Dr. James Bryan Smith will be officially installed as the Dallas Willard Chair in Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University Oct. 26. The ceremony will occur at 7:30 p.m. in the Davis Administration Building’s Alumni Auditorium as part of the Apprentice Gathering 2018: Journey. Conference registration is not required to attend the Friday evening installation and reception.
In addition to serving as the Willard Chair, Dr. Smith also serves as executive director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation and as associate professor of religion at Friends. The Dallas Willard Chair in Christian Spiritual Formation position is generously funded with an endowment in the name of Dallas Willard, an American philosopher known for his breakthrough understanding of the process of Christian formation – a field of academic study that focuses on discipleship and education and helps Christians deepen their faith and enhance spiritual growth.
“This is an important event for the Christian community and for the Friends University community,” said Dr. Amy Bragg Carey, president of Friends University. “The Dallas Willard Chair installation celebrates that this position will allow Friends to provide highly focused studies in the area of Christian spiritual formation for many years to come. We are grateful to the many donors who have made the chair a possibility for Friends University and recognize Friends as being the ideal location to continue the legacy of Dallas Willard.”
Led by Dr. Smith, the Apprentice Institute will host its Apprentice Gathering conference Oct. 25-27. More than 500 attendees, including ministry leaders and the laity, are expected to attend. To learn more and to register to attend the Apprentice Gathering conference, visit apprenticeinstitute.org/the_apprentice_gathering.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.