Point Loma Nazarene University’s 70th annual H. Orton Wiley Lecture Series, titled “Grace, Genuineness, and Glory: Spirituality for Living into the New Things of God,” will be led by the Rev. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, who has a doctorate in theology and religious education. The events are free and open to the public and will take place March 19-21 in Crill Hall.
The Wiley Lecture Series is put on by the School of Theology and Ministry and provides the student body an opportunity to interact with topics in theology, leadership, Scripture and philosophy from a unique, academically-based perspective.
Each year, the series highlights a new topic, varying from strictly theological analysis to introducing new ideas that fuse academic research or cultural studies with classic scriptural discussions. Last year’s lecture series presented new insights into the connection between disability and prayer.
In the brochure’s description of Conde-Frazier’s upcoming series, it said, “She will help us explore the powerful practices of Christian spirituality that can prepare us for God’s new movements in our world.”
Brad Kelle, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew and director of the M.A. in Christian Ministry Program, shared the overall purpose of the series, highlighting how PLNU works to create an event where students of all majors are able to encounter topics of theology that they might not get to discuss in their typical required courses.
“What we always hope is that people will have some sort of fresh and meaningful engagement with the kinds of topics that we study in the School of Theology and that we care about here at Point Loma,” Kelle said.
According to Kelle, the Wiley Lecture Series is an opportunity for people both inside and outside the Theology Department to interact with new ideas in the form of academic discourse, making it different from a sermon or interview that students might hear in chapels or other events that host guest speakers.
Kelle highlighted how one of the goals of choosing a lecturer is to choose an academic that students may encounter later in graduate school or have already been introduced to through class readings.
“It truly is an academic lecture series where you’re being presented with ideas to engage with an established, experienced scholar who’s working in that particular field. And it’s always someone from outside Point Loma,” Kelle said.
PLNU’s website sheds light on how the topics presented are meant to connect students and the community with research that holds significance in academics, theology and the current social climate.
According to Kelle, there are three main criteria that the Theology Department uses during the speaker selection process. This includes looking for established scholars who have made important contributions in the study of a relevant field, an aspect of timeliness with a topic that students and the larger academic community are talking about and someone who aligns with the mission of the school.
Conde-Frazier is an esteemed educator, pastor and author. Some of her published works include: “A Many Colored Kingdom: Multicultural Dynamics for Spiritual Formation” and “Listen to the Children: Conversations with Immigrant Families.” She has established herself as a leader in Hispanic and Latin American ministries.
The lecture brochure highlights this leadership role by listing many of Conde-Frazier’s accomplishments, including her experience as an ordained pastor of the American Baptist Churches as well as her role in the foundation of the Orlando E. Costas Hispanic and Latin American Ministries Program at Andover Newton Theological School. She also brings substantial academic knowledge from her time as a tenured associate professor in religious education at Claremont School of Theology and as academic dean and vice president of education at Esperanza College of Eastern University.
This year’s lecture series will center around spirituality and how both tradition and new experiences can prepare the next generation for things that God is doing now, according to the program brochure.
“We might need some new kinds of spiritual experiences. And at the same time, there’s this rich history of Christian spirituality. Are there resources there that we can take and bring into the new things that are happening?” Kelle said.
The series includes four 50-minute lectures which will all be held in Crill Hall from March 19-21. The full schedule and more information on the speaker can be found online.
Series Title: “Grace, Genuineness, and Glory: Spirituality for Living into the New Things of God”
All lectures in Crill Performance Hall
Lecture 1: “The Fullness of You”
Wednesday March 19, 11-11:50 a.m.
Lecture 2: “World, Woes, and Wonder”
Wednesday March 19, 1:30-2:20 p.m.
Lecture 3: “The Dreams of the Heart of God”
Thursday March 20, 9:30-10:20 a.m.
Lecture 4: “You Are Befriended”
Friday March 21, 8:30-9:20 a.m.
Tessa Balc