We wait in the darkness; we wait for the light; we wait in hope.
It seems that uncertainty is inescapably part of the experience of waiting. Uncertainty about what will happen and when it will take place.
In recent times we have perhaps become more familiar with the experience uncertainty, with its disturbing effects in our daily lives. Uncertainty has become one of the experiences we hold in common.
Lord, in our uncertainty, teach us to wait well!
Colloquium 2022
Constantly changing COVID restrictions mean that it has been very challenging to arrange the colloquium for 2022 (even more so than for 2021). Last week we sent you and updated plan which we believe will be adaptable enough even if the situation changes in the next six weeks. A final programme will be sent to you shortly.
We will of course keep you updated and our plan is to send further news in the first week of January.
The colloquium planning group continues to work hard on all the arrangements and are available to support you. Do let us know if you have questions and please make sure that you let us know about your travel arrangements if you are coming to Amsterdam to attend the colloquium in person.
Warm welcome to new research students!
We are delighted to welcome seven new research students who will begin their doctoral journey with IBTS in January 2022!
Because a majority of new students are affected by travel restrictions we have decided to deliver the Induction Week programme wholly online. Although we are disappointed not to be meeting face-to-face we are confident (following our experience last year) that the programme will work effectively online.
The course will start on Thursday 13 January. It will run on weekdays from 13th to 21st January. However each day will have just a 3 hour session (15.00 to 18.00 Amsterdam time). Attendance in Amsterdam is still possible: we know that most of you are not able to travel. For those who can travel, you will still be welcome to join us in Amsterdam.
Appointment of a new Senior Administrator
We are very excited to share the news that IBTS has appointed Ross Hamilton to the new full-time post of Senior Administrator. Ross, a graduate of IBTS (Masters) will move from Glasgow to start work here in Amsterdam on the first week of January. Ross’s appointment followed a recruitment process that saw three good candidates come forward, but it was clear that Ross would fit in very well to the current organisational needs of IBTS and we are excited that he will be able to join us.
Through the autumn we have been pretty squeezed administratively and thanks to everyone (especially Marianne) for rising to meet the challenge! Ross’s arrival will give us a big boost! Do pray for him as he makes the move.
Publications
JEBS edition 21:2 (2021) will be published in Open Access before Christmas.
To celebrate the 175ths anniversary as a free church, this edition features articles by the Dutch Baptist Seminary and guest edited by Prof Henk Bakker.
Inaugural Event: Dr David Gushee
Thursday 27 January 11.00 at Baptist House and 15.45 at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
IBTS celebrates the inauguration of David Gushee to the Chair of Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.
11.00-13.00 Exploring Christians (Baptists) and Democracy
presentations and plenary discussion
in-person at Baptist House, Postjesweg 150, 1061 AX, Amsterdam (Lunch from 13.00)
join us online
please register here for both in-person and online attendance to receive the final programme.
15.45 DEFENDING DEMOCRACY FROM ITS CHRISTIAN ENEMIES: A Central Task for Christian Social Ethics Today
in the auditorium of the VU main building, De Boelelaan 1105.
You can also attend this lecture via youtube
The session will be followed by a reception, according to the applicable rules
IBTS Ethics Conference: 4-6 May 2022, Amsterdam and online
The Heart of Christian Ethics: exploring The Sacredness of Life, Justice, Forgiveness, Truth and Love.
Ethics is for everyone!
The conference will be a shared international intercultural learning experience and is open to all. We invite pastors, leaders, students, researchers, academics and those from, for example, the fields of politics, journalism, social work, development and education with an interest in the themes of the conference, to join in the conversation and learning experience. Prof. David Gushee, newly appointed to the Chair of Christian Social Ethics at the VU Amsterdam in association with IBTS, will be our theologian in residence. During the conference we will engage with lived experience, academic contributions and theological reflection.
Full details of how to register and how you can contribute to the conference can be found here: https://www.ibts.eu/programmes/ibts-ethics-conference
Learning Network courses
Reimagining Mission & Learning in Community: starts February 2022 – online
In today’s world, we experience rapid change, movement, and choice. Social media networks are coming and going, all demanding time and energy. Media at our fingertips, beckoning attention, requiring discernment. The global market is seeking to direct buying habits and desires. We exist in a worldwide crash of cultures as people move and work, some by choice, others not. Is it any wonder in this chaos we call life, Christians can struggle to understand and fulfil their mission calling?
In this 10-weeks online course we discuss relevant questions that arise from the situation in which we find ourselves. This is a course for anyone who has these questions. And, if you need to develop your own local plan for ministry and mission, or you have a project that you want to revise and take to the next level, this course is perfect for you as well.
Full details of how to register can be found at: https://www.ibts.eu/programmes/reimagining-mission-and-learning-in-communit