New Friendships

Half the joy of speaking at a conference is reconnecting with old friends and meeting new friends.

At Southern Lights Conference, I was delighted to reconnect with old friends, Diana Butler Bass, Brian McLaren (co-hosts of Southern Lights Conference), Tripp Fuller and Reggie Williams. It was also wonderful to finally meet Jim Chaffee after months of emails and zoom meetings ahead of the conference.

One of the most intriguing and amazing person I met at the conference was Sr. Ilia Delio who is a professor at Villanova. She was interviewed by Tripp Fuller and Diana Butler Bass for Tripp’s podcast Homebrewed Christianity Her podcast interview blew me away as she shared insights into science, religion, theology and God which were intriguing and provocative. The 700 plus conference attendees were taking it all in and were hanging on their seats to hear what next fantastical answer she will provide to the hosts’ questions.

I stood in the back of the hall and swallowed every incredible image, idea and answer that Sr. Delio was throwing out into the universe. I stood there grateful and mesmerized by this scholar’s gift of speaking, writing and scholarship. I am thrilled to announce that she will be a guest on my Madang podcast in the Fall on her forthcoming book by Orbis Books.

Southern Lights is a progressive annual Christian Conference with speakers, musicians and special guests. I was invited to participate in a Pastor Forum with Brian McLaren, do a book signing, interview Reggie Williams for Madang Podcast and serve communion during worship. Both Diana and Brian were kind, welcoming, and extravagant hosts who created an adventurous weekend for those seeking a liberating understanding of God and church. If you missed Southern Lights Conference this year, please plan on attending next year!

Future Events:

1. Campbell University: 2023 Annual Christian Studies Lecture Series at Campbell University.

2. Princeton Theological Seminary: Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry