Dear Friends,
I am writing this because I am so excited about the upcoming Sacred Friendship Gathering in 2 months! If you know of friends who are pastors, professors, leaders, teachers, worship leaders, college students and so on who have an abiding interest in Christian men and women moving past sexism, benevolent sexism, patriarchy,and gender inequality then would you please spread the word about this amazing, full 2 day conference, April 26-27?
Just this past week I was encouraged to see 21 Christians participate in a synchroblog on cross-gender friendship. They were all positive. There is a shift occurring among evangelicals on cross-gender friendship.
We're going to have another groundbreaking conversation about friendship between men and women. We will have speakers from a wide range of evangelical traditions who are also passionate and seasoned practitioners. Co-Pastors Kathy Escobar and Karl Wheeler will be sharing their story of working as pastors and close friends. Elizabeth Chapin, who teaches ministry and evangelism at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, and Jennifer Ould, executive assistant to the president at Northern Seminary are speaking.
Worship leader Rich Chaffins and author Alise Wright will be sharing their story. Emily Maynard, featured columnist of the online magazine, Prodigal is going to be sharing from her experience. Respected author Jim Henderson is coming. Hugo Schwyzer is also speaking.
This is historic.
One of the fascinating and forward looking facts about this Gathering is the number of strong empowered voices of devoted wives and mothers who will be advocating for friendships between men and women to flourish.
Then we will also have some single women with strong voices. I am excited that both Jennifer Ould and Emily Maynard will have a strong voice for singles.
This conference will have a unique balanced blend of married and singles. Kathy Escobar, Jennifer Ould, Jonalyn Fincher, Susanne Osborne, Alise Wright, Emily Maynard are faithful followers of Jesus who are breaking the mold of ministry, leadership, and friendship in the evangelical world.
So often in evangelical conferences women speakers are in the minority or tend to be greatly outnumbered. That is not going to happen at this conference. This Gathering is going to seriously appeal to both married and single. There is going to be nothing like it this year.
This is a full two day conference, April 26-27 in Chicago. The early bird rate is a mere $85.00. It ends in 10 days. We already have people coming from Washington, Oregon, California, North Carolina, West Virginia, Indiana, and so on. Are you considering coming? Great! Would love to see you there. This conference is gaining momentum. Even if you are not considering coming would you spread the word through word-of-mouth and social media?
Register within the next 10 days to get the early bird discount. Also don't forget the great hotel discount. Its going to be a great gathering of men and women who want to see change and transformation in the church and are living it.
http://sacredfriendshipgathering.com/registration/
Thank you!
Hope to see you at the Gathering!
