My wife and I just returned from the
Christian Scholars’ Conference at
Lipscomb. My parents were graceful enough to watch the girls for the duration, and J is such a nerd that she thought it was actually a cool date to spend three days at an academic conference. She transformed from ultra-mom back into academic-professional, and I think she enjoyed it for a little while.
On the first day, we celebrated baby K’s 2d birthday in the morning, with ice cream and cake at 9:00 AM. Then we headed to the
New Jerusalem and made a bee-line for the most
beautiful campus in the land, with apologies to a certain
sea-side resort. J and I even took some time to go running together throughout Vandy, then checked into our hotel in the loveliest office park in Dixie, all sweaty and stinky. We’re hardcore. We then registered at Lipscomb and basked in a thoughtful, thorough review of the life and times of Bill Frist by the Senator/Doctor himself, complete with photos of his Capitol office. After that, we took in a movie,
“Hearts Divided,” with the filmmaker,
Steven Martin. We got to spend a meal with Rev. Martin talking and criticizing his piece, and I hope that we all will watch his career and ministry as a documentarian.
On the second day, I enjoyed the privilege of presenting two papers in the sessions on poverty, sustainability and service learning. This young law prof was in high cotton with some serious minds and teaching ministers, and I learned much across the disciplines. We attended other sessions along the way before enjoying a meal with more
interesting folks and then drinking in some gospel from one of
my favorite preachers. Wallis raised the roof, and I leave with renewed energy and devotion to the good work God has given me to do as a peculiar sort of public interest lawyer, writer and teacher.
Tonight we’re back home with the girls after a good roadtrip with
another friendly blogger and his academic wife. The Wisers were a pleasure, and the time with them was worth the price of admission.
Here are some parting conclusions:
1. We have a crush on Lipscomb. The school is leading the thoughts, the vision, the facilities and the work of colleges in the Church of Christ tradition. At this point, we all should look to Nashville for exciting innovation and ministry.
2. Despite our idiosyncrasies, our tradition indeed turns out some brilliant minds and generous scholars. In dialog across disciplines and among diverse schools (68 in fact), we knew we were participating in a worthy, useful, fruitful enterprise.
3. Next year, the conference again is at Lipscomb, and the theme is “The Power of Narrative,” and I’m already working on a thesis. I hope this can be a standing gig.
