Although I appreciate the “glocal” vision of an indigenizing and incarnational “GloboChrist,” I see the global incarnated in the local and local informing the global in local communities which richly embody the Body of Christ.Read more…
Journalism Notes: Faith in the “Spotlight”
With Sunday night’s Oscar win for best picture, “Spotlight,” the movie about the Boston Globe’s investigation into systemic child abuse by Catholic priests, provided renewed validation of the press’s role to hold the powerful accountable in our society.Read more…
Giving Thanks: Serving Over 400 Emerging Scholars at Urbana
As we plan for 2016, we’re deeply heartened by the way emerging scholars participated in Urbana15. We’re filled with excitement as we work on ways to provide more mentoring, conferencing, and communal conversation for members in 2016.Read more…
January 2016: Most Visited ESN Blog Posts
Thank-you to the Emerging Scholars Network’s Urbana Liveblog Team for enabling our online ministry not only to finish 2015 strong, but also to begin the new year with a strong, missional vision! To God be the glory!Read more…
Book Response: Renaissance, by Os Guinness
There is no shortage of analyses of the twin crises of the church and the West, but by themselves such analyses have too often led to despondency, fear and paralysis, just as medical diagnosis without remedies can be heartless and debilitating. What we also need is a constructive overarching vision of Christian engagement in today’s advanced modern world, one that is shaped by faith in God and a Christian perspective rather than by current wisdom, and one that can inspire Christians to move out with courage to confront the best and worst that we may encounter (27).Read more…
Loving our Atheist Neighbors with Truth and Love: Rick Mattson at Urbana
How should Christians approach conversations about faith with atheists? At the Urbana Student Missions Conference, Rick Mattson examined common atheist arguments and argued for a holistic Christian response that includes intellect, care-giving, and friendship.Read more…
The Importance of Realities We Cannot See: Bryan Enderle on Science and Faith
How does modern science and scientific theory intersect with the Bible and the Christian story? At Urbana, Bryan Enderle explored philosophical arguments and quantum mechanics to bring these two seemingly separate threads together. From Dec 27 – Jan 1, volunteersRead more…
15 Posts on Mission, Justice, and the University from Urbana 2015
What does it mean to be part of a global religion, and how can we make sense of the diverse missions, values, and politics of that belonging? How can we as Christians better understand what it means to follow Jesus in a world that is more connected than ever before? After four days in St Louis for the Urbana conference, I feel closer to the heart of those questions than ever before.Read more…
The Vocation of Law in God’s Global Mission to Bring Justice & Wholeness: Brian Dennison at Urbana
How can legal knowledge and experience bring justice to contexts outside the U.S.? The opportunities are real and plentiful. In this seminar, Brian Dennison shared what he learned as a law lecturer and coordinator of the law clinic at Uganda Christian University.Read more…
The Missional Professor in Universities Outside North America
Keith challenges us, saying that evangelicals should be commended for ministering well at the periphery of the University; however, now is the time to move to the heart of the university – the podium. There has been a clarion cry to do this in the United States and now there should be a cry to do this globally.Read more…
Developing your Mind for God’s Global Mission: Greg Jao at Urbana 2015
Global poverty, inter-faith engagement, church planting: what do these require besides a prayerful spirit, a willing heart, and an available body? Greg Jao answers his Urbana15 seminar, Developing your Mind for God’s Global Mission.Read more…
Moving Beyond Indifference and Inactivism: Lessons for Christians from #BlackLivesMatter
What role have Christians played in the #BlackLivesMatter movement in St. Louis, and what lessons have they learned? This panel discussion at the Urbana Missions Conference brought together black and white faith leaders to reflect on these movements and gave an opportunity to a packed theater of attendees to ask questions.Read more…
What Would Jesus Post on Social Media?
The popularity and increasing use of social media has been a growing area of heated debate and controversy topic in the past couple of years, in both Christian and secular circles. But how does social media affect us in regard to God’s mission?Read more…
5 Practical Ways to Avoid Cultural Domination and Neo-Colonialism in Western Missions
This seminar addresses how Western missionaries can use their financial, educational, and cultural capital to empower, rather than dominate local environments.Read more…
The Secular Academy as a Mission Field: Urbana Panel Discussion
Too many people go to gradschool who shouldn’t be there, and many people who have the gifts and calling don’t get in or even start. Read more…
Why Is There No Photo About This? Challenging the Comfortable with Photojournalism
What is it like to be a photojournalist, and why would a Christian choose journalistic photographic work over advocacy?Read more…
Connect with ESN at Urbana!
Connect with ESN at Urbana. A few places to say hi to us. Read more…
ESN, Global Scholars, Urbana: A Doorway to the World’s Universities
Global Scholars, are excited to announce that the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) is partnering with Global Scholars around a shared mission. Read more…
Partner with ESN: Urbana 2015
Urbana 2015 is growing into the best Urbana yet for Christian academics living missionally in the secular academy. Will you support ESN to help make that happen? Read more…
Pray for the World
Join millions of praying people around the world. Hear God’s call to global mission. And watch the world change. To God be the glory!Read more…