In 200, I arranged for Brian McLaren to come and speak at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Charlestown, RI for our "Growing a Healthy Church" conference. He had just published "A New Kind of Christian" He engaged people in ways that were eye-opening. Now, fourteen years later, he returns to New England. I encourage both clergy and lay people to come hear Brian. He is an articulate spokesperson for a faithful, yet progressive kind of Christian faith.

Celebrated author, speaker and activist Brian McLaren will deliver a public lecture at Emanuel Lutheran Church (311 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT), sponsored by the New England Synod and several ecumenical partners.

McLaren is the author of several books including "We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation and Activation" and "Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words." A graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor's in English, McClaren was awarded Doctor of Divinity degrees from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, B.C., and Virginia Theological Seminary. He's also the theologian in residence with the Life in the Trinity Ministry. To learn more about Brian, click here to visit his website.

McLaren's lecture will be held Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45, with discounts for clergy and students. To register and purchase your ticket, click here! Please share this information with those who might be interested, with our recommendation to sign up promptly, as this event is expected to sell out quickly.