ECO Theological Conference

Speakers

Conference Speakers (in order of presentation)

Dr. Meredith L.D. Riedel*, Church History Professor; Elder, Triangle Grace Church, Durham, NC
Rev. Dr. Andrew R. Johnson*, Assistant Pastor & Theologian in Residence, Marine View Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, WA; Faculty, Flourish Institute of Theology
Rev. Dr. Andrew Chaney*, Pastor/Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Greenwood, MS; Faculty, Higher Baptist Theological Seminary (Wyższe Baptystyczne Seminarium Teologiczne), Warsaw, Poland
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Eaton*, Pastor/Head of Staff, First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Herrin, IL; Faculty, Flourish Institute of Theology
Dr. Daniel Schwartz, Associate Professor and Associate Department Head of History, Core Faculty in Religious Studies, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Rev. Dr. Clay J. Brown*, Adult Discipleship Pastor, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Graffius*, Senior Director, External Affairs, Kids Alive International
Rev. Dr. Eric Laverentz**, Pastor of Preaching and Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Edmond, OK; Faculty, Flourish Institute of Theology

^{*Member, ECO Standing Theology Committee
**Chair, ECO Standing Theology Committee}

Conference Preacher

Rev. Dr. Alf Halvorson, Senior Pastor, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX

Schedule

Monday, Sep 21

• 5:00pm—Check In Opens
• 6:30pm—Welcome
  
• 6:45pm—Presentation: “The Allure of Heresy” by Dr. Meredith L. D. Riedel
  Not every idea about Christianity has stood the test of time, but many rejected beliefs were surprisingly convincing. Discover why these teachings gained such a following and how they ultimately helped shape the core beliefs of the Christian faith.
• 7:30pm—Q&A
• 7:45pm—Break 
  
• 8:00pm—Presentation: “Is That Heresy? Learning to Distinguish the Fatal from the Flawed” by Rev. Dr. Andrew Johnson
  Not every theological disagreement is a heresy—and knowing the difference matters. Learn how the church has historically distinguished between essential Christian beliefs and secondary issues, helping us disagree with wisdom, clarity, and grace.
• 8:45pm—Q&A
• 9:00pm—Adjourn

Tuesday, Sep 22

• 8:00am—Continental Breakfast
• 8:45am—Presentation: “The Dockside Shanties, Santa’s Right Hook, and the Haunted Latrine: Three Defining Moments of Arianism” by Rev. Dr. Andrew Chaney
  One of Christianity's most influential heresies comes with a surprisingly colorful history. Through three unforgettable stories, discover how Arianism spread, why it was so persuasive, and why the church fought so hard to defend the full divinity of Christ.
• 9:30am—Q&A
• 9:45am—Break 
• 10:00am—Presentation: “Losing the Plot: The Rootless Gospel of Functional Marcionism” by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Eaton
  What happens when we ignore the Old Testament or separate Jesus from the story that came before Him? Explore how an ancient heresy still influences modern Christianity, and why seeing the whole biblical story changes how we understand the gospel.
• 10:45am—Q&A
• 11:00am—Break 
• 11:15am—Presentation: “Matter Matters: The Gnostic Challenge to Creation and Embodiment” by Dr. Dan Schwartz
  Is the physical world something to escape, or something God calls good? Discover how the ancient ideas of Gnosticism continue to shape our views of the body, creation, and spirituality, and why the Christian faith offers a very different vision.
• 12:00pm—Q&A
• 12:15pm—Extended Break for Lunch (provided) 
• 1:30pm—Presentation: “‘We Are All Born Pelagians’: The Promise, Peril, and Prescription for Today’s Pelagianism” by Rev. Dr. Clay Brown
  It's natural to believe we can earn God's approval through our own effort...but that's an ancient temptation. Explore why Pelagianism remains so appealing today and how the message of God's grace offers a better way.
• 2:15pm—Q&A
• 2:30pm—Break 
• 2:45pm—Presentation: “God Is Not a Genie: Exposing the Heresy of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism” by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Graffius
  Many people imagine God as someone who simply wants us to be nice, feel happy, and help when we're in trouble. Learn why this popular way of thinking falls short of the gospel and discover the deeper relationship God invites us into.
• 3:30pm—Q&A
• 3:45pm—Break 
• 4:00pm—Presentation: “Nanzianzen’s Nightmare: Macedonianism Pre-Constantinople and Today” by Rev. Dr. Eric Laverentz
  Who is the Holy Spirit, and why does it matter? Explore an ancient debate that challenged the church's understanding of the Spirit's divine nature and see how similar misunderstandings still shape faith today.
• 4:45pm—Q&A
• 5:00pm—Extended Break 
• 6:00pm—Supper (provided)
• 7:30pm—Adjourn

Wednesday, Sep 23

• 8:00am—Continental Breakfast
• 8:45am—Presentation: “Heresy and Heterodoxy: Where Do We Go from Here?” by Dr. Meredith L. D. Riedel
  After exploring some of Christianity's most influential heresies, where do we go from here? This closing session brings the conversation together, offering practical wisdom for holding fast to essential truths while engaging today's theological questions with humility and confidence.
• 9:30am—Q&A
• 9:45am—Break 
• 10:00am—Worship with Communion
• 11:15am—Adjourn

Getting Here & Hotels

Houston's two airports are Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Hobby (HOU). Bush Intercontinental is primarily United, American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, while Hobby is primarily Southwest.

Courtyard by Marriott
9444 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77055
832.767.1443 

Homewood Suites by Hilton
9450 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77055
713.325.0101