Published on February 15, 2018 by Kristen Padilla  
anglican blessing

The Institute of Anglican Studies at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School will host its first Anglican Theology Conference, Sept. 25-26. This year’s conference, “What is Anglicanism?,” will bring together top scholars and church leaders to probe what it means to be Anglican. 

With a membership of approximately 85 million worldwide, the Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion in the world, after the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.  In recent years, its center of gravity has moved to the Global South, where new understandings of Anglicanism have emerged amidst spiritual vitality and dynamic church growth, according to Gerald McDermott, professor of divinity and director of The Institute of Anglican Studies. However, Anglican identity is still contested. The conference will address these issues and more. 

Speakers for the conference include Eliud Wabukala, retired archbishop of Kenya; Mouneer Anis, archbishop of Egypt and leader of Anglicanism’s Global South; Foley Beach, archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America; Ephraim Radner, professor of historical theology at Wycliffe College in Toronto; Gerald Bray, research professor at Beeson Divinity School; Barbara Gauthier of Anglican News Update; John Yates III, rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Raleigh; Andrew Pearson, dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham; Rusty Reno, editor of First Things (Catholic observer); Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School (Baptist observer); and McDermott. 

The conference will feature short papers, panel discussions with opportunity for audience participation, and time for fellowship. There will be an optional banquet, with limited seating, on Tuesday evening.  A book will issue from this conference. 

“Anglicanism is at a pivotal moment, but the shape of Anglican orthodoxy is nevertheless debated,” said McDermott. “This conference will help provide a forum for reflection and theological renewal as pastors and leaders propose a new way forward. Theologically-interested Anglicans will not want to miss this.” 

The conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 25, and end at noon on Sept. 26. The cost for the conference is $100 with a $25 discount if registered before June 1. The optional banquet is an additional $50. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.