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
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,
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
Each December, as the days shorten and the year slows its final turning, I find myself returning to the quiet practice of naming the books that have accompanied me. Reading has has emerged as one of the ways I stay
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
