For the last few years, the Misfit Theology Club has hosted an annual ecumenical and theology conference. Our goal is to create a space for different theological traditions within the broad historic orthodox faith to exist in one place, if even for a few days. We seek to create a space where people can engage with theologies from the great Christian Traditions (Eastern traditions, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant) and come face to face with brothers and sisters from outside their traditions. We hope that through this space, Christians from various denominations and traditions can engage and befriend other Christians outside their theological silos. We firmly believe it is the Lord's will and desire that the Church be united as one in all its breadth and depth, just as the Triune God is one God. The conference is our small way to live faithfully to Jesus's prayer for our unity.

We look for speakers who are upstanding in Christian character and confess a broad theological orthodoxy. The Trinity, the Full Humanity and Full Deity of Jesus Christ Fully United, his Bodily Resurrection, and his Virgin Birth. What we call the meat of the Creeds.

The conference will be in Grand Junction, Colorado, April 21-23, and Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church will be hosting the conference and any out-of-towners coming to the conference.

This year's theme is holistic Christianity. It's intentionally a broad theme to give our speakers some room to choose topics on which to speak. This theme includes but is not necessarily limited to: giving attention to parts of Christianity that have historically been ignored, such as ancient African and Asian Christianity, women and their contribution to theological construction and faith, spiritual formation practices and mental health, the importance of ethnic diversity, and different vocations such as pastoral, missional, academic, theologian, and so forth.

To be inclusive and accessible to everyone, we have host homes in Grand Junction with families from St. Matthew's Episcopal. If the registration cost creates a barrier to attendance, please email Gabriel at [email protected].

Location
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
3888 27 1/2 Rd
Grand Junction, CO 81506
Date & Time
April 21, 2023
9:00 PM - 6:00 PM
April 22, 2023
9:00 PM - 6:00 PM
April 23, 2023
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Speakers
We are excited to host a diverse group of speakers this year, with topics ranging from Patristic Catechesis, a dialogue workshop, ancient and African Christianity, and ministering to the downtrodden. 
Dr. Vince Bantu
Vince Bantu, an Assistant Professor at Fuller, teaches Church History and Black Church Studies on their Houston campus. He also serves as a liaison to the Pannell Center for Black Church Studies. Holding a PhD in Semitic and Egyptian Languages, Bantu authored "Gospel Haymanot" and "A Multitude of All Peoples," emphasizing African Christianity and theology.
Sister Karen Bland
Sister Karen Bland is the Executive Director of Grand Valley Catholic Outreach and has served those suffering from homelessness for 17 years and is known in Colorado for her leadership, in both preventing and ending homelessness.
Alex Fogleman
Alex Fogleman is the founding director of the Catechesis Institute and is a published and renowned catechist. He is also the assistant research professor at Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion and teaches graduate courses on catechesis for Trinity School for Ministry.
Kirk Yamaguchi
In 1997, Kirk Yamaguchi founded a Vineyard Church in Canon City, CO, and later became the Senior Pastor of Canyon View Vineyard Church until 2021. Now serving as Pastor Emeritus, Kirk also works as a Church Network Liaison for Convoy of Hope. He is set to complete his Spiritual Direction training in May 2023.
Dom Joseph-Marie
Dom Joseph-Marie Brown is a schema-monk of Ladyminster Western Rite Orthodox Monastery in the mountains above Canon City. He specializes in spiritual direction around issues of addiction/recovery, and the occult and an iconographer.

Apparently he also needs to work on his humility...
Rev. Paula Henson
Paula is the Priest-in-Charge of the community of St. John the Baptizer and has served churches in all three regions of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland during her diaconal ministry. She now joins the ministry team in the Utah Region to offer her gifts as part of God’s work amongst our communities.
Dr. Dennis R. Edwards
Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards currently serves as Dean and VP of Church Relations at North Park Theological Seminary. Previously an Associate Professor of New Testament, he is the author of several books, including the forthcoming "Humility Illuminated: The Biblical Path Back to Christian Character."
Dr. John B. Hatch
John B. Hatch, PhD, retired professor and chair of Communication Studies at Eastern University, is a CCSN Senior Fellow. With experience in intercultural communication, race relations, and public reconciliation, his research includes racial reconciliation, religious discourse, and rhetoric of music. John's work appears in various peer-reviewed journals and books.
Rev. Lauren R. E. Larkin
Lauren R. E. Larkin is the priest in charge of The Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Redlands, CO and is a PhD Candidate through King's College, University of Aberdeen. She has a partner and three kids.
Fr. Jeremy Troy
Fr. Jeremy Troy is the head priest of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Grand Junction, CO.  His interests include Eastern Christian spirituality, Byzantine liturgical music, and Biblical translation. Since coming to Western Colorado, Fr. Jeremy spends his free time climbing and exploring the mountains and canyons that abound here.
Conference Schedule
Friday Schedule
8:45 AM
Doors Open
Join us as we kick-off to the 2023 Misfits Theology Conference. We'll have books, shirts, beverages, and other merchandise available for purchase before the opening address and prayer.
9:30 AM
Opening Address and Prayer Time
10:15 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Dialogue Workshop with John Hatch 
12:00 PM
Lunch available for purchase from Sitto’s Grandma’s Mobile Arabic Kitchen
1:00 PM
The Gospel Along the Silk Road - Vince Bantu
This workshop will provide introduction to the growth and spread of Christianity from the Middle East across the continent of Asia prior to the advent of European colonialism. Participants will gain familiarity and appreciation for the central figures and events of early Asian Christianity.
2:15 PM
Break
2:30 PM
"Don't You Care?":  Liberation, Resistence, and Dorothee sölle - Lauren Larkin
3:30 PM
Break
4:00 PM
The Church of the Nile Valley - Vince Bantu
This workshop will explore the expansion of the Church among the civilizations in North and East Africa prior to the modern age. Special attention will be given to the theological contextualization of early African Christianity and its spread beyond the Nile Valley.
5:15 PM
Closing Remarks, Prayer, and a Song of Worship
6:00 PM
Happy Hour at the Brewery
Saturday Schedule
9:00 AM
Doors Open
Welcome back to day 2 of the 2023 Misfits Theology Conference. We'll have books, shirts, beverages, and other merchandise available for purchase before the opening address and prayer.
9:45 AM
Prayer Time
10:00 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Patristic Catechesis Workshop - Alex Fogleman   
12:00 PM 
Lunch provided by Stone Soup, a ministry of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
1:00 PM
TBD - Mother Paula Henson
2:00 pM
Break
2:30 PM
Unseen Warfare: Good for Monks, Not for Me? - Father Joseph Maria
3:30 PM
Break

4:00 PM
Choose Wisely Grasshopper: the Art of Discernment in a Complex World - Kirk Yamaguchi
5:00 PM
Closing Remarks, Prayer, and a Song of Worship

6:00 PM
Happy Hour at the Brewery
Sunday Schedule
10:00 AM
St. Matthew's Eucharistic Gathering
12:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Might from the Margins: The Power of Diaspora People - Dennis Edwards
2:00 PM
Break
2:15 PM
TBD - Father Jeremy Troy 
3:15 PM
Break
3:30 PM
TBD - Sister Karen Bland
4:30 PM
Closing Remarks, Prayer, and a Song of Worship
 Join us on April 21 - 23
We look forward to hosting you!

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