I have an exciting announcement: I will be a keynote speaker for Evolving Faith Conference (4-5 October, 2019), Colorado, US.
The Evolving Faith conference was dreamed up last year by Sarah Bessey and Rachel Held Evans as a place for (mainly American) Christians who were doubting their faith or questioning the churches they were brought up in, especially with relation to social justice, politics and faith. So many people find themselves on the margins of church, either for being the ‘wrong’ kind of person or for asking difficult and honest questions, and it can feel like you’re rejected by God as a result. This conference also serves many people who have suffered spiritual abuse, who are trying to work out where God is in it all.
Evolving Faith conference performs a vital ministry as a lifeline for people who love Jesus but have been hurt by the church, and I love its vision to heal and support the spiritually wounded while promoting a message of social justice. It’s a shelter for people stuck in a spiritual wilderness.
What I also love about this conference is its genuine commitment to diversity among its speakers, including disability. Because I am housebound, Evolving Faith will have my talk via video and the following discussion via video link.
It is a big risk for conferences to step out with technology in this way, and I am personally grateful to Greenbelt, New Wine, Ridley Hall theological college, Mind and Soul Foundation (upcoming, 12 October 2019) and now Evolving Faith for valuing my message and voice such that they are willing to experiment with different formats and think creatively about inclusion.
Please do pray for me as I prepare both for Evolving Faith and Mind and Soul Foundation UK conferences. And please do pray for the organisers and hosts of Evolving Faith, Sarah Bessey and Jeff Chu. Rachel Held Evans was the third organiser and one of their closest friends, but tragically died on the 4 May, so they are grieving while organising a major event that she was fully part of.
My full and official announcement is here – do follow the link and check it out.
Tanya,
I think this is awesome! I know everyone will be blessed by you!
This is brilliant news. I looked up Rachel Held Evans after I read your last communication… I’m so inspired by her blog. It’s a relief to know people are thinking about what I call a joined up theology which makes sense of all the changing scenes of life/the differences. It’s giving me confidence to be more upfront about asking questions … I’m so glad I discovered you through licc. I hope you are feeling a bit better today. I give thanks for you & pray for you as you live with ME & keep on blessing others through your ministry.
This is so exciting! Go you!
Oh, Tanya! I have tears streaming down my cheeks at this news. So happy for you and deeply appreciative of all who recognized the value in and need for your words and are making this happen, and also for all who are grieving the loss of Rachel. It’s such a shock.