Author: Paul Post
American Scientific Affiliation Winter Symposium: Scientists and the Church
The Emerging Scholars Network has partnered closely with the American Scientific Affiliation on Early Career Tracks at the ASA annual meetings and at other ASA events. Christians who are scientists often experience a “double loneliness.” Colleagues are sometimes suspicious of their Christian commitments and fellow church members are suspicious of their science. This conversation between a scientist and a church leader is a great opportunity to explore how we may foster a better conversation as scientists with those in our churches.
WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM PST/1 PM EST
COST: Free (a free-will donation is suggested)
SPEAKERS: Walter Kim, President, National Association of Evangelicals and Jessica Moerman, Vice President of Science and Policy, Evangelical Environmental Network
TITLE: Scientists and the Church
Genetic Engineering. Climate Change. Artificial Intelligence. Vaccines. Any one of these contemporary topics involves science and scientists. Many of these scientists are faithful members of our congregations. How do these church members experience discussions within their faith communities when nonscientists attempt to understand these issues from their faith perspective? And how can churches better engage Christians who are scientists in serving the church?
BIOS:
Walter Kim became the president of the National Association of Evangelicals in January 2020, after serving as a pastor for 15 years at Boston’s historic Park Street Church and four years at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. He has spent nearly three decades preaching, writing, and engaging in collaborative leadership to connect the Bible to the significant intellectual, cultural, and social issues of the day. He serves on the boards of Christianity Today and World Relief. Kim received his PhD from Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, his MDiv from Regent College in Vancouver, and his BA from Northwestern University, and he is a licensed minister in the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
Jessica Moerman is a climate and environmental scientist, pastor, educator, and advocate. She serves as Vice President of Science and Policy at the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN). Jessica is also cofounding pastor at Grace Capital City church, which she planted in 2016 with her husband Chris in Washington, DC. Prior to joining EEN, Jessica was a AAAS Science and Technology Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy. She received her PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from Georgia Institute of Technology and has held research positions at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where she researched how climate has changed throughout Earth’s history. She regularly speaks on issues related to climate change, pollution, children’s health, the clean energy transition, environmental stewardship, and the intersection of science and faith. She has appeared on national media outlets, including the NBC TODAY Show, Good Morning America, and the Christian Broadcasting Network.
This symposium is open to the general public. Please help us spread the word by inviting your church, pastor, friends, family, students, and colleagues to attend too. You can do so by forwarding this flyer or posting the event on your social media pages. The event is free to attend, but donations to support programming are appreciated.
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ESN Conversation: Learning Humility with Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn
January 12, 2023, 2 pm ET
Not only is humility vanishing from contemporary culture, but we are also witnessing how destructive a lack of humility has become among our churches and ministry leaders. And yet, Richard Foster, the founder of Renovaré, insists in his new book, Learning Humility, that humility is central to the journey toward character formation and spiritual transformation.
ESN Conversation: The Man Born to Be King with Kathryn Wehr
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Meeting with Rick Mattson from IVCF
We will meet at the Panera on Lane Ave. and have reserved the community room in the back.

ESN Conversation: Dawn, A Proton’s Tale of All That Came to Be
October 13, 2022
12pm ET
An ESN Conversation on Dawn, A Proton’s Tale of All That Came to Be (link is external) with Cees Dekker, Corien Oranje, and Gijsbert van den Brink. Combining its authors’ scientific knowledge, storytelling skills, and insights from theology, Dawn provides a fresh look at the fundamentals of cosmology, evolutionary biology, and the good news of God in one overarching adventure—in the form of a gripping story. If you love both science and Scripture, you will discover an engaging, thought-provoking tale that reminds us we each have a big place in God’s plan of creation—even if we’re very, very small.
As a special treat, all three co-authors of this book will be joining us online from The Netherlands!
ESN Conversation: The Religion of American Greatness with Paul D. Miller
September 15, 2022 at 12 pm ET.
From America’s beginning, Christians have often merged their religious faith with national identity. But what is Christian nationalism? How is it different from patriotism? Paul D. Miller, a Christian scholar, political theorist, veteran, and former White House staffer, provides a detailed portrait of—and case against—Christian nationalism. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/ESNAmericanGreatness for a link to the conversation.
ESN Conversation: A Supreme Love with William Edgar
August 9, 2022, 12 pm ET
By tracing the development of jazz, placing it within the context of the African American experience, and exploring the work of jazz musicians like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong, Edgar argues that jazz deeply resonates with the hope that is ultimately found in the good news of Jesus Christ. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/ESNSupremeLove for a link to the conversation.
ESN Conversation: The Shape of Christian History
July 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Highlighting both the continuity and the diversity within the Christian movement over the centuries in his book The Shape of Christian History, Scott Sunquist identifies three key concepts for framing church history: time, cross, and glory. These themes shed light to help us discern how the Jesus movement developed from the first century to the present, through an explosion of contextual expressions. Tracing these concepts through the centuries, we learn from the stories of Christians reflecting the glories of God’s kingdom—and from their failures.
In addition to the hundreds who have participated in ESN Conversations live conversations, our YouTube channel now has 31 conversations online that have been viewed over 3000 times along with 134 subscribers, qualifying us for our own YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/esnivcf
VIA DIVINA: The Franciscan Way
Even where there are deepening divisions, love is possible.
Even when there is suffering, joy is possible.
Even in the midst of brokenness, rebuilding is possible.
A simple, singing monk from the 13th century just might be able to teach us what is still possible—for us, today.
Via Divina – The Franciscan Way from InterVarsity Study Abroad on Vimeo.
Join in this third edition of Via Divina – The Franciscan Way – a digital pilgrimage in which you can participate wherever you find yourself this summer.
From June 28 – August 2 engage with five audioguides that follow Francis through the narrow stone streets of Assisi and along the dirt paths of the Umbrian countryside. We will share in his journey of transformation from disillusioned youth to joy-filled fool for Christ. Francis’ full-hearted embodiment of the way of Jesus sparked a deeply felt renewal within himself and within the Church.
Let the stories of Francis and Clare, along with scripture, prayer practices, and contemporary stories, inspire you this summer in an experience of walking in the Divine Way (Via Divina).
Learn more at: https://gfm.intervarsity.org/divina-franciscan-way-faculty-ministry
Ways You Can Engage
- Register and walk with us from June 28 – August 2 – https://gfm.events.intervarsity.org/franciscanwayfacultyministry
- If the July timeframe doesn’t work for you, sign up for The Franciscan Way hosted by the InterVarsity Study Abroad Team – May 13 – June 13 – https://intervarsity.org/via-divina/franciscan-way
- Invite your campus group, church, family, friends, or small group. Send a few personal invitations and plan to take this journey with others. Discounts are available for those walking with a group!
This is open to faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and InterVarsity Ministry Partners. Anyone who wants to explore the practice of pilgrimage, learn about Franciscan spirituality, and deepen their faith walk. We look forward to seeing you along the Franciscan Way!
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