An inclusive and pioneering exploration of
Theology, Spirituality, and Current Events.

This Week's Essay ↓

Common Ground

Essay by Kevin G. Thew Forrester, Ph.D.

A democracy is only able to function and prosper if its diverse citizenry shares a common sense of what is good. A political common good, however, is made possible by the presence of common ground; this ground is the Reality of Being, the Essence of all that is. Without spiritual common ground, which is Being, the fragile political common good is a chimera, evident in the cultural blindness to and destruction of the beauty of George Floyd.

This Week's Question

I would be interested to learn if you think people will return to church and prayer – in a time of chaos and crisis? Do you think people need something to “cling to?” Here in Australia we are also in shut down mode and I fear for those who are already in debt, lost jobs, business closed …

Answered by Rev. Fran Pratt
Our Contributors ↓

Contributors

Best selling authors, social leaders, and cutting edge innovators – our contributors bring diverse perspectives to the growing conversation around the idea of Progressive Christianity. Inspiring, insightful, and sometimes even challenging, these unique voices come from the pulpits, academies, and front lines around the world.

    • Jennifer Berit

    • Order of the Sacred Earth, Wild Awakenings, speaker, leader, writer, wilderness lover

    • Diana Butler Bass

    • Speaker, theologian, and author of seven books on American Protestantism, progressive Christianity, and spirituality

    • Christena Cleveland

    • Social psychologist, public theologian, author, and speaker on race, reconciliation and conflict.

    • Kaitlin Curtice

    • Native American Christian author and speaker on faith and justice for Indigenous peoples.

    • Rev. Aurelia Dávila Pratt

    • Aurelia is the Lead Pastor and founder of Peace of Christ Church and is a licensed Master of Social Work.

    • John Dorhauer

    • General Minister and President of United Church of Christ

    • Michael Dowd

    • Evolutionary myth-maker, eco-theologian, and pro-future evangelist. Book: Thank God for Evolution

    • Cassandra Farrin

    • Poet, writer and editor of nonfiction books on the history of religion. US-UK Fulbright scholar.

    • Rev. David M. Felten

    • Edgy and humorous pastor, author, speaker, co-creator of Living the Questions, and co-founder of AFCT

    • Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox

    • Radical theologian, best selling author of 35 books, influential exponent of Creation Spirituality. See free dailymeditationswithmatthewfox.org

    • Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft

    • Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft is the Executive Minister for Justice, Operations & Movement Building at Middle Collegiate Church.

    • Dr. Carl Krieg

    • As professor, pastor and author, Dr. Krieg has taught innumerable classes and led many discussion groups

    • Rev. Jaqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D.

    • Jacqui is a womanist whose preaching, teaching, speaking, writing, and activism are aimed at racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for all sexual orientations and genders.

    • Rev. Dr. Velda Love

    • Rev. Dr. Love works to advance racial equality and to dismantle the systems of racism.

    • Rabbi Brian Mayer

    • Modern day Rabbi, author and speaker. Creator of Religion Outside the Box

    • Mike McHargue

    • Science Mike. Finding God in the Waves, The Liturgists Podcast. Science + Religion

    • Rev. Irene Monroe

    • NPR radio host, NEC News commentator, international religion columnist on LGBTQ, race, theology and politics

    • EbonyJanice Moore

    • Womanist, Scholar, Activist, Teacher, Author, Student, Artist, Preacher, Transformational Speaker, Content Creator, Healer

    • Fred Plumer

    • Radical theologian, retired UCC pastor, ProgressiveChristianity.org President. Authored: Drink from the Well.

    • Rev. Fran Pratt

    • Author, Pastor, Litanist, and Christian mystic. Spiritual practice, Divine Feminine, Liturgy, Re-imagining "worship"

    • Toni Reynolds

    • Union Theological Grad, recent discoveries + ancient world, liturgy, sermons and poems.

    • Rev. Brandan Robertson

    • Noted author, LGBTQ activist, speaker and pastor. Recent book: True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace

    • Rev. Mark Sandlin

    • Christian Left Co-Founder, highly published author, pastor.

    • Rev. Jessica Shine

    • Rev. Shine has a passion for people and a skill for communicating in transformative ways.

    • Rev. Deshna Charron Shine

    • Author, Speaker, Ritualist, Interfaith Minister and Chaplain, Ritualist

    • Rev. Madison Shockley

    • Rev. Shockley is a UCC minister, author, social justice activist and has an impressive career in service to progressive causes.

    • Jennifer Berit and Skylar Wilson

    • Order of the Sacred Earth, Wild Awakenings, speakers, authors, visionary leaders, wilderness lovers.

    • Joran Slane Oppelt

    • International speaker, author, interfaith minister, singer/songwriter. Founder of Integral Church.

    • Bishop John Shelby Spong

    • Best Selling author, world-renowned speaker and leader, inspiration and co-founder of Progressing Spirit

    • Rev. Matthew Syrdal

    • Pastor, Author, Wilderness guide. Lead guide of WilderSoul and Church of Lost Walls. Co-founder of Seminary of the Wild.

    • Kevin G. Thew Forrester, Ph.D.

    • Soulbody Spirituality. Interfaith Explorer. Author. Teacher. Enneagram. Episcopal Priest.

    • Rev. Lauren Van Ham

    • Eco-Minister, Dean of Chaplaincy Institute, Interfaith Chaplain, author, speaker, Spiritual Director

    • Rev. Gretta Vosper

    • Atheist Pastor, best selling author, poet, radical theologian

    • Cindy Wang Brandt

    • Cindy Wang Brandt is an author and champion of cultivating values of hospitality, creativity, equality, social justice, and deep spirituality in the next generation.

    • Skylar Wilson

    • Founder of Wild Awakenings, rites of passage journey leaders, author, visionary, leader.

    • Rev. Roger Wolsey

    • Author of Kissing Fish, Pastor, social justice activist
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