Wesley Conference Registration Now Open!

[Hans Deventer]

Online registration is now available for the February 5-7, 2009, NNU Wesley Center Conference on Christian love. Here’s the link:

http://www.nnu.edu/wesley2009

Conference costs are lower for those who register early. Registrations by November 1 are only $59. Those who register by that date also receive a free book authored by Thomas Jay Oord: either Science of Love or Relational Holiness (co-authored with Lodahl). Early registrants should indicate their choice of books on the registration form.

[Hans Deventer]

I've booked the conference and I also just booked my flights. No more Chicago this time, I'll be flying in through Portland and out through Seattle.

[Ken Pell]

I've booked the conference and I also just booked my flights. No more Chicago this time, I'll be flying in through Portland and out through Seattle.

I am giving this SERIOUS consideration.

Am leaving today (Saturday) for the Moody Pastor's Conference in Chicago (I wanted to do something outside my tradition for my pastor's conference this year). I will be making a decision in a week or so about next year's opportunity. So far this and the "Reclaiming Paul" conference at NTS http://www.nts.edu/reclaiming-paul) top the list.

[Kevin Rector]

I'd like to be there for this... I'm a big fan of Love and I referenced Releational Holiness today in my sermon.

We'll just have to see... much too far out for me to commit to it at this point.

[BobHunt]

it seems that NNU is the COTN center or headquarters for its theology...Gary Maxey has done such a awesome job of putting sooooo much wesleyan theology on line for us, until we can read for weeks at a time...I know I would really enjoy it if I attended. Cant get off work.

[Hans Deventer]

I'd like to be there for this... I'm a big fan of Love and I referenced Releational Holiness today in my sermon.

We'll just have to see... much too far out for me to commit to it at this point.

Kevin, I'd love to hook up again. I cherish the memories of last February.

[Ryan Scott]

You got an international flight through Portland? Wow.

[Hans Deventer]

You got an international flight through Portland? Wow.

Why? NorthWest flies daily between Amsterdam and Portland. We're talking about Portland, Oregon, right?

[Ryan Scott]

Why? NorthWest flies daily between Amsterdam and Portland. We're talking about Portland, Oregon, right?


That's interesting. Portland is one of the more difficult cities to fly into from my neck of the woods. It just seemed odd that you could fly there from overseas, but I'm glad you found it.

Maybe I'll have to stop over in Amsterdam the next time I try to go up there.

[Meghan Schoonover]

My pastor forwarded this to me the other day...maybe we'll all meet up again, eh?

[Hans Deventer]

My pastor forwarded this to me the other day...maybe we'll all meet up again, eh?

That would be very cool indeed! I've enjoyed my stay in Nampa tremendously. The only backdrop is that with government taxes and fuel costs, the ticket has become more expensive by € 180 :basic04

I guess I'd need to get myself a credit card from an American bank. Then I could book on Northwest Airlines directly and safe about that same amount.

[David Pettigrew]

I'm going to try to make it again. I'm planning in advance that neither I, my wife, or my daughter will be allowed to be sick on those days!

Is anyone planning on submitting writing for the book they are putting together?

dp

PS - Ryan Scott and Jeremy Scott - You need to come this time!

[Ryan Scott]

PS - Ryan Scott and Jeremy Scott - You need to come this time!


I'd love to; we'll have to see.

I am mulling submitting some writing, but first I will need time to put some writing together.

[Thomas Oord]

David, Ryan, Jeremy, Hans, and others,

I strongly encourage you to submit something for the book!!!

Tom

[Hans Deventer]

Tom, the conference even made it to the NCN news!

http://www.ncnnews.com/nphweb/html/ncn/article.jsp?sid=10000011&id=10006046

[Thomas Oord]

Thanks for calling my attention to his, Hans!

Tom

[Michael Gentry]

Got a question: Does NNU provide rooms for this conference, or do the participants need to secure a motel? I could not find that info on the NNU website.

[Hans Deventer]

Got a question: Does NNU provide rooms for this conference, or do the participants need to secure a motel? I could not find that info on the NNU website.

The latter, Michael. Are you seriously considering coming to NNU?

[Michael Gentry]

The latter, Michael. Are you seriously considering coming to NNU?

Seriously considering ... depends on how much a wedding ends up costing me this summer for my son :)

I enjoy learning as much as possible ... Never been to a Wesley Conference, but would certainly enjoy the opportunity.

[Thomas Oord]

Michael, Hans, and others,

After working for sometime on the accommodations for our upcoming Wesley conference, I've finally got some information confirmed. Here goes:

Shilo Inn Suites Hotel
1401 Shilo Drive
Nampa ID 83687
call Hotel Directly at 208-465-3250
Group Name: Wesley Conference (Northwest Nazarene University)
$76 per night for double queens 1-4 guests per room
$76 per night for King 1-2 guests per room
Extra person charge $15 per night

Please make your reservations soon by calling the hotel directly.

Here again is the weblink with other conference information:

http://www.nnu.edu/wesley2009

Looking forward to seeing you in February!

Tom

[Heidi Anderson]

Can anyone attend or only ordained? You know...sometimes us lay people like to love too!

Hans, NW flies direct to Seattle to - perhaps we'll get to meet prior to GA!

[Thomas Oord]

Heidi,

YES! Both ordained and laity will attend. Last time, I'll bet the crowd was pretty evenly split between both groups.

Thanks for asking...

Tom

[Hans Deventer]

Hans, NW flies direct to Seattle to - perhaps we'll get to meet prior to GA!

We'll be flying in through Portland, but on the way home we'll fly through Seattle. But we'll be arriving on Sunday the 8th of Febr, 10:00am, and be leaving at 12:50pm. That might not be an ideal moment.

[Roland Hearn]

I'm now registered for the conference. I'm looking around for the best ticket price I can get but I don't think that I will have many options as there are only a few carriers and one of them is United and I don't fly with them anymore as a rule.

[Kevin Rector]

I'm now registered for the conference. I'm looking around for the best ticket price I can get but I don't think that I will have many options as there are only a few carriers and one of them is United and I don't fly with them anymore as a rule.

Oh, now I HAVE to be there... both Hans and Roland in the same place... WOWZA!!!

[Meghan Schoonover]

Oh come on, Kevin? Aren't you wanting my superior intellect and vast knowledge there as well? ;)

I had a great time last year.

[David Pettigrew]

Oh come on, Kevin? Aren't you wanting my superior intellect and vast knowledge there as well? ;)

I had a great time last year.

Yeah, what are we, chopped liver?

[Heidi Anderson]

I say NazNet dinner at Wheeler's...fry sauce anyone??

I can't wait!

[Kevin Rector]

Yeah, what are we, chopped liver?

Well, you were sleeping and sick the whole time. So ummmm....

[Kevin Rector]

Oh come on, Kevin? Aren't you wanting my superior intellect and vast knowledge there as well? ;)

I had a great time last year.

Yeah, but you're not coming from across an ocean.

[Meghan Schoonover]

Yeah, but you're not coming from across an ocean.

Oh, so that's the minimum coolness factor? Hmmm...

Well, I am from a different country and time zone. Does that count? :laughing

[Hans Deventer]

I'm now registered for the conference. I'm looking around for the best ticket price I can get but I don't think that I will have many options as there are only a few carriers and one of them is United and I don't fly with them anymore as a rule.

Roland, this is the best news I've heard in a long time. I look so forward to being there and meeting you again! :fav18

And no offence to Kevin and Meghan, who I absolutely would love to meet again as well. But by February, it will be almost 4 years that I've seen Roland.
And you'll be there as well, Heidi? Great!!

[Heidi Anderson]

I'll be there. I'm trying to find the witch mask to wear. I'm bringing my sisters as well...don't think my dad would come, but wish he would! Can't wait to meet everyone!!

[Hans Deventer]

I'll be there. I'm trying to find the witch mask to wear.

That's cool, Heidi! Seems like this is going to be a great event, no matter the conference itself
(I'm sorry Tom, of course I meant, because of the conference ;))

[Thomas Oord]

I thought some of you might be interested in this press release on the conference. A version will be sent to NCNews and other outlets...

NNU WESLEY CENTER TO EXPLORE CHRISTIAN LOVE

NAMPA - Northwest Nazarene University’s Wesley Center for Applied Theology will sponsor a creative conference, “Christian Love: Theory and Practice.” The event will be February 5-7, 2009, at the College Church of the Nazarene, in Nampa, Idaho.

“Too often we ignore the most crucial issues of the Christian faith,” says conference director and theologian, Thomas Jay Oord. “While Christians should concern themselves with a variety of issues, no issue should be more central for Christians than the issue of love. This conference will examine what love means and how we might best express it.”

Theologian Michael Lodahl, author of When Love Bends Down and coauthor of Relational Holiness: Responding to the Call of Love is set to give one of two conference plenary addresses. The other plenary lecture will be given by bioethicist Stephen G. Post, author of When Good Things Happen to Good People and president of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love.

“Because love is diverse,” says Oord, “this conference offers a variety of conference experiences related to the theories, practices, and even feelings of love. The conference can’t cover every aspect of love, but these diverse experiences should inspire deeper reflection and more purposeful living.”

The Christian love conference includes a session during which pastors and preachers will share insights and stories about preaching on love. A panel of scholars will explore the assets and liabilities of the idea that holiness should be identified with Christlikeness. Conference participants will ponder why middle-class people tend to give less money to the needy than do lower and upper-class people. Workshop speakers include Dean Cowles, Todd Frye, Roland Hearn, Diane Leclerc, George Lyons, and many others.

A book tentatively titled, Love Among Us, and comprised of essays, sermons, poetry, and short stories will be published in connection with the conference. Those interested in submitting writings on love must send materials to Darrin Grinder at dlgrinder@nnu.edu for editorial review by January 2, 2009.

Registration for the conference is available online: http://wesley.nnu.edu. Early registration is rewarded with a lower registration cost, and early registrants receive a complimentary book. Conference accommodations are available at Nampa’s Fairfield Inn Marriott (208-467-5898) and Shilo Inn (208-465-3250).

“This conference is open to all types of people,” says director Oord. “Students, pastors, teachers, laity, scholars, and virtually all types of people are invited. I doubt anyone who attends will leave living and thinking about a life of love in quite the same way as they had previously.”

[Roland Hearn]

My flights are booked and paid for. A little while ago I wasn't certain it was going to come together but I am glad I will have the chance to be there.

[Ken Pell]

I will be there.

I hope to meet some of you. In fact, I doubt I will know hardly anyone there so I hope some of you let me pal around with you.

[Roland Hearn]

Ken as time gets closer be sure and hold us to a meeting time and place. We will definitely get together. If all else fails I will be doing a workshop called "Love: the means and the end" and a brief testimony when I will share a little about Brad's legacy in my life. I am certain that you will be able to find me through that means and once you have me you have Hans and Erik as we will be staying together.

[Marsha Lynn]

I'm in, which is a surprise to me. With Gen. Ass'y coming up in the summer and Philip Yancey scheduled for the Feb '10 conference, I really wasn't putting much thought into this year, but things sort of came together. Got the tickets bought. My daughter Marissa will be with me. By getting my tickets from Frontier, I managed a two-day layover in Denver on the way out for not too much extra and can travel with her for the Denver-Boise part of the trip.

Looking forward to it.

Marsha

[Hans Deventer]

I'm in, which is a surprise to me.

To me as well, but a good one! Looks like we'll see a LOT of NazNetters there. Great to have you on board as well, and really cool that Marissa wanted to join you!

[Thomas Oord]

I'm in, which is a surprise to me. With Gen. Ass'y coming up in the summer and Philip Yancey scheduled for the Feb '10 conference, I really wasn't putting much thought into this year, but things sort of came together. Got the tickets bought. My daughter Marissa will be with me. By getting my tickets from Pioneer, I managed a two-day layover in Denver on the way out for not too much extra and can travel with her for the Denver-Boise part of the trip.

Looking forward to it.

Marsha

I'm excited that you're coming, Marsha! We'll definitely need to get the Naznetters together for a photo...

Tom

[Hans Deventer]

I'm excited that you're coming, Marsha! We'll definitely need to get the Naznetters together for a photo...

Yes! Not on Saturday 7 am in the cafeteria though :basic05

Anyway, don't know how the registrations are going, but it looks like we'll be having almost a NazNet Conference! :)

[Thomas Oord]

Maybe we should think about a photo after the first evening lecture from Michael Lodahl. There will be a reception after the lecture that evening, and we could take a photo during that.

As far as registrations go, we're already at 100 people registered -- and that doesn't count the 50 or so students who will be required to attend for class credit next semester. So we should have a nice size crowd!

Tom

[Craig Laughlin]

Just came back from Homecoming at NNU and celebrating 25 years since graduating. I can’t believe that much time has slipped away. I too, am planning on attending the conference and look forward to meeting more of the NazNet community. It is great to be back in the Pacific Northwest where I can get to these things with, relatively, less hassle and expense.

– Tom, good job moderating the theology session. I was surprised at how supportive the crowd was of a more relational model. I am wondering if that holds true in general on the educational region or if this group was the exception.

[Thomas Oord]

Craig,

I'm glad to hear that you're coming to the conference! And thanks for the kind words about the panel. I thought it went well too.

I'm happy to say that when I present the basic ideas of relational holiness a pastors retreats, churches, and conferences, there is very strong support. Of course, my guess is that some critics will not come forward and express their criticisms in public -- although I invite constructive criticism. But overall, I find widescale support for the ideas of relational holiness.

I need to insert that I answer on average one email or letter each week from someone who has problems with what they think I believe. So there is criticism. But the vast majority of responses are positive.

Tom

[Marsha Lynn]

To me as well, but a good one! Looks like we'll see a LOT of NazNetters there. Great to have you on board as well, and really cool that Marissa wanted to join you!

Actually, I'm sort of joining her. While I was still wavering, she decided she was going with or without me. How could I let her have all the fun?

:fav16

[Eric Vail]

I'll be at the conference. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you in person!

[Kevin Rector]

I'll be at the conference. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you in person!

Now I'm starting to think I'm going to have to go.

[Ryan Scott]

Now I'm starting to think I'm going to have to go.

Me too.

[Ryan Scott]

So, if I register now, I can get a full refund up until Jan 26th if I can't come? I'd certainly know by then. Maybe I should do this?

[Thomas Oord]

So, if I register now, I can get a full refund up until Jan 26th if I can't come? I'd certainly know by then. Maybe I should do this?

Kevin and Ryan,

I'm glad to hear that you're considering attending the conference! I hope you come.

Ryan -- I'll give you a refund if for some reason you decide you can't make the trip....

Tom