writer | neighbor | public theologian
One of the reasons the Benedictine tradition speaks to me is its commitment to a spirituality of stability. Benedict says, “The workshop where we are to toil faithfully at all these tasks is the enclosure of the monastery and stability in the community.”[1] Stability for Benedict is not just stability to the principles and values…
Jay-Z famously had 99 of them and they often animate our actions as individuals and communities – problems. Problems dominate our media, our social change frameworks, and a lot of community engagement in the church. But the problem with problems is their tendency to persist, to evolve into new and evermore complex problems, and to…
On Tuesday, thousands of neighborhoods across the United States will host block parties and community events as a part of National Night Out, a community building campaign that has been in effect since the mid-80’s. National Night Out was borne of a desire to “…[enhance] the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back…
When I was in Germany with international partners from 16 different countries, part of our task was to introduce one another to our home countries. We shared our national flags and discussed the meaning of the symbols and colors. We named some of the most pressing headlines from our national media. And we talked about…
My wife and I just returned from a two week visit to Saxony, Germany for a few days of vacation and a week-long conference with representatives of international partner churches. It was an incredible visit full of rest and exploration, new connections and relationships, and curiosity about how churches living thousands of miles away from…
Last week my friend Eric and I hiked the entirety of the Centennial Trail in South Dakota, 125 miles over the course of seven days. We started our hike in Wind Cave National Park and ended a week later atop Bear Butte, a sacred site for the Lakota and Cheyenne peoples native to the region….
A report released by the US Surgeon General finds that “…loneliness is more widespread than other major health issues in the U.S.” and that this epidemic of loneliness and isolation poses a serious public health concern. As Americans, we are more isolated than ever, and it’s killing us. This may not come as a shock…
I read an article this past week from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) about a study looking at the connection between what they call place attachment and physical activity, especially walking. The study, held in Calgary, revealed an incredibly strong connection between a person’s attachment to their neighborhood and their practice…
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! This Easter, I was struck by all the narratives in Scripture of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. In Matthew’s Gospel, the angels at the tomb let the disciples know that Jesus is going ahead of them to Galilee. Mark’s Gospel ends similarly, though in the longer ending Jesus appears on…
If you talk with me for more than a few minutes, you’re likely to learn that Dietrich Bonhoeffer has had a significant influence on me and my work in the church. In particular, his book “Life Together”, which he wrote after his time living in community with seminarians as a part of the Confessing Church,…