Pastors' Forums
Pastors' Forums provide pastors with an opportunity to be enriched, encouraged, and challenged on a wide variety of topics relevant to ministry by various speakers. These one-day seminars occur throughout the spring and fall semesters at Gordon-Conwell and are open not only to pastors, but to anyone interested in the presented topics.
Sean McDonough | Garth M. Rosell
Schedule | Seminar Details | Registration | Promotion | Audio & Video Recordings
NEW DATE!
Tuesday, April 30: Tolkien's Apocalyptic Vision with Sean McDonough
J.R.R. Tolkien has left an enduring legacy in literature and popular culture. But does his work have any value for the church? In this seminar, we will explore the relationship of Tolkien’s legendarium to the apocalyptic portions of the Bible. In both instances, the journey to a “secondary world” is not meant to be an escape from reality but rather an escape to reality. In Tolkien’s words, such a journey should help us recover a sense of what the world is really all about.
Sessions include:
- J.R.R. Tolkien: Apocalyptic Theologian?
- Relentless Sorrow, Enduring Hope: The Silmarillion
- Of Elves and Men
- Reading the Gospel in the Lord of the Rings
Sean McDonough (Ph.D., University of St. Andrews) came to Gordon-Conwell in 2000 from Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, where he had served as the Chair of the Biblical Studies Department and as a lecturer in New Testament. His research interests include creation/cosmology in the Bible and the Ancient Near East, Hellenistic Judaism, Greek philosophy and religion and the Book of Revelation. Dr. McDonough’s personal interests include supporting the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, spending time with his family, traveling and hiking.
Location: Alumni Hall, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA
Tuesday, May 7: Spiritual Heritage Tour with Garth M. Rosell
For registered guests of this tour, please note that we will meet at Gordon-Conwell at 8:00 a.m. and depart from campus promptly at 8:30 a.m. An email will be sent out soon for this tour. For questions or to confirm that we have your email on file, please email us.
In many ways, we in New England walk on hallowed ground. We walk on the ground of the first Puritans who built their churches to mark the “City on a Hill,” the place where the great evangelist George Whitefield preached to tens of thousands, the place of pastor-theologian Jonathan Edwards, the place of the dreaded Salem Witch Trials, and the place of the very first missionaries who left for far distant countries to preach the gospel.
We invite you and other pastors into this world for one history laden day, where Dr. Garth Rosell will lead you on a Spiritual Heritage Tour of the Northshore of Boston, including Ipswich, Newburyport and Salem. Join us for a full on-site tour where we will explore your historic roots as a pastor.
Tour stops include:
- The Devil’s Footprint
- The Rogers’ Dynasty
- George Whitefield: A Life Well Spent
- Pulpit Rock
- Colonial Parish Life: The Life of a Pastor, The Rebecca Nurse Homestead
- Salem Wharf: Launching the Missionary Movement
Garth M. Rosell (Ph.D., University of Minnesota) came to Gordon-Conwell as Professor of Church History, Dean of the Seminary and Vice President for Academic Affairs. As the Academic Dean of the Seminary, he helped to establish the Doctor of Ministry program and the Harold John Ockenga Institute, to strengthen and enlarge the faculty and to deepen the ties between the seminary, the church, the academy and the larger community. After serving as the chief academic officer for nearly a decade, Dr. Rosell returned to his first love, teaching and writing, while also serving over the next seventeen years as chair of the Division of Christian Thought and Director of the Ockenga Institute.
Location: Kaiser Chapel Lobby for registration and departure, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA
Pastors' Forums General Schedule
Each seminar typically adheres to the following schedule:
| 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Registration |
| 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Session I |
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Session II |
| 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15 - 2:15 p.m. | Session III |
| 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Break |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Session IV |
| 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Final Thoughts & Questions |
Please note that this is a general schedule and may change for each particular event for various reasons. The seminar with Garth Rosell will begin earlier at 8:00 a.m. with the tour departing from campus at 8:30 a.m. To confirm schedule details, please call the Ockenga Institute at 1 (800) 294.2774.
Seminar Details
Cost:
The cost per individual seminar is $45 (spouses may attend for an additional $25). This cost includes seminar registration, handouts and lunch. Special rates are available for groups of four or more participants. The group rate is $35 per person per seminar. A registration form must be completed for each person and submitted together to receive the group rate. Special rates for the Gordon-Conwell and Gordon College community are available for the seminar with Sean McDonough.
The seminar cost for the Spiritual Heritage Tour with Garth Rosell is $55 per individual. There are no special rates provided for the tour due to the planning involved. The Spiritual Heritage Tour no longer has space, but to be put on the waiting list, please contact us by email.
Time and Location:
The seminars typically run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with registration opening at 9:00 a.m. Registration is usually held in the Kaiser Chapel Lobby. In some instances, registration will take place in the Kerr building. Seminar sessions are usually held in the Academic Center of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA or in some instances, held in the Kerr building. To confirm location, please contact us at 1 (800) 294.2774.
The Spiritual Heritage Tour wtih Garth Rosell will meet on campus at 8:00 a.m. for registration and will depart promptly from campus at 8:30 a.m.
Confirmation and Cancellations:
You may consider your cancelled check or credit card statement to be confirmation of your registration. Event tickets will not be mailed. Online registrations will receive an email confirmation. Cancellations must be received 5 business days prior to the event to receive a refund less a $10 processing fee. Due to planning involved, cancellations made within five business days of the seminar will not be refunded.
Directions:
Take Rte. 128 North (toward Gloucester) to Exit 17 (Grapevine Road). Turn left off of the exit ramp and continue past Gordon College. Take your first right onto Rte. 22 (Rubbly Road). Turn left at the first stop sign (Essex Street). The entrance to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary will be 200 yards ahead on the right. Follow the “Ockenga Institute” signs.
For more directions to campus, click here.
Registration
Walk-in registrations are not accepted for either event. Please register early. Mail-in registrations must be post-marked more than five business days prior to the seminar to be accepted. For any questions regarding registration, call 1 (800) 294-2774.
- Registration online: Registration is closed
- Mail in a registration form (see brochure for form) with payment included (checks made out to "GCTS") to:
The Ockenga Institute, GCTS
130 Essex Street
S. Hamilton, MA 01982
Promotion
The promotional brochure and posters for the Pastors' Forums are available here for your use. Feel free to print them out and distribute them at your church or contact us at 1 (800) 294-2774 if you would like us to mail you copies.
- Spring Pastors' Forum Brochure (8.5"x15")
- Spring Pastors' Forum Poster (11"x17")
- Spring Pastors' Forum Poster (8.5"x11")
Audio & Video Recordings
All Pastors' Forums are recorded as a Builders Series. These may be purchased at our online store or by emailing store@gordonconwell.edu.
A number of seminar and conference audio is available for free online at the Gordon-Conwell iTunesU site.
Video recordings of various seminars and conferences may be viewed at the Gordon-Conwell Vimeo site.
