"Tell them about the dream, Martin." Martin Luther King, Jr. was the last speaker of the day at the March on Washington in 1963. He was preceded by his good friend, singer Mahalia Jackson, who sang and then introduced him. At a critical point in his prepared remarks, Jackson recalled a previous speech of King's that she felt was what the crowd of 250,000 needed and called out, "Tell them about the dream, Martin." Laying aside his remarks, King listened to his friend, gathered himself and began again, "I have a … [Read more...] about Call For Articles: Your Dreams for Academia
The Balanced Life — A High Wire Act or a Spacious Path?
One of the greatest high wire artists in history was Charles Blondin, also known as "The Great Blondin." Beginning in 1859, he walked across the Niagara Falls gorge on numerous occasions. On one of these, he stopped midway to cook and eat an omelet! On others, he did it blindfolded, on stilts, pushing a wheelbarrow, or carrying his manager on his back. I suspect for some of us, the quest for a "balanced" life feels much like this. Sometimes we try to do all of Blondin's feats at once. We try to balance our spiritual … [Read more...] about The Balanced Life — A High Wire Act or a Spacious Path?
Resolutions For 2024
This article first appeared in the January 2024 edition of Scholar's Journey, the monthly newsletter of the Emerging Scholars Network. Not getting the newsletter? Click the "Join" button on this page. No dues, no required meetings--just lots of good resources for your scholarly journey! We often look at the new year as a time for a clean slate, a fresh start. Yet with many friends I talk with, 2024 has the feeling of an approaching storm, a time we find ourselves bracing for rough going. I suspect I needn't go into … [Read more...] about Resolutions For 2024
Hosting Effective Book Groups
Book discussion groups are popular in Christian graduate and faculty groups. While they don't replace studying The Book, many are already studying the Bible with another group, perhaps in their church. Book discussion groups afford the opportunity to explore a book in which there is shared interest. Sometimes that could focus on spiritual disciplines and growth, Christian belief, or Christian history. It might focus on a contemporary issue like racism or the environment or living sustainably. Or you might just read an … [Read more...] about Hosting Effective Book Groups
Emerging Scholars Network Fall Book Club
The Emerging Scholars Network Book Club is back! This fall, you are invited to join other ESN members in a discussion of Chris Rice's From Pandemic to Renewal. The book club will meet Wednesday evenings for an hour at 8 pm ET from October 11 through December 6 (skipping the Wednesday before Thanksgiving). For those who sign up for the book club, we will send you a free copy of the book. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in profound changes and disruptions to all of our lives. Anxiety rates are at record highs as … [Read more...] about Emerging Scholars Network Fall Book Club