Over the past few years, our lives have migrated towards online methods of communicating. While online communication is great for bridging distance, there’s something gained by creating space for embodied relationships that bind people together beyond video calls, memes, and typed text through phones. Dr. Aaron Perry, Director of Wesleyan Academic Initiatives for The Wesleyan Church’s Division of Education and Clergy Development (ECD), believes fellowship is a part of our ecclesiology and the benefit of communicating verbally about a topic with one another and following up with meaningful conversation is well worth the time invested. Dr. Perry, with leadership from Dr. David Smith and Rev. Mike Colaw, planned an event where attendees could do just that: gather in a physical space and have round table conversations on the topic of Wesleyan theological anthropology. “TheoCon” was the name given to this pilot event, held at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Fishers, Indiana.
The conference took place in just over 24 hours (with a Tuesday 3 PM start time, and 3 PM Wednesday conclusion) and was intentionally hosted in a local church – rooting theology in a practical context – and provided the opportunity for attendees to fellowship with one another, worship together, listen to speakers, and break out into groups to engage in discussion. Table hosts included Dr. JL Miller, Dr. Mike Tapper, Rev. Paul Tillman, Rev. Olivia Phillips and Rev. Bethany Tippin. The Trinity Wesleyan Church worship team led worship. In large gatherings, the speakers were Dr. Dave Smith, Rev. Mike Colaw and Rev. Jenn Petersen.
Rev. Mike Colaw reflected his enjoyment, saying that TheoCon was a deeply-needed event, not only due to the ideas discussed, but also because of the collaborations and community. Rev. Colaw shares: “Deep in my heart, I believe the church’s future challenges aren’t primarily due to a lack of raw ideas, but rather a lack of genuine community to develop them. TheoCon skillfully blended both elements: Theology and Community. It is in this unity that we can become an engine of real spiritual force in the world.”
The presentation by Dr. Dave Smith during TheoCon is available online, creating availability for anyone to listen. At TheoCon, attendees had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Smith’s talk and had round table discussions afterward. In his talk, Dr. Smith extensively discusses theological anthropology, and what it means to live as image-bearers in light of the word, work, and will of God. Dr. Smith uses Wesleyan terms to present this “God-humankind conversation” in a biblical worldview. He concludes by imploring listeners to recognize Jesus has trusted us as emissaries to carry this message of hope and holiness to the world as image-bearers.
“I had been framing the goal of the event to enjoy, discuss, and apply Wesleyan theological anthropology to strengthen our witness in word, deed, and sign, and to deepen our relationships with each other. I believe this happened,” Dr. Perry shared. “The word enjoy has stuck with me. Richard Foster once wrote ‘Celebration brings joy into life, and joy makes us strong.’ Good conversation with like-hearted people is enjoyable. I wanted us to be filled with joy as we spoke about a theology and ministry that has warmed our hearts and minds. Wesleyan work is needed in our world. Our witness as Wesleyans is needed. Joyful people bear witness to the source of their joy by the Spirit who makes us joyful, often through one another’s company.”
While this first pilot event had about 30 attendees, the hope is to replicate similar events in the future in different regions and online with local organizers sponsored by Education and Clergy Development. Behind TheoCon is a desire to express the Wesleyan denomination as one worth investing in that articulates hope and holiness, while creating an environment that cultivates and deepens friendship and fellowship.
For more information on ongoing efforts at the intersection of Wesleyan theology and congregational leadership, visit wesleyan.org/ecd.
