Photography provided by Unsplash
We are pleased to announce The Open Table Conference Portland is scheduled for the weekend of Jun 28-30, 2024, beginning at 6:30 PM at Warner Pacific University!
Our conference this summer will include a diverse team of 12 incredible presenters, many you may have come to know from our online discussions. This event will provide an unparalleled opportunity to actually meet and engage these men and women in person.
We invite you to join us for a weekend of inspiration, connection, and growth where our conversations explore the wonder and depth of God’s love for the world revealed in Jesus Christ.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity! See you there!
Price
The price includes unlimited access to the video recording of the entire event. There will be 12 plenary sessions with two breakout sessions. In total, there will be 18-20 hours of recorded conversations.
Early Bird Discount: $150/person (Ends April 28)
General Admission: $179/person
Student/Military: $99/person
Schedule
Schedule is subject to change. All times are Pacific Daylight Time.
Downloadable Schedule to come.
Friday
6p – Doors Open
6:30p – Conference Starts
6:30p – Session 1
7:20p – Session 2
8:15p – Session 3
9p – End
Saturday
8:45a – Session 4
9:45a – Session 5
10:45a – Session 6
12p – Lunch
1:30p – Breakout 1
2:30p – Breakout 2
3:30p – Free Time Starts
6:30p – Session 7
7:20p – Session 8
8:15p – Session 9
9p – End.
Sunday
8:45a – Session 10
9:45a – Session 11
10:45a – Session 12
11:30a – Panel
12:15p - End. Thank you for joining us!
SPeakers
We are honored to have such a diverse and wonderful line-up of presenters! We’d like to introduce you below. (Subject to change)
Mercy Aiken
Mercy has made Israel and Palestine her primary home since September 2015. Having previously written for several ministries, she is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Jerusalem while serving at Bethlehem Bible College. She is committed to relationship and bridge-building work with Muslims and Jews as well as challenging people to consider the perspective and experience of Palestinian Christians. She is the author of a soon-to-be-released book about Dr. Bishara Awad, the founder of Bethlehem Bible College.
Fr. John Behr
Fr. John Behr is the Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen, previously having been at St Vladimir’s Seminary, New York, where he also served as Dean. His publications include an edition and translation of Origen’s On First Principles and a study of the Gospel of John.
Dr. Brad Jersak
Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, Canada. He is editor-in-chief of “Christianity Without the Religion” magazine and teaches at Westminster Theological Centre. He is also the author of over a dozen books, including “Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks” and “A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel.”
Cherith Nordling
Cherith is a theologian, writer, and mentor in Christian formation with a Ph. D. from the University of St. Andrews. Most recently she served as Associate Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. She also taught for five years at Calvin College and Seminary while serving as Co-Director of Christian Formation with her husband, Robert. She has taught as adjunct professor at numerous other institutions and continues as a seasonal lecturer for Regent College, Vancouver, BC and for the YWAM Masters Program in Christian Formation.
Kenneth Tanner
Kenneth is pastor of Church of the Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills, Michigan, where he lives with his wife and seven children. His writing has appeared in “Books & Culture”, “Huffington Post”, “Sojourners”, “National Review”, “Christianity Today”, “Behemoth”, and “Real Clear Religion.”
Brian Zahnd
Brian is the lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he and his wife Peri founded in 1981. He is the author of several books including “Water to Wine”, “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God”, and “Postcards from Babylon.” His favorite activity is spending time with their three sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.
John MacMurray
John is the founder and director of the Northwest School of Theology and the Open Table Conferences. Formerly an adjunct professor in Bible Literature, he now speaks internationally, and writes. His books include “A Spiritual Evolution” and “Father Fiction” (co-written with Donald Miller). He is also a landscape nature photographer, published in National Geographic, Sierra Club, and Audubon.
Julie Canlis
Julie is married to Matt, stays at home with their four children, and teaches Sunday School for 11-13 year olds. She likes her food slow, and her church slower. Along with Matt, she has been instrumental in the writing of the small group curriculum for Godspeed to help churches translate the Scottish documentary onto their own soil. In addition to the above, Julie teaches at Whitworth University, published her PhD as Calvin’s Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension (Templeton Prize; Christianity Today Award of Merit), and most recently, A Theology of the Ordinary.
Chris E.W. Green
Chris is Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL), Director of St Anthony Institute for Theology and Philosophy, and Teaching Pastor at Sanctuary Church (Tulsa, OK). He and his wife Julie live in Tulsa with their kids, Zoë, Clive, and Emery. Chris has written extensively, his most recent book being the revised edition of Sanctifying Interpretation: Vocation, Holiness, Scripture.
Felicia Murrell
Felicia is a certified master life coach and former ordained pastor with over twenty years of church leadership experience. She also serves the publishing industry as a freelance copy editor/proofreader and is the author of Truth Encounters. Felicia resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, Doug. Together, they have four adult children. You can connect with Felicia on Instagram @hellofelicia_murrell or read more of her writing at http://Felicia Murrell.blogspot.com
Katie Skurja
Katie founded Imago Dei Ministries and is the author of “Paradox Lost: Uncovering Your True Identity in Christ”, which peels away misconceptions of the nature and character of the triune God. She holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as a Masters of Spiritual Formation. She and her husband, Jim, have two sons.
Peri Zahnd
Peri is married to Brian, and together they pastor Word of Life Church in St Joseph, Missouri. She is Benedictine-trained in spiritual direction and loves people, the Enneagram, and long walks.
Wm. Paul Young
Paul is the author of “The Shack”, “Eve”, “Cross Roads”, and “The Shack Reflections. He was born a Canadian and raised among a stone-age tribe by his missionary parents in the highlands of what was Netherlands New Guinea (now West Papua). He suffered great loss as a child and young adult, and now enjoys the “wastefulness of grace” with his family in the Pacific Northwest.
ACCOMODATIONS
There are plenty of hotels located within a few miles of the college that are certain to meet your needs.
Food
There will be no lunch options at the event this year. However, there are many places to eat within walking distance or a short drive from the event. Explore the surrounding area for lunch options.
VENUE
Warner Pacific College
Warner Pacific College is located just outside of Portland, 20 minutes from Portland International Airport. Open Table Conference will be meeting in the McGuire Auditorium, the college's largest and most beautiful meeting space.
2219 SE 68th Ave, Portland, OR 97215
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is speaking?
The list of speakers for this year's conference are listed above.
Do you have financial assistance available?
Yes, email us at opentableconference@gmail.com and request info about possible scholarships.
Will there be Breakout sessions?
Yes! There are 6 "Breakouts" scheduled (smaller, more interactive sessions with one of the speakers) on Saturday afternoon. All sessions will be offered twice so that participants may attend two. We are working on trying to record all the breakouts so that you won't miss any session.
Will tickets be available at the door?
Yes! For those that register online, you will receive a confirmation along with your ticket once your purchase is complete. Please bring your ticket with you.
Do you have a schedule?
Yes, the schedule is posted above.
What is the refund policy?
Refunds can be requested up to May 28, 2024 - 30 days before the event. No refunds will be issued after May 28, 2024.
Will the Conference be recorded?
Yes! The recordings are included with your paid ticket. All registered attendees will have unlimited access to stream the HD videos AND will receive the option to download the audio-only recordings of all the sessions. *To safeguard the conference experience for our attendees, the recordings will not be made available for sale to the public until Nov 1, 2024.
What about health precautions?
Our venue will be sanitized and cleaned and we will follow any mandates that may be in force at the time. Currently, there are no mandates for masking, social spacing, etc. However, if you want to mask, please feel free to do so.