The churches of North America stand at a theological crossroads. Whether they possess the courage to choose a different path may depend, in part, on whether they are willing to receive books like Randy Woodley’s How Western Christianity Got It
My Review of “A Systematic Theology of Love, vol. 1” Thomas Jay Oord. A Systematic Theology of Love: God and Creation. Volume 1. Collector’s Edition. Grasmere, ID: SacraSage Press, 2026. This review was first published on Tom Oord’s Substack. Peace,
As conversations from the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum continue to ripple outward, we are witnessing a growing global recognition that housing is far more than infrastructure or economics. Housing is about dignity, belonging, safety, community, resilience, and
The 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan felt like one of those moments when new possibilities were opening up. Over the course of WUF13, more than 53,000 participants from 176 countries gathered under the theme “Housing
Participants gathering at World Urban Forum 13 know that the future of our cities will require more than policy, infrastructure, and technology alone. Sustainable urban futures also require meaning, moral imagination, community trust, and shared purpose. This is where faith
The Great Divide by Noah Kahan I can’t recall the last time that we talkedAbout anything but looking out for copsWe got cigarette burns in the same side of our hands, we ain’t friendsWe’re just morons, who broke skin in
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
Later this month I will be part of a team from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology participating in the Lilly Endowment’s gathering of those organizations engaged in its “Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.” If you in the Indianapolis area
I am so grateful for the beautiful Spero Dei Church on Nashville’s west side. The church hosted the Post-Evangelical Collective’s second annual national gathering. This was my first time participating. For anyone who feels ecclesiologically homeless in the larger church
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.
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
After years of holding classes in, and from, Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology is preparing to move to its new home at 1130 Rainier Avenue South, in Seattle. While located on an active street, the
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
Next week I will be in Atlanta, GA at Q-Conference. Together with some of my colleagues from The Seattle School. Together, we get to host a pre-conference “Liturgy of Eucontamination.” As you may infer “decontamination” is good contamination. As in
The Seattle School hosted its 12th annual Grenz Lecture, on Friday, January 10th, 2025. This year’s honored lecturer was Dr. Yohana Junker. Dr. Junker’s research probes the intersections among the fields of art history, eco-criticism, and decolonial studies, with special
