The Story of the Future Conferences
These fast-paced, high-altitude, customizable crash courses on eschatology—“the doctrine of last things”—explain the big issues of the end times that unite all Christians and explore the details on which Christians most often disagree. The conferences are designed in three basic formats that can be further customized for your particular needs.
1. The Overview Conference (1–3 hours)
2. The Descriptive Conference (3–4 hours)
3. The Prescriptive Conference (6–7 hours)
The Story of the Future Conferences
These fast-paced, high-altitude, customizable crash courses on eschatology—“the doctrine of last things”—explain the big issues of the end times that unite all Christians and explore the details on which Christians most often disagree. The conferences are designed in three basic formats that can be further customized for your particular needs.
1. The Overview Conference (1–3 hours)
2. The Descriptive Conference (3–4 hours)
3. The Prescriptive Conference (6–7 hours)
1. The Overview Conference
The Overview Conference focuses on the issues in eschatology on which Christians agree, provides a brief introduction to the differing views prevalent among Christians, emphasizes the foundational doctrines of eschatology, and explains matters on which we may disagree with charity. With 1–3 sessions of about 50 minutes each, the "Introduction and Overview Conference" is ideal for churches, small groups, or guest lectures to provide a simple overview of eschatological essentials. This conference can be done in person or via video streaming platforms.
Sample Schedule— Overview Conference
Session 1: The Essentials of Eschatology (50 minutes)
What We Must (and Must NOT) Believe
The Three “Rs” of Eschatology
Why Does Eschatology Matter?
Additional Optional Sessions (One or Both)
Session 2: The Options in Eschatology (50 minutes)
Millennial Views
Tribulation Views
Rapture Views
Implications
Session 3: Q&A (50 minutes)
2. The Descriptive Conference
The Descriptive Conference focuses on the issues in eschatology on which Christians agree, explains the differing opinions regarding matters on which Christians differ, and discusses practical implications of eschatology. Attendees walk away with a clearer conviction concerning the fundamentals of eschatology and an understanding of the diversity of views. With 3–4 sessions of about 50 minutes each, this conference is ideal for churches or ministries with a diversity of opinions on eschatological matters or those that do not affirm a premillennial perspective. This conference is designed to be in-person and can be scheduled in either a morning, afternoon, or evening calendar slot.
Sample Schedule— Descriptive Conference
Session 1: The Essentials of Eschatology (50 minutes)
What We Must (and Must Not) Believe
The Three “Rs” of Eschatology
Where Do We Go from Here?
Session 2: The Big Picture of Eschatology (50 minutes)
The Imago Dei Mission
The Kingdom of God
Practical Implications of Eschatology
Session 3: Diversity in Eschatology (50 minutes)
Millennial Views
Tribulation Views
Rapture Views
Toward Unity and Charity
Additional Optional Session
Session 4: Q&A (50 minutes)
3. The Prescriptive Conference
The Prescriptive Conference underscores the issues in eschatology on which Christians agree then presents the basic arguments for a classic premillennial, futurist view consistent with the perspective of The Fathers on the Future. Detailed notes are included with QR links to additional resources to dive deeper. Attendees walk away with a clear understanding of the fundamentals of eschatology as well as compelling arguments in support of the premillennial, futurist perspective. With 6–7 sessions of about 50 minutes each, this conference is ideal for churches or ministries already affirming a premillennial eschatology. This conference is designed to be in-person and can be scheduled over two days (evening+all day) or during one day (morning and afternoon).
Sample Schedule— Prescriptive Conference
Session 1: The Coming Kingdom in Context (50 minutes)
Introduction
The Three “Rs” of Eschatology
Where Do We Go from Here?
Session 2: The Coming Kingdom in the Old Testament (50 minutes)
The Imago Dei Mission
The Kingdom of God
The Prophets’ Vision of the Kingdom
Session 3: The Coming Kingdom in the New Testament (50 minutes)
The Kingdom in the Gospels
The Kingdom in Acts
The Kingdom in Paul
Session 4: The Coming Kingdom in Revelation (50 minutes)
The Coming of Christ and the Millennium
The Binding of Satan
The First and Second Resurrections
The Coming Kingdom in the Earliest Church
Session 5: The Coming Day of the Lord (50 minutes)
The Day of the Lord in the Old Testament
The Day of the Lord in the New Testament
The Future Day of the Lord
Additional Optional Sessions (One or Both)
Session 6: The Coming Assumption of the Church (50 minutes)
The Reality of the Assumption
The Timing of the Assumption
Session 7 Q&A (50 minutes)
Sample Support Materials (For Prescriptive Conference)
Additional Information
No Fees: Though voluntary honoraria are always appreciated, Dr. Svigel does not charge a speaker's fee for conferences or lectureships as long as his travel and lodging expenses are reimbursed. To keep attendance costs low, venues are requested to only charge registration fees sufficient to cover actual expenses for the event, and—if possible—no-fee events are strongly encouraged.
Group Sizes: There is no limit regarding group sizes for conferences. Dr. Svigel is equally prepared to speak at a tiny pastor's retreat, family camp, local church conference, or large venue conference. One-on-one discussions, however, would fall under personal meetings and should be scheduled accordingly.
No Debates: In keeping with his desire to foster irenic rather than polemical dialogue, Dr. Svigel does not participate in formal or informal debates. He will, however, participate in friendly panel discussions for which differing eschatological perspectives are represented. This "no debate" rule is upheld during Q&A sessions during conferences, and he reserves the right to disengage from confrontational pontifications from live questioners.
Conference Recording and Streaming: Audio/video recording and live streaming of conferences is permitted as long as Dr. Svigel is given free access to those recordings for his own use and such recordings are not subsequently published and sold commercially. Dr. Svigel may also withdraw this permission for any reason as he deems it necessary.
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about the Story of the Future conference.
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