The Acton Institute’s Center for Social Flourishing is organizing a seminar at the Acton building for non-profit professionals, pastors, and others ministry leaders in the Grand Rapids area. Including presentations and discussion with expert scholars and innovative service practitioners, this event will provide participants with the opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with other socially engaged people in West Michigan.
The event’s theme—“Relationships First: Civil Society Approaches to Social Problems”—invites participants to explore the philosophical, theological, and practical importance of local people and participatory institutions in addressing problems of material and social poverty. Our presenters include Ismael Hernandez (Freedom & Virtue Institute), Howard Husock (American Enterprise Institute), James Whitford (True Charity), and Michael Matheson Miller (Acton Institute).
The program will also include a hands-on workshop, through which participants will be invited to consider the conference’s themes in the particular contexts of their own work and organizations. The ultimate purpose of the event is to assist people in more perfectly aligning the practice of charity with their deepest held beliefs about the human person, virtue, and human freedom.
All costs, including meals and conference fees, will be covered for successful applicants. We are not providing lodging to participants. Parking will be provided. Dress for this conference is business casual.
This is a small event, so unfortunately we will not be able to accept all applications. Success applicants are expected to attend all sessions and meals (with the exception of Wednesday breakfast, which is optional).
Schedule
Tuesday, Oct 1st
5:15pm Registration and opening reception
6:00pm Introduction and Workshop
6:05pm Session 1
7:45pm Dinner
Wednesday, Oct 2nd
8:00am Breakfast (Optional)
9:00am Session 2
10:15am Break
10:30am Session 3
11:45am Break
12:00pm Lunch
1:15pm Session 4
2:30 pm Break
2:45pm Workshop
4:00pm Closing reception
5:00pm End of Conference
