Recovery from Addiction. Jennifer and her husband Tim have been married over 25 years and have 4 wonderful children. They live in San Diego, California where Tim is a deacon and they are involved with shepherding and leading in the married and youth and family ministries.
11:45am - 12:45pm
CST
Teleios Society Lunch - Holistic Christian Spirituality
Teleios Society
1pm - 2pm
CST
Did Jesus Have a Green Card?
Dan Rodriguez
Since 1979, Daniel A. Rodriguez, a native of California, has served the Churches of Christ as a minister in Central and Southern California and as a missionary in Puebla, Mexico (1985–1994). Daniel is a graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, the Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, Mexico, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California (PhD in Intercultural Studies). Daniel currently serves as the Divisional Dean of the Religion and Philosophy Division and as a professor of Religion and Hispanic Studies at Pepperdine University. He also serves as a minister at the Hollywood Church of Christ in Los Angeles. Daniel has published numerous journal articles and contributed chapters to edited volumes on the subject of Hispanic evangelicalism. His book, A Future for the Latino Church (IVP Academic 2011), challenges the assumption that Hispanic ministry is synonymous with Spanish-language ministry and also challenges the evangelical church in the United States to become all things to all Latinos. Daniel and his wife, Jeanette, have been married for 43 years and they have been blessed with five children. They live on campus at Pepperdine University.
2:15pm - 3:15pm
CST
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa), Her daughter and the foundation
Linda Biehl
​
Linda is an American philanthropist and is the co-founder and director of the United States—based Amy Biehl Foundation as well as an attendee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.
3:30pm - 4:30pm
CST
Justice in the Stone Campbell Movement
Jerry Taylor
​
Dr. Jerry Andrew Taylor is an associate professor of Bible, Missions, and Ministry at Abilene Christian University and is the Founding Director of the ACU Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action. In 1984 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas. Dr. Taylor earned a Master of Divinity degree in May 1988 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in May 1995 from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Taylor has served churches of Christ in Sulphur Springs, Texas; Port Arthur, Texas; and Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to moving to Abilene, Dr. Taylor did ministry among the poor who lived in the Bankhead area of the inner city of Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Taylor travels extensively speaking on college campuses and in national conferences, and conducts retreats and gospel/revival meetings nationally and internationally. He is the author of the book Courageous Compassion. As Founding Director of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action, he organizes the Racial Unity Leadership Summits and Prayer Retreats, the African American Leadership Summits, the National Spiritual Think Tanks, and the Young Ministers Spiritual Retreats. He is married to Patricia (Bowden) Taylor, formerly of Houston, Texas. They have been married for 29 years and have two children, Alisha (25) and Jeremiah (21). The Taylor family has lived in Abilene, Texas since December 2002.
4:30pm
CST
Roundtable / Q&R
Teleios Society