By way of advance notice...

I've just become aware of the following conference:
World Wide Scripture Engagement Consultation

Hearts Burning: Exploring Scripture Engagement for the 21st Century

Sunday 4 - Friday 9 October, 2009

Melaka, Malaysia

Sponsor: Forum of Bible Agencies International

Just some of the topics being looked at are:

• Unlocking the Bible in a non-book culture
• Contextualising Scripture in cultures condemned as irredeemable
• Building bridges between HIV and AIDS and the Bible
• Using poetic storytelling and music in helping people encounter Scripture
• Engaging visually with Scripture
• Creating safe and sacred spaces for young people
• Building interpersonal biblical conversations among lay people
• Helping pastors overcome the “Big Man” syndrome through participatory learning
• How NOT to impose prejudice and cultural assumptions on engagement
• “Open source” on-line engagement resources
• The challenge of Scripture Engagement among believers in secret

A good number of workshops are already in place, under the following four headings (click on any one of them for further information):

• Scripture Engagement in Churches
• Scripture Engagement among Marginalized Peoples
• Scripture Engagement among Children and Youth
• Scripture Engagement in Post-Christian Societies

In the last of those four, Mark Brown and Stephen Opie, from the NZ Bible Society, will both be involved.

For details about all other aspects of the conference, click here.