Archive of Audios and Videos - February 12 & 13, 2016

Special Lecture Series:
​Honoring the Courage
​of Progressive Pastors

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 The Right Reverend John Shelby Spong, the retired Episcopal Bishop of Newark.  Bishop Spong is one of the world's leading progressive theologians, a Westar Fellow, and a prolific author.  His trenchant criticisms of Biblical literalism and his radical rejection of much traditional Christian dogma have made him persona non grata in much of the Christian world, while inspiring many who are part of what Bishop Spong calls the "church alumni association." He has initiated landmark discussions of controversies on racial inclusion, women’s ordination and justice for gay, lesbian, and transgender people, and he has become an outspoken advocate for change. 
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​With Bishop Spong is his friend, Rev. Dr. Roger Ray, the pastor of the Community Christian Church of Springfield, Missouri, a very unusual non-denominational progressive church that he founded almost a decade ago after leaving a Disciples of Christ ministry.  Rev. Dr. Ray holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt Divinity School, was a 2004 Merrill Fellow at Harvard Divinity School, has authored two highly regarded books, and has recently delivered seminars on progressive faith in the U.S., Scotland and England.  He has thousands of followers who watch and hear his weekly sermons on YouTube and iTunes.
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Sean Spyres, the Community Christian Church's director of music, is a seasoned opera vocalist with degrees in music and opera who knows how to make the sanctuary "rock!"  During our lecture series, he performed the religious and secular music that makes Rev. Ray's Sunday services so unique. 

Curious?  Click below to listen to audios and watch videos presented during the schedule of events on Feb 12 and 13.
The Event Schedule
 
Friday, Feb. 12

6 p.m.  Prelude
6:05    Video from 2012 episode of Newsroom: "America is not the Greatest Country in the World Anymore"
6:13     Welcome and Announcements from Rev. Roger Fritts
6:20     Introductory music
6:30     Evidence Based Faith - address by Dr. Roger Ray
6:55     Video called "A Wave of Reason"
7:00     Bishop Spong's first address
7:50     Q and A
8:15      Postlude music
 
Saturday, Feb. 13
 
9:30     Music
9:40     Welcome and announcements
9:45     Panentheism - address by Dr. Ray
10:30   Video "Symphony of Science - 12 particles of matter"
10:38    Theology and Music - Sean Spyres and Roger Ray
1:00     Video  "Let Us All Unite"
1:05      What is So, So What, So? - address by Roger Ray
1:45      Music
2:00     Bishop Spong's second address
2:50     Q and A

Books by Bishop Spong

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Why Christianity Must Change or Die: A Bishop Speaks to Believers in Exile
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Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World
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Living in Sin?: A bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality
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The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love
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Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture
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Biblical Literalism: A Gentile Heresy



Click here to order these books and more online.