Campus News

Rockford, Ill., – Robert Lupton, Ph.D., author and founder of FCS Ministries will speak at the University as part of the Fall 2014 Forum Series, as well has be the featured guest for a luncheon and dialogue hosted by the University’s Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NINCE) in partnership with United Way of Rock River Valley.

Both events will further explore Dr. Lupton’s latest book, “Toxic Charity – How churches and charities hurt those they help (and how to reverse it).” The Forum Series lecture takes place on Monday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m., in Fisher Memorial Chapel on the Rockford University Campus, 5050 East State Street. Space is limited and tickets are required. Contact the University box office at boxoffice@rockford.edu or 815.226.4100.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Dr. Lupton will be the featured speaker for a luncheon and program, followed by an exclusive dialogue with Dr. Lupton. The program will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 North Bell School Road, Rockford. Cost is $50 per person/$350 per table of eight. The dialogue with Dr. Lupton follows from 1 – 3:30 p.m.. Cost is $50 per person. For reservations contact NICNE at 815.394.4384 or kream@rockford.edu.

More about Dr. Robert Lupton:

Robert Lupton, Ph.D., has invested over 40 years of his life in inner-city Atlanta. In response to a call that he first felt while serving in Vietnam, he left a budding business career to work with delinquent urban youth. Dr. Lupton and his family sold their suburban home and moved into the inner-city where they have lived and served as neighbors among those in need. As an entrepreneur and Christian community developer he brings together communities of resource with communities of need. Since founding the non-profit organization FCS Urban Ministries he has developed two mixed income subdivisions, organized a multi-racial congregation, started a number of businesses, created housing for hundreds of families and initiated a wide range of human services in his community. Bob is the author of five books and a monthly circulation. He will be speaking about his newest book, Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It.)

Rockford University Trustee and Woodward CEO Tom Gendron ’88 who is spearheading the Transform Rockford initiative put Toxic Charity on the Transform Rockford reading list. Toxic Charity examines how churches and charities hurt the people they are trying to help through what Lupton calls, “One Way Giving.”

Forum Series 2014

*Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence

*As of January 1, 2015, to reflect NICNE’s expansive programming and home within the Rockford University College of Social Sciences, Commerce and Education, NICNE will become the Rockford University Center for Nonprofit Excellence (RUCNE).