About
Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) is launching this blog in anticipation of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the United Church of Christ and the 26th General Synod, to be held in Hartford, CT June 22-26, 2007. We will use this forum to do a little “wide open thinking” about the United Church of Christ– its history and its future – and about matters of religious leadership, faith life and justice for the 21st century.
What do we mean by “Wide Open Thinking”?
“Wide Open Thinking” means going beyond the personal and the immediate to consider the proximate and the possible. It means looking past our own noses to notice our neighbors. It asks, “Why?” and “So what?” It listens closely, thinks critically and reflects deeply. Wide open thinking embraces and does not shrink from the urgent questions – about ourselves, each other and God. It says, “Bring them on!”
Wide open thinking also demands a wide open table; it looks for the voices that have not yet been included or heard; it believes that these voices are necessary and is prepared to be challenged and pushed in new directions by them. Wide open thinking is risky. It is uncomfortable and exhilarating and necessary.
Without wide open thinking…
…we cannot effectively pursue justice or make space for compassion.
…we get mired in perspectives and practices that perpetuate oppression.
… we will fail to discover new and creative strategies for mending divisions and restoring peace.
With wide open thinking…
…we can bring down every wall.
So: Join us, as we ask: What are the urgent issues facing churches? Facing our communities? Facing our world? What can religious leaders contribute to public discourse and action – especially on behalf of and alongside those who have been kept at the margins of society, suffer the ravages of war, live in poverty or endure other forms of oppression?
The United Church of Christ has been on the forefront of addressing issues like these throughout its history, from contributing leadership to the Civil Rights Movement to defining and fighting against environmental racism. CTS celebrates – and shares in – the UCC’s commitment to proclaim and pursue the dignity of all God’s children. Join us as we mark a half-century of faithful ministry by continuing these critical conversations. Together, let’s listen for the ways that “God is still speaking” (in the words of the UCC motto) to each of us, to all of us.
Chicago Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theological education. The students enrolled in Masters and Doctoral programs here go on to become ministers, community activists, politicians, counselors, professors and youth workers. They work in all kinds of settings: from churches and hospitals to prisons, neighborhood organizations and universities. But one thing they have in common is a commitment to doing the kind of “Wide Open Thinking” that this blog is all about - Wide Open Thinking that ensures that our work – in whatever setting – is relevant and effective and justice-seeking.
We must give credit when credit is due. The Wordpress theme, Cleaker 2.1, was created by Adam Walker Cleaveland at Cleave Design. The widgets that help run the template were added by Chris Webb.
The banner and color design was fashioned by Stephen Swanson. The rest of the work has been sweated over by Michael Lee and Aaron Krager from Faithfully Liberal.
