Five pre-conference events will convene Dec. 27-28, prior to the main conference:

Finding Space for God:
A Gathering for Academic and Professional Women

Hosted by Women in the Academy & Professions
Coordinator: Sharon Gartland

Advent brings us the story of a woman, Mary, who needs space — space to let God speak and then do his work in her. For most women, the holiday season crowds out the sacred, life-giving story that it seeks to celebrate. This retreat is designed to help academic and professional women pause to find space for God.

Anchored in the Advent story, women will encounter ways to invite God into their lives through creative use of the arts, worship, prayer, and everyday experience. Our hope is that this small space of time and reflection will encourage delegates to develop practices that lead to fruitful lives.

Flourishing in a Foreign Land:
A Gathering for International Students and Scholars

Coordinator: David Ivaska

Throughout the Bible, God’s purpose for his people is to be a blessing and example to all nations. Remarkably, God calls and then uses nearly every major Bible character to be that blessing and to flourish in a land not their own. Such a calling is especially relevant to Christian international students and scholars. And yet, the pressures of being transplanted in a new land and difficult news from back home often cause their dreams of flourishing to dim.

During our “day-ahead” conference, we will gather to spend unhurried time searching the Scriptures to recover a biblical picture of human flourishing and then to consider how, together, we can model human flourishing in a land that is not our own and multiply human flourishing through our work. This gathering is designed to nurture international students and scholars who are studying, teaching, and pursuing professional careers in the global context, as well as others ministering to Christian internationals or are themselves planning to study or work overseas.

Exploring Privilege and Redeeming Power:
A Leadership Summit for Christian Professionals

Hosted by Professional Schools Ministries
Coordinator: John Terrill

Christ-followers in culture-making professions such as medicine, law, journalism, business, and the arts face unprecedented opportunities as God’s instruments, situated as they are in positions of influence and power. Yet these Christian professionals face conflicting visions of power and leadership from their professions, the media, and even the church. Professionals are immersed in and shaped by specialized training and professional custom. While much of this is rooted in virtue and ethics, some modern features of embedded “professional identity” tend to hinder true vocation.

Our summit highlights the critical questions professionals must ask as they seek God’s perspective on power, privilege, and leadership: How can we become a transforming influence on the structures and institutions in which we lead and serve? With Jesus as our perfect example, what would it mean for Christian professionals to rightly exercise power even as they seek to embrace a posture of weakness and servitude? How do these opportunities and temptations vary across professional, gender, ethnic, and socio-economic lines? Join us as we tackle these questions of power and privilege honestly and faithfully.

Flourishing in the Academy:
A Gathering of the Emerging Scholars Network

Hosted by the Emerging Scholars Network
Coordinators: Alan Young and Rachel Bawden

Christians called to the professorate often feel alone because their calling is relatively rare in the church. The Emerging Scholars Network is hosting this opportunity to connect with others who have similar callings. In addition, we will provide specific guidance for the challenges you might be facing at your current stage in the academic journey.

Using a combination of speakers, group discussions, and career-stage workshops, we trust that you will leave with new relationships, a fresh perspective, and practical guidance for your next steps. The program will be appropriate for everyone from junior academics in tenure-track positions to upper-level undergraduates considering graduate school.

The “Do-Nothing” Day Ahead

Coordinator: Carrie Bare

An extra day — to do nothing — with uncluttered time…. When does this ever happen? Not often enough, but it could.

Come to the “Do Nothing” Day Ahead at InterVarsity’s Following Christ 2008 conference and you will have a chance to put together personally tailored time for yourself that could include a number of things: prayer and reflection, down time and rest, seeing the city of Chicago before your time gets more scheduled.

Staff will be prepared to guide you as you craft a day of giving yourself what you need most, or point you in the right direction to explore the city. But mostly we’ll just get out of your way — to let you sleep in, find your own pace, and do your own thing. An afternoon snack, dinner, and breakfast are included, so you don’t need to give them a thought.