March 2019
The Prosperity Paradox
Global poverty is one of the world’s most vexing problems. For decades we’ve assumed smart, well-intentioned people will eventually be able to change the economic trajectory of poor countries. From education to healthcare, infrastructure to eradicating corruption, too many solutions rely on trial and error. Essentially, the plan is often to identify areas that need help, flood them with resources, and hope to see change over time. But hope is not an effective strategy. Drawing from his work with Clayton…
Find out more »Overcoming Barriers to Economic Prosperity
Drawing from his work with Clayton M. Christensen and Karen Dillon, Efosa Ojomo will explore the problem of corruption, not by asking how we can eliminate it, but rather, why it persists in the first place. The answer will challenge certain conventions about the nature of corruption as a moral failing, seeking to understand the deeper reasons why people choose to "hire" corruption. By observing corruption through this new lens, Ojomo and his colleagues hope to find new ways to…
Find out more »The Warfare Between Science and Religion – Book Launch
UW Professors Jeff Hardin, and Ron Numbers, will join us to discuss their remarkable new edited volume, The Warfare Between Science and Religion: The Idea That Wouldn't Die. Since its inception, the "conflict thesis"—the idea that an inevitable and irreconcilable conflict exists between science and religion—has long been part of the popular imagination. In The Warfare between Science and Religion, Hardin and Numbers (along with Ronald A. Binzley) have assembled a group of distinguished historians who explore the origin of the thesis,…
Find out more »April 2019
Being Truly Alive: Monastic Wisdom for the 21st Century
The Rule of St. Benedict originally was written for people living in monasteries. Today, a burgeoning number of people in the secular world are re-discovering its timeless wisdom—attracted by The Rule's emphasis on community-and-consensus building, simplicity, hospitality, humility, prayer and praise, and what St. Benedict calls listening "with the ear of the heart." Judith Valente, a national journalist and author of four spirituality books, will explore how busy Christians can apply The Rule to daily rhythms in ways that nurture…
Find out more »The Art of Pausing: Contemplative Practices for Busy Professionals
The Art of Pausing: Contemplative Practices for Busy Professionals Seeking to Cultivate an Interior Life, Find Meaning, and Increase Effectiveness at Work Those of us in the workplace are surrounded by constant distractions that dilute our attention and prevent us from cultivating our true self. There are simple practices that can slow us down, help us find more balance, and become more attuned to the world around us and to the voice of God speaking within us. Judith Valente worked…
Find out more »The State of Media Today (and What We Can Do About It)
Judith Valente has had an extensive career in both print and broadcast journalism and has experienced a front row seat to many of the changes sweeping American media. She began her career at the age of 21 as a staff writer for The Washington Post, then reported for The Wall Street Journal in that paper's Chicago and London bureaus, and later spent many years covering religion and ethics for PBS-TV and writing investigative pieces for her NPR affiliate in central…
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Christians, Climate and Culture
Since the time of Galileo, science and faith have been framed as two opposing, or at best, non-overlapping systems. Skepticism about the effects of climate change—exhibited by many Christians in the U.S.—perpetuates this perceived warfare between science and religion. Mounting scientific evidence clearly documents the risks posed by climate change to the poor, the needy and other vulnerable populations – the very people Christians, and other communities of faith, are called to love. Regrettably, those who deny climate change often…
Find out more »Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith
Saints are people too. The word saint conjures up images of superstar Christians revered for their spectacular acts and otherworldly piety. But when we take a closer look at the lives of these spiritual heavyweights, we learn that they also experienced struggle, doubt, and heartache. In fact, we learn that in many ways they're not all that different from you and me. Narrating her own winding pilgrimage through faith, Karen Marsh reveals surprising lessons in everyday spirituality from these "saints"—folks…
Find out more »Faith, Work & Calling Conference
Preparation & Expectations for Thriving in Life After College
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