Voice

May 16, 2019
Discernment ministry New Students Progressive Christianity social justice social transformation Vocation Voice

Why Now is the Time for the Religious Left to Pursue Faith Leadership Positions

Who gets to claim religious values? In recent debates about Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigeig, Franklin Graham ridiculed the religious left: “Using new terms like ‘Progressive Christianity’ & ‘Christian Left’ may sound appealing, but God’s laws don’t change.” Buttigeig is openly gay, a veteran, and self-identifies as progressive. He is also a Christian in the Episcopal denomination. To some, Buttigeig is a contradiction. Evangelical Erick Erickson even implied that the Episcopal Church is not really Christian. As a progressive seminary, United denies that a far right, ultra-conservative Christianity is the only way for people to live out their faiths. Members of the religious left must pursue leadership positions and reclaim what it means to be a person of faith in today’s world. (more…)

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May 10, 2019
Church Cinema Community Liturgy Pop Culture Voice Worship

The #Endgame: Taking Church to Church

The late afternoon matinee was packed full of middle and high schoolers buzzing with one obsession at the moment: Avengers: Endgame. Only ten minutes before show-time, I wandered around with my young boys looking for seats while my brother waited for the sold-out popcorn. We broke up and scattered ourselves into the front row. Popcorn was very delayed. I didn’t know it would be this crowded. Despite watching several of the Marvel movies at home, I would soon discover that there was a lot I didn’t know. Most of all, I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know that I had just found a seat at the Church of Marvel. Popcorn arrived just in time. (more…)

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May 9, 2019
Marginalization New Students Vocation Voice

Why Being Marginalized Makes You a Better Faith Leader

Being marginalized is often framed as a deficit, but when it comes to being a faith leader, experiences of marginalization can prove to be an asset, as can be attested by many in congregations around the country, in the Civil Rights Movement, even in the Bible. Many who are marginalized -- whether because of race, age, career, gender or sexuality-- are inspired by their struggles to take up spiritual leadership, can see what more privileged people miss, and are prepared to navigate diverse communities. (more…)

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April 26, 2019
interfaith social transformation Theology Vocation Voice

Why You Should Consider a Christian Seminary — Even If You’re Not a Christian

As a queer, Jewish artist, when I told my friends and family that I would studying at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, many were confused. “So like, are you becoming a priest?” some would ask. Others more directly retorted, “But you’re Jewish!?!?!?! Why would you want to do that?” The fact is, there are numerous reasons why I think it is important to study at a progressive, pluralistic seminary rooted in Liberal Christianity. Three key reasons are that Christianity is a defining theological and ideological component of our culture; that being in conversation with Christians helps us better understand our own traditions; and that our presence and voice helps decenter Christianity as an assumed norm. (more…)

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April 5, 2019
Discernment Voice

Cameron Williams on Discerning Your Degree Program

Along with being a current student, Cameron Williams is United's digital campaign specialist. Recently, he worked on a quiz that can help prospective seminary students determine what degree program might be the best fit for them based on their interests. Watch the video to get to know Cameron and learn more about the quiz. (more…)

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March 29, 2019
Beer hospitality interfaith Theology Voice

Doing Religion Responsibly: Theological Lessons from Craft Brewing

I love beer. I love it enough that I decided to learn how to make it. It helps that making beer is an uptight person’s dream-come-true: steeping the grains in water that’s just the right temperature; adding hops at just the right time to balance the sweetness of the wort (aka pre-beer); selecting just the right yeast to bring out just the right flavors; keeping the fermenting beer at just the right temperature. (more…)

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