Brian McLaren passionately advocates for a “new kind of Christianity” –just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. In 1982, he helped form Cedar Ridge Community Church, an innovative, nondenominational church, well-known in the emerging church movement. His public speaking covers a broad range of topics including postmodern thought and culture, biblical studies, church
Kirk Whalum’s saxophone playing has been described as “soulful, passionate, and stirring.” His Memphis roots blend with the sounds of the Houston nightclub scene to create his unique take on the tenor sax. Whalum is also an ordained minister who produces a daily podcast, Bible in Your Ear. When not on tour, he serves on the faculty of the
The Torah begins with two very different accounts of creation. The first is a story of order, abundance, positivity, and equality. The second is a story of repair, lack, the intrusion of negative elements, and hierarchy. Dr. Marjorie Hass draws on both Rabbinic and philosophical sources to interpret these two stories and their lessons about the nature of the
The Rev. John Pitzer has always believed the Church should have an open door policy. In order to build a more inclusive church, he strives to make his preaching practical, engaging, welcoming, and passionate. For twenty years as a Dominican friar, Pitzer ministered here in Memphis and throughout the south. His passion for preaching and inclusivity now continues in
The many faithful who raised the Rev. Hester Mathes at Calvary, combined with years spent soaking in the wisdom of the Lenten Preaching Series, have provided an amazing springboard for an adventurous spiritual journey. Together, they challenge Mathes to break the Good News of God’s love out of the constraints of Sunday mornings. She hopes to continue to proclaim
Dr. Diana Butler Bass writes and speaks widely on issues of spirituality, religion, culture and politics. Her work has appeared on NPR, PBS, Time and The New York Times. Her most recent book is Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks in which she offers suggestions for reclaiming gratitude that can lead to greater connection with God, our loved
Dr. Diana Butler Bass writes and speaks widely on issues of spirituality, religion, culture and politics. Her work has appeared on NPR, PBS, Time and The New York Times. Her most recent book is Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks in which she offers suggestions for reclaiming gratitude that can lead to greater connection with God, our loved
Born in Memphis and a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Memphis for 44 years, Msgr. Val Handwerker is presently pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church, located in the southern end of downtown. He is committed to urban ministry, and St. Patrick’s offers that vision, building upon its more than 150-year legacy at the same location. His preaching
While in medical school, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Robinson felt unequivocally called by the Lord to a bi-vocational synthesis of medicine and ministry: healing individuals, families and communities while joining God’s work to holistically “heal the land.” He is a systems-directed change agent: transforming urban churches into multi-faceted social, economic, and community development engines; delivering a more diversified physician
In In the Midst of the City: The Gospel and God’s Politics, the Very Rev. Barkley Thompson argues that Christian faith and politics are inseparable. Politics is, in Thompson’s words, “commentary and action that affect the polis…and the citizens for whom the polis is home.” To embody God’s politics we must first steep ourselves in God’s vision embodied in