Formed for Justice Conference
About | Speakers | Book List | Location | Schedule | Pricing | FAQs
Formed for Justice Conference
November 16-17, 2018
at the Ethical Culture Center 2 W. 64th St., New York, NY
In partnership with Hope for New York
Overview | Throughout the Bible, we learn that God is a God of justice, and that through the power of the gospel, Christians are called to live in ways that reflect this justice. In fact, scripture tells us that one of the most powerful ways that the church embodies the gospel is through the love and unity we demonstrate across economic, cultural and racial divides (Col 3:12-15). What does this look like in our fractured society? How can we stay hopeful when it seems we are more divided than ever?
In this special two-day event, we will delve into questions like
- Who is my neighbor?
- What does the Bible have to say about race and why is it important?
- How do we build relationships with, and learn from people who are different from us?
- What role does the church have to play in addressing areas of injustice?
- How can we begin taking action now, to advance mercy and justice?
Formed to fulfill our Callings | The Redeemer family of churches believes that as Christ’s love transforms us, we participate in our spiritual growth through the practices we keep each day, the community we commit to, and through fulfilling our callings. In living out our callings, we can bring renewal where God has placed us: in our work, relationships, and our neighborhoods. As we seek to challenge injustice in our neighborhoods, we take an active role in the gospel movement God is growing in NYC.
Join us this November as we encourage one another to see our neighborhoods as places to root ourselves, and invest in the flourishing of our neighbors. In addition to teaching by Dr. Tim Keller and others, the weekend will include worship, times of reflection, and workshops to equip us in advancing justice wherever we are.
Although we are unable to offer childcare on site at the conference, we are able to offer a couple of options to offset babysitting costs. Please contact [email protected] BEFORE registering.
Speakers
 |
Christina EdmondsonChristina serves as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin College. The Intercultural Student Development Center (ISDC) is committed to inspiring, challenging, and equipping Domestic and International students to engage in meaningful and intentional intercultural interactions within a global society. Additionally, a Certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, and mental health therapist, Christina is often contacted by churches to consult about both diversity and mental health issues. Her writing has been seen and referenced in a variety of outlets including Essence.com, YourBlackWorld.com, and Gospel Today magazine. Christina is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She is married to Pastor Mika Edmondson of New City Fellowship Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and she is the mother of two wonderful little girls. Christina holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University, a MS degree from the University of Rochester in Family Therapy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hampton University. |
 |
Daniel HillDaniel Hill is the author of White Awake and 10:10: Life to the Fullest, and is the Founding and Senior Pastor of River City Community Church, located in the west Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago. The vision of River City is centered on the core values of worship, reconciliation, and neighborhood development. Formed in 2003, River City longs to see increased spiritual renewal as well as social and economic justice in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and entire city, demonstrating compassion and alleviating poverty as tangible expressions of the Kingdom of God. Prior to starting River City, Daniel launched a dot.com in the 90’s before serving five years on the staff of Willow Creek Community Church in the suburbs of Chicago. Daniel has his B.S. in Business from Purdue University, his M.A. in Theology from Moody Bible Institute, his certificate in Church-based Community and Economic Development from Harvard Divinity School, and his D.Min. from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Daniel is married to Elizabeth, who is a Professor of Psychology, and they are the proud parents of Xander and Gabriella Hill. |
 |
Tim KellerTimothy Keller is Chairman of Redeemer City to City and the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For twenty-eight years he led Redeemer’s diverse congregation of urban professionals that has grown into three churches (in 2017) with a combined weekly attendance of over 5,000. Dr. Keller grew up in Pennsylvania and was educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America. |
 |
Soong-Chan RahRev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah is Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL and the author of Prophetic Lament (A Commentary on the book of Lamentations from IVP Books, 2015); The Next Evangelicalism (IVP Books, 2009); Many Colors (Moody, 2010); and co-author of Return to Justice (Brazos, 2016), and Forgive Us (Zondervan, 2014). Soong-Chan received his B.A. in Political Science and History/Sociology from Columbia University, his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, his Th.M. from Harvard University, his D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Duke University. Rah is formerly the founding Senior Pastor of the Cambridge Community Fellowship Church (CCFC), a multi-ethnic, urban ministry-focused church committed to living out the values of racial reconciliation and social justice in the urban context. He previously served as an InterVarsity staff worker at MIT. Soong-Chan, his wife, Sue, who teaches special education, and their two children, Annah and Elijah live in Chicago. |
 |
Gabriel SalgueroRev. Gabriel Salguero and his wife, Rev. Jeanette Salguero, are co-pastors of the multicultural Calvario City Church in Orlando. Much of their work focuses on racial reconciliation. Rev. Gabriel Salguero is the founder of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) which offers an important leadership voice for the close to 8 million Latino evangelical in our country. The Salgueros have ministered extensively in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Their life’s work is bringing an ethical framework to public policy and empowering mature leadership. Rev. Salguero has worked on issues of leadership development, evangelicals and public policy, as well as racial reconciliation. In addition, he has written extensively on ethics and race, multicultural ministry, immigration, and spirituality and public work. Salguero has been named as one of the most influential Latino evangelical leaders by the Huffington Post, CNN Español, El Diario, and Jorge Ramos’ Al Punto. He is a featured writer for “On Faith,” and the Huffington Post’s religion page. Moreover, he previously served on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in NJ. Salguero has also served as an adviser to the White House on issues of immigration and health-care and the faith community. |
 |
Jemar TisbyJemar (B.A. Notre Dame; MDiv RTS Jackson) is the president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective where he writes about race, religion, and culture. He is also the co-host of "Pass The Mic,” a podcast that amplifies dynamic voices for a diverse church. His writing has been featured in the Washington Post, CNN, Vox, and the New York Times. He has spoken nationwide at conferences on racial reconciliation, U.S. history, and the church. Jemar is a PhD student in History at the University of Mississippi studying race, religion and social movements in the 20th century. His first book, The Color of Compromise, releases in early 2019. Follow him on Twitter @JemarTisby. |
Recommended Reading
- White Awake by Daniel Hill
- The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby (release in 2019)
- Generous Justice by Timothy Keller
- Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah
Location
New York Society for Ethical Culture: 2 W. 64th St. (by Central Park West)
Nearest subway stops: Lincoln Square (1) and Columbus Circle (A, C, B, D).
Schedule
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16
6:15-9:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:15 and program begins promptly at 7 p.m.
Plenary Sessions
1. What Does the Lord Require of Us? A Biblical Theology of Justice
2. Corporate Sin and Corporate Responsibility
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17
9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. with light morning pastries, coffee and lunch provided
Doors open at 9:30 and program begins promptly at 10 a.m.
Plenary Sessions
1. Race, Culture and Identity: The Personal and Social Realities of Difference
2. Understanding Unconscious Bias: Seeing God and God’s Image Bearers More Clearly
3. Intersections of Race and Injustice in America
4. Economic Justice: A God Who Identifies with the Poor
5. How can the local church pursue justice?
Workshops (Choice of Two)
Education and Equity: Race, Class and Geography with Jeremy Del Rio (Thrive Collective)
Throughout the history of education in our country and city, students of color and schools in poor neighborhoods continue to have lower test scores, graduation rates, teacher retention and access to funds for basic needs. This workshop will look at how this reality impacts our neighborhoods and some ways ministries are challenging these issues.
Gentrification: Intersections of Profit and Poverty with Jose Humphreys (author of Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put)
New York City is like many center cities where poverty is concentrated. A massive demographic shift has begun, as the reality of wealth displaces neighborhoods that once thrived; the effect is an uprooting and scattering of the poor. How should we as good neighbors respond? What can we as a Christian community do to mitigate the displacement so we are part of the solution and not the problem?
The Gospel and the American Political Landscape
How should Christians engage in the public square? How does our hope in Christ make a difference in the way we interact with people on hot-button issues? And practically speaking: How can we listen well to those who hold different views, while speaking authentically from our Christian faith?
Group Reflection: Race facilitated by speaker Christina Edmondson (block 1 only)
An opportunity to reflect in small groups on both our own experiences of race, and things that are new or unsettling.
Homelessness: The Visibly Invisible with Brian Moll (Rescue Alliance)
Each time we see our homeless neighbors on the street, it’s difficult to know how to respond. In this workshop, you’ll hear from leaders of the Rescue Alliance (which organizes Don’t Walk By and other initiatives), on how we as Christians can help to restore the well-being of our neighbors on the street through compassionate, comprehensive and collaborative care for each individual experiencing homelessness.
Human Trafficking in NYC and Beyond with Chris Muller (Restore)
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that has impacted New York City and the world at large. This workshop will help us learn how Christians can respond to human trafficking cases, and share information and resources.
Immigrant Displacement and Inclusion with Matt Soerens (World Relief)
New York City is a city of immigrants—in fact, 36% of residents here are foreign born. Many immigrants to our city face real challenges: adjusting to a new culture and language, navigating employment, housing, and school, and facing discrimination or hardship because of their immigration status. In this workshop, we'll explore a biblical foundation and perspective for seeing and engaging immigrants facing challenges in our city. We’ll also provide context on current immigration policies locally and nationally.
Lament as Mission: The Forgotten Practice of Engagement with speaker Soong-Chan Rah (block 2 only)
Acts of justice and racial reconciliation require acknowledging the suffering of others, past and present. We will consider why we need the discipline of lament both within and beyond the walls of the church.
Mass Incarceration with Heather Rice-Minus (Prison Fellowship)
The United States incarcerates more of its citizens than any other nation in the world. The increase in the jail and prison population from less than 200,000 in 1972 to 2.2 million today has led to unprecedented prison overcrowding and put tremendous strain on society. Learn what are some important ways we can engage with this issue that often impacts communities of color.
Pricing
Redeemer Congregants and Past Rise Donors*
- $65 until September 30, 11:59 p.m. EST
- $85 until November 12, 11:59 p.m. EST
- $125 walk-in
Non-Redeemer Congregants
- $175 until October 15, 11:59 p.m. EST
- $225 until November 12, 11:59 p.m. EST
- $225 walk-in
Cancellation Policy: Refunds minus a $25 processing fee will be issued until October 15. After that, no refunds will be issued. Tickets are non-transferable. To request a cancellation, please contact [email protected].
* This special pricing is available to Redeemer congregants through funding by the Rise Campaign
Formed for Justice Conference FAQs
Is it possible to attend for one day of the conference?
The sessions throughout the two days of the conference build on each other, so we strongly recommend you attend both days.
Will meals be provided?
Morning coffee/tea, light breakfast pastries, and lunch will be provided on Saturday, November 17th. Dinner will not be provided on Friday.
Will childcare be provided?
We will not be able to provide childcare on site but we have two options to offset those costs. Please contact [email protected] BEFORE registering.
My budget is tight. Do you offer discounts?
Redeemer offers scholarships for congregants in special circumstances. At this time we’re unable to offer discounts for people who do not attend Redeemer. Please email [email protected] for assistance.
How can I volunteer?
We’re thankful for any volunteers that can help! At this time volunteer slots are full.
Why the price difference between Redeemer and non-Redeemer congregants?
The Formation conferences are intended primarily to equip Redeemer congregants. We offer a strictly limited number of spots to visitors. In an effort to honor all interested parties, we also have a Livestream option for $35. The video will remain online until December 31 to view at your convenience.
Who do I contact with a different question?
Reach out to [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Hope for New York (HFNY) is Redeemer’s partner for mercy and justice outreach to the city. HFNY provides volunteer and financial resources to more than 50 non-profit organizations serving poor or marginalized populations in New York City. Visit hfny.org to learn more about their work, non-profit affiliates, and how you can engage to love and serve New Yorkers in need.
Formation is a Redeemer initiative that equips you with practices to grow as a disciple of Christ.
