As a teenager and as I moved into early adulthood I would classify myself as a conservative the most narrow sense, meaning that the values we used to have were under attack and we must protect them. This defensive posture meant I, as a person of faith, and the values I hold as part of that faith, are under deliberate attack by forces that want to strip society of any moorings or social values. I searched scripture, looking for examples and parallels to make my case. While I would not cite those examples publicly in terms of my politics, it was certainly there in my thoughts and motivations. 

To be clear, I do believe, firmly believe, that people of faith should and can bring their faith to the public square. My understanding of the nature of human beings, our rights and responsibilities on this earth, and where we are going are all deeply informed by my theology and faith. These are just as valid as any theory, philosophy, or understanding in the public square as motivation for how I want to operate in, and help to shape, society. What changed for me is that my faith became positive rather than negative. Rather than a defensive, fearful, and reactionary posture, I decided I wanted to take a constructive, faith-filled, and proactive posture to the world’s problems.

Since Dr. Gushee’s presentation I’ve felt both that I’ve been awakened to how ARC informed my development, but also very disoriented. First, I felt that Dr. Gushee’s framework puts words to ideas, concepts, and thoughts that have been bubbling around in my mind. White Christian Nationalism, as a concept, seemed too broad and vague. Authoritative Reactionary Christianity clarifies the political aims and tools of such a movement. ARC framing helps me to understand the reactionary fear that I’ve seen expressed by many in my faith community and helps me make sense of political patterns that seem so out of step with what I understand a follower of Jesus Christ to be. It has been a truly eye opening experience!

At the same time, I feel very disoriented. Or perhaps frustrated. There are elements of my personal and faith formation that are important to me that seem to be woven into ARC. Must I reject them? Can I hold them and reframe them? As an example, I do believe the United States plays a role in God’s plan for the redemption of His children. That role is very specific and narrowly defined in my view, and has less to do with the United States as a nation state than it does with the ideals supported by the American founding. Before these sessions I think I would have said I recognized the irony and the tragedy of a nation founded on the notion that “all men are committed equal” but that, nearly 250 years later, still can’t deliver on that ideal. However, after these sessions, I am realizing that it is more than just an ironic tragedy, but a serious and severe flaw in the structures we have built. The flaw continues and affects millions of individuals each and every day, for many of them it shapes every day of their life. 

I don’t know what to do next. My awakening leaves me feeling obligated to help awaken others, primarily through the way that I talk about and live my faith in today’s world. The disorienting feeling leaves me wondering how I can point to the language and concepts of authoritarianism in the name of Christianity that pervades the politics and, sadly, devotional lives of many in my faith community. 

10 years ago, when I worked in Poland, as part of a leadership course, I asked colleagues from across the years to anonymously assess me and my leadership. The most consistent descriptor that came back was calm or a calming presence. They, and colleagues and friends in professional and volunteer settings since then have described me as someone they want around when there is a significant problem or during a stressful time. They say I am able to keep focused on what is needed and help people feel less stressed. I have also been described as caring and inclusive, helping those who may be hesitant to engage for whatever reason feel comfortable in engaging in initiatives or projects I’m working on. 

How you would describe your sphere of influence? (Volleyball)

Currently, I have an actual sphere of influence and an aspirational sphere of influence. I’ll explain. First, actually, I hold a formal leadership role within the congregation I worship in. In my role I coordinate the Sunday School, which oversees the teaching for different classes across age groups. I also am responsible for working with the youth, some of whom are pictured here, particularly those between 11-14 years old, both in terms of Sunday teaching but also weekly service and learning activities. Aspirationally, I have become more interested in engaging in the interfaith community in Spokane, to engage in community issues and needs through the lens of faith. I’ve started to make connections with interfaith leaders in our city, which is how I got introduced to Global Immersion and Journey of Hope. I hope to use what we learn together as part of this journey to step forward as a leader in the interfaith community in Spokane.

What fuels your leadership? (Son)

This is a picture of my four-month old son, Amos. Amos is a reminder of what drives or fuels my leadership. Underscoring my leadership is my belief that each person is a son or daughter of God, and is an expression of the divine, with gifts and agency to shape their. My leadership is fueled by helping others tap into, and act from, that divine identity. A few years ago a senior leader in my church talked about how the purpose of leadership is to prepare those you are leading to lead themselves. He said “If you make yourself indispensable, you are doing it wrong.” I’ve tried to lead that way. Whether working with my children, as a manager in a professional setting, or in my congregation or other volunteer opportunities, I’m driven by helping people find the power within themselves, or working to remove barriers to the power they want to exercise, in leading in whatever is important in their life or sphere. 

What is the pressing question that you’re asking? (Wall)

The pressing question I am asking as I come to Journey of Hope, is how can I be a catalyst to help people see and value the lived experience of others? The seed of this question really took root about 5 years ago when my family and I lived in Jerusalem where I worked on people to people work with Palestinians and Israelis. These experiences opened my eyes to the danger of willfully – sometimes physically building walls like this separation barrier that separates Israelis and Palestinians – or ignorantly denying the reality of others. I see this dehumanization in my own congregation and civic community as we face divides over COVID-19, homelessness, race, the role of women in faith, and how we engage with people who have left our faith. How can I learn to be, and encourage others to be, truly compassionate, to hear and understand the experience of the “other”?

Why Journey of Hope? And why now? (Statue on Bench)

This statue, in a garden near the archaeological remains of a village where Jesus spent much of his time, illustrates why I wanted to join Journey of Hope. Most people hurry past the garden – and miss this statue – to see the ancient sites. To me, it became a symbol of missing the opportunities to act on – and in – faith. I’ve become more and more convinced that in addressing division and conflict in our communities, how we live is infinitely more important than what we do. And because of that, I want to center my faith as I work in reconciliation, leading from a place of inner peace and commitment to the principles my faith teaches me. I hope Journey of Hope can help at least set me on the path to show up that way. Now is the time, for a number of reasons – as my children become teenagers I want to model a better way to live; my formal leadership role in my congregation gives me an opportunity to influence our community, and I’m at a bit of a crossroads in my professional life and trying to determine if and how I can make reconciliation my life’s work.

2.) My primary sphere of influence is Clinton County, Ohio. As a Quaker pastor, most of my influence is concentrated in the Quaker world, but it reaches out into the community in general as well.

3.) People—specifically the people who are a part of my meeting and the surrounding neighborhood. I don’t like leadership itself as much as I enjoy the people.

4.) How do we flip the script on fear and choose peace over violence?

5.) I was interested in Journey of Hope because I like the everyday peacemaking approach that Global Immersion takes. A lot of Quaker peacemaking efforts/programs are focused on crisis management or on lobbying, which are fine and good, but my soul was craving a program that is more day-to-day focused. Now seemed to be a good time because of an experience that I had recently with gun violence. I walked away from that experience feeling a deep knowing that the world needs more peacemakers.