Shalomic Imagination

My Grandmother’s Hands

My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem Menaken encourages us to “stop trying to address white supremacy through dialog. Don’t expect to change the world by teaching tolerance. Forget about

Dwight J. Friesen June 6, 2020January 25, 2021

Can “White” People Be Saved?

I recently reread Willie James Jennings‘ essay, “Can ‘White’ People Be Saved?” (highly recommended), after defining ‘whiteness’ and walking through the tragic history of the collusion the Christian faith with white supremacy Dr. Jennings writes: “As I close – I

Dwight J. Friesen June 5, 2020May 12, 2022

George Floyd

The Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a powerful message of change the funeral for George Floyd today. “It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say, ‘Get your knee off our necks.’” “The reason we could never be

Dwight J. Friesen June 4, 2020May 12, 2022

COVID-19 Teaching us about Traffic?

Really helpful article by Joe Cartright who runs the think tank and blog City Observatory. Cartright’s article is posted on Strong Towns, its called: What COVID-19 Teaches Us About How to Fix Highways, by Joe Cartright The Small Towns‘ podcast

Dwight J. Friesen May 20, 2020September 26, 2022

Educational Metaphor

I find the metaphor of a gardener to be a fertile one in helping me feel and think my way into my work as a formational educator.  Rather than tending to fruits, vegetables, and flowers, I picture my formational role

Dwight J. Friesen May 15, 2020May 12, 2022

Risen!

Christ is risen! _ _! “Death and taxes,” well… after the resurrection of Christ, I suppose taxes are the only inevitable thing remaining. Death doesn’t win! The grave isn’t the last word. Thanks be to God! It’s often said because

Dwight J. Friesen April 12, 2020May 12, 2022

Nothing “Good” About It

If I can speak candidly for a moment, I’ve never understood why we call Good Friday “good.” Don’t get me wrong, I understand the historical and theological rationales, and yet… I hate Good Friday, and I see nothing about it

Dwight J. Friesen April 10, 2020May 12, 2022

Having Difficult Conversations

I recently came across this insightful, and immediately helpful TEDx talk by Adar Cohen, PhD, titled, “How to Lead Tough Conversations.” Here’s a link to a short article about his TED talk summarized by Daryl Chen. Dr. Cohen highlights three

Dwight J. Friesen December 21, 2019November 2, 2022

“Indigo”

Indigo by Ellen Bass As I’m walking on West Cliff Drive, a man runs toward me pushing one of those jogging strollers with shock absorbers so the baby can keep sleeping, which this baby is. I can just get a

Dwight J. Friesen December 14, 2019September 9, 2022

“Enjoy Your Pint”

Enjoy Your Pint by Pádraig Ó Tuama At the bar, in an unknown part of Birmingham I bought two pints and paid with paper money from the northern part of Ireland. That’s not British money, the publican said. And I

Dwight J. Friesen December 6, 2019November 6, 2022

Thriving Cities Framework

One of the most vital conversations at the intersection of: cities, humans, environment, design, and faith is happening at Thriving Cities. As their website says, “Thriving Cities Group uses a multi-disciplinary approach that brings together decades of research, training, community

Dwight J. Friesen September 29, 2019November 29, 2022

Daniel Lee on being part of the Asian American Experience

A couple of years ago Fuller Seminary posted a series of short videos stories under the simple title: “Neighbor.” I found many of the stories to really beautiful. I commend them to you. One story that really touched me was

Dwight J. Friesen August 19, 2019May 13, 2022

Grieving the Death of Dr. James H. Cone

“The gospel of Jesus is not a rational concept to be explained in a theory of salvation, but a story about God’s presence in Jesus’ solidarity with the oppressed, which led to his death on the cross. What is redemptive

Dwight J. Friesen April 29, 2018May 13, 2022

Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, 2017 Grenz Lecture

On November 6, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology hosted its 5th annual Stanley Grenz Lecture Series. This year, we were grateful to have as our featured speaker, Reverend Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, a professor, pastor and dynamic author whose

Dwight J. Friesen November 10, 2017May 13, 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

“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

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

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

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

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

 “Starting Over – Fighting Back”

 Starting Over – Fighting Back by Sheila Cassidy And so we must begin to live again, We of the damaged bodies And assaulted mind. Starting from scratch with the rubble of our lives And picking up the dust Of dreams

Dwight J. Friesen November 20, 2014October 20, 2022

Keynote Speaker for “Bishop’s Convocation”

Bishop Kirby Unti of the ELCA NWWA Synod has invited me to serve as the 2014 keynote speaker for their region’s pastor’s conference. I will be presenting on the key themes of the new book that I have co-authored with

admin March 1, 2014May 5, 2022

MESA gathering

Recently I had the opportunity to be a part of an international gathering of Emergent minded followers of Christ from Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, New

Dwight J. Friesen October 31, 2013September 26, 2022

Dr. Perkins on Getting Involved

Civil rights activitst, Christian minister, community developer and best selling author Dr. John Perkins breifly talks about personal transformation through getting involved. One can’t sit on the side lines, and just collect ideas, get advice, or stay abstracted… the Jordan

Dwight J. Friesen February 5, 2013May 8, 2022

“Same Love”

So I was driving to Issaquah to meet a local leader about a possible new church and to walk around a couple of neighborhoods together. On my way, I was listening to KEXP radio…as I often do, when John Richards

admin July 18, 2012September 5, 2022

The Danger of a Single Story

“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Chimamanda

admin October 26, 2010May 5, 2022

transforming space into place

You’ve got to check out this great video highlighting Portland’s “intersection repair” project.  This is such a cool example of neighbors, literally, taking back the the streets such that the individuals, community and the built environment are transformed. This is

Dwight J. Friesen May 12, 2010June 10, 2022

Hallelujah… Christ is Risen

Spring Song by Lucille Clifton the green of Jesus is breaking the ground and the sweet smell of delicious Jesus is opening the house and the dance of Jesus music has hold of the air and the world is turning

Dwight J. Friesen April 4, 2010January 12, 2021