One of the challenges I’ve had managing the public-facing aspects of my work is that my introversion/extroversion balance can get completely out of whack. Don’t get me wrong. If you know me, you know I love talking with people. As a historian, however, I’m also accustomed to spending hours upon end in archives and weeks upon end huddled in my office writing chapters. Lately, I’ve been on the road a lot. So much so, that I had to message of friend of mine this weekend about our plans to get together Sunday. I needed to take a raincheck, I told him: “I just need a day where I don’t talk to people.” Thankfully, he understood completely.
For the most part, however, I feel an incredible sense of privilege that I get to meet so many people—scholars, faith leaders, activists, and people from all walks of life. Nearly every conversation—whether with well-known figures or, as in the case of this morning, with an 80-something-year-old man reflecting on his changing understanding of faith and politics from the 1970s to the present—is a rich reminder of the number of good, thoughtful people in the world, a reality that often gets lost on social media.
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t reflect on how fortunate I am. At a time when so many people are feeling alone, alienated, weary, and even hopeless, I have the beautiful opportunity to connect with so many kind, thoughtful, good-hearted people in cities and towns across the country. Whatever heat I may be taking on any given day on social media is easily offset by the positive interactions I have on a daily, often hourly basis. I’ve often wondered if there isn’t more I could do to share this gift—to connect the wonderful people I meet with the other wonderful people I meet.
This desire for broader connection is the main reason behind the podcast Robby Jones, Jemar Tisby, Diana Butler Bass, and I started up a couple of months ago. The Convocation Unscripted exists as an experiment in extending the community we feel among co-laborers. Through the podcast, we hope to invite others into our conversations and feel a little less alienated or alone.
Now, we’re thrilled to have the chance to do this in real life!
That’s right, the four of us will be on the road, starting this weekend.
We’re coming to Greensboro, NC, and Tempe, AZ, on a Faith and Democracy Tour! (And maybe also to other locations…stay tuned…)
Not only that, but we’ll have live music from award-winning artists—from kindred spirits, if you will. Lecturing is all well and good, but we felt that this moment called for something different. Something celebratory. Something communal. Something…fun!
We would LOVE to have you join us.
There will be plenty of time to meet us and meet others. Bring your friends: church friends, non-church friends, music-loving friends, book-loving friends, politically-curious friends, neighbors and family. We’ll also have local organizations present, so if you want, you can find ways to connect in your own communities.
By joining toether, we can find strength and joy in the work of protecting our democracy.
It’s all free, but we do need you to register. And come early—you’ll get a free book!
We’ll be in Greensboro this coming Sunday, and in Tempe the following Sunday!
Here’s all the info:
The event is FREE (and the first 160 people in the door get a free book), but registration is required to ensure a seat. Click the button below to register.
October 20: Faith and Democracy Tour - Dayspring United Methodist Church (Tempe, AZ)
The event is FREE (and the first 160 people in the door get a free book), but registration is required to ensure a seat. Click the button below to register.
The best thing about my work really is meeting people like you. And during this time, and in the weeks that follow, we need to forge more connections, and tighter connections. We need to connect to people in our neighborhoods and states and with those farther away. We need to encourage each other, challenge each other, and inspire each other. The best way to do that is to be together.
So sorry I can't attend, since I live in Toronto, ON, Canada, but wish you much success in your tour. Blessings!
God bless you all as you do this thoughtful and important work!