This year’s Inhabit Conference 2026, hosted by Lawndale Christian Community Church on Chicago’s West Side, felt less like a conference and more like a homecoming—an embodied reminder of what it means to live, love, and witness in the Way of
The Great Divide by Noah Kahan I can’t recall the last time that we talkedAbout anything but looking out for copsWe got cigarette burns in the same side of our hands, we ain’t friendsWe’re just morons, who broke skin in
A Confession for Such a Time as This We are living in a moment of rupture. Across our neighborhoods and nations, the fractures are visible—political, racial, ecological, ecclesial. Many who bear the name “Christian” are increasingly entangled with power, exclusion,
What if followers of Jesus were known not primarily for what we opposed, but for how we helped places flourish? What if churches, faith-based organizations, civic leaders, neighborhood associations, artists, planners, business owners, educators, and community organizers could discover a
I’m grateful to share the book launch party episode of a new podcast connected to a meaningful project—Urban Gems: Ministry Perspectives on the Global City and Its People, edited by my friend and colleague, Dr. Joel S. Kiekintveld. This book
The Scripture reading & sermon begins at 18:05. This morning I was thrilled to be back with the St Luke’s community in Bellevue. I had the gift of preaching on the first Sunday after Easter—a day when the Church turns
What does your faith tradition have to say about housing, homelessness, and the future of our cities? More than you might think — and there is now a global stage to say it. This May, I’ll be heading to Baku,
Sometimes the most meaningful ideas don’t begin as fully formed theories, but as quiet questions that linger after the “official” learning has ended. This little article, From Networks to Ecology, began that way. Toward the end of a class—after the
“The gospel of Jesus is about reconciliation—reconciliation with God and reconciliation with one another.”— John M. Perkins I am grieving the death of Dr. John Perkins. Dr. Perkins died on March 13, 2026, at the age of 95. My heart
There’s a conference I keep coming back to, and this year I want to invite you to come with me. On May 1–2, 2026, Parish Collective is hosting their annual Inhabit Conference at Lawndale Community Church in Chicago, IL —
The Seattle School is hosting its 13th annual Grenz Lecture, on Friday, January 9th at 6:00PM, 2026. This year’s lecturer is Rev. Dr. Gary F. Green II. Rev. Dr. Green is the associate professor of Pastoral Theology and Social Transformation and
Night Chapel is a timber reimagining of religious institutional architecture transformed into a connective spiritual practice. Created by Michael Bennett in collaboration with Studio Kër, the installation offers sacred space for healing, reflection, and communal presence, deeply rooted in the
Followers of Jesus are observing Advent—that ancient lament season of waiting, watching, and longing. It is a time intentionally carved out of the calendar to dwell in the space between: between past promise and future fulfillment, between the world as
Last week I had the joy of spending time with the leaders of the congregationally led churches of the Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference. I’m still carrying the warmth of that gathering—the thoughtful questions, the deep listening, and the palpable love
A Case for Followers of Christ Engaging the SDGs by Dwight J. Friesen I want to suggest that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not a political experiment or a secular distraction—they are a faithful, tangible way to live out
This is my presentation titled, “Inner Development Goals & Faith for Cities: Cultivating the Inner Capacities for Sustainable Urban Futures.” I was hoping to present it in person in Yogyakarta, Indonesia next week but sadly my funding fell through. The
Thank you to all the St Paul people and groups who collaborated together to co-create the 2025 “Theology Beer Camp,” hosted by Tripp Fuller of Homebrewed Christianity. Special thanks to the good folx at Luther Seminary for hosting the pre-event
In a recent conversation on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart sat down with Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, to discuss the profound implications of artificial intelligence on our human society. Their discussion was not merely about
Yesterday, October 1, 2025, the world lost one of its most extraordinary voices for creation. Dr. Jane Morris Goodall, died at the age of 91. Her journey from curious child to pioneering primatologist, conservationist, and global humanitarian is a reminder
In just a few days – September 28, 2025 to be exact – this nation will observe National Good Neighbor Day. A real holiday signed in effect by none other than President Jimmy Carter. The idea is so simple. On
My good friends, colleagues, and fellow labors for a better urban future for all and everything at Faith for Cities have issued a call for papers for a conference in this November in Indonesia. The theme is: “Religion & the
The IDG Summit website states: Today’s world is dividing socially and politically, environmentally and technologically. Leading to ever-growing tensions, conflicts and even war. As a consequence, we find ourselves pulled between opposing stories, values and worldviews. Making it harder to
Reunion by Albert Huffstickler This is how it is:one part of you journeys forthwhile the other stays at home to wait and keep things going.And the years passwith you (the waiter) going about your businesswhile you wonder how he is
Honoring John Lewis by Learning to Love Courageously July 17th, a growing number of churches and faith communities observed what has become known as Good Trouble—an opportunity to remember the life and witness of Congressman John Lewis and to ask
The Cure by Albert Huffstickler We think we get over things.We don’t get over things.Or say, we get over the measlesbut not a broken heart.We need to make that distinction.The things that become part of our experiencenever become less a
Over the past week, cities across the United States have erupted with protests and riots in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions—particularly in Los Angeles, where tensions boiled over after a series of aggressive raids. These aren’t
Compassion constitutes a radical form of criticism, for it announces that the hurt is to be taken seriously, that the hurt is not to be accepted as normal and natural, but is an abnormal and unacceptable condition for humanness. WALTER
