Agora University Brings a Coptic Orthodox Perspective to International Colloquium on Ecclesiology after Christendom
Burke, VA – October 25, 2025 – Agora University President Dr. Emmanuel Gergis participated in a three-day colloquium on “Ecclesiology After Christendom,” convened by the Center of Theological Inquiry and sponsored by the McDonald Agape Foundation.
Led by CTI Director Professor Tom Greggs, the colloquium brought together scholars and theologians to examine the identity, mission, and future of the Christian Church in societies increasingly shaped by post-Christian realities.
Dr. Gergis presented a paper titled “Ecclesiology on the Fringes of Christendom: A Coptic Perspective.” Drawing on the theological and historical experience of the Coptic Orthodox Church, his presentation offered a Coptic perspective on the future of the Christian Church, including the opportunities and challenges facing Christian communities in a post-Christian America.
The gathering provided an important setting for theological dialogue across Christian traditions. Participants reflected on how churches may respond faithfully to changing cultural conditions while remaining rooted in their theological, ecclesial, and historical traditions.
Other speakers and participants included Tom Greggs, Valerie Cooper, Amos Yong, Daniel Lee Hill, Kavin Rowe, Jennifer McBride, Eric Gregory, Mark Lindsay, Matthew Puffer, Matt Jenson, and Joshua Mauldin.
Through Dr. Gergis’s participation, Agora University continues its mission of engaging contemporary theological questions and bringing the rich heritage of the Oriental Orthodox tradition into dialogue with the broader Christian academy. The University also extends its appreciation to the Center of Theological Inquiry, Peter McDonald, and the McDonald Agape Foundation for making this significant colloquium possible.
For more information about the event, visit: https://www.ctinquiry.org/news/cti-convenes-colloquium-on-ecclesiology-after-christendom
About Agora University
Agora University is a pioneering global Orthodox Christian academic community delivering high-quality, accessible distance education that addresses contemporary challenges. We form students from all faiths and backgrounds into whole persons and impactful leaders through open dialogue and rigorous, innovative scholarship across diverse disciplines, while preserving the particularity of our tradition.
