Schedule of Events

Speaking to a Modern World

A Conference on Open and Relational Theology
September 5–7, 2025
📍 Park Road Baptist Church
3900 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
(Click here to download)

Friday, September 5

8:30am – Coffee and Gathering (Community Center)
9:00am – Welcome and Introductions

9:15am – Session 1

• “Speaking to Psychotherapy as Soul-Making” – Shannon Mimbs (Sanctuary)
  This session will explore psychotherapy as an important relationship for psychological flourishing beyond the Modern mindset. We will reimagine the therapeutic event as dynamic, liturgical, dialogical, and aesthetic forums for re-enchanting the world and the ever-becoming-self within it. 

• “Speaking through Prayer” – Gayle Hansen Browne (Milford Chapel)
  Speaking open and relational theology through prayer happens when we live prayer as moment-by-moment contemplative action. In any given moment, we can pause to behold divine love energy flowing within and all around us, then befriend God's love with actions that bring more well-being and flourishing to the world.

• “Speaking in Neuro-Relational Spirituality” – Shaleen Kendrick (CC503)
  Neuro-Relational Spirituality (NRS) is Open and Relational Theology fused with neuroscience, systems thinking, and liberation ethics to understand salvation—not as a doctrine or escape from the world, but as embodied wholeness-making within it. As applied neurotheology, NRS helps us understand which God-stories expand our human capacities...growing and evolving us through emergent properties...and which God-stories dis––member us through fear, shame, or control. In an overwhelmed and fragmented world, NRS invites us to cultivate environments where human beings don’t just survive, but evolve—because more integrated, relational, humane people isn’t just healing—it’s actually Good News for all creation.

10:30am – Break

11:00am – Session 2

• Speaking into the Theism/Atheism Debate” – Josh Patterson (Sanctuary)
  The way the theism/atheism debate is framed is often frustrating. With Open and Relational Theology we can offer new possibilities that don’t settle for the boring answers presented by Redit Atheists and Christian Apologists alike.

• “Speaking through Personal Stories” – Tori Owens (Milford Chapel)
  Stories are everywhere! They can tell us who we are, who we can be, what we aren’t, what we should or shouldn’t do, what we deserve, and what we’re worth. As we take a more intimate look at our stories, may we find the courage to keep some, edit others, and, maybe, toss a few on the way to becoming more loving and open in the world.

• “Speaking to the Church” – Rob Hutchinson (CC503)
  The Open and Relational Theology church is called to co-create with a God who does not control outcomes but lovingly invites participation in an unfolding future. Speaking to the church means awakening leaders and communities to discern God’s ever-responsive presence, embrace holy uncertainty, and lead with hopeful expectancy rather than institutional preservation.

• 12:15pm – Lunch provided by Park Road Baptist (Community Center)

1:30pm – Session 3

• “Speaking in Helpful Ways About Death” – Tracy Tucker (Sanctuary)
  The language of life reflects one's thoughts and convictions, as does the language of death. We must pay careful attention to how we speak when talking about more painful matters such as death. We must also allow room for new systems of thought, visions, or ideas for expressing and experiencing that pain.

• “Speaking to Parents” – Chris Hanson (Milford Chapel)
  God speaks to parents in every moment, helping them guide their children toward divine visions of overall well-being. Open and Relational Theology parents perceive God as a nurturant parent who guides them and all of creation, responds every moment, and calls parents to emulate this divine pattern.

• “Speaking to our Embodied Souls” – Sheri Kling (CC503)
  In a culture where traditional religion is becoming obsolete while people are hungrier than ever for a direct experience of the Sacred, religious leaders must learn new offerings for vibrant spirituality. A spiritual practice of dream work, informed by open and relational theology, could be one such resource.

2:45pm – Break

3:00pm – Session 4

• Speaking to Deconstruction” – Tripp Fuller (Sanctuary)
  This session will look at issues outlined in Tripp’s book written with Tom Oord, God After Deconstruction, and the way Open and Relational Theology responds to those criticisms.

• “Speaking to Darkness” – Jonathan Foster (Milford Chapel)
  This session will look at an Open and Relational Theology take on the way desires are shaped and formed in the shadowlands.

• “Speaking for Inclusion” – Mike Brennan (CC503)
  The Open and Relational Theology church is a community of radical inclusion where all people are welcomed, valued, and empowered to participate and lead as they are—without requiring prior conformity to prescribed identities, behaviors, or doctrines—because God’s love invites belonging before belief, participation before perfection, and transformation through relationship, not regulation or indoctrination.

4:15pm – Gathering: Community Center

Evening Gathering

7:00–10:00pm – Live “Homebrew Christianity” Podcast with Tripp Fuller
Location: The Common Market
4420 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC
(CM serves great sandwiches, beer, and wine.)

Saturday, September 6

8:30am – Coffee and Gathering: Community Center
9:00am – Welcome

9:15am – Session 1

• “Speaking in Worship: A Panel Discussion” – Jeff Wells, John Ballenger, Russ and Amy Jacks Dean (Sanctuary)
  Speaking Open and Relational Theology in worship – through preaching, liturgy, music, and prayers – impacts spirituality and helps shape the understanding, actions, and ways of living together of a congregation.

• “Speaking Theologically about the Enneagram” – Barrett Owen (Milford Chapel)
  The Enneagram has emerged as a robust and dynamic tool, personally and professionally, because it elicits a core truth that resonates on a soul level: We are of value and in relation to both God and one another.

• “Speaking Truth to Power” – Melissa Stewart (CC503)
  At a time when many in power wield deception as their preferred weapon of choice and are successful when doing so, Open and Relational Theology encourages us that their continued success is not a fait accompli. Like the prophet Nathan and the warrior Rosa Parks, we too can speak truth to power and inspire change.

10:30am – Break

11:00am – Keynote Session

• “Speaking to a Modern World” – Tom Oord (Sanctuary)
  The Christian message has not sounded like good news to many contemporary people. I identify four ways Open and Relational Theology offers a message of good news to a modern world. I address church abuse, conflicts with science, gender and sexual diversity, and Christian nationalism.

12:30pm – Concluding lunch provided by PRBC: Community Center

Optional: Sunday, September 7

9:45am – “Speaking to Today’s Church” – Tom Oord (Milford Chapel)
The Church sometimes adopts ideas that undermine the good news of God’s love. I identify how open and relational theology shapes the Christian message to sound like good news in today’s church. I address the need for certainty, the problem of evil, biblical inconsistencies, and religious pluralism.

11:00am – Worship: Tom Oord, preaching (Sanctuary)

Speakers, Presenters, and panelist

Conference Location

Special conference rate hotel rooms

Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn / Homewood Suites, located just 2.5 miles from the conference venue—only a 10-minute drive away. Both room types are part of the same hotel, offered at a special Speaking To A Modern World Conference rate.

Choose the room style that best suits your stay, and book now by clicking on the images below.

For questions please reach out to Casey Wolhar (with Hilton) 704-227-1802.

Conference Sponsors