In March 2008, Southeastern University, an Assemblies of God institution, will be presenting the 2008 National Leadership Forum. The motto of the conference is “Igniting the Flame of Servant Leadership.” Those scheduled to speak at this year’s event include New Age sympathizer Ken Blanchard, emerging church leader and mysticism promoter Erwin McManus, and contemplative proponent Kay Warren. Other speakers include Colin Powell, Andy Stanley, and Jeb Bush. The three day conference will cost between $600 and $700 per person.
Blanchard and McManus participated at last year’s Leadership Forum at Southeastern as did author and leadership trainer Laurie Beth Jones. Jones holds to New Age thought as can be seen in her book Teach Your Team to Fish: Using Ancient Wisdom for Inspired Teamwork. She says her personal mission is “to recognize, promote, and inspire divine connection in myself and others.” 1
It appears that Southeastern University is lacking wisdom when it comes to protecting their students from the influences of the New Age. As another example, while their school online bookstore offers a disclaimer, the store, which bears the university name, is loaded with books on subjects such as Yoga, Reiki, Wicca, Tai Chi, Tarot Cards, Witchcraft, and more. In addition, there are books offered of a pornographic nature. While the university leaders may feel a one page disclaimer is enough, the fact is SEU has placed its name on a website that has New Age, occultic, pornographic, and homosexual material.
Such conferences as Southeasern’s Leadership Forum are occurring frequently across North America with many of the same speakers sharing the platforms. Leadership is the focal point. Willow Creek had their Leadership Summit this year with two of the speakers that will attend the Southeastern event: Marcus Buckingham and Colin Powell. In October, the Lead Like Jesus conference took place and included several speakers that will participate at the Southeastern conference: Erwin McManus, Ken Blanchard, Patrick Lencioni. Worth noting is the appearance of Kay Warren and Erwin McManus also at the upcoming Rethink Conference at Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral.
Related Research:
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and Professor Earl Creps Promote Contemplative Spirituality
Assemblies of God: Committed to Spiritual Formation, Contemplative and Emerging
