Building Better Futures in Theological and Religious Academies Rountable
Important Dates
Event: October 27-31, 2024
Gathering Location
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
San Francisco, CA
Leadership Team
Lynne Westfield
Director
Wabash Center
Sarah Farmer
Associate Director
Wabash Center
Participants
Rachelle Green, Fordham University
Jorge Juan Rodriguez, Union Theological Seminary
Shively Smith, Boston University
Chelsea Yarborough, Association of Theological Schools
Onaje Woodbine, American University
Jennifer Harvey, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Bryson White, Santa Clara University
Past Event
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Farmer
Associate Director
Wabash Center
farmers@wabash.edu
Description
How do we replenish, nurture, cultivate and foster visioning for new futures in the religion and theological academy? This is a gathering of a small cohort of colleagues who teach religion and theology to engage and reflect upon our place in building better futures in the academy through attendance at SOCAP24 Global Conference. We believe that creating better futures for the religion and theological academy must include an expanded lens beyond the current landscape of theological education. Our hope is that SOCAP24 offers us a glimpse into a larger world for our work in religion and theology. SOCAP Global is the thought leadership platform for accelerating movement towards a more just and sustainable economy. As stated on their website, they convene a global ecosystem and marketplace – social entrepreneurs, investors, foundation and nonprofit leaders, government and policy leaders, creators, corporations, academics, and beyond—through live and digital experiences that educate, spur conversation, and inspire investment in positive impact. Each religious/theological scholars that is participating in this gathering already has an eye towards building more just futures. Our aim is to enhance that vision and dream of pathways forward where we can become better teachers and create healthier institutions.
Goals
- Attend 2024 SOCAP Global Conference together.
- To explore and imagine alongside a cross-sector of diverse thought leaders about the possibilities for change-making in institutional contexts.
- To concern ourselves with common ground, good community, the beloved community, bridge building, partnerships, collaborations, and coalitions.
- To debrief our experiences after the SOCAP Global Conference in order to discern ways of incorporating learnings into our personal or professional teaching lives.
- To provide spaces for facilitated networking, open dialogue, and intimate conversations about just ways forward.
- Journey with other scholars of religion/theology towards strengthening the reservoir of belief in the possibility of creating better futures.
- To articulate and spark visions for new and renewed possibilities for religious and theological education.
Preliminary Questions
- How do we replenish, nurture, cultivate and foster visioning for new futures in the religion and theological academy?
- Where is the place for social entrepreneurship and visionary leadership as we meet the challenges emerging within theological and religious education?
- What are our questions and discovery experiences for the affirmation of our lives, healing and moving forward in light of the ever-evolving milieu of theological and religious education alongside the pressing issues in society?
- What is at stake if we don’t embody better teaching lives, strategize for more equitable institutions, and build more just futures?
- What partnerships, allies, and co-conspirators might be needed to strategize and invest in this hoped for future?