Author: Dwight J. Friesen

Jimi Hendrix & “Independence”

On this July 4th when the United States of America celebrates its birth as a nation, the myth of its “independence” feels like a cruel blending of narcissism, racism, sexism, classism, and naturism… Independence for whom? From whom? American “independence”

Dwight J. Friesen July 4, 2017May 6, 2022

Please Pray for Tim & Cote Soerens

Late on Saturday while Tim & Cote were in Mexico celebrating their 10th anniversary their car was struck by a drunk driver. Nathan Marion has already set up a Facebook group to organize support and share information as we learn

Dwight J. Friesen June 29, 2017May 2, 2023

Naomi Wachira

This year to celebrate Lynette’s birthday we went to The Triple Door to hear the great Naomi Wachira! It was an awesome show. Naomi even sent out a birthday wish to Lynette from the stage… so cool, and I didn’t

Dwight J. Friesen May 30, 2017May 6, 2022

Congress for New Urbanism

My friend Chris Elisara invited to join him at the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU), when its conference was here in Seattle a few weeks back. I’ve posted just two of the amazing talks from the event. One of the

Dwight J. Friesen May 16, 2017September 26, 2022

The Womxn’s March on Seattle

Wow! What a Day! I have never loved felt more proud of my city than I do today. The Womxn’s March on Seattle was truly beautiful. Lynette and I carpooled with some neighbors, we had a blast… if that’s the right

Dwight J. Friesen January 21, 2017September 26, 2022

Remembering Zygmunt Bauman

“In other words, it is not in craving after ready-made, complete and finished things that love finds its meaning ― but in the urge to participate in the becoming of such things. Love is akin to transcendence; it is but

Dwight J. Friesen January 11, 2017January 23, 2024

Dwight’s Top Ten Books of 2016

Here’s my top ten list of books of 2016. Most years I try to pull together a list of the recently published books that have worked their way into my imagination in some important way. Surely more books deserve to

Dwight J. Friesen December 28, 2016October 31, 2022

“Black America Again”

It’s “Thanksgiving” in the USA today… thanksgiving for whom? is a great question to be asking. USAmerican “Thanksgiving” appears to be weighted in the direction of settlers and colonizers. If you are an indigenous “American” or an African “American” or

Dwight J. Friesen November 24, 2016September 23, 2022

Dr. Steven C. Bouma-Prediger, 2016 Grenz Lecture

Dr. Steven C. Bouma-Prediger delivered The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology’s 2016 Stanley Grenz Lecture. Author of many books including Earthkeeping and Character, and For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care. Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger

Dwight J. Friesen November 10, 2016May 12, 2022

“Re:Imagine Vancouver” New Parish Training

Paul, Tim, & I get to go up to St. Andrew’s Hall’s “Centre for Missional Leadership” at the invitation of Ross Lockhart and his leadership team at the beginning of next month. Leaders from different church traditions, cultures and regions

Dwight J. Friesen November 1, 2016May 6, 2022

Imagining Peace

What a great TED talk! Pádraig Ó Tuama is an Irish poet and theologian, and this is worth watching. Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen October 29, 2016November 4, 2022

Remembering Elie Wiesel

“Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.” Elie Wiesel Yesterday, July 2, 2016, Elie Wiesel died. He was 87 years old. Elie Wiesel received the Nobel Peace

Dwight J. Friesen July 3, 2016November 3, 2022

5 Signs of the New Parish

Here is a conversation from the latest Inhabit Conference in which Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens and I share the emerging Five Signs of new parish churches and leadership. As always visit Parish Collective for more info on these vital themes.

Dwight J. Friesen June 4, 2016September 26, 2022

“Pearl”

Pearl by Ted Kooser Elkader, Iowa, a morning in March, the Turkey River running brown and wrinkly from a late spring snow in Minnesota, a white two-story house on Mulberry Street, windows flashing with sun, and I had come a

Dwight J. Friesen May 8, 2016April 27, 2023

Dr. Angela Parker, Reading Texts, Reading Cultures

During a recent prospective student “Preview Event” Dr. Angela Parker delivered a lecture titled “Reading Texts, Reading Cultures.” I was thrilled to discover that someone at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology recorded it. I wanted to share it

Dwight J. Friesen March 31, 2016November 3, 2022

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

A few months ago – September 25, 2015 to be exact – the 193 countries of the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” I can only imagine the

Dwight J. Friesen February 2, 2016February 26, 2024

“What Comes”

What Comes by Carolyn Forché J’ai rapporté du désespoir un panier si ipetit mon amou, qu’on a pu le tresser en osier.   I bought back from despair a basket so light, that it could have been woven of willow.

Dwight J. Friesen January 14, 2016August 31, 2022

Dwight’s Top Ten Books of 2015

Here’s my top ten list of books from 2015. Each December I pull together a list of the recently published books that have worked their way into my imagination in some important way. Surely more books deserve to be included.

Dwight J. Friesen December 29, 2015October 30, 2022

“Baltimore”

Prince’s latest release contains the track to the above video… “Baltimore.” This song holds the memory of Freddie Gray and his killing at the hands of the Baltimore police department. We all know that Mr. Gray was not killed because

Dwight J. Friesen December 28, 2015September 23, 2022

Hatchery LA Podcast

Spiritual innovator Spencer Burke has launched a new venture with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region.  It’s called the Hatchery LA, and it is thoroughly invested in one idea when it comes to the future of our

Dwight J. Friesen December 2, 2015January 18, 2021

Grief… Death & Music

This is just so beautiful. Thank you John. I am so grateful for you and your presence in my life. You are not alone. Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen November 27, 2015March 4, 2024

Dr. Shelly Rambo, 2015 Grenz Lecture

Dr. Shelly Rambo recently served as The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology’s 3rd Stanley Grenz Lecturer. Dr. Shelly Rambo, a constructive theologian and author of Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining. She focused on “Resurrection Wounds.” Dr. Rambo

Dwight J. Friesen November 10, 2015June 10, 2022

Conversations After Church

“Conversations after Church” is the latest film directed by Winnipeg’s Bevan Klassen. The film explores faith and spiritual journeys of six people who at one time described themselves as Evangelical Christians and/or Mennonites. Each person’s story testifies to their experience

Dwight J. Friesen November 3, 2015May 31, 2022

Reimagining Theological Education National Summit

 Convergence and ATS have collaborated to bring together some of the more innovative theological educators, seminaries administrators, and directors of leadership training programs for a national summit for Reimagining Theological Education. October 9 & 11, 2015. The Seattle School was

Dwight J. Friesen October 2, 2015September 29, 2022

Morning the Death of Phyllis Tickle

So sad to learn of the death of Phyllis Tickle earlier this week, on September 22, 2015, Dr. Tickle was 81. Dr. Tickle was a teacher, professor, academic dean, and editor, and a tsar in the Christian publishing world. She

Dwight J. Friesen September 25, 2015February 12, 2024

“Disturb Us O Lord”

Disturb us, O Lord when we are too well-pleased with ourselves when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, O Lord when with the abundance of things

Dwight J. Friesen September 9, 2015November 3, 2022

“Invisible”

Invisible by U2 It’s like the room just cleared of smoke I didn’t even want the heart you broke It’s yours to keep You just might need one I finally found my real name I won’t be me when you

Dwight J. Friesen June 21, 2015September 8, 2022

Got to Team-Teach with my Brother!

I just got back from team teaching an immersive learning course at McMaster Divinity College. The course was “Leadership in the New Parish” and I got to team teach it with my brother, Dallas Friesen. So grateful for the team

Dwight J. Friesen June 8, 2015November 3, 2022

Andrés Duany, “New Urbanism 101”

Came across this the other day and I watched it a few times. This is a vision of development that I need to learn more about and feels really hope filled. Check out the site for the Congress for New

Dwight J. Friesen May 29, 2015May 6, 2022

Randy Woodley’s 10 Missiological Imperatives

I read and reread everything that Dr. Randy S. Woodley (Keetoowah Cherokee) writes and try to sit at his feet every chance I get. I sense he may be a prophet of our time and place. Maybe especially to Whiteness

Dwight J. Friesen May 15, 2015November 3, 2022