2024 Stone Campbell Journal Conference

23rd Annual SCJ Conference

Online Registration Closes April 1, 2024

April 12-13

Presented by
Stone-Campbell International

Hosted by
Milligan University, Johnson City, Tennessee

The theme is: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Identity

Online registration is closed. We will offer onsite registration starting Friday morning at the Conference.

Featured Speakers

• Love Sechrest, Professor of Theology, Mount St. Mary’s University
  "Associative Hermeneutics: A Womanist Method for Biblical Ethics,"
  "Allies for Christ: A Womanist Theology of Solidarity in the Gospel of Matthew"
• Miriam Perkins, Professor of History of Theology and Society, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan
  "Fragrant Freedom: Calling our Bound Brothers from Tomb to Table"
• Daniel Rodriguez, Professor of Religion and Hispanic Studies, Pepperdine University
  "Reading the New Testament in Hispanic/Immigrant Perspective"

Conference Schedule

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Check-In and Registration will begin about 7:45 a.m. on Friday, and Friday sessions will run until about 6 pm. Saturday sessions will run until about l p.m.

Some sessions will also be available for remote participation.

We invite your attendance and participation in the 2024 SCJ Conference. Here’s what’s in store in addition to the plenary sessions:

• Parallel papers presented by attendees:
  
  SCJ conference includes many parallel papers presented by experienced scholars as well as student scholars (M.A./M.Div.).
  
  The deadline is now past for submitting parallel paper titles on other biblical, theological, or historical topics for parallel sessions. However, if you wish to be wait listed in the event of cancellations, please send your paper title (no abstract needed) to Jeff Painter, Conference Parallel Paper Coordinator, at jeff.painter@scinternational.org.
  
  
• Study groups meeting to present and discuss topics within their area of interest. For more information on each study group, contact coordinator though email provided:
  
  
  • Acts and the Early Church (Judith.odor@gmail.com)
  • Biblical Teaching on Women (lgguy@my.milligan.edu)
  • Christian Leadership (cbeard@johnsonu.edu)
  • Christian Spiritual Formation (myoung@faulkner.edu)
  • Educational Ministries and Leadership (jestep@lincolnchristian.edu)
  • History and Theology of the Stone-Campbell Movement (jgorman@johnsonu.edu)
  • Life, Letters, and Legacy of Paul (Jordan.stanley@asburyseminary.edu)
  • Old Testament in Ancient Near Eastern Context (adamlbean@gmail.com)
  • Patristics (dwkiger@milligan.edu)
  • Synoptic Gospels (zechariah.eberhart@point.edu)
  • To Ph.D. or Not: A Panel of Predecesssors

Student Paper Competitions Update

All Student Paper Competitions closed on January 5, 2024. Student Paper Competitions occur in three categories: Junior/Senior; M.A./M.Div., and Restoration (Isaac Errett Award from the Disciples of Christ Historical Society). Contact Adam Bean (adamlbean@gmail.com) to indicate your interest and to obtain the competition rules for the undergrad and grad competition, and also receive information on the $2500 scholarship available to both undergrad and grad winners.

Finalists will present their papers during the conference.

The Errett Award winner will be determined prior to the conference, and will make their presentation as a parallel speaker. The winner will also be honored in the final session of the conference.

For the Isaac Errett competition, contact coordinator Lisa Barnett (lisa.barnett@ptstulsa.edu) The winner receives a cash award of $500 plus a one-year membership in the Stone-Campbell Scholars Community.

Both undergrad and grad papers require a faculty sponsor, though the Isaac Errett does not. It’s not too early to encourage students and begin planning for 2025.

The 2024 SCJ Conference will be returning for the second time to the beautiful Milligan campus in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The main sessions and registration will be held in Milligan’s Gregory Center.

Driving directions and airport information is available at https://www.milligan.edu/visit/#visit

The area is served by Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) located about 30 minutes away from campus. Some travelers also fly into Asheville, NC (one hour away) or Knoxville (about 1.5 hours away).

Airport Transportation

In addition, we will do our best to assist with pre-requested airport transfers from and to Tri-Cities Airport whenever possible from Thursday - Saturday. Local services are also listed on the website of https://triflight.com. Please indicate your transportation needs on the registration form.

Cost includes coffee breaks but no meals.

Meals are on your own, not included in the conference pricing, with options for on-campus dining.

There will also be an optional pay-your-own-way group dinner at a local restaurant on Friday night.

On campus options on Friday include meals in the Grill in the McMahan Student Center or cafeteria-style dining in the McCormick Dining Center, Sutton Hall: [Sutton Hall prices: breakfast $5.50; lunch $6, and dinner $6.50.] In addition, on Saturday, brunch will be available from 10:30-1:00 in the McCormick Dining Center ($6.50). Please indicate your interest in these meals on the registration form for food service planning purposes.

Optional Friday night group dinner: In addition, on Friday night there will be an optional dinner together at Aubrey’s in Johnson City, starting at approximately 6:30 pm, after the conclusion of the conference program for the day.

Aubrey's is a popular regional chain with numerous east Tennessee locations. It offers a wide menu ($12-$34) including small plates, burgers, sandwiches, and dinners, all with a bit of southern influence. We have reserved a section of tables. You will order from the menu and pay for your own meal, but you must reserve a spot and confirm it after arriving at the conference on Friday, when you can also let us know if you need a ride to the restaurant.

We need to confirm our reservation numbers so need you to reserve your spot now to make sure we have room for you. You may also bring a guest.

The Friday night dinner offers an informal way to spend time with our conference speakers and meet others. There is no program.

For 2024, the conference has booked a block of rooms at the Doubletree by Hilton, Johnson City, located at 211 Mockingbird Lane.

The nonsmoking rooms are available for the SCJ Conference for Thursday and Friday nights at a reduced rate of $98 per night plus tax with either two queen beds or one king bed. Rate includes free parking, and wi-fi. A limited number of rooms at the conference rate are also available on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

You get our guaranteed rate, you will need to request it when you make your reservation by calling this hotel directly at 423-929-2000 or use this link to obtain our rate online:

This rate is only guaranteed until March 22 and space is not guaranteed.

After this date, however, if rooms are still available they will honor this rate. Rooms may be available at the group rate on on Wednesday and Saturday nights as well as Thursday and Friday nights.

This is a large hotel famous for its complimentary baked-onsite chocolate chip cookies. The hotel includes a casual restaurant as well as room service. Located near the mall, there are also restaurants and fast-food choices in the area.

In addition, there are more than a dozen other hotels in the area, including Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Red Roof and Sleep Inn.

There is no on-campus housing.

Shuttle Bus Transportation

Shuttle service will be available from the Doubletree to campus both Friday and Saturday morning, as well as Friday at the end of the day. Informal transportation assistance will also be provided to the optional Friday night group dinner. Additional details on all conference transportation will be available later.

Please note the shuttle service will only be available to serve conference attendees staying at this hotel.

Please note tiered deadlines for registration. ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES APRIL 1, 2024.

All persons involved in the program for the conference must register.

Registration online for spouses is $30 ($20 for student spouses) and includes a name badge and access to conference activities.

Spouse registration is limited to individuals who are not formally affiliated with participating academic institutions nor in professional ministry positions.

In addition, Emmanuel Christian Seminary and Milligan University students may attend the conference for free BUT MUST REGISTER.

Milligan University faculty and staff must also register. Those attending two or less sessions may have complimentary registration. Others participating in the conference will be charged SCJ member rates.

Conference registration includes attendance at all sessions, access to conferee-only discounted book sales, coffee and snack breaks, shuttle bus transportation, and on-site parking.