Shalomic Imagination

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

admin November 1, 2025November 1, 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

admin October 20, 2025October 22, 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

admin 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

admin 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

admin 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

admin September 4, 2025September 4, 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

admin 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

admin June 7, 2025June 6, 2025

Welcome Pope Leo 14th

With the recent – May 8, 2025 – election of Pope Leo XIV, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new chapter in the unfolding story of Christ’s church. While each papal transition carries its own significance, there’s something

admin May 15, 2025June 11, 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

Teaching this Summer

CANCELLED I’m sorry to say that the class I was planning to teach as part of VST’s Summer School had to be cancelled. VST has so many amazing Summer Classes, check out their lineup! Here is the title and description

admin April 2, 2025June 5, 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

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

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

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

The Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future

I highly commend Sue Phillips’s recent essay, “The Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future: Stewards of Religious Assets Should Embrace Spiritual Innovators.” Sue is on the founding team of the Workshop for Emotional and Spiritual Technology, a tech startup working to

Dwight J. Friesen July 12, 2024July 12, 2024

MATC Degree

The Seattle School recently filmed and uploaded a couple of Instagram posts describing the school’s MATC degree. Enjoy! Peace, dwight View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Seattle School (@theseattleschool) View this post on Instagram A post

Dwight J. Friesen June 24, 2024July 10, 2024

Housing Trap

This is the clearest, most insightful articulation of our housing crisis I may have ever seen. Thank you Strong Towns.

Dwight J. Friesen May 30, 2024September 3, 2024

Emerged Podcast . All Episodes

I am so, so, so grateful to Tripp, Tony, Josh, and all the funders of this podcast. What a gift! I can only imagine all the creative energy, conversations, and time invested… thank you! Emergent Village and the entire emerging

Dwight J. Friesen May 6, 2024May 7, 2024