Building Beloved Community: Calling for an End to the Culture Wars

The culture war rhetoric has heated up, polarized people, and eradicated the word “civil” in civil society, and when democratic societies are no longer civil, they die. In many aspects of society – education, family, science, art, politics, and more – constructive communication is increasingly hard to find. Divisive attitudes and expectations too often shape our perceptions of others and hinder our practices in public dialogue. This conference sought to move beyond this framework of divisiveness to help build beloved community.

The conference was primarily designed to cultivate channels of communication with representatives of diverse perspectives and traditions often perceived to be in conflict with one another. Speakers included Christopher Zinn, Executive Director, Oregon Council for the Humanities; Kyogen Carlson, Abbot, Dharma Rain Zen Center; Zach Dundas, feature writer, Willamette Week; Georgene Rice, Radio Host, KPDQ; Marilyn Sewell, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Church; Tony “the Beat Poet” Kriz of Blue Like Jazz fame; and Multnomah professors Nathan Baxter, Brad Harper, and Paul Metzger.

Mission in Your Front Yard: Touching Diverse Peoples

Together with the Evangelical Missiological Society, this conference focused on multi-ethnic ministry in the greater Portland metropolitan area and how people could partner with God and others in touching diverse peoples close to home.

The first presentation was from urban demographic guru, Dr. Richard White of Portland State University. Dr. White mapped Portland’s front yard from the past to the present. Dr. Paul Metzger followed with a presentation that attempted to give God’s perspective on church growth and multi-ethnic ministry. Next, resident practitioners shared their personal stories of doing multi-ethnic ministry, including the problems and pitfalls they have experienced.

Same Sex Marriage, Civil Rights and Civility: Sessions

The times they are a changin’. Or are they? Bob Dylan’s popular 60’s song plays well as we grapple to find the lines with regard to moral and social change. No doubt these questions have divided and will continue to divide churches, families and friends. This conference featured a diverse panel representing all sides of the debate on the complex issues of same sex marriage. Sessions were provided to offer an Evangelical perspective on the subject of same sex marriage and how to live as salt and light in today’s changing culture.

Same Sex Marriage, Civil Rights and Civility: Panel

The times they are a changin’. Or are they? Bob Dylan’s popular 60’s song plays well as we grapple to find the lines with regard to moral and social change. No doubt these questions have divided and will continue to divide churches, families and friends. This conference featured a diverse panel representing all sides of the debate on the complex issues of same sex marriage. Sessions were provided to offer an Evangelical perspective on the subject of same sex marriage and how to live as salt and light in today’s changing culture.