The Concordia College class of 2013 graduated this afternoon. With the 2012-13 school year now in the books, here are some quick reflections from my first year as a professor. Biggest surprise: how fast the 70 minutes of class flew by each MWF….
An Atheist, a CNN iReport, and a Scary Proposition
My fear is not that parents will raise their children without God, but that they will raise them without the skills to address faith, religion, and diverse culture.
Eboo Patel at Concordia College: “Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America”
Dr. Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith Youth Core, member of the President’s religious advisory council, and interfaith movement rock star, visited Concordia College’s campus this week. He was splendid. Speaking at Convocation, giving a public lecture, and appearing at a full day’s worth of conversations, Patel set a tone for our year of interfaith cooperation, [...]
Embracing the Ideal of the Liberal Arts College
The adjective liberal in the phrase, “the liberal arts,” means ‘freeing.’ The liberal arts are those studies which set the student free — free from prejudice and misplaced loyalties and free for service, wise decision making, community leadership, and responsible living.
Brief Reflections in My Final Days Leading The Project F-M
This is my last week serving as Director and Mission Developer of The Project F-M (our new Director starts Wednesday!). Much is swirling through my head — and past my desktop — these last days, but here’s a few fairly random thoughts about leadership, young adult ministry, and transition. It’s all about relationships. Thankfully, since [...]
Yes! But…The Forum comes well short
I posted last week about the social media firestorm resulting from The Fargo Forum rejection of the wedding announcement from Allison Johnson and Kelsey Smith. On Sunday the paper’s editor, Matthew Von Pinnon, announced a new policy that moves for positive change at a snail’s pace. IMHO, it’s a justice tease — “True Love Waits” [...]
Announcing Newness! Appointment at Concordia College
I’m extraordinarily excited to announce that I’ve been appointed to the position of Faculty Director for Faith and Leadership at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota! As President Craft recently shared, “The position, with its home in the Religion Department, will provide leadership for a new Concordia Religion Major Concentration in Faith and Leadership that combines [...]
Big Boys? Maybe. Real Men? No way.
I hate macho. I hate the message it sends young men — that we should be athletes not scholars, emotionless yet prone to violence, treat women as sex objects and gay men as the enemy. Yet, macho culture is so prevalent I often forget how dastardly it is until something sets me off. Yesterday, that [...]
