DR. DESMOND FORD TO SPEAK AT SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE RETREAT

Theologian Desmond Ford has been invited by Adventist Today to speak New Years weekend at the 12th annual Spiritual Renaissance Retreat. The retreat will be held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort and Conference Center in Monterey, California from December 29, 2005 to January 1, 2006.

The retreat, jointly sponsored by the Adventist Today Foundation and the Association of Adventist Forums, provides an opportunity for spiritual reflection and intellectual challenge as we enter the new year. The presenters will include Roy Branson, Becky Wang Chang, James Londis, Paul McGraw, John McLarty, Charles Scriven, Arlene Taylor, and Alden Thompson.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a discussion of the trajectory of Adventist theology in the twenty-five years since the Glacier View meeting which was publicly cited by denominational leaders as the official basis for their actions against Desmond Ford. We expect there will be penetrating critiques of and commentaries on Dr. Ford’s theology as well as exploration of the impact on the spiritual and theological life of the church of the official actions taken in the wake of Glacier View. The Adventist Today Foundation is acting as Dr. Ford’s host on this occasion because of its commitment to fostering open exploration of ecclesiastical process and theology. There will also be two presentations that consider varying understandings of the ministry of Ellen White past, present, and future.

The setting for the conference is the beautiful Carmel/Monterey peninsula. The hotel accommodations are what you would expect from a Hyatt Resort. For those attending the retreat, there is a special rate. One of the best features of the conference is the quality of social interaction with others who care deeply about the future of the Adventist Church and about authentic spiritual life and moral development.

The editors of Adventist Today look forward to this annual opportunity to interact with our subscribers and friends. We hope you can join us.

To register for the retreat or for more information, please contact Elder John Hughson at 707-965-7297, FAX 707-965-6774, or email at jhughson@puc.edu.