Distinguished Speaker Forum
About
For many years, there has been talk of having a great lecture series that could parallel and complement our wonderful E. Carl Freeman Concert Series.
In 2023, the Endowment Board approved a grant request to begin hosting speakers and, through these opportunities, determine if this is a viable ministry which should continue.
A small planning group was formed to dream, ask good questions, and begin hosting excellent presenters. To honor the importance of a “Thoughtful Faith,” a key value of our community, our team hopes our series can provide thought-provoking and challenging content through the presentations of enlightening and stimulating individuals with varied perspectives, which may not be shared by all.
With joy we recently announced that our first slate of speakers and shortly thereafter hosted our first presenter. Through this Forum, we wish to welcome our local community and, of course, encourage all of our folks at River Road to participate.
Distinguished Speaker Forum presents
2023-2024 Season
Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite.
Additional lectures may be announced throughout the season.
They will be listed here and tickets will be available on Eventbrite. Typically, lectures will not be livestreamed nor will recordings be published at a later time.
Tickets
Reserve your tickets on Eventbrite
An Evening with Jeff Chu
Journalist, Author, Speaker, Preacher, and Teacher
Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Jeff Chu is a gentle kind-hearted soul who loves Jesus’ way and who shared his story about growing in understanding about being God’s beloved child. With honesty, he explores what it means to be a gay man trying to understand what Christians say and what God says about him and what matters most. Vulnerably stewarding his story, he offers friendship and hope to those who are on the same search. Additionally, he offers the church a window into understanding how we may share God’s loving acceptance with those who are questioning, longing, and searching.
While tickets are free of charge, you may offer a suggested donation of $10.
“I wear several different hats to cover my coarse Chinese hair, which requires too much product to tame: Writer, reporter, editor. Editor-at-large at Travel+Leisure. Teacher in residence at Crosspointe Church. Author of the newsletter “Notes of a Make-Believe Farmer” (jeffchu.substack.com) and Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America as well as co-author, with the late Rachel Held Evans, of the New York Times best-seller Wholehearted Faith. Community facilitator for BIPoC folks at Evolving Faith. Occasional preacher. Ordinand in the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Ph.D. student at the University of Stellenbosch. Cook and gardener in Michigan.”
Brian McLaren
Author, Activist, Speaker, and Public Theologian
Friday, October 4, 2024
Tickets required—only sold via Eventbrite
Inclusive ticket—$40/person—available for both sessions (includes dinner).
Limited scholarships available, email info@rrcb.org.
Session 1: Relevance Today
3:30-6:30 p.m.
For all in ministry leadership: An opportunity to embrace challenges we face in working and speaking in today’s culture. Exploring how can we offer something valuable, relevant, desirable in 2024. Considering changes which might be required of the church and its leadership. Benefit from Brian’s knowledge and wisdom, as well as from time and sharing with others in ministry.
Tickets $25/person
Ticket includes dinner
Session 2: Unafraid of Questions about Church, Faith, Doubt, Christianity, God
7:00-8:30 p.m.
A brave space to consider difficult questions about the future of faith in God and Christianity, embracing our doubts, accepting others, and more. Brian will encourage us, guiding us wisely in the search for what is true and longing for hope.
Tickets $20/person
Reception and book signing to follow
Amanda Tyler
How to End Christian Nationalism
Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Amanda Tyler is executive director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), leading the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. She is the lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and co-host of BJC’s Respecting Religion podcast.
How to End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler is the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rising tide of Christian nationalism yet unsure how to counter it. Join Amanda for a timely discussion about the threat of this dangerous ideology and learn about how she drew on her experiences, conversations with pastors and laypeople, research, Scripture, and her Baptist convictions to write this new book. How to End Christian Nationalism was published by Broadleaf Books on October 22, 2024. Her visit to Richmond in November is a stop on her book tour.
Books will be available for purchase before and after the event. Book People Richmond will be onsite selling Tyler’s book. A book signing with Tyler will follow the conversation.
While tickets are free of charge, you may offer a suggested donation of $10.
Supper at 5:00 p.m.
We will hold a churchwide supper at 5:00 p.m. Reservations are required by 4:00 p.m., November 21. You may make your reservation online or call the church office (804-288-1131). Meals are $10 per person, payable at dinner via cash, check, or credit card. Please note: dinner reservations and payment are separate from tickets and donations.
Childcare is available by request—please email sandyrooney@rrcb.org.
Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Tyler will be the guest proclaimer during worship on November 24 at 11:00 a.m.
In the Presence of Maggie Walker with Theresa G
Storyteller and Living History Performer
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Theresa G made her name in the broadcast community as a radio and television personality. She hosted the former radio broadcast Talk–Back Live and Community of Hope television program for a number of years.
Since then, Ms. G has moved on to become a storyteller and living history performer. In addition to her Biblical characters, Theresa G embodies such personalities as Sally Hemings, Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou, just to name a few. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Coretta Scott King in a one-woman play called Through the Eyes of Coretta.
Ms. G is the owner of G Communications, through which she teaches manners and social graces in her program Neighbors & Napkins. She also serves as a fashion show commentator, acting coach and conference speaker.
Ever active in the community, Theresa G has served on several boards, including Richmond Broadcasters. She is a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia, where her pastor is the Reverend Jeffery Reaves.
Jen Hatmaker
New York Times Bestselling Author, Speaker, Podcaster
Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets $30/person
A great evening opportunity awaits with Jen, who is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Speaker, Podcaster, and so much more.
Jen Hatmaker is the New York Times bestselling author of fourteen books including For the Love and her latest project, Feed These People: Slam Dunk Recipes for Your Crew. She is the delighted curator of the Jen Hatmaker Book Club and host of the award-winning For the Love podcast, and she leads a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week. Jen is a co-founder of Legacy Collective, a giving organization that grants millions of dollars towards sustainable projects around the world. She is a mom to five kids and lives happily just outside Austin, Texas. To learn more, visit www.jenhatmaker.com
Follow Jen:
- Facebook: @jenhatmaker
- Instagram: @jenhatmaker
- TikTok: @realjenhatmaker
- For The Love Podcast
