Church and Reconciliation: State of the Issue

Doctrine and doctrinal issues are not merely aloof ideas that flit about within the closed precincts of academic institutions, but the living reality of the people of God located within local neighborhoods, neighborhoods replete with all layers of broken relationships. Positively, churches everywhere have been entrusted with the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18), beginning with the thought that God brings together things that are broken. In this opening symposium, a conversation with Trinity’s own Peter Cha, Michael Reynolds, and Harold Netland, and moderated by pastor and president emeritus Gregory Waybright, we will begin framing our year-long conversation on the doctrine of Reconciliation by considering its very concrete and practical outworkings within the context of the local church.

Biography

Peter Cha (PhD, Northwestern University) is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he has served since 1997. Prior to joining the Trinity faculty, Dr. Cha was involved in a number of different ministries, including youth and young adult ministry in Korean immigrant churches, campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, church planting and pastoring a multiethnic congregation. He is currently a board member for Catalyst Leadership Cent (an Asian North American Christian Leadership organization) and of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, USA.

Harold Netland (PhD, Claremont Graduate School) is Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies and the Director of the PhD/Intercultural Studies program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he has taught since 1993. Prior to coming to Trinity, he was a missionary in Japan for nine years with the Evangelical Free Church of America and taught for four years at Tokyo Christian University. His publications include Dissonant Voices: Religious Pluralism & the Question of Truth (Regent College, 1999); Encountering Religious Pluralism: The Challenge to Christian Faith and Mission (IVP Academic, 2001).

Michael Reynolds (DMin, McCormick Theological Seminary) holds many roles at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, including Executive Director and Associate Academic Dean at the South Chicago Regional Center. Dr. Reynolds has extensive experience in the corporate business world, maintains ongoing ministry involvement as the pastor of a growing urban church. He has special interests in mentoring and urban leadership development.

Gregory Waybright (PhD, Marquette University) is Senior Pastor at Lake Avenue Church, where he has served since his twelve years of leadership as President of Trinity International University.  He holds a master of divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, a master of arts in communication from Wheaton Graduate School, a bachelor of arts in biblical studies and philosophy from Wheaton College, and a diploma in pastoral studies from Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Waybright has studied and done research at Tyndale House and Cambridge University in England.