Faith & Politics: Being Church in These Troubling Times

October 9, 2025 | Drew University

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Wondering how to create and sustain communities of faith in these fearful and politically polarized times? Centering the voices of activists, theologians, preachers, musicians, poets, and prophets, Tipple Celebration & Lectures Day opens a space for dialogue, discovery, and creativity.

Tipple Day, an annual event honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Ezra Squire Tipple, the fifth president (1912-1929) of Drew Theological School, an opportunity for the community to gather and reflect on ministry and the state of church and society today.

Join us as we share ideas and practices of becoming bold witnesses to a Gospel of resistance and hope.

Complimentary Event | Registration Required

Featured Keynote Speakers:

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis G’04 - Senior Minister and Public Theologian | Middle Church, New York City

Bishop Joseph Tolton - President of Interconnected Justice and Bishop of East Africa, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries

Featured Worship Leaders:

Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson - Associate Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Formation and Leading Pastor of The Concord Baptist Church of Christ, Brooklyn, New York

Dr. Mark A. Miller - Professor of Church Music and Composer-in-Residence | Minister of Music of Christ Church in Summit, New Jersey

Event Agenda

10 a.m. – Welcome

10:05 a.m – Morning Keynote Address and Q&A
The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Senior Minister and Public Theologian | Middle Church, New York City

10:45 a.m. – Break

11 a.m. – Drew Theological School Faculty Panel Discussion | How Our Faith Traditions Harm or Help Our Politics, Featuring:

• Dr. Gladson Jathanna, Associate Professor of the History of Christianities
• Dr. Laurel Kearns, John Fletcher Hurst Professor of Ecology, Religion and Society
• The Rev. Dr. Dong Sung Kim, Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible

12 p.m. – Worship led by The Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson | Associate Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Formation and Leading Pastor of The Concord Baptist Church of Christ, Brooklyn, New York

1 p.m. – Lunch | Optional | $25 per person
Choose from one of the following lunch discussions or opt to bring lunch on your own:

• Drew’s Partnership for Religion and Education in Prisons (PREP) | Hosted by The Rev. Charlotte Mallory, Affiliate Faculty in Restorative Justice and Prison Ministries
• theoTREC Turkey Immersion Reunion | Hosted by The Rev. Dr. Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, Henry Anson Buttz Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity
• Class of 2005 Reunion | Hosted by The Rev. Dr. Tanya Linn Bennett, Associate Dean for Vocation and Formation

2:30 p.m. – Afternoon Keynote Address and Q&A
Bishop Joseph Tolton | President of Interconnected Justice and Bishop of East Africa, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries

3:30 p.m. – Workshops
Choose from the following interactive workshops:

• Leadership for Conflict in Congregations | Led by Dr. Jonathan Golden, Director, Center of Religion, Culture & Conflict
• Gender-Affirming Healthcare Chaplaincy | Led by Damien Domenack, Religion and Society PhD Student
• African Church Responses to Intercultural Differences

4:30 p.m. – Closing Celebration

5 p.m. – Networking Reception

Register Here‍