12/18/2023 0 Comments Compass for courageous conversations![]() ![]() Thinking deeply and alongside experts about important questions provides a more informed and reflective worldview, as well as stronger convictions about what you believe. When we get to observe informed and thoughtful scholars engage on important theological issues, we all win! The historical significance of Courageous Conversations is that we have new access to see these thought leaders interact in real time instead of researching their various perspectives. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Questions and answers about what Christianity truly teaches still matter to those who were shaped by the Church, especially the Black Church. Overwhelmingly, those who attended the event and engaged on social media also represent those born between 1980-2000. ![]() The active social media engagement of Courageous Conversations online exposes the robust interest in theological issues (see #J3PNCC on Twitter). As the Barna Group’s research reveals, if the emerging generation is engaged with culturally relevant spiritual content, that generation shows significant interest. While the common narrative is that millennials and GenZ demographics are apathetic to faith, the reality is more nuanced than that. Courageous Conversations is organized by Lisa Fields, an African American millennial woman who specializes in engaging the digitally connected, especially of African descent. Millennials and GenZ care about theology. Perhaps, the change we desire within the partisan bickering that characterizes much of the present can be found in the next generation-equipped with not only theological convictions or a commitment to justice, but armed with the ability to have courageous conversations. In this regard, Jude 3 Project spotlights an unexpected hope. In addition to reminding us about the humanity of those “on the other side” of an issue, we see that a dialogue with someone of a different mindset can challenge and sharpen the reasons behind our shared beliefs. This behavior modeled in the Church could serve as an example of the peace possible when we seek to understand and be understood in the midst of a deeply divided partisan era. Courageous Conversations demonstrates that those with deeply differing beliefs can discuss those views in a public setting and still walk away with a mutual respect, and even love, for each other. It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. Here are five gems from the Courageous Conversations videos: For the full list of Courageous Conversations speakers, click here. ![]() Rhodes masterfully navigated the dynamic discussions. Christine Edmonson, Ekimini Uwan, as well as hip-hop artist/activist Sho Baraka, and pastor/educator Dr. The facilitators were also accomplished in their own right. Carl Ellis to answer some very provocative questions. Wil Gafney were joined by traditionalists like Dr. Progressive pastors and scholars such as Dr. The format gave panelists an opportunity to state their case and the moderators facilitated discussion amongst the panelists. The event was amazing in many ways, and Jude 3 Project is sharing video for Courageous Conversations to make these discussions more widely available. Jesus: Whose Words Carry More Weight?Įxclusivity vs. The 2018 Courageous Conversations at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago brought together some of the most prolific, progressive, and traditionalist scholars to discuss a number of hot-button issues. ![]() The first national event of its kind, Courageous Conversations brings together Black scholars from different theological traditions and convictions to discuss and debate those differences in front of a live audience. The organization has quickly become an established authority in the realm of curating and clarifying the Christian faith in the midst of controversies that uniquely impact the African Diaspora, which is why they launched the annual Courageous Conversations Conference. More specifically, Jude 3 Project addresses issues faced by Christians of African descent. Jude 3 Project is an organization with a mission to help the Christian community know what they believe and why they believe it. Can Christians who disagree about the nature of the Bible, the exclusivity of Jesus, and God’s views on sexuality and gender speak and listen to each other in an honest, yet respectful manner? If the Church can’t, how could we expect political pundits to do so? Unfortunately, the Church is no exception for these behaviors, even though so many of us value the ideal of respecting others regardless of where they stand on today’s issues. In our current cultural moment, contrasting political and philosophical views are typically vilified and some are demonized for their perspectives. ![]()
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