Posts

IVP Academic & Center for Disability and Ministry to Co-brand Book Series

Western Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that the new Center for Disability and Ministry  (CDM) will be partnering with InterVarsity Press (IVP) Academic to co-brand a series of books on disability and practical theology, with Dr. Benjamin T. Conner and Dr. John Swinton acting as co-editors. Dr. Conner directs the CDM at Western Theological Seminary while Dr. Swinton is Director of the Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

To read more about the partnership, click here.

 

/by

2019 Summer Institute on Theology & Disability

The 2019 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability will be held in Holland, Michigan, May 20-23, 2019 in partnership with Western Theological Seminary. The Institute brings together academics, theologians, practitioners, and others to explore the inclusive intersections of faith and disabilities.

The 2019 Summer Institute begins with a Community Day for Institute participants and anyone else who cannot afford the time or expenses for the full Institute. To register for just Community Day, click the “register now” button below and choose the “one day pass- Community Day” option. Its theme is From Longing to Belonging, based on the title of a new book by Jewish parent and inclusion consultant, Shelly Christensen. Shelly and Barbara Newman, from the CLC Network, Inc., will be the Opening Plenary Speakers. A panel will follow with speakers from creative programs and ministries in the region. The afternoon features workshops led by John Swinton, Erik Carter, Barbara Newman, Shelly Christensen, Jill Harshaw, Ben Conner with Sarah Jean Barton and Carlos Thompson, and Alex Kimmel.

For more information on the Summer Institute, please visit https://faithanddisability.org/2019-summer-institute/

Register Now
View Schedule

 

/by

Osterhaven Lectures with Dr. John Swinton

Join us on April 15-16, 2019 for the Osterhaven Lectures in Theology, featuring Dr. John Swinton.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS OF LECTURES

Monday, April 15

9:40 am          Dr. Swinton preaching in Chapel (public welcome, sign up here)

10:30 am        Lecture #1:  Raging with Compassion (public welcome, sign up here)

Noon              Community Conversation lunch with students and local pastors on What makes Practical Theology Practical Theology?

7:00 pm          Lecture #2: What does God look like?—Whose God? Which image? (public welcome, sign up here)

Tuesday, April 16

7:30 am          Breakfast Lecture #3 in the Commons: Mental Health and Ministry (public welcome, sign up here)

 

John Swinton is a Scottish theologian and a major figure in the development of disability theology. He is a professor in practical theology and pastoral care at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy. In 2004 he founded the university’s Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability, which has a dual focus:  the relationship between spirituality and health and the theology of disability.

John is an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland, and in 2012 The Church of Scotland appointed him as Master of Christ’s College, the university’s theological college.

In 2014 he established the Centre for Ministry Studies, a joint project between Christ’s College and the University of Aberdeen. It provides a broad range of education and training for both lay and ordained people.

In 2016 he was awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing for his book, Dementia:  Living in the Memories of God. 

John also serves as an honorary professor of nursing in the Centre for Advanced Studies in Nursing at Aberdeen University. He is a registered mental nurse as well as a nurse for people with learning disabilities.

/by

Episode 5.1: John Swinton on “Becoming Friends of Time” (audio)

In this episode, Dr. Ben Conner sits down with Dr. John Swinton, author and scholar in disability studies and professor at the University of Aberdeen, to discuss his newest book, “Becoming Friends of Time.”

“To give somebody the gift of time and not have the expectations of society, but to value them simply for whom they are—that’s the beginning point for love,” he says.

Podcast (luxcast-audio): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

/by

Episode 5.1: John Swinton on “Becoming Friends of Time”

In this episode, Dr. Ben Conner sits down with Dr. John Swinton, author and scholar in disability studies and professor at the University of Aberdeen, to discuss his newest book, “Becoming Friends of Time.”

“To give somebody the gift of time and not have the expectations of society, but to value them simply for whom they are—that’s the beginning point for love,” he says.

/by