Learn How to Engage the Bible, Approach Scriptures at Fall Convocation 2023

DALLAS (SMU) – A diverse quartet of academics and theologians headlines the 2023 Perkins Fall Convocation, scheduled for Nov. 13-14 at SMU. This year’s theme – “How We Engage the Bible” – focuses not only on our ability to read and interpret the Scriptures but also how we can employ that understanding in your ministry context, whether you are a clergy or a layperson.

“I’m thrilled to host all these wonderful lecturers at one event at Perkins this year!” said Bart Patton, Director of Perkins’ Office of External Programs. “With Bridwell Library hosting the Codex Sassoon last spring, and the recent gifting of a St. John’s Heritage Edition Bible, it felt like an appropriate time to extend the conversation about how we approach the Scriptures. There’s going to be a lot of important content unpacked in these two days—for both clergy and laity alike! And we’re intentional about this as an in-person gathering. I think it’s critical to be together, around tables, as we work through this transformative content.”

Registration opens Wednesday, Sept. 6 and continues until Wednesday, Nov. 1. Guests can choose specific sessions on an a la carte basis (rates vary based on speaker), or they may take in the entire Fall Convocation experience for the discounted rate of $115 – which represents a $40 savings.

This year’s lecturers include:

• Rev. Esau McCaulley, Ph.D. is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. The author of many works, McCaulley’s latest project is a memoir entitled How Far to the Promise Land: One Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South. He is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, and his writings have also appeared in The Atlantic, Washington Post and Christianity Today.
• Carolyn J. Sharp is Professor of Homiletics at Yale Divinity School. Her research explores the narrative art and theology of biblical texts as resources for homiletical theory and praxis. Professor Sharp is interested in ways in which preaching can catalyze the spiritual formation of Christian community, especially with regard to ecotheology and feminist perspectives on power.
• Eric D. Barreto is the Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. As a Baptist minister, Barreto has pursued scholarship for the sake of the church, and he regularly writes for and teaches in faith communities around the country. He has also been a leader in the Hispanic Theological Initiative Consortium, a national, ecumenical and interconstitutional consortium comprised of some of the top seminaries, theological schools, and religion departments in the country.
• Terry Wildman, of Ojibwe and Yaqui ancestry, is the Lead Translator and Project Manager of the First Nations Version. He serves as the Director of Spiritual Growth and Leadership Development for Native InterVarsity. He also is the founder of Rain Ministries and has previously served as a pastor. Wildman and his wife, Darlene, are a Grammy-nominated and Nammy award-winning musical duo and recording artists known as RainSong.

Perkins Fall Convocation is an annual gathering highlighting various intersections of faith and culture through relevant lectures, presentations, workshops and liturgical expressions around a selected theme. Formerly Ministers Week, Fall Convocation offers a broad learning community for church and community leaders alike.

Fall Convocation 2023 is made possible with support from the following sponsors: Paul Elliott and Mildred Fryar Martin Lectureship in Practical Theology, Jackson Lectureship in Bible, Claudia and Taylor Robinson Lectureship, W.W. Fondren Lectureship, Women's Lectureship, Howard Holbert Endowment and Peyton Lectureship.

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, 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 Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.