2017 Stone Campbell Journal Conference

Online Registration Closes March 24, 2017

April 7-8, 2017

Presented by
Stone-Campbell International

Hosted by
Johnson University
7900 Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN

The theme is Communicating the Old Testament

Download the Conference Program

Featured Speakers:

Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School

"The Old Testament: Does it Preach? And How?"
"Reading the Old Testament as Christian Theologians"

Chris Heard, Associate Professor of Religion, Pepperdine University

"Drowning in Cuteness: How the Flood Became a Children’s Story"
"The Lord Chooses How the Dice Fall: Using Games to Teach the Old Testament"

Jason Bembry, Professor of Old Testament, Emmanuel Christian Seminary

"The Old Testament Prophetic Tradition – Wide A-'woke' in America"

Check-In and Registration begin 7:45 a.m. on Friday. Sessions run from Friday at 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. -l p.m. Cost includes coffee breaks but no meals.

A detailed conference schedule will be available by March 1. Check the SCJ website for any updated news as schedule develops

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Stone-Campbell Journal, please join us for a celebration dinner in the private dining rooms on campus. Evening will include a special buffet dinner and program celebrating highlights in SCJ history plus awards, some serious and some not-so-much, to honor the many men and women who have contributed to SCJ’s first 20 years.

Purchase tickets now when you register. Cost: $20 per person, $12 for full-time students until March 24 when on-line registration closes.

You may still purchase tickets by phone until March 31 (513/284-5835). Cost from April 1 – onsite: $25 per person, $16 for full-time students.

Tickets are transferable but non-refundable. Space is limited.

We invite your attendance and participation in the 2017 SCJ Conference. Here’s what’s in store in addition to the plenary sessions:

Parallel papers presented by attendees:

More than 50 papers will be presented on all topics, biblical, theological, historical, and more.  CONTACT STEWART PENWELL (stewartpenwell@yahoo.com) FOR ANY REMAINING OPENINGS (Deadline for submitting paper titles was December 15, 2016). 

Stewart serves as contact for presenters now and at the conference. 

Thirteen study groups will meet:  **

• Acts and the Early Church | Judith.Odor@gmail.com
• Biblical Teaching on Women | jdmiller@milligan.edu
• Christian Education | jestep@lincolnchristian.edu 
• Contemporary Issues Intercultural Studies | kplines@hiu.edu 
• History and Theology of Stone-Campbell Movement | jgorman@johnsonu.edu 
• Jewish Scripture as Christian Scripture | dstark@faulkner.edu.com
• Old Testament Prophetic Tradition and Application | jabembry@milligan.edu 
• Online Learning and Technology | ctoney@hiu.edu
• Patristics | mweedman@johnsonu.edu 
• Philosophy | aaronschwartz@gmail.com   NEW
• Second Temple Judaism | jon-michael_Carman@baylor.edu 
• Theological Anthropology | durst@kcu.edu
• Theology Reflection | jgordon@johnsonu.edu  

Presenters have been decided for each study group (deadline was December 15, 2016). Contact group organizer for more details or any possible openings due to cancellations.

Student paper competitions:

Student paper competitions are open each year in both undergraduate and graduate student divisions. Finalists will present their papers at a special conference session to decide winners in each category.

Undergraduates should be Juniors or Seniors. Graduates should be in Masters Degree Programs. (Paper submission deadline was December 15, 2016). Contact Les Hardin (lhardin@johnsonu.edu) for more information.  Prizes will be awarded at the conference. A $2500 graduate school scholarship at one of ten Stone-Campbell related schools will be awarded to the winner in each division.

Schools include: Abilene Christian University, Austin Graduate School of Theology, Brite Divinity School, Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Harding School of Theology, Hope International University, Johnson University, Lexington Theological Seminary, Lincoln Christian University, and Phillips Theological Seminary.

The winners and finalists will be honored in the final session of the conference and will be SCJ’s guests at the 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner. They will also receive a modest stipend toward their conference costs plus other prizes, including a one-year membership in the Stone-Campbell Scholars Community.

Issac Errett Award winner presentation:

The Isaac Errett Award for papers in Stone-Campbell History for graduate school students is conducted and awarded annually by the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. (Paper submission deadline was December 15, 2016).

The winner will be determined previous to the conference, and will make their presentation as a parallel speaker. The winner will be honored in the final session of the conference and awarded a cash prize of $250, plus a one-year membership in the Stone-Campbell Scholars Community. The winner will also be SCJ’s guest at the 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner. For more information about the Errett competition, contact Newell Williams, Brite Divinity School (n.williams@tcu.edu).

Female scholars event (all are welcome):

Friday lunch meeting especially for female scholars and aspiring female scholars. Ellen Davis will be special guest. Contact Judith Odor (Judith.odor@gmail.com).

Johnson University's Tennessee campus is located in Knoxville, just 12 miles from downtown. When you enter campus, you will see signage for the SCJ Conference directing you to parking and SCJ Conference Central.

Physical campus address for navigation: 7900 Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37998 (www.johnsonu.edu)

For 2017, most conference attendees will need to obtain housing at one of the area motels.

Area Hotels at Strawberry Plains: A number of choices for hotels are available at Exit 398 off I-40, Strawberry Plains Pike, less than 10 minutes from the Johnson campus. Shuttle service will be available from this area to campus twice each day.

We have a block of rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn – East Knoxville in Strawberry Plain area at 7445 Sawyer Lane, Knoxville, TN 37924.

The nonsmoking rooms are available for the SCJ Conference at a reduced rate of $99 per night plus tax with either two queen beds or one king bed. Rate includes free breakfast, parking, and wi-fi. You will need to request this rate when you make your reservation by calling this hotel directly at 865-525-3511.

This rate is only guaranteed until March 9and space is not guaranteed.

Shuttle service will be available to this hotel twice a day on Friday and Saturday.

Other hotels in the Strawberry Plains area include Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn, Best Western Inn and Suites, Red Roof Inn, as well as others. Johnson University has discounted rates at many of these hotels and provides a list on its site.

There are restaurants and fast food choices in the area as well.

On Campus Housing. Johnson University has a few rooms of dorm-style guest housing on campus to accommodate a small portion of conference attendees, If you are interested in this housing option, we encourage you to request this as soon as possible as space is very limited.

Priority will be given to full-time student attendees, and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis with areas for both men and women. Housing is two to a room with shared bathroom facilities. Linens will be provided. Cost is $15 per person per night, and requests for housing should be indicated on the registration form.

On-campus housing is limited and is not guaranteed by requesting it when you register. Housing requests are being processed by Johnson University Guest Housing. They handle all details for the guest housing and will provide you with information and payment procedure if they have housing for you, and will inform you if they do not have housing.

Shuttle bus transportation from the Strawberry Plains area twice a day on Friday and Saturday will be provided by Johnson University. Transportation will also be provided to the optional Friday night group dinner. Details on all conference transportation will be available later.

In addition, Johnson University and SCJ Conference will assist with pre-requested airport transfers whenever possible. Local services are also listed on the website of the Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport. Please indicate your transportation needs on the registration form.

Meals are on your own, not included in the conference pricing. Breakfast ($5), lunch ($6.50) and dinner ($8.00) will be available on campus for Friday. Saturday breakfast may be available if there is sufficient interest. Please indicate your interest in these meals on the registration form.

Special Friday Night Event: SCJ 20th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner  To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Stone-Campbell Journal, please join us for a celebration dinner in the private dining rooms on campus. Evening will include a special buffet dinner and program celebrating highlights in SCJ history plus awards, some serious and some not-so-much, to honor the many men and women who have contributed to SCJ’s first 20 years.

Purchase tickets now when you register. Cost: $20 per person, $12 for full-time students until March 24 when on-line registration closes. You may still purchase tickets by phone until March 31 (513/284-5835). Cost from April 1 – onsite: $25 per person, $16 for full-time students. Tickets are transferable but non-refundable. Space is limited.

Johnson University Prospective Student Lunch: Students interested in learning more about the graduate programs at Johnson University are invited to a complimentary luncheon with Johnson University Admissions Department staff on Friday. Johnson University offers graduate programs in counseling, intercultural studies, New Testament, strategic ministry, teacher education, and leadership studies. [degree program details at www.johnsonu.edu]. Please indicate interest in this on the registration form.

Please note tiered deadlines for registration. ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES MARCH 24, 2017.

In addition, Johnson University students may attend the conference for free BUT MUST REGISTER.

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.