Archbishops Beach, Wabukala, Anis to headline two day meeting in Birmingham, AL

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, he added.

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. 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. To register for the conference or find more information, visit beesondivinity.com/events/Anglican-Theology-Conference.