Eden Theological Seminary announces new Center for Lived Faith and Organizing

Eden Theological Seminary, in partnership with the United Church of Christ Justice & Local Church Ministries and the Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), announced the establishment of the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing.

The Center, with the support of a generous grant from the Fetzer Institute, will support people of faith engaged deeply in transforming the world through community and cultural organizing grounded in theology and faith.

“Recently, I had the pleasure of sharing a meal with Rev. Bernice King,” said the Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Associate General Minister. “As we discussed ways we might collaborate in the future, the subject of faith-based organizing was prominent in our discussion. I shared with her my excitement about the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing that is now a reality.

“After a year of collaboration, we are excited about the possibilities of equipping congregations and communities with the skills necessary to not only organize effectively against injustice, but toward embodied discipleship.”

The Center exists to educate, train and connect communities with local and regional partners for long-term and sustainable ministry in organizing and justice work. The Rev. Dietra Wise Baker, Assistant Professor of Community Engagement and Contextual Education, Director of Contextual Education, will serve as the founding faculty director. The Rev. Justin Marshall Shamell will serve as the new Relationship Manager and Recruiter of Congregations.  

“The Center for Lived Faith and Organizing seeks to teach life practices for faithful discipleship,” Blackmon said. “What a joy it is for our ministries to engage this work with Eden Theological Seminary and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I believe what we are building holds hope for a healed future.”

Bolstering Eden’s mission as a school of the church, the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing is part of Eden’s Certificate and Community Learning programs and intends to support congregations, justice-seeking community members, clergy and students.

If you are interested in learning more about the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing, please contact Wise Baker at livedfaith@eden.edu. News about registering for courses this spring will be coming soon.

---

Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here.