The Academic Dean’s Forum exists to explore topics of church, culture, and theology in a casual atmosphere with more depth than is often possible in classes. We invite our community and the general public to join us for these monthly discussions on a variety of topics. All forums are live streamed on Facebook. Registration is only required for our limited in-person attendance and lunch. Please see below for more information on our upcoming events.
If Christians would wholeheartedly embrace humility, our witness in the world can be radically improved. Humility is often misunderstood, overlooked, or even disparaged. Such is the case today and was also true in the early days of the Jesus movement.
Navigating a suicide crisis requires a blend of spiritual grounding, community support, and concrete action. This highlights key strategies for choosing life: spiritual grounding, relational support, actionable hope, and practical safety.
2 Corinthians has been called the sleeping giant of Paul’s theology. At its heart lies a paradox that both comforts and unsettles: “My grace is sufficient for you,” the risen Jesus tells Paul, “for my power is perfected in weakness.”
2025-2026
The Exodus is the seminal moment in Israel’s history as a nation. This act of God’s saving power liberated Israel from oppression in Egypt, enabling the Israelites to serve God freely.
All seminary students and pastors are familiar with the dreaded phrase “out of context.” We all know that we should interpret each biblical passage in light of its historical and literary.
Music is often called “the universal language” but digging deeper, we can see how music helps us communicate values, deeply felt needs, complex feelings, and core identities.
In the church, the wisdom of God is made manifest in the folly of the gospel. Somehow God puts his goodness and glory on display through the weak, the foolish, and the broken.
In many theological discussions of immigration, explore how Romans 13 speaks to immigration, and where current systems may fall short of a biblical vision of the state.
This lecture seeks to open a compassionate, biblically grounded conversation about how Christian leaders and counselors can support survivors of domestic violence.
2024-2025
Can God suffer in his divine nature and still be God? If not, can he adequately respond to human suffering? How does the cross relate to such questions?
Discuss how to embrace pain, disappointment, and failure as pathways to greater intimacy with God and usefulness for the cause of Christ.
See how ministry workers can partner with mental health professionals and utilize their insight without compromising the vision, mission, and orthodoxy of the Church.
2023–2024
Dr. Zack Eswine expounds how pastoring and preaching are done best when seen as acts of love and wonder hovering within the ordinary lives of particular people.
Dr. Carmen Joy Imes uses Genesis to offer a meaningful path forward in addressing the issues of the new sexual revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Leading evangelical authors and scholars explore how the church can engage with modern culture through Christ-centered cultural apologetics and missions.
Small-town pastors and Gordon-Conwell professors Dr. Stephen Witmer and Dr. Jason McConnell share about living a fruitful and significant life devoted to small-place ministries.
Rev. Dr. John Huh shares about mental health and pastoral counseling needs in the Asian American context and ways to encourage and equip our churches.
Dr. Richard Lints, Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology, speaks on how the church can respond to an increasingly divided world.
2022-2023
Dr. Joel Lawrence, Executive Director of the Center for Pastor Theologians, and Dr. Gordon Isaac, Gordon-Conwell professor, on the ancient call of the pastor to be a theologian.
Crawford Loritts reflects on the reality that we are headed toward the very presence of God should motivate us to complete His assignments for us with focused intentionality.
Dr. George Yancey analyzes what reforms show promise, and how communities can heal and improve race relations through the promotion of collaborative conversations.
What can we learn from one another as we seek to be a worshipping community? Hear from this diverse panel as they address these important questions, and others.
Dr. Wesley Hill presents a biblical, pastoral theology of sexuality in light of the present and future kingdom of God, in which God promises redemption for our whole selves in Christ.
Maria Garcia, expert in immigration and mental health, shares why it’s vital for the church to be aware of the presence and effect of trauma in the church and the resources available.