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North Park Theological Seminary

North Park Theological Seminary offers academic and formational events throughout the year, providing students with access to prominent scholarship, relevant conversations, and a full community experience. Many of our events are also broadcast online and open to the public, providing resources to our alumni, as well as the church and academic communities beyond our campus.

Upcoming Events

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Seminary Academic Calendar

Centered in the Storm: A Public Theology Series

The Seminary’s 2022–23 public theology series focuses on being centered in Christ—not as an escape from the needs of the world, but as a necessary means to the transformative work of the church in the world.

Seminary faculty from each disciplinary field will facilitate dialogue in reflection on Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out…? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (The Message). We invite you to join us as we seek Christ’s unforced rhythms of grace. All lectures are free and open to the public but registration is required.

  • October 26, 2022: Rest as Resistance click here to view the recording of the lecture.
  • February 8, 2023: Finding Rest in God: Therapeutic and Ministry Insights click here to view the recording of the lecture.
  • April 12, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30pm (Central): Sabbath without Sabbatical: Pastoral Rest in the Midst of Ministry
    What is Sabbath from a biblical and theological framework? And how can the pastor and Christian leader experience a Sabbath rest in the midst of a busy ministry and competing demands, especially when their church may not be able to afford a sabbatical or extended leave of absence? You are invited to join a panel discussion between biblical scholars and pastors on celebrating Sabbath through the challenges and rhythms of the Christian life.
    Registration is free and open to the public, c    lick here to register.

Past Events

Culture and Belonging: A Public Theology Series, 2021–22

Responding to the invitation of theologian Willie James Jennings (After Whiteness), this series pursued an ethic of  belonging that builds people toward each other, shared habitation, and ultimately communion. Drawing from the fields of ministry, Bible, theology, and history, we reimagined communities of belonging through the lens of culture. NPTS  faculty and leading practitioners of Covenant congregations and denominational ministries collaborated to lead creative discussions integrating scholarship, ministry practices, and formation. View the recordings below.

“Purposeful Narrative: Engaging the Mosaic of Covenant History”
“Multiracial Congregations: Transformative or Status Quo?”
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”: Biblical and Practical Understanding of
“Global Hunger in Our Time”

Reconciled & Reconciling: P.P. Waldenström’s Atonement Sermon 150 Years Later

The year 2022 marks the 150th anniversary of Rev. Paul Peter Waldenström’s sermon on reconciliation (1872), which set in motion events that led to the formation of the Covenant Churches in Sweden (1878) and North America (1885) and left an indelible mark on Covenant preaching, mission, and ecclesiology.

Four scholars and church leaders shared how this crucial aspect of Covenant history remains relevant today to the church’s calling to restorative justice, racial righteousness, global mission, preaching, and congregational life. Co-sponsored by the Commission on Covenant History and North Park Theological Seminary. View the recordings below.

Traditioned Innovation: A Public Theology Series 2020–21

We entered 2021 amid continuing economic and political uncertainties, navigating the layered crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, persistent, and pernicious racialized inequities in church, nation, and world. This complex reality requires all the resources available to us, including a critical evaluation of the past—“traditioned innovation” (L. Gregory Jones) that fruitfully draws from, critiques, and reimagines the past for the needs of the present and future. NPTS faculty and leading practitioners of Covenant congregations and denominational ministries collaborated to lead creative discussions integrating scholarship, ministry practices, and formation. View the recordings below.

“Pursuing Unity in Church and World”
“Community Vaccinations: Remembering the Past to Heal for the Future”
“#ImpactOverIntent: Today’s Black Theology in Black History Month”
“Embodied Worship over Zoom?: The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Online Worship”
“Discovering Signs of God’s Grace in the Midst of Chaos”
“Essential Ministry During Pandemics”

More Seminary Events

Nyvall News & Notes

Nyvall News & Notes is a publication of North Park Theological Seminary that connects current students, alumni and friends of the Seminary with the happenings of our community. Our goal is not only to distribute necessary information, but to provide a window into the life of North Park Theological Seminary. Visit the Nyvall News & Notes site to read the current issue and browse past updates.

Symposium

The Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture features prominent international scholars and provides a forum for interdisciplinary theology from a biblical perspective. Learn more.

Lectureships

We are proud to welcome a number of guests each year who offer scholarship on a variety of theological topics. Learn more.

Graduation

North Park Theological Seminary’s commencement service is a special day each spring, and we invite you to join us to celebrate with our students. Graduating students should also review this information for important details about planning for graduation, commencement day, and beyond. Learn more.