Abundant Resources

UN-Habitat 2021 Annual Report

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

Dwight J. Friesen January 30, 2022December 19, 2022

More People Feeling Lonely

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

Dwight J. Friesen January 7, 2022September 26, 2022

New Book Review

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

Dwight J. Friesen January 3, 2022August 31, 2022

Dwight’s Top Ten Books of 2021

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

Dwight J. Friesen December 18, 2021October 28, 2022

Podcast Interview

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

Dwight J. Friesen December 10, 2021December 10, 2021

Uncertain Times

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

Dwight J. Friesen November 8, 2021November 8, 2021

You up for a Chat?

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.

Dwight J. Friesen October 3, 2021November 3, 2021

Fall Classes are Start’n Up

The 2021 Fall trimester begins today at The Seattle School. If my math if correct term marks the starting of my 53rd trimester at this school. In the off chance that anyone needed a reminder of the impermanence of all

Dwight J. Friesen September 20, 2021November 4, 2021

Now Welcoming New Directees

“When I heard about spiritual direction, I felt as if I was seeing an old friend I had never met. Spiritual direction (this new old friend) led me deeper into the love of God. Spiritual direction helped me experience more

Dwight J. Friesen September 3, 2021November 4, 2021

UN-Habitat “Urban October”

We have one month to get ready for the UN-Habitat’s Urban October. UN-Habitat is engaging people and groups from all over the world to think about where they live and how they live where they live, with an eye to

Dwight J. Friesen September 1, 2021September 26, 2022

Cultivating Imagination for a More Shalomic Future

Leading Ideas Talks brings to the table cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. Dr. Ann Michel,

Dwight J. Friesen August 24, 2021November 8, 2021

Interview on the Earthkeepers Podcast

The good folks over at Circlewood released interviewed me for their Earthkeepers Podcast. Its Episode 36, “For a Greener Future.” Their site says: In this episode, Forrest talks to the authors of a book called 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for

Dwight J. Friesen August 17, 2021January 6, 2023

2021 Climate Change Report

Earlier this week the sixth assessment report (AR6) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is a well researched and carefully documented report coming in at nearly 4,000 pages. While I haven’t finished reading the full report yet,

Dwight J. Friesen August 14, 2021September 26, 2022

Lewis Center for Church Leadership

Dr. Ann Michel, associate director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary recently shared an excerpt from, 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change, on its “Leading Ideas” blog &

Dwight J. Friesen August 13, 2021November 8, 2021

2021 Integrative Projects

Annually, at the end of the Spring term at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology we gather to hear TEDish-styled presentations from graduating seniors. While most of the presentations are made by graduates of the school’s theology programs, some counseling students

Dwight J. Friesen June 9, 2021November 8, 2021

Pride Month Readings

June is Pride Month. Which is the perfect opportunity to highlight some of some of the important LGBTQ+ theological writings followers of the Way of Jesus the Christ are researching, writing, and reading to help us love God, love neighbor,

Dwight J. Friesen June 1, 2021November 17, 2021

Spring Trimester Begins Today

Spring trimester at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology begins today. I will be serving as the guide along the course of three learning journeys. My three classes this trimester include: Integrative Project: Exploring the Future Intersections 3: Textual

Dwight J. Friesen April 26, 2021November 20, 2021

Mr. Rogers & Jeff Erlanger

How sad it is that we give up on people who are just like us. Fred Rogers Growing up in Canada when I did, I watched and loved the Mr. Dressup show. I’ve come to learn that Mr. Dressup was

Dwight J. Friesen March 31, 2021November 21, 2021

Standing Against AAPI Hate

The Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC) is working with local churches and organizations to stand against Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) hate and to mourn the loss of the 8 precious image bearers who were massacred. Marches are already

Dwight J. Friesen March 21, 2021November 2, 2022

Poet: Spencer Reece

At Thomas Merton’s Grave by Spencer Reece We can never be with loss too long. Behind the warped door that sticks, the wood thrush calls to the monks, pausing upon the stone crucifix, singing: “I am marvelous alone!” Thrash, thrash

Dwight J. Friesen March 19, 2021November 21, 2021

Abraham Joshua Heschel – New Documentary

A documentary looking at the life of Abraham Joshua Heschel was released at the end of last month… I can’t wait to see it. I’ve been rereading Heschel’s The Sabbath in preparation for a spring course I’ll be teaching at

Dwight J. Friesen March 11, 2021November 22, 2021

Today! “Interfaith Perspectives on Loving Our Neighbors”

Today The Parliament of the World’s Religions is joining organizers and community leaders in Chicago as part of the City’s Together We Heal initiative by hosting a series of virtual programs to foster conversation and share tools on healing and

Dwight J. Friesen February 23, 2021September 26, 2022

“This is My Story”

My love of jazz  began when I was in junior high.  My older sister often let me hang out with her and her high school friends… one of her many generosities.  One of her friends played trumpet in a jazz

Dwight J. Friesen February 15, 2021November 22, 2021

The Black Church

“This is the story and song our ancestors bequeathed to us, and it comes at a time in our country when the very things they struggled and died for — faith and freedom, justice and equality, democracy and grace —

Dwight J. Friesen February 13, 2021November 22, 2021

Solidarity in Suffering

This coming Wednesday – one week from today – begins an intentional journey inviting spiritual seekers to join in solidarity with suffering and all who suffer. It is a season to hold with honest generosity and curiosity the suffering one

Dwight J. Friesen February 10, 2021November 24, 2021

Review in The Presbyterian Outlook

“Spiritual Direction” is the theme of the February 8, 2021 edition of The Presbyterian Outlook. The issue provides resources to support Christian faith communities in their ongoing work of discerning the presence and invitation of the Holy Spirit through its

Dwight J. Friesen February 8, 2021November 24, 2021

Dwight’s Top Ten Books of 2020

Here’s my top ten list of books from 2020. Every year I 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 included, especially

Dwight J. Friesen December 31, 2020November 1, 2022

“The Keep Going Song”

I was in a Wabash funded Zoom meeting last week facilitated by Dr. Shelly Rambo of Boston University and Dr. Trace Haythorn from the ACPE and they ended our meeting with “The Keep Going Song” by the Bengsons. I hadn’t

Dwight J. Friesen December 14, 2020September 20, 2022

Interview in Sojourners

The theme of the January 2021 issue of SoJourners magazine is “A Time To Rebuild,” and it features a story titled, “How to thrive in a Decade of Accelerating Change” by Associate Editor, Da’Shawn Mosley. Da’Shawn interviewed Tom Sine and

Dwight J. Friesen December 9, 2020November 9, 2021

Thriving Cities

This 10 minute video put together by the Thriving Communities Group is a beautiful introduction to our vital need for a renewed Shalomic imagination for faithful presence within the ecosystem of relations that sustain life. The video is really good!

Dwight J. Friesen December 2, 2020September 26, 2022