American Baptist College is excited to announce the 63rd convening of the Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series. This year’s contribution to the storied legacy of the lectures holds great promise and potential for re-energizing and re-focusing congregations that are currently struggling under the weight of the changing challenges, economic and social demographics, and public policy initiatives that negatively impact Black congregations and the communities for whom they exist. A recent longitudinal Congregational study by Duke University found, “31% of a typical Black congregation is over 60 years old”. They also report “median weekend attendance at all worship services declined from 100 people in 2006 to 76 people in 2012.
This year’s theme: Empowering Churches To Heal Communities seeks to empower congregations in the Black Christian prophetic tradition to respond to the rapidly changing church landscape. ABC has assembled a group of nationally recognized Christian scholars and leaders to address the complex issues that confront Black congregations and provide strategies to re-imagine new standards of success in addition to larger budgets, bigger buildings and burgeoning attendance.
Invited presenters include: Dr. Jerry Young, President NBC, USA, Inc.; Dr. Marvin McMickle, past President Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School; Dr. Keri Day, Princeton Theological Seminary; Dr. Christophe Ringer, Chicago Theological Seminary; Dr. David Gushee, Mercer University; Professor Kelisha Graves, Fayetteville State University.
On March 18 – 20, 2019, American Baptist College will convene the 62nd Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series, this year’s theme; Cultivating Leaders, Proclaiming Justice, Healing Communities promises to be another exciting addition to the legacy of the Lectures. Whether a first-time attendee or alumni who returns year after year to the Holy Hill, you are in for an experience that will enrich you and your organization, as we seek God’s love and justice in the world.
Join us for the Presidents’ Reception. This Reception is hosted by Dr. Forrest E. Harris, Sr., President of American Baptist College, and The Reverend Breonus Mitchell, President of the ABC Alumni Association. Alumni honorees this year are: The Reverend Dr. Julius R. Scruggs and The Reverend Dr. Timothy Stewart.
Hotel Information: Millennium Maxwell House at $119 per night. Make your reservations using the following.
Reserve at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel Website: www.maxwellhousehotel.com
(Guests can enter the group code, 1903AMRBAP, under Group Code by selecting the link below the date selection)
Telephone: Guests may call the hotel toll free at (800) 457-4460
Hilton Garden Inn Nashville Vanderbilt at $189 per night.
Parking
$15 Self
$18 Valet
Please contact the hotel directly at 615-369-5900 or 615-523-7904.
Please make your reservations as soon as possible, rooms are limited!
Join us for the 61st Annual Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series.
The 61st convening of the Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series, themed Leading Lives of Meaning and Purpose: Community or Chaos Fifty Years Later, presents a kairotic moment, not only for American Baptist College and the conference attendees but also for the Church and the larger community.
ABC was recently awarded a $1.5 million dollar, five-year grant from the Lily Endowment under its “Called to Lives of Meaning and Purpose” initiative. This project will allow the College to lead congregations in revisiting the notion of “the call” and what it means for the individual, the Church, and God’s demand for Love and Justice in the world. Coupled with this is the opportunity to recognize the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During GNL, we will reflect and reconsider Dr. King’s legacy, life, and the work that remains yet undone by those who seek to join our purpose with God’s purpose in the world.
Speakers
Join us on the “Holy Hill” for three days of preaching, lectures and workshops by a world-class slate of preachers, teachers, and scholars. This year’s speakers include:
- Dr. Paul Msiza, President of the Baptist World Alliance
- Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas from the Union Theological Seminary in New York, NY
- Rev. Dr. Tellis Chapman of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan
- Father Michael Pfleger of Saint Sabina Church in Chicago, IL
- Rev. Dr. Freddy Haynes of Friendship – West Baptist Church in Dallas, TX
- Rev. Dr. Lee Butler of Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL
- Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood, J.D. of Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN
Schedule
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2018
5:00 pm
ABC Day Nashville Rally Service at Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church (2200 26th Ave. N.)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. George Parks Jr., President, ABC Alumni Association
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration
8:30 am – 10:15 am
Graves/Sweeney/Goodwin/Turner/Thomas Breakfast (BWC/ Dining Room)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Charles Goodman Jr.
10:30 am – 12:15 pm
Panel Discussion on Purpose
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Chris Jackson
12:30 pm – 2:15 pm
The Presidential Luncheon
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Riggins Earl (BWC Dining Room)
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Workshops (BWC/Lewis-Scruggs/Library)
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Alumni Meeting (Chapel)
6:30 pm
Evening Worship (BWC Sanctuary)
Speakers: Father Michael Pfleger & Rev. Dr. Freddy Haynes
10:00 pm
Late Night Service (Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist Church)
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration
9:00 am – 9:55 am
Plenary Lecture
Speaker: Father Michael Pfleger
10:00 am – 10:55 am
Lecture
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown-Douglas
11:00 am – 11:55 am
Sermon
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Freddy Haynes
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Luncheon
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Paul Misza
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Workshops (BWC/Lewis-Scruggs/Library)
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Alumni Reception (Library Reading Room)
6:30 pm
Evening Worship
Rev. Dr. Tellis Chapman
10:00 pm
Late Night Service (Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist Church)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration
9:00 am – 9:55 am
Lecture
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Lee Butler
10:00 am – 10:55 am
Sermon
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Tellis Chapman
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Nannie Helen Burroughs Luncheon
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Teresa Smallwood
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Workshops
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Alumni Meeting (Library)
7:00 pm
Presidents’ Reception (Maxwell House Hotel)
Honoring Rev. Dr. Riggins Earl
10:00 pm
Late Night Service (Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist Church)
Accommodations
The Hilton Garden Inn Nashville/Vanderbilt 1715 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 will serve as the host hotel.
Room rates are $179 nightly. When making your reservation use code: GNL2018
The telephone number is 615-369-5900
Make your reservations now! You don‘t want to miss this challenging, thought-provoking, inspirational event!
History of GNL
The Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series was named in honor of the leadership of James Henry Garnett and James Madison Nabrit. Garnett was a teacher of Systematic Theology and New Testament Greek at American Baptist Theological Seminary from 1924 to 1938. He served as the seminary’s dean from 1927 to 1939. During a portion of that time, from 1930 to 1932, he provided leadership as the acting president.
James Madison Nabrit was president of American Baptist Theological Seminary from 1936 to 1944. His eight-year tenure advanced the institution and brought forth the development of the National Baptist Training School for Christian Workers.
Garnett and Nabrit are landmarks in the legacy of great leadership provided to American Baptist College. Their example of innovation and integrity are recognized annually through the Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series.