“Preaching at the End of the World”

February 9–10, 2026

How do we followers of Jesus live during ecological collapse, rising authoritarianism, and global conflict? Christians today are not alone in asking this question. Today's preachers join a rich history of those who have proclaimed God's reign in the midst of disaster and destruction. With the Apocalypse of John as our guide, we will discover together how Revelation guides our grief, hope, and resistance today.

In-person and online participation available.

Online Registration

Keynote Speaker: Melissa Florer-Bixler

Melissa Florer-Bixler is a doctoral student in homiletics at Duke Divinity School. She recently completed her position as pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church. Florer-Bixler's writing regularly appears Christian Century, where she is a Voices columnist. She has also written for Sojourners, Geez, Anabaptist Witness, The Bias, Image Journal, Faith & Leadership, and Anabaptist Vision. She is the author of Fire By Night: Finding God in the Pages of the Old Testament and How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger and the Work of Peace. As co-chair of the Wake County Community Remembrance Project, she helps to establish memorial for victims of race-based lynching. Florer-Bixler organizes around efforts to shift resources from policing and prison to community wellness. You can read her regular writing on Substack.

Keynote Addresses

It's the end of the world as we know it | Global crisis, climate disaster, and authoritarian regimes are features of each age in history. For thousands of years, the book of Revelation has accompanied congregations to live as faithful followers of Jesus Christ in the midst of this chaos—with mixed results. In a new season, with new questions, how do we preach Revelation today?

Can I get a witness? | Revelation's violent scenes and bloody battles have often challenged worshippers in the peace church. But what does Revelation tell us about violence and the orientation of believers who stare into the face of destruction? In this session, we explore preaching the message of active, non-violent witness in John's apocalypse.

Church among the graves | John's apocalypse portrays the church as witness to the nations but also invites the church to name its complicity with the principalities and powers. How does Revelation invite the peace church to renewal in our current time?

Interactive Workshops and Presenters

• Indigenous Worldview during a time of Crisis
  Rev. Vince Solomon, CMU Elder in Residence
• Pastoral Tools for Resilience
  Laura Funk, Spiritual Director with Butterfly Journeys
• Following the Lamb: Reading Revelation Responsibly (Revelation 5)
  Michael Pahl, Executive Minister Mennonite Church Manitoba

NEW! Pre-Conference Preaching Symposium

Join Dr. Andrew Dyck, CMU Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry, in an interactive session with a panel of pastors on the different aspect of sermon preparation, writing and delivery. Includes refreshments.

Available in person only.

Schedule

* denotes available online

renew is open to anyone involved in Christian ministry and leadership, regardless of specific congregational or denominational context.