2014 Ministers Week: "Engaging the Bible"

Dallas, Texas – Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University will host Ministers Week February 3–5, 2014. Bible scholars from across the country join Perkins faculty, clergy, and church professionals for lectures and workshops on Bible and ministry. The theme for the 2014 Ministers Week is “Engaging the Bible.”

Following the opening worship service in Perkins Chapel February 3 at 2:30 p.m., Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sharp, professor of Hebrew Scriptures at Yale University, will present the first Jackson Lecture, “Wrestling the Word: Submission and Resistance as Holy Hermeneutical Acts.” Sharp presents the second Jackson Lecture, “Be Strong and Resolute! – Reading Joshua in the Contemporary Church,” February 4 at 4:00 p.m.

Other speakers are: 

• Frederick J. Gaiser, professor emeritus of Old Testament, Luther Seminary: “Healing in the Bible” (Martin Lecture), February 4 at 9:30 a.m.

• Jean-Pierre Ruiz, associate professor and senior research fellow, Vincentian Center for Church and Society, St. John’s University: “Reading from the Edges: Biblical Interpretation Latinamente” (Barton Lecture), February 4 at noon

• Robert Roberts, senior pastor, NorthWood Church of Southlake: “Being Evangelical in a Pluralistic World” (Craven-Wilson Lecture), February 4 at 7:00 p.m.

• Robert Hunt, professor of Christian Mission and Interreligious Relations, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University: “The Bible and Diversity: A Missiological Challenge” (Fondren Lecture), February 5 at 8:30 a.m.

Ministers Week 2014 also will include a variety of worship opportunities, a panel discussion on “The Authority of the Bible for Ministry,” and presentation of the Perkins School of Theology Distinguished Alumna Award to Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, General Secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship from 2001–2013, during a dinner at 6:00 pm, February 3.

Ministers Week begins with registration at 1:30 p.m., February 3, and adjourns at 12:30 p.m., February 5, following closing worship in Perkins Chapel.

All lectures will be held in Perkins Chapel or Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, at Perkins School of Theology on the campus of Southern Methodist University. For a map of the SMU campus, visit www.smu.edu/maps.

Registration, pricing, event details, and lodging information: www.smu.edu/perkins/mw.

More information about the Distinguished Alumna Award Dinner: http://www.smu.edu/Perkins/News/News_Archives/Archives_2014/2014_Distinguished_Alum

Additional information about the 2014 Perkins School of Theology Ministers Week: 214-768-2251 or AdvanceMinistry@smu.edu.

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911 at Southern Methodist University, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Church Ministries, and Doctor of Ministry, as well as the Ph.D., which is offered as a cooperative venture by Perkins School of Theology and the Department of Religious Studies in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences at SMU.