Congregationalism in the Public Square:
Past, Present & Future

About the Symposium

“There was a time when Congregational churches were major players in the public forum in the U.S. and it’s time to take a look at the role, if any, we should attempt to play in the future,” states David Fisher, minister of Plymouth Church. “This is an important discussion for churches and we are very pleased this event is being held at Plymouth."

Symposium Speakers

The Past

Dr. Debby Applegate — author of The Most Famous Man in America, biography of Henry Ward Beecher, winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Biography.

Dr. Margaret Bendroth — historian specializing in American religion and women’s history and the executive director of the American Congregational Association, overseer of the Congregational Library in Boston, an archive of religion formed in 1853.

Frank Decker — author of an upcoming book on the influential membership of Plymouth Church during the tenure of Henry Ward Beecher.

Rev. Dr. David Fisher — minister of Plymouth Church and author of The Twenty-First Century Pastor: A Vision Based on the Apostle Paul.

Rev. Dr. Steven Peay — Writer and teacher on Congregationalism through the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, the Institute for Congregational Studies, the Theological Commission of the International Congregational Fellowship, and the American Congregational Association.

Rev. Dr. Karen Fisher Younger — Managing Director/Richards Civil War Era Center, Managing Editor, Civil War History, and Assistant Professor of History, Pennsylvania State University

The Present & Future

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Fackre — Abbot Professor of Theology, Emeritus, Andover Newton Theological School, past president of the American Theological Society and author of thirty books and monographs in the fields of theology, ethics and mission, among them five volumes of a projected seven-volume series in Christian doctrine, The Christian Story.

Rev. Dr. William Fillebrown — Minister of the Chiltonville Congregational Church, Plymouth, Massachusetts and contributor to past Congregational Symposia.

Rev. Dr. Manfred Kohl —  Vice President of International Development for Overseas Council International and former co-editor of the International Congregational Journal.  

Rev. Anthony Robinson — author of eight books including the national best seller Transforming Congregational Culture.

Symposium Schedule

Registration & Information

The registration fee is $100.00. Download the brochure and registration form here, or  contact Events Coordinator Amy Talcott at the Plymouth Church Office for more information.