News
"For All Its Worth" Conference is Great Success
April 117, 2005 -
The R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies recently held its bi-annual Bible Study Conference at Union University. The theme was “Reading the Bible for All Its Worth,” taken from a book title by the Conference’s keynote speaker, Dr. Gordon Fee. Fee gave three addresses which challenged conference attendees to devote more attention to personal Bible study.
Fee was joined by Christian music artist and Bible teacher Michael Card who taught on Biblical laments. Card is well know for his music but has also established himself as a prominent Bible teacher, hosting a radio teaching ministry and speaking at numerous conferences.
Registration for the conference exceeded many expectations. 305 participants traveled from as far away as Georgia, Louisiana, and Missouri. Large groups came from Columbus, Mississippi and Sikeston, Missouri. One church in Chattanooga, Tennessee sent many of its Sunday school teachers to the conference as part of a church leadership training event.
Some of the most positive feedback from registrants came from those who traveled the greatest distance to attend. One participant wrote, “I was part of the eighteen folks from Concord Baptist Church in Chattanooga. . . . I want to tell you first of all that we were so encouraged and equipped by this excellent conference. . . .I came away with a tremendous respect and appreciation for a school like Union University and its apparent commitment to holding up the Bible as sufficient for all of life.”
Other conference speakers included nationally recognized scholars Dr. Grant Osborne from Trinity International University in Chicago and Dr. Daniel Block from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Various Union University professors also led sessions which covered topics ranging from computer-assisted Bible study to ethical decision making and the Bible.
Audio recordings of the conference sessions are available for purchase. Over 300 CD’s have been requested already and many more are in production. Those interested in purchasing these CD’s may contact Brian Denker (731-661-5579, bdenker@uu.edu or www.uu.edu/centers/biblical).
The Ryan Center plans to present similar conferences at Union University in coming years. The Ryan Center is one of the university’s initiatives to provide the best possible tools and opportunities for individual Bible study.
Related Item(s): http://www.uu.edu/centers/biblical/