Restoring the Centre: The Place of the Table in the Church

Speaker(s): Alan Torrance, Andrea Tisher, Brian Buhler, Fr. Lawrence Farley, Hans Boersma, Joyce Rees, Ross Hastings, Tim Horman
Date: May 7-10, 2013
Length: 12h 30min
Product ID: RGDL4308S

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Description

Why this theme, you ask? Given that the early church stayed centred on Christ by making the Table central to its worship, life, and mission? Given that restoring Communion to the centre of the church may be the cure for the rampant consumerism of the contemporary church? Given that our historical forbears considered it as the greatest expression of the union of God's people with Christ? And given that the Table, rather than being an obstacle to mission, is the very heart of the gospel and the expression of the church's hospitality?

This conference aims to encourage pastors, irrespective of their views on the meaning of the bread and cup, to consider the centrality of the Eucharist and to explore ways to pursue its practice pervasively in conjunction with the preaching of the word. We will hear from world-class professors who have studied and written on this theme, as well as practitioners who actively seek to "restore the centre." Lectures include:

The Lord's Supper and the Worship of the Church - Alan Torrance
The Art of the Table: Expressions of the Eucharist - Andrea Tisher
Signs and Wonders: Recovering the Table for Evangelical Worship - Brian Buhler
Eucharist and Time: Why Participation Means Sacrifice - Hans Boersma
Imbued with the Presence of Christ - Joyce Rees
The Eucharist in the Orthodox Church - Fr. Lawrence Farley
The Sacraments and Proclamation - Alan Torrance
Collaborating at the Table - Andrea Tisher and Brian Buhler
Charismatic Communion - Tim Horman
Eucharist and Space: Why Participation Means Real Presence - Hans Boersma
Closing Reflection - Ross Hastings

See All Audio by Alan Torrance Andrea Tisher Brian Buhler Fr. Lawrence Farley Hans Boersma Joyce Rees Ross Hastings Tim Horman

Alan Torrance is Professor of Systematic Theology at St Mary's College of the University of St Andrews. He is author of Christ and Context and Persons in Communion: An Essay on Trinitarian Description and Human Participation.

Andrea Tisher is Director of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church in Vancouver.

Brian Buhler is Senior Pastor at Pacific Community Church in Surrey, British Columbia.

Father Lawrence Farley is pastor of Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Mission in Surrey, B.C. Canada. He lives there with his wife, Donna, and their two daughters. He is the author of The Orthodox Bible Study Companion Series published by Conciliar Press.

Hans Boersma is the J. I. Packer Professor of Theology at Regent College. He is the author of several books, including Violence, Hospitality and the Cross: Reappropriating the Atonement Tradition, Nouvelle Theologie and Sacramental Ontology: A Return to Mystery, Heavenly Participation: The Weaving of a Sacramental Tapestry, and Embodiment and Virtue in Gregory of Nyssa: An Anagogical Approach.

Joyce Rees has ministered vocationally for more than 20 years. She has eagerly followed God into challenging adventures that have included the initial community formation and direction of Jacob's Well in Vancouver, BC, as well as pastoring six very different churches. She serves as a pastor in the Epic Vineyard Church in Calgary, AB.

Ross Hastings is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Regent College. Previously, he served as the Senior Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. He is the author of Missional God, Missional Church: Hope for Re-evangelizing the West.