Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Fri Jan 23, 2015, 03:11 PM Jan 2015

15 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2015

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/religion/news/2015/01/22/105158/15-faith-leaders-to-watch-in-2015/


SOURCE: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast
Archbishop Blase Cupich walks down the aisle after his installation Mass at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral on November 18, 2014.

By Claire Markham & Lauren Kokum | Thursday, January 22, 2015

Last year was a time of dynamic engagement for social justice, and progressive faith leaders and religious communities spearheaded much of the action. They tackled the crisis in our immigration system, poverty, climate change, threats to religious freedom and women’s reproductive rights, criminal justice, voting rights, and more. From houses of worship offering prayer vigils around the country to faith-based groups leading rallies outside the U.S. Supreme Court, people of faith are giving public witness to the moral values embedded in our nation’s policies.

Working strategically at the local, state, and national levels, religious leaders and faith advocates remind us how important faith voices are as we work together to create a more just and equitable nation. This year promises to be filled with more vibrant faith engagement. As we look ahead, the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative has crafted a list of 15 progressive faith leaders and groups to watch in 2015 as they work to bring about enduring change.

1. Macky Alston.
An award-winning filmmaker and media trainer for progressive activists and faith leaders, Alston is vice president for strategy, engagement, and media at Auburn Theological Seminary and the founder of Auburn Media. Through his media training work, Alston prepares religious leaders to be effective, bold messengers for social justice and amplifies the efforts of faith-based organizers. Since 2002, he has trained more than 3,500 faith leaders, who have made major impacts in public debates on topics ranging from economic inequality to rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, communities, and other pressing justice issues. His most recent film is the award-winning documentary Love Free or Die, which chronicles the life of Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church and a Senior Fellow at American Progress. Alston’s digital and theological expertise, combined with his strategic sensibility and engaging training style, promise to bring more religious leaders to national attention this year.

2. Rev. Jennifer Bailey.
The founder and executive director of Faith Matters Network, Bailey is an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal, or AME, Church, a community organizer, a Truman Scholar, and an Interfaith Youth Core alum. She has advocacy experience building economic justice. This year, she is working to dismantle a major obstacle for faith-based anti-poverty advocates: a lack of resources to invest in effective communications. As a Nathan Cummings Foundation grantee, Bailey launched and is stewarding the Faith Matters Network, an online community that helps faith-based advocates and organizations harness the transformative power of digital storytelling. Through a central location for collaboration, resource sharing, and mobilization, Bailey is building a multifaith alliance to allow activists to more effectively transform social and economic systems.

more at link
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»15 Faith Leaders to Watch...