Reflections on CTS/NABPR

Last week I had the priveledge to attend the joint meetings of the College Theology Society and the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion.  I believe this was my 5th meeting that I have attended.  One week ago today I was skimming through my paper in preparation to present it at 9:30.  This was also my first real trip to Texas (clipping the corner en route to New Mexico in 8th grade didn't count).  It was somewhere in the low 40's in ND when I left at 7am but was around 90 when I got to San Antonio at noon.  I will say that I doubt Texas will ever be for me.  Between the rattlesnakes and the heat, and other crawling things, it makes me thankful to be a resident of the upper midwest where the winter prohibits much of those forms of life.  

That aside, it was a nice visit and a great conference.  Between AAR and CTS meetings, I have now attended enough conferences to be at the point where I no longer feel guilty about skipping sessions.  I have sat through enough sessions that were either or both outside of my knowledge range or just over my head that it really was a waste of my time.  I now take advantage of naps.  

I was thankful that my paper was given the first session slot, because I could sit back and enjoy the rest of the conference.  I have been on the last Sunday session and not only is attendence usually down as people are already heading home but the anxiety of pushes me to noodle my paper right up until I present.  My paper was entitled "Jesus Gave Me This: Deciphering the Overlap of Spiritual Language in the Creative Process"  The paper largely grew out of my experiences with a Christian artist group who's members would speak about the source of their creative idea with theological language suggesting both personal revelation and inspiration.  They used these terms in a variety of ways from meaning a general urge to create but also that God spoke to them and gave them the creative idea and even created the work through them.  The paper then goes on to explore a variety of issues such claims make for both theology and the arts.  Since I have returned I have been working on edits to the paper so it can be submitted for consideration in the conferences annual volume.  While it is nice to be asked to submit the paper, the quality of papers suggests that it is not likely to be accepted.  Oh well...the struggles of editing are always good practice for developing ones writing.  

My experiences of conferences are usually a mixed bag.  I am often inspired by the work that is going on and how it relates to mine.  But I often feel so intellectually inadequate among so many well educated people.  Of course many of them are well along in their careers and have books and PhD's. It is about this time when I go back to my room to take a nap which usually rights the world again.  The book publishers tables are always a highlight as are the socials and the meals out with friends that I get to see only at this conference.  Some conferences can be stuffy and stiff, but this conference is always warm and welcoming.  It is a great place to try out new stuff because people are affirming and encouraging, particularly for graduate students.  If you looking for a conference, particularly if you are interested in either Baptist or Catholic theology or ecumenism, then CTS is a perfect conference to check out.  And a plug for next year...its at Creighton in Omaha Nebraska.  

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