Ministers, pastors, preachers, evangelists, clergy of all kinds are invited to the World Baptist Center, 1700 Baptist World Center Drive, on March 13-16 to the 59th annual Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series (GNL) 2016. This public is invited to attend these four days that will consist of a series of workshops, all referencing the chosen theme, ‘Opening the Doors for Justice: Growing Churches Through Empowered Communities.’
This theme is taken from I Corinthians 16:8-9: “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” The ongoing process of dying in order to live should not unnerve those of us who read the scriptures correctly. During GNL 2016, church leaders will come together to learn new skills, new information, and new resources they’ll need to know as the church goes through its current metamorphosis. Participants will learn how church leaders, scholars, and community activists are working together to meet the challenges of the 21st century Black church. Retooling strategies so that your church can effectively minister to the unchurched, those skeptical of church, and those looking to the church for a word about poverty and injustice will also be addressed.
Participating preachers and lecturers scheduled to lead the workshops include: Dr. William Shaw, White Rock Baptist Church, Philadelphia; Dr. Michael Dyson, Professor of Sociology, Georgetown University; Dr. Joel Gregory who holds the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching and Evangelism at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University; Rev. Leslie D. Callahan, St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Penn.; Rev. Dr. Phillip Pointer, St.
Mark’s Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark.; Rev. Dr. Traci D. Blackmon, executive minister, Justice and Witness Ministries United Church of Christ; and Rev. Dr. Anthony Carroll, Antioch Native Baptist Church, Nassau Bahamas.
The event will kick off on Sunday, March 13 with a 5 pm ABC Day Nashville Worship Service at 15th Avenue Baptist Church, 1203 9th Ave. N., with Dr. William Buchanan. The series will end on Wednesday, March 16, with an ABC Annual Dinner at the Music City Center at 7 pm.
The workshop sessions include: Growing Churches — Discipleship and Christianity in the 21st Century; Branding Your Church Through Social Media; and Opening the Doors for Justice — How the Church Can Do Social Justice Work (Dialogue).
Along with the workshops will be plenary sessions, evening worship services, luncheons, alumni meeting, fellowship and much more.
Tickets are available at <gnl1206.eventbrite.com>.
For questions and a complete schedule of activities e-mail <gnl2016@gmail.com>.
