This 2022 UN-Habitat report highlights of the numerous ways real people, governing bodies, and organizations are acting on the New Urban Agenda. As you may know, the New Urban Agenda is an audacious and beautiful activation of a better urban
So excited to share the launch of a new podcast co-hosted by Tripp Fuller & Tony Jones, and produced by Josh Gilbert. It’s titled, “Emerged: an oral history of the emerging church movement.” The podcast launched on January 1st, 2024
Here’s my top ten list of books from 2023. At the end of each year I reflect on books that I engaged this year that sparked imagination… this is my 24th such list. In some way, each of these books
Systems thinkers, organizational innovators, and localists Deborah Frieze and Margaret Wheatley, with the Berkana Institute, have developed a very helpful model for better understanding the complex process of systems change. Their model – among other things – thoughtfully attends to
Last month The U.S. Surgeon General released an important report outlining the nation’s loneliness epidemic. Among other things the report demonstrates that loneliness has a equivalent impact on one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes’ a day. The report provides some
They grow up so fast! The Seattle School is celebrating twenty-five years of training people to be competent in the study of text, soul, and culture in order to serve God and neighbor through transforming relationships. And last night the
I will be spending the better part of next week with a team of scholars engaged in an accreditation site visit for another theological training institution. Over my years in higher education I have been on the other side of
I’m thrilled to learn that Brian McLaren will be coming to Cascadia next month. Brian will be here for two dates: Jim Henderson and the folks at Off-the-Map are putting on the two events. Brian will engage in a series
Well, I’m finished with classes for the trimester. Of course there is still assessment of student work to complete, a few details for next trimester’s syllabi and online classrooms to button up, and preparations for the January low-residency retreat and
Lot’s of excitement from US scientists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California because for the first time ever they have successfully produced a nuclear fusion reaction resulting in a net energy gain. On
This is my twenty-third top ten list of books I’ve generated. I just took a few moments to review my prior lists, and I have to say that I am so grateful for the wise humans who continue to offer
At the beginning of Urban October I participated in the fourth convening of the Urban Economy Forum. The UEF4 event was held in Toronto, Canada, but the organizers made it possible for some of us to present via Zoom. Below
Today begins the month long celebration and exploration of all things “city” thanks to UN-Habitat’s “Urban October.” This year’s theme is: Mind the Gap: Leave No One & No Place Behind! What are the gaps in your parish or neighborhood? What
Each year the “Gathering of Leaders” invites a theologian to spend some time thinking alongside some leaders within the Episcopal Church, this year that honor falls to me. I was supposed to have some time in January in the American South
The fourth convening of the Urban Economy Forum is less than two weeks away. You still have time to register! I will be participating in a roundtable exploring urban policy and public services, our theme is, “Inclusive Urban Finance.” You
Dr. Josh Packard and the team over at Springtide Research Institute recently released their latest study of young people and religion. Springtide conducts qualitative and quantitative research on the inner and outer lives of young people, ages 13 to 25.
Every two years UN-Habitat releases a major report regarding the World’s Cities. The latest report was just released during WUF11 in Katowice, Poland last week… I even got to be there for the press release. This year’s report, titled: “Envisaging
My colleague and friend, Dr. Roy Barsness will be presenting his “Last Lecture” @ The Seattle School, this evening. Roy is retiring from his core faculty role at the school where he has led, created, taught, researched, and offered himself
Since its creation, United Nations Habitat has been striving to put practical tools in the hands of local people and communities to equip them with the needed information, inspiration, and ideas to mobilize grassroots people to bring about real change
My friend Don sent me a link to the late, Dr Hazel Barnes‘ TV show from the early 1960s, “Self Encounter: A Study in Existentialism.” I started watching it while recovering from COVID. The pace of the series is clearly
So grateful that Parish Collective’s annual flagship conference is back… live and in person. Inhabit 2022. Get your tickets today for this presence inspiring event will be held at The Seattle School’s campus on April 29-30. Part of me feels
The other night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Wolf Alice preformed their new song, “Last Man on Earth.” Damn… if that wasn’t the most beautiful thing I’ve heard thus far in 2022. They will be in Seattle later
Tom Sine and I have the privilege and responsibility of working with a Presbyterian church in Enumclaw Washington who are seeking to prepare themselves for tomorrow. This congregation was founded in 1892, and like the majority of faith communities in
The 2021 annual report of UN-Habitat was recently released, so I’ve posted a link to the PDF below. The UN-Habitat website states: In 2021, conflict, pandemic and climate emergencies continued to shape the challenges faced by human settlements. UN-Habitat was
According to the Barna Research Group, 31% of U.S.A. adults report feeling lonely at least some of each day. Their report – posted at the end of last 2021 – highlights that even before the pandemic, loneliness has been an
The January-February 2022 issue of Canada’s “Faith Today” magazine includes a review of 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change, in its recurring “Books + Culture” section. This title is the Fortress Press book
Here’s my top ten list of books from 2021. Most years I try to pull together a list of the recently published books that have worked their way into my imagination in some important way. Surely more books could be
Markus Watson, host of the “Spiritual Life and leadership” Podcast recently interviewed Tom Sine and myself regarding our book, 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change. The Podcast will be available December 21st. I
Is it just me, or does the Jenga-like quality of life feel especially close to the surface these days. Precarious. Teetering. Unstable. Somehow just looking all that is changing can fill, even the heartiest of us with fear. “It could
One of my great joys is engaging in conversation with leaders & groups seeking to discover the church that is emerging after Christendom. So many followers of the Jesus way can feel the many ways that our times are changing.
