Seminary Events
Fall 2021 classes began on August 30, with a day off from classes on Labor Day, September 6. Thanksgiving break will be November 25-26. Following exam days, the semester will end on December 17 with Fall Commencement (details pending).
The Seminary will continue with online and virtual events this fall and until restrictions can be further eased. Due to the governor’s executive order, all members of the North Park campus community, regardless of vaccination status, must wear their face masks inside campus buildings, except in their own private residence or office.
Two major Seminary events will be returning in virtual formats this fall:
Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture
Thursday, September 16 – Saturday, September 17 | Virtual | Topic: The Bible and Politics
The Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture features prominent scholars from around the world and provides a forum for interdisciplinary theology from a biblical perspective for the benefit of the church. This year’s topic, The Bible and Politics, includes scholars representing a cross-section of academic disciplines as well as Christian traditions.
The following are presenters who have agreed to present papers during the Symposium. Papers will be distributed to registered attendees ahead of the Symposium.
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- Vincent Bacote, Professor Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics, Wheaton College
- Stephen B. Chapman, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Duke Divinity School
- Colby Dickinson, Associate Professor of Theology, Loyola University Chicago
- Kay Higuera Smith, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Azusa Pacific University
- Janet Kragt Bakker, Associate Professor of Mission and Culture, Memphis Theological Seminary
- Jules Martinez, Associate Professor of Ministry, North Park Theological Seminary
- Timothy Milinovich, Associate Professor, Theology, Rosary College of Arts and Sciences
The Symposium will start at 4:45 pm, Thursday, September 16, and conclude at 6:00 pm, Friday, September 17, 2021. A detailed schedule will be provided to registrants prior to the start of the Symposium.
The Symposium is a free event, but registration is required prior to the start of the Symposium. Registration will close on September 15. For more information, please contact Seminary Director of Operations Luke Palmerlee at lrpalmerlee@northpark.edu.
Faith and Health Symposium
Saturday, November 6, 10 am – 3:30 pm | Virtual | Topic: Accessible to All? A Faithful Response to Disabilities
While persons of diverse abilities and their families live throughout our communities, the church has been challenged to move beyond accommodation to full inclusion. Imagine how the well-being of everyone in the church would be strengthened by being fully welcoming of persons of all abilities, reflecting the kingdom of God. Working together, congregations and healthcare professionals can collaborate in responding faithfully to the challenge of disabilities by considering what can be done together that neither can do alone.
This Fourth Biennial Faith and Health Symposium is hosted by North Park Theological Seminary and North Park University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences to provide education for healthcare and ministry professionals in service to the church. The Good Shepherd Initiative is a sponsor.
The following highlights session topics and speakers. For more information, check event details here.
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- Ways We Witness: Disability and the Mission of the Church: Ben Conner, PhD, Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI
- Disability, Intersectionality and You: Angel Love Miles, PhD, published scholar, professional speaker, teacher, and advocate on issues pertaining to identity, social justice, and inequality
Workshops (which will be recorded):
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- Faithfully Attending to the Intersections of Disability and Pain: Sarah Jean Barton, ThD, MS, OTR/L, BCP
- Becoming What We Believe: The Import of the Sacraments for Conversion to an Ecclesiology of Disability: Mike Walker ThD and Jesse Slimak, MDiv
- Embracing the Differentially Abled in Church Community: Shirley You, MACE
- We’re All in This Together: Tim Lowly and Rev. Sherrie Lowly
- Here and Not Here: Ministering in Ambiguous Loss: Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, PhD, RN
- Sketching the Map to Health: Reframing Health as a Sacred Journey with a Shared Destination: L.S. Carlos Thompson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Church and Community Theology, Director of the Friendship House Community, and Director of the Friendship House Fellows Program at Western Theological Seminary
Registration Fees:
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- General: $45; North Park students, faculty, and staff: $25; Church group: $95
- Refunds: Permitted through October 31. No refunds will be given after November 1.
For more about future Seminary events and dates, please visit the Seminary Calendar.