by Winston Hottman
Several weeks ago, I gathered with Baptist scholars, pastors, church leaders, and ministry students for the Center for Baptist Renewal’s annual conference, hosted by Oklahoma Baptist University. Now in its third year, the conference was held in conjunction with OBU’s annual Hobbs Lecture, delivered this year by Dr. Fred Sanders of Biola University.
Our theme, “Retrieving Nicaea for Evangelicals,” invited us to reflect on the lasting significance of the Nicene Creed in the life and ministry of the church. As many of you know, this year marks the seventeenth centenary of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), which produced the creed later expanded at Constantinople in 381, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, a bedrock for orthodox Christian faith down the centuries.
For us Baptists, the theme offered a wonderful opportunity not only to celebrate the theological heritage we share with our brothers and sisters in the broader Christian tradition but also to reclaim an inheritance that has (often implicitly rather than explicitly) formed our own confessional commitments.
The conference featured two panel discussions, a time for fellowship, and a theological lecture. The two panel discussions—Baptists and Nicaea in Pastoral Theology and Baptists and Nicaea in Pastoral Practice—aimed at helping pastors and ministry leaders recover the enduring relevance of Nicaea for Baptist life. In many Baptist contexts today, the ecumenical creeds have not so much been rejected as simply neglected. Though contemporary Baptist confessions reflect the core convictions of Nicene orthodoxy, the grammar and logic of the creeds have often failed to shape Baptist teaching, worship, and discipleship as deeply as they otherwise might.
The panels brought together scholars and scholar-pastors to explore how the legacy of Nicaea has shaped their own ministries and how it might continue to do so within Baptist congregations. Discussion ranged from common objections to use of the creeds, to the creeds’ role in shaping various areas of church life, to practical strategies for drawing congregations more deeply into the theological riches of classical Christianity.
Following the panels, we enjoyed an extended time for coffee fellowship—a highlight of any conference. In my experience, these informal moments often prove as rewarding as the formal activities, and it proved to be an immensely encouraging time as I was able to exchange ideas and form new friendships with like-minded Baptists.
The event concluded with a lecture delivered by Dr. Sanders titled “The Square and the Triangle: Chalcedon and the Trinity.” Those familiar with Dr. Sanders’ work will not be surprised to hear that his presentation was clarifying, compelling, and at times laugh-out-loud hilarious. Using a visual image of a square, Dr. Sanders explored the logic of the Chalcedonian definition and its organic connection to the doctrines of Nicaea. The presentation was as intellectually stimulating as it was spiritually edifying.
For a fitting conclusion, Dr. Matt Boswell led us in songs of praise, culminating in the classic hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.” From somewhere in the room, several voices lifted in harmony—an increasingly rare sound in many congregations today—transporting me back to the church of my childhood and fostering in me an even deeper gratitude for the tradition of which I have been blessed to be a part.
The 2025 CBR conference was an immensely encouraging event. I was especially heartened to see not only current pastors but also numerous ministry students engaged in the conference. Gatherings like this—where pastors, scholars, and church leaders unite around deep theological reflection, prayer, and praise—are far too rare in Baptist life. May such gatherings become more common in the years ahead. I encourage you to make plans to join us next year.
