Civil Rights Leader and Former Perkins Faculty Member Bishop Thomas Dies
“Changing the Church, Changing the World:
Real-Life Stories of Transformation”
Presentation at Perkins School of Theology
September 9, 2010
Perkins School of Theology announces a presentation, “Changing the Church, Changing the World: Real-Life Stories of Transformation”, on Thursday, September 9, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall.
The presentation, sponsored by the Wendland-Cook Professorship of Constructive Theology, will consist of a panel discussion by Gil and Inez Dawes and Friedrich Gehring, moderated by Professor Joerg Rieger, the first scholar to hold the Wendland-Cook Professorship.
As a pastor in Germany, Rev. Gehring has fought against what he sees as latent fascist tendencies and the widespread misuse of power in the name of religion. Rev. Gil Dawes has demonstrated a compelling commitment to the core values of the gospel through his pastorate, including a longstanding concern for labor and religion. Inez Dawes now spearheads the Iowa Methodist Federation for Social Action. She has worked with justice ministries for immigrants and advocated at the state capitol for social justices issues.
All three presenters provide convincing evidence that another church and another world are possible, asserting that when a changed church and a changed world work together, transformation can occur. In addition to moderating the event, Professor Rieger will highlight transformations occurring in Dallas now, along with insights about what the future could hold.
Free parking in the Meadows Museum garage can be accessed via Schlegel Street off of Bishop Boulevard, just north of Mockingbird Lane. For more information about the presentation, contact Professor Joerg Rieger, jrieger@smu.edu, 214-768-2356.
The Wendland-Cook Professorship of Constructive Theology exists to promote substantial contributions to the academic study of systematic and constructive theology that address current church and social issues; to address issues of inequality of power and to show commitment to the liberation of all people, the promotion of justice, and the encouragement of nonviolence; to be versed in current critical theory; to have international reputation and involvement; and to aim not only at communicating widely in the academic world but especially at inspiring laity and clergy at the local-church level to expand their theological perspectives. The professorship was established at Perkins in the spring of 2008, thanks to a $1 million gift from Barbara Cook Wendland and Erroll Wendland.