Events
Founders Day 2013
Urbana Theological Seminary
invites you to a dessert reception
...to celebrate God’s hand at work and to say “Thank you!” to our supporters...
Saturday, April 20, 2013, 7:00 PM
Alice Campbell Alumni Center
601 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
• Special Speaker •
Thumbs Up: The Christian and Culture
Todd D Rendleman, PhD
Professor of Communication Studies, Seattle Pacific University
Dr Rendleman is the author of the recent book Rule of Thumb: Ebert at the Movies (New York: Continuum, 2012), one of the the first book-length assessments of the work of Roger Ebert as a film critic from a scholarly perspective. He holds a PhD in Communications from the University of Illinois, with a specialization in Film Studies, and was privileged to know the late Roger Ebert. How timely that we can have him here as our speaker at the same time as Ebertfest, and in a year when Ebert is on so many people's minds. Dr Rendleman is an excellent communicator--we know you will benefit greatly from his wisdom.
• Special Performance •
Grove Street Church of God in Christ Choir
directed by our very own Melvin Leach
To RSVP please contact the office at
217-365-9005 or
office@urbanaseminary.org
Children's Ministry Conference
Coming July 2013
For more information, please join our new Children's Ministry Mailing list:
Ethics Public Lecture
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Featuring Dr. C. Ben Mitchell
Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University, TN
Speaking on the relationship between medicine, theology, and end of life issues.
3rd Annual Preaching Forum
Monday, February 17, 2014
Featuring Dr. Bryan Chapell
Current Chancellor of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis
Future Senior Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church of Peoria, IL
Speaking on Christ Centered Expository Preaching
Past Events
10 Year Anniversary Events
2nd Annual Preaching Forum
Featuring Dr. Zack Eswine
Monday, March 4, 2013
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Meadowbrook Community Church
Champaign, IL
$20 workshop fee (lunch included)
Scot McKight
Saturday, February 2, 2013, 7:00 PM
Twin City Bible Church
Dr. McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is currently a Professor of New Testament at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radio programs across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and
educational events. He is the author of more than thirty books, including the award-winning The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others.His blog Jesus Creed is read by thousands around the world.
There and Back Again: A Tolkien Conference
10:00 am - 3:30 pm, Saturday, December 1, 2012
Illinois Wesleyan University, Hansen Student Center
300 E. Beecher, Bloomington, IL 61701
Event Schedule
Theological Libraries Month, October 2012
October is Theological Libraries Month and this year Urbana Theological Seminary is joining in the celebration. Please join us as we celebrate both our little theological library and the legacy of theological libraries. We have received a grant from the American Theological Library Association and, as part of this month, we will be celebrating in several ways.
Free Parking: The library has a key to pay for the parking meter of any one using the library during the month of October. Just call the office at 217-365-9005 to let us know you are outside.
Library Open House: On Monday, October 29th, we will hold an open house and dessert reception in the library from 5:30-7:30pm. This is a chance to come look at some of our new material and enjoy desserts. There will also be several giveaway drawings, including a TIS gift card for textbooks.
Just for Pastors: On October 29th, we are offering all local pastors or campus ministers the chance to come register for a library membership with us. We want to serve as a resource for the entire area and especially support local pastors. There will also be a special give away just for pastors.
God of Liberty: The Religious Dynamics of America's Founding Era
Saturday, October 20, 2012, 10:00am University Baptist Church, Sanctuary Second Floor
As part of our 10th Anniversary Celebration, Dr. Thomas S. Kidd, Associate Professor of History at Baylor University, will speak on the topic of “God of Liberty: The Religious Dynamics of America’s Founding Era.” Dr. Kidd's research interests are in 18th century North America, particularly the history of evangelicalism. His recent book publications include God of Liberty: A Religious History of the American Revolution and Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots. This will be a lecture and discussion you will not want to miss just a few weeks out from the 2012 presidential election.
Ethics Seminar: Film and Public Discussion
Friday & Saturday, September 7-8, 2012
Jennifer Lahl, founder and President of The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, will present her award winning documentary Eggsploitation (with discussion) in Bloomington-Normal Friday evening, Sept. 7, at Christ Church, and her latest documentary Anonymous Father’s Day (with discussion) in Champaign-Urbana Saturday morning, Sept. 8, at the Champaign Public Library. Urbana Seminary is co-hosting this event along with Carle Foundation Hospital as our second annual Bio-Ethics Seminar.
Other Past Events
A Forum on Preaching
Sponsored by the Seminary's Provision for Pastors initiative, this forum will be a one-day seminar designed to help pastors think more deeply about the art and craft of preaching. Dr. Donald R. Sunukjian, Professor of Christian Ministry & Leadership, Homiletics at the Talbot School of Theology and author of Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance will be the featured speaker. Pastor Randy Boltinghouse of Windsor Road Christian Church in Champaign, IL and Pastor Bob Smart of Christ Church in Normal, IL will also be speaking on their approach to sermon preparation and delivery.
Monday, February 6, 2012
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Meadowbrook Community Church
Champaign, IL
$18 workshop fee (lunch included)
Provisions for Pastors Lunch
Monday, October 24, 2011 at Noon
As a Pastor do you wonder why having a seminary, right in your own backyard, can benefit you and your church? Or how can the Seminary benefit you if you don’t have time to go to school or you’ve already been to school?
These are great questions! At Urbana Seminary, we believe that God has called us to be strength and encouragement for the church. We want to provide Provisions for our Pastors. Join us for lunch as we make a bold proposal for ministry hand-in-hand. Give us a chance to share the range of benefits a church and seminary partnership can have. This would also be a time for us to hear from you on how Urbana Seminary can come along side you and your church in furthering God’s kingdom.
Seeking Seminary Community Dinner
Monday, November 14, 2011
Do you want a place for growing in your faith, learning to think as a Christian & preparing for ministry? Urbana Theological Seminary invites you to an informational dinner where you will learn about how we can help you love, know and serve God. A chance to meet professors & talk to current students.
Anti-Aging Science in an Aging Culture:
Scientific & Religious Perspectives on Life Extension
Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sponsored by Urbana Theological Seminary and Carle Foundation Hospital
This conference will explore the meaning of human aging and biomedical attempts to overcome it from medical and religious perspectives.
Dr. S. Jay O’Shansky, Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago and co-author of The Quest for Immortality: Science at the Frontiers of Aging (W. W. Norton & Co., 2001) will be addressing the science of longevity and its religious significance. Urbana Seminary’s Dr. Todd Daly, whose work is featured on the January cover of Christianity Today, will address anti-aging from a theological perspective. Dr. Robert E. Cranston, neurologist and bioethicist at Carle Hospital, and author of Bioethics and Today’s Christian: Finding Your Way Through the Morass of Today’s Overwhelming Medical Dilemmas (Crossbooks, 2010) will offer reflections on several case studies. The conference will conclude with a panel discussion.