If you follow my blog at all you know that I am passionate about helping realized the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I often say the the 17 SDGs are audacious as they are beautiful and are a profound and
My school, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, is in the process of hiring two full-time core faculty positions, a number of adjunct instructors, plus a handful of other vital roles. If you, or someone you know invests their
In response to the ongoing and rapid biotech innovation and evolution, with its corresponding impact on the our planet and its climate, the UN-Environment Programme (UNEP) felt prompted to make a series of very helpful governing recommendations to its 193
As you may know at the end of 2023 the world observed the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This bold and beautiful series of 30 articles, is a milestone document in the history of human rights.
It’s Inhabit time! As you may know the annual Inhabit Conference, is convened by Parish Collective, whose mission is to connect people to be the church in the neighborhood. Inhabit is a two-day event filled with stories, learning environments, music/art
This week author, Rev. Leanne Friesen – former pastor and current Executive Minister of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec in Canada – saw her first book officially released… I am also very grateful to be her brother-in-law. Leanne
Last year, Join or Die was released. The film explores America’s civic unraveling through the journey of scientist Robert Putnam – of Bowling Alone fame – whose research on the decline in American community lights a path out of our
Today I get to spend the day at a retreat center East of Seattle with leaders and theologians from The Seattle School exploring our next steps into the future of theological education and ministry formation. So very grateful to the
Speakers: James Bhagwan, Julia Rensburg, Tara van Ryneveld. Remove: Episcopal Nana Firman & Meryne Warah, H.E. President Wavel Ramkalawa Islamic Dev Bank/Islamic Solidarity Fund, Phoebe Chatfield Faiths for a Just Transition: Bottom up & Systemic Approaches from Affected Communities 🌍
While I wasn’t able to attend COP28 in person, it’s been so great to the reports from my multi-faith colleagues about the remarkable advancement in the active participation of world’s faiths, religions, and spiritualities in the conversation. 84-85% of the
This weekend Today and tomorrow is a Parish Collective Learning Community. Can’t wait. To find out more about these learning communities, visit Parish Collective. Peace, dwight
Bellevue’s Comprehensive Plan is updated about every 10 years. The 2024 update, to guide Bellevue’s development through 2044, is now underway. The update includes an environmental impact statement as a requirement of the State Environmental Policy Act. The EIS includes
On the Significance of Religion for the SDGs: An Introduction, by Dr Christine Schliesser, is part of Routledge’s “Religion Matters” series. And it is available for free as an eBook on Amazon. I’m not sure whether this is permanently free
This lecture series is offered in honor of the great Stanley J. Grenz; former Professor at The Seattle School, (then known as Mars Hill Graduate School). Stan was a prolific Christian scholar with a pastoral heart and deep intellectual presence.
This 2022 UN-Habitat report highlights of the numerous ways real people, governing bodies, and organizations are acting on the New Urban Agenda. As you may know, the New Urban Agenda is an audacious and beautiful activation of a better urban
So excited to share the launch of a new podcast co-hosted by Tripp Fuller & Tony Jones, and produced by Josh Gilbert. It’s titled, “Emerged: an oral history of the emerging church movement.” The podcast launched on January 1st, 2024
Here’s my top ten list of books from 2023. At the end of each year I reflect on books that I engaged this year that sparked imagination… this is my 24th such list. In some way, each of these books
Systems thinkers, organizational innovators, and localists Deborah Frieze and Margaret Wheatley, with the Berkana Institute, have developed a very helpful model for better understanding the complex process of systems change. Their model – among other things – thoughtfully attends to
Last month The U.S. Surgeon General released an important report outlining the nation’s loneliness epidemic. Among other things the report demonstrates that loneliness has a equivalent impact on one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes’ a day. The report provides some
They grow up so fast! The Seattle School is celebrating twenty-five years of training people to be competent in the study of text, soul, and culture in order to serve God and neighbor through transforming relationships. And last night the
I will be spending the better part of next week with a team of scholars engaged in an accreditation site visit for another theological training institution. Over my years in higher education I have been on the other side of
I’m thrilled to learn that Brian McLaren will be coming to Cascadia next month. Brian will be here for two dates: Jim Henderson and the folks at Off-the-Map are putting on the two events. Brian will engage in a series
Well, I’m finished with classes for the trimester. Of course there is still assessment of student work to complete, a few details for next trimester’s syllabi and online classrooms to button up, and preparations for the January low-residency retreat and
Lot’s of excitement from US scientists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California because for the first time ever they have successfully produced a nuclear fusion reaction resulting in a net energy gain. On
This is my twenty-third top ten list of books I’ve generated. I just took a few moments to review my prior lists, and I have to say that I am so grateful for the wise humans who continue to offer
At the beginning of Urban October I participated in the fourth convening of the Urban Economy Forum. The UEF4 event was held in Toronto, Canada, but the organizers made it possible for some of us to present via Zoom. Below
Today begins the month long celebration and exploration of all things “city” thanks to UN-Habitat’s “Urban October.” This year’s theme is: Mind the Gap: Leave No One & No Place Behind! What are the gaps in your parish or neighborhood? What
Each year the “Gathering of Leaders” invites a theologian to spend some time thinking alongside some leaders within the Episcopal Church, this year that honor falls to me. I was supposed to have some time in January in the American South
The fourth convening of the Urban Economy Forum is less than two weeks away. You still have time to register! I will be participating in a roundtable exploring urban policy and public services, our theme is, “Inclusive Urban Finance.” You
Dr. Josh Packard and the team over at Springtide Research Institute recently released their latest study of young people and religion. Springtide conducts qualitative and quantitative research on the inner and outer lives of young people, ages 13 to 25.