Author: Dwight J. Friesen

Thanks Nashville

I am so grateful for the beautiful Spero Dei Church on Nashville’s west side. The church hosted the Post-Evangelical Collective’s second annual national gathering. This was my first time participating. For anyone who feels ecclesiologically homeless in the larger church

Dwight J. Friesen May 3, 2025May 3, 2025

Thank You Lawndale!

So grateful for the legendary Lawndale Christian Community Church on Chicago’s south side. The church hosted Parish Collective’s annual Inhabit Conference. This was the first time Inhabit wasn’t held in the Seattle area, and Lawndale hit it out of park.

Dwight J. Friesen April 27, 2025May 3, 2025

Conference in Nashville . April 29-30

Next week I’ll be in Nashville participating in the Post-Evangelcial Collective’s national gathering. The conference gathers pastors, artists, and church leaders in the post-evangelical space to connect, share resources, learn from one another, and discover that we’re not alone as

Dwight J. Friesen April 22, 2025April 21, 2025

Pope Francis has Died

I was saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis earlier today. He was 88 years old. Yet, I am grateful that he was able to participate in yesterday’s Easter service. Pope Francis was born in Argentina as Jorge

Dwight J. Friesen April 21, 2025April 21, 2025

The Seattle School’s New Home

After years of holding classes in, and from, Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology is preparing to move to its new home at 1130 Rainier Avenue South, in Seattle. While located on an active street, the

Dwight J. Friesen March 14, 2025March 14, 2025

Inhabit Conference . Chicago . April 25-26

Parish Collective’s annual Inhabit Conference is about two months away. The conference will be held in Chicago this year. Reserve your spot now. See you there! Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen February 21, 2025April 21, 2025

At Q in Atlanta Next Week

Next week I will be in Atlanta, GA at Q-Conference. Together with some of my colleagues from The Seattle School. Together, we get to host a pre-conference “Liturgy of Eucontamination.” As you may infer “decontamination” is good contamination. As in

Dwight J. Friesen January 14, 2025January 14, 2025

Grenz Lecture 2025 . Dr Junker

The Seattle School hosted its 12th annual Grenz Lecture, on Friday, January 10th, 2025. This year’s honored lecturer was Dr. Yohana Junker. Dr. Junker’s research probes the intersections among the fields of art history, eco-criticism, and decolonial studies, with special

Dwight J. Friesen January 12, 2025January 18, 2025

My Poster Board on Faith for Cities

As part of this year’s “Day of Scholarship” at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, I presented a poster board highlighting some of the work I do in service of the UN-Habitat’s efforts at implementing the Sustainable Development Goals

Dwight J. Friesen January 11, 2025January 17, 2025

New Essay in The Other Journal

As it says on The Other Journal’s website, the latest issue of the journal is akin to a roundtable response to Esther Meek’s work as the Senior Scholar at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. The issue features a thoughtful

Dwight J. Friesen January 8, 2025January 14, 2025

Dwight’s Top Ten Books of 2024

This is my 25th top ten list of books for the year. Wow, I’m really getting old! In celebration of my book list’s silver anniversary, I’ve revisited all my prior years’ lists… so fun for me to see what I

Dwight J. Friesen December 17, 2024December 17, 2024

WUF . Call to Action

UN-Habitat’s 12th session of the World Urban Forum wrapped up at the end of last week. A standard practice at the end of these kinds of conferences is the crafting and release of a summary statement which includes a “Call

Dwight J. Friesen November 11, 2024November 25, 2024

Brueggemann’s Response to “Election 2024”

Earlier today I came across a post-election reflection piece on the Church Anew website by Dr. Walter Brueggemann… the wise, influential, and kind Hebrew Bible scholar. Brueggemann’s article is titled, “Beyond the Fetal Position,” and I commend it to you. Brueggemann

Dwight J. Friesen November 7, 2024November 13, 2024

WUF12 Begins in Just a Few Days

Well, I’m very excited that UN-Habitat’s 12th convening of the World Urban Forum is just a few days away. WUF is the world’s premier conference on sustainable urbanization. This year – for the first time – there is a Faith

Dwight J. Friesen November 1, 2024November 1, 2024

Still Waiting on a Visa for Egypt

This Saturday, I’m supposed to board a plane bound for Cairo, Egypt, to attend the 12th convening of the “World Urban Forum” (WUF12) hosted by UN-Habitat. It’s an event I’ve been eagerly anticipating—except for one small issue: my passport and

Dwight J. Friesen October 28, 2024October 28, 2024

Soon to be… Rev Holly Greenidge

I am excited to take part in celebrating God’s call to serve as a minister of the liberating Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth in the life of Holly Greenidge. Holly’s ordination service will take place in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday,

Dwight J. Friesen October 22, 2024October 22, 2024

Eucontamination Feast

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and the You Have Permission podcast invite you to an exclusive pre-conference meal ahead of Theology Beer Camp 2024. This engaging event features thought-provoking discussion and embodied learning. Join licensed therapists, theologians, and

Dwight J. Friesen October 15, 2024October 15, 2024

Preaching Tomorrow

Looking forward to being with the Edmonds Lutheran Church tomorrow. Come by if you’re in the area. Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen October 12, 2024October 12, 2024

Join the Faith Pavilion at WUF12

There is still time to join the – first-ever – Faith Pavilion at UN-Habitat’s Twelveth convening of the World Urban Forum. Applications are due by Monday, October 14th, 2024. This is an amazing opportunity to meet and collaborate with global

Dwight J. Friesen October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

Mission in a New Reality

Beginning later today, I will be serving as the Theologian in Residence for this year’s Western Gathering of Leaders. Innovative Episcopal leaders will be convening to share best practices, and I get to frame some of the shifts within Western

Dwight J. Friesen September 30, 2024September 30, 2024

An Evening with Lisa Sharon Harper

Next week, the Office of the President will be hosting Lisa Sharon Harper at The Seattle School to speak on a Christian call to engage the tragedies in Gaza. The school’s intention is to encourage our community to consider the

Dwight J. Friesen September 19, 2024September 19, 2024

Launching a Short Series

This weekend I get to preach at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Kent to launch a short series of midweek conversations about our evolving times and cultural context. My working title is: “What’s Going Here?  Becoming St Columba’s in a

Dwight J. Friesen September 18, 2024September 18, 2024

Join me @ Theology Beer Camp

I’m excited to be not only attending this year’s Theology Beer Camp but to be participating in a “Pre-Game Event” with Dan Koch and a gaggle of folx connected through The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. Our pre-game event, “Sacred

Dwight J. Friesen September 6, 2024September 9, 2024

This Year’s IP Presentations

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology hosted its 2024 Integrative Projects & Portfolio Symposium back in June, providing our graduating MDiv and MATC students a platform for sharing their capstone projects.  Such great work!  I love what I get to do. Peace, dwight April

Dwight J. Friesen August 20, 2024August 20, 2024

Get Your Community Dreaming Together

UN-Habitat recently released a new resource to help you facilitate multi-level urban forums. Urban Forums are critical and inclusive platforms to domesticate and localize global agendas and to advance evidence-based policymaking and review, as well as communicating policy outcomes and

Dwight J. Friesen August 2, 2024August 2, 2024

“The Matrix Changed My Life”

Just watched Keanu Reeves on The Late Show sharing his delight as an artist to have been part of making The Matrix… it touched so many people. Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

Featured on My School’s Site

Here’s a short profile, highlighting the focus of my teaching and scholarship at The Seattle School. I believe it was posted last week. Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen July 23, 2024July 23, 2024

Hiked Mount Rainier

Last week Lynette and I took a few days to go down and do a little hiking on Mt Rainier. We had perfect weather! Just look at that sky! So beautiful! Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

Guest Preaching . July 21

On Sunday, July 21st, 2024 – one week from today – I have the privilege of guest presiding & preaching at St Luke’s in North Bellevue. That week’s Gospel lectionary text is Mark 6:30-34 & 53-54 – while I’m still

Dwight J. Friesen July 14, 2024July 13, 2024

Leadership as Convening

So I was poking around the interwebs and stumbled across a little conversation about “gathering” that I forgot about. Enjoy… Peace, dwight View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Seattle School (@theseattleschool)

Dwight J. Friesen July 13, 2024July 13, 2024