Union to host second Baptist Identity Conference Feb. 15-17

Union's second Baptist Identity Conference will feature Frank Page, Paige Patterson, Timothy George, Thom Rainer and David Dockery, among other speakers.

JACKSON, Tenn. – November 30, 2006– Frank Page, Paige Patterson, Timothy George, Thom Rainer and David Dockery will be among the speakers at Union University’s second “Baptist Identity Conference” Feb. 15-17 in Jackson, Tenn.

The conference will address the theme “Convention, Cooperation and Controversy.”

“Baptist Identity II is a much needed conversation for Southern Baptists as we seek to better understand our history and heritage in order to build a new sense of cooperation for our shared service in the 21st century,” said Dockery, president of Union University. “The conference speakers will be outstanding. Each is prepared to address a key issue facing Southern Baptists at this time in our history. I would strongly encourage pastors, denominational leaders, and key laypersons to make plans to attend.”

Speakers and their topics for the conference are as follows:

- Patterson, of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, “What Contemporary Baptists Can Learn from Anabaptists.”

- George, dean of Beeson Divinity School, “The Future of Baptist Identity in a Post-Denominational World.”

- Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, “Evangelism and Church Growth in the Southern Baptist Convention.”

- Dockery, president of Union University, “The Southern Baptist Convention since 1979.”

- Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, “The Role of the Cooperative Program in the 21st Century.”

- Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, “T.T. Eaton: Drawing on 19th Century Baptist Models.”

- Jim Shaddix, senior pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Denver, Colo., “The Future of the Traditional Church.”

- Greg Thornbury, dean of the School of Christian Studies at Union University, “The ‘Angry Young Men’ of the SBC.”

- Ed Stetzer, missiologist and research team director at the North American Mission Board, “Toward a Missional Convention.”

- Mike Day, director of missions for the Mid-South Baptist Association in Memphis, Tenn., “The Future of Baptist Associations and State Conventions.”

The conference will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 15, with the last session scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Feb. 17. Cost for the conference is $50, which includes three meals.

Register online at www.uu.edu/events/baptistidentity. For more information, call (731) 661-5162.