Life Practices

Advent, Liminality, & A Time Between Worlds

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

Dwight J. Friesen December 1, 2025December 15, 2025

Islands of Sanity in a Chaotic World

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

Dwight J. Friesen November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

A Case for Followers of Christ Engaging the SDGs

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

Dwight J. Friesen November 13, 2025November 13, 2025

Faith for Cities + IDGs = SDGs

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

Dwight J. Friesen November 1, 2025November 6, 2025

Thank You St Paul, MN

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

Dwight J. Friesen October 20, 2025October 22, 2025

AI . Crossroads or Crisis?

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

Dwight J. Friesen October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

Remembering Dr. Jane Goodall

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

Dwight J. Friesen October 2, 2025October 31, 2025

National Good Neighbor Day . Sept 28

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

Dwight J. Friesen September 23, 2025September 23, 2025

Call for Papers . “Religion & the Cities We Need”

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

Dwight J. Friesen September 17, 2025September 18, 2025

Vital Conversation for Our Future Together

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

Dwight J. Friesen September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

“Reunion”

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

Dwight J. Friesen August 7, 2025September 4, 2025

“The Cure”

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

Dwight J. Friesen July 3, 2025September 3, 2025

On Earth as in Heaven?

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

Dwight J. Friesen June 11, 2025June 11, 2025

“For God so Loves the World…”

The “Metacrisis” as Daniel Schmachtenberger and others describe it, is the future of “Christian Mission.” This is a much watch! Peace, dwight

Dwight J. Friesen June 7, 2025June 6, 2025

Remembering Walter Brueggemann

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

Dwight J. Friesen June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

See Ya at Wild Goose!

OOPS! I spoke too soon, I double booked… I won’t be at the Goose. I’m thrilled to be heading out to NC at the end of August to participate in this year’s Wild Goose festival; August 28-31, 2025. I haven’t

Dwight J. Friesen June 4, 2025June 6, 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, 2025June 6, 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

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

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