Leading Theologically

In this special Leading Theologically broadcast, we'll explore the religious dimensions to the crisis and war in Ukraine with the Rev. Dr. John Burgess from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

As political, military, diplomatic and human rights leaders struggle to bring peace back to Ukraine, religious leaders are concerned as well. What you may not know are the religious dimensions to this crisis and war in Ukraine. The Rev. Dr. John Burgess, the Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, has been a residential Fulbright scholar twice (2011 & 2018-19) in Russia, a Luce Fellow (2011-2012), and a Fellow of the Center for Theological Inquiry (2014-15) where he wrote Holy Rus’: The Rebirth of Orthodoxy in the new Russia. A Presbyterian minister and mentor, Burgess has been and continues to follow the situation in Russia and the Ukraine closely. Don’t miss this special edition of Leading Theologically.

The Future is Womanist

In July 2019, Rev. Melanie C. Jones joined the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership at Union Presbyterian Seminary as its newest director and next visionary leader. Jones maintains, “Building on an enduring legacy of womanism in theological education with Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon as its leading trailblazer and foremother, The Future is Womanist. The compounding moral assaults facing Black women and marginalized populations in a contemporary world require a wisdom-bearing platform that cultivates freedom and flourishing and a justice-seeking program that enlivens the liberating reign of God in word and deed. This is the future of the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership, the premier center for womanist theory and practice in the nation.”

Jones teaches Ethics, Theology and Culture at Union Presbyterian Seminary in addition to directing the Center. She is a womanist ethicist, millennial preacher, and intellectual activist.

Could you catch a vision of a future where all our urban youth are equipped to reach post-secondary success, our public schools serve all children excellently, our city is flourishing in all its neighborhoods, and our workforce is widely diverse and highly skilled to advance a region that is good and just for all? Pittsburgh Promise does and has since 1985. Founded in 1985 by University of Dubuque Theological Seminary graduate and Presbyterian Minister Saleem Ghubril, the impact is tremendous and regularly evaluated. Come learn with me about how education is a key to economic mobility.

John Cleghorn raises important questions in his first book, Resurrecting Church: Can churches survive, even be resurrected, at the intersections of race, sexuality, class, and faith background? Can congregations be liberated by rebuilding around those on the margins who have been wounded by church?

As more US cities become majority-minority, the "mainline" church remains stubbornly white and homogeneous. Church leaders and thinkers are seeking ways to build more racial diversity and radical welcome. This book provides hope and practical examples of how this can happen. With stories, people profiles, and insights from their leaders and members, his book breaks new ground with practical learning and lessons drawn from original research and the lived experience of intersectional churches across the US.

Join us for a conversation about the remarkable turnaround story of Caldwell Presbyterian Church, Cleghorn’s own story of his own growth and liberation from the myopia of privilege.

Anna Carter Florence is the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and a beloved preaching mentor and preacher to many!

We can study scripture, listen to sermons, and even read what others say about it but in the end, says Anna Carter Florence, Scripture needs to be rehearsed and encountered in community. This cunning and compelling invitation to recover the oral, contextual, communal and dramatic faith practice helps us all experience Scripture anew and unearth truths together. Join Florence and Lee Hinson-Hasty for a conversation about Rehearsing Scripture and look forward to energizing study of the Bible personally and for others.

In Defense of Kindness book author Bruce Reyes-Chow will be sharing on his breakthrough case of the virus in August 2021.

A GenXer, Bruce was ordained to ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1995 in Stockton, CA. In 2008, the General Assembly of the PC(USA) elected him Moderator of the General Assembly at the youthful age of 39. An author, blogger, YouTuber, consultant, coach, podcaster, and sought after preacher and speaker, Bruce returned to pastoral ministry full time in 2019 as pastor of First Presbyterian in Palo Alto, CA. In 2021, his book, “In Defense of Kindness” was published by Chalice Press and, although fully-vaccinated and extremely careful, Bruce contracted a breakthrough case of the virus in August 2021. After months of recovery, Bruce will share about how he is processing what happened and how it shapes him as a person, spouse, father, pastor, friend, and leader.

In a time of political turmoil, how should we pray? What is the role of prayer in resisting politics that are based on hatred and division? Shannon Craigo-Snell’s 2020 book, Disciplined Hope, claims prayer as a way to choose hope over fear and has been called “a love note to people who long for justice as a faithful Christian response (and a) powerful testimony of prayer as action, as intention, as community.”

Join us for a conversation on Disciplined Hope with author and the Rev. Dr. Shannon Craigo-Snell, Professor of Theology at Louisville Seminary. She is the author of multiple books, including No Innocent Bystanders: Becoming an Ally in the Struggle for Justice, co-authored with Christopher Doucot (2017).

The Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, theologian, liturgist, preacher, and artist, a native Brazilian, is Associate Professor of Worship at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, serving since 2007. He has taught at McCormick Theological Seminary, Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. A much sought-after speaker, writer, performer, and consultant, Carvalhaes has published widely and has given academic presentations, performances, and delivered sermons at over 40 conferences and academic societies around the world. Come learn about his new book, Praying with Every Heart, a theoretical work on his 2020 publication Liturgies from Below: Praying with People at the End of the World. He went to 4 continents and worked with more than 100 people on these liturgies. Both books offer a certain methodology for theological education as well as spiritual practices that are so needed for our times.

Are you seeking to dream of a different world beyond COVID-19? Join us for a conversation with leading ecumenist, a constructive Reformed theologian, Presbyterian minister, and beloved professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Anna Case-Winters. Be introduced to Case-Winters’ soon-to-be-released book, God Will Be All in All: Theology through the Lens of Incarnation, and learn from responses to questions like “In what sense is God really ‘with us’?”

Have you quoted or heard someone quote Ted Lasso? In its second season on Apple TV, this show by the same name concludes on October 8th. Lasso is even showing up in the Christian media as well as sermons often. When asked about how often he quoted Lasso, the Rev. Dr. Joe Clifford, pastor and head of staff of Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, responded, “I hope I’m not talking about it in EVERY sermon, but I’ve mentioned it a couple of times. The Christmas episode was so chocked-full of great theological material. And I loved the episode around self—'You are who you are because of who you are.'” Clifford is quick to point out the show, though rich theologically, may appeal to white folks more than others. Join Joe and Lee for a conversation about all of the above and more. Bring your favorite quotes to share!