By: Michael O'Neill on October 20, 2023
Black Dignity by Vincent Lloyd is a powerful and thought-provoking book that addresses the struggle against domination in a world marked by anti-Blackness.[1] As leaders in the Christian community, we find that this work offers valuable insights and lessons for understanding and participating in the ongoing fight for justice, equality, and dignity. Lloyd’s exploration of domination…
By: Audrey Robinson on October 19, 2023
Reading Vincent W. Lloyd’s book, Black Dignity, I couldn’t help reflecting on faces, images, and events that reminded me of what black dignity looks like. I wanted to find an image that everyone would recognize, and I was able to locate a picture from the JL Zwane Memorial Church we visited in South Africa. It…
By: Audrey Robinson on October 15, 2023
RARE Leadership Introduction In a world characterized by diverse identities and ever-evolving cultural landscapes, the book RARE Leadership by Marcus Warner and Dr. Jim Wilder offers a refreshing perspective on leadership through the lens of Christian faith.[1] The authors’ core message revolves around recognizing, affirming, and nurturing the unique identities of those seeking their identity…
By: Michael O'Neill on October 12, 2023
For years, my mother made “Choose joy” a daily mantra. A farewell as I left for school or embarked on a journey of large or small scale. It was a familiar refrain… something she uttered countless times over the years and she was, and is, consistent. This daily reminder growing up kept a flame going…
By: Michael O'Neill on October 7, 2023
Introduction In a world marked by increasing polarization and identity-driven conflicts, the quest for dignity and the role of identity politics has become central to our understanding of modern society. Well-known political scientist Francis Fukuyama has explored these themes extensively in his book Identity, shedding light on the complex relationship between identity, politics, and human…
By: Audrey Robinson on October 6, 2023
Introduction Francis Fukuyama’s book “Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment” delves into the complex interplay of identity politics, anger, and fear that has become increasingly prominent in contemporary society. Fukuyama argues that the politics of resentment, fueled by feelings of exclusion and frustration, has played a significant role in shaping modern…
By: Audrey Robinson on October 1, 2023
Introduction Simon Walker’s book, “Leading with Nothing to Lose,” challenges conventional notions of leadership by advocating for the power of weakness. In a world that often celebrates strength, dominance, and unwavering confidence, Walker’s perspective offers a refreshing and thought-provoking alternative.[1] This essay explores the power of weakness as elucidated by Walker, delving into its relevance…
By: Greg McMullen on September 28, 2023
This is a very difficult subject to navigate. Lately, I have been reflecting if there is more class discrimination rather than ethnicity discrimination. Whether it be a class struggle or struggle with different ethnicities there is a real problem in our society. There is a problem inside our hearts with loving others. 1st John 2:11,…
By: Michael O'Neill on September 16, 2023
Simon P. Walker takes his readers on a journey of “undefendeness” and is a great sequel to his first book of this trilogy, Leading Out of Who You Are. Walker draws copiously from psychology and other ego patterns mentioned previously in his writings such as “shaping, defining, adapting, and defending.”[1] He interweaves secular and sacred…
By: Audrey Robinson on September 9, 2023
Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. It has yet to be determined what the full impact will be on humanity. Similarly, no one foresaw the impact social media, precisely Facebook, Google Search, Twitter, and related technology advances, would have on society—more people complaining of increased negative engagement, cyberbullying, depression, social isolationism, etc. The question is,…
By: Michael O'Neill on September 8, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has permeated nearly every facet of our lives, transforming the way we work, communicate, and learn. Like any tool, it can be used for good or can lead to our demise. Money is not AI but there is a correlation between the two because it too can be used to produce great…
By: Michael O'Neill on September 1, 2023
The Secret History of Oxford by Paul Sullivan stands as a remarkable testament to the legacy of Oxford. Sullivan illustrates the evolution of an iconic city and unveils Oxford’s rich history rooted in academia, government, leadership, religion, and culture. There is some debate regarding “grey areas” of Oxford’s history, however, few if any could argue…
By: Audrey Robinson on August 24, 2023
Endeavor, Lewis, and Morse I’ll spend a few minutes providing a brief synopsis for those unfamiliar with who or what these three words mean. The words are titles of a top-rated, long-running series based on a fictional character, Inspector Morse, and his partner/mentee, Lewis. Their names represent three standalone series with three different lead characters.…
By: Jenny Steinbrenner Hale on April 28, 2023
The Journey I’ve been on a journey this week. Leaving Portland last Sunday, I traveled from Oregon through Washington, to Missoula, Montana, where I helped my son, Zeph, pack up his apartment and drive south to California to start a new job and a new life era. Our caravan consisted of one large U-Haul, two…
By: Audrey Robinson on April 27, 2023
I don’t describe myself as seeing the world through a full-glass lens, but I’m also not a half-empty-glass person. Even though this is comparing apples to oranges, glass half full notion compared to the ten reasons we’re wrong outlined in Factfulness, it does represent how I tend to generalize things. But then the generalization instinct…
By: Michael O'Neill on April 26, 2023
Factfulness, by Hans and Anna Rosling Ronnlund, is a book that challenges readers to confront their preconceived notions of the world and its inhabitants. Exploring the facts about global development and poverty reduction shows how even seemingly intractable problems can be addressed in ways that benefit all participants. It also offers insight into decisions based…
By: Daron George on April 26, 2023
Introduction Edwin Friedman’s book, A Failure of Nerve, delves into the complexities of human relationships and the challenges that can arise within them. As I revisit this book for the second time, I’ve decided to focus on a particular paragraph that has captured my attention. In this paragraph, Friedman writes, “Anyone who has ever been…
By: Shonell Dillon on April 26, 2023
The Great Transformation As we sit back and watch the economy change from year to year, one can’t help but wonder what the driving force is. There is constant talk of recession and prices are soaring in every industry. Who or what controls these changes? Some of the answers may become evident in what Polanyi…
By: Alana Hayes on April 24, 2023
Karl Polanyi’s 1944 book “The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time” is considered a classic work of economic history… Polanyi argues in this book that the rise of the market economy in nineteenth-century Europe was a deeply political and social process that required significant state intervention, and that the market-led transformation…
By: Alana Hayes on April 23, 2023
Evangelicalism in Modern Britain by D.W. Bebbington Evangelicalism has been at the heart of British society for generations, but its impact, and even its fundamental definition, has shifted in recent decades. D.W. Bebbington’s work “Evangelicalism in Modern Britain” details this intriguing trip. He contends that Evangelicalism’s purpose and character have evolved from an inward concentration…
