Open Conversations

Open Conversations are live online events where we wrestle with difficult conversations and learn together. We tend to hold Open Conversations with people we want to learn from about topics we feel are really relevant and useful to a generative and compassionate version of Christianity and other spiritual and religious wisdom traditions.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Open Conversation

Confederacy & White Supremacy

 
 

We discuss the nationwide uproar over the memorialized Confederacy and calls to tear down statues and rename schools.

Featuring:

  • Rev. Rob Lee

  • Pastor Anthony Smith

  • Ambra Phillips

  • DG Montalvo

  • Kilton McCracken

  • Facilitator: Min. Stephen Roach Knight, Transform Network

 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Healing Justice

 
 

What is "healing justice"? How can we learn to be change-makers who embody this journey with mindfulness and compassion. Find out in this fascinating FREE online conversation! , and Lisa W. Good, MSW!

Featuring:

 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Asylum Seeker Sponsorship

 

Did you know that a lot of asylum-seekers, who are eligible for release, are still sitting in ICE detention centers simply because no one told them that they just need a sponsor to get out? Sponsoring someone out of an ICE detention center is a way to help unite families and get kids out of cages. Watch this online conversation about how faith communities and families can open their homes and hearts to asylum seekers. Recorded August 28, 2019.

Panelists Include:

 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Evangelicals and Race

 

Join us as we discuss startling new research on the views of evangelicals regarding race!

Panelists Include:

  • Dr. Janelle Wong -- lead researcher on this project, from the University of Maryland

  • Dr. Gerardo Marti -- chair of the sociology department at Davidson College

  • Anthony Smith -- co-pastor of Mission House in Salisbury, NC

  • Facilitator: Stephen Roach Knight

 
 
 
 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Decolonizing Identity & The Gospel

 
 
 

This dialogue takes off where the panel discussion at the Wild Goose Festival left off with the voices of co-discussants AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez, Micky ScottBey Jones and Teresa B Pasquale being joined with new contributors: Matthew Morris, Yu-Shuan Tarango-Sho, Sandhya Jha.

We discuss the nature of identity today and the impact that history and colonization has had on how we see ourselves as people of color and people from a diversity of backgrounds and lineages.

We also discuss the attempt to celebrate all lives as gifts of the divine while also wrestling with the difficult path to inner divinity through issues of racism, colorblindness, and stereotypes as well as the burdens and gifts of living in the “bridge” places of the world and faith’s color politics.

We work to discuss the nature of decolonizing our own identities and the pains, grief, loss, trauma, and suffering inherent in that difficult process -- one bent towards whole-person integration and finding our places in the world, in faith, and in the mission to decolonize the world and the Gospel.
 

Panelists Include:

Yu-Shuan Tarango-Sho -- pastor & faith rooted organizer
Matthew Morris -- songwriter, singer, activist
Sandhya Jha -- Organizer, activist, author
AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez -- Organizer, activist, artist
Teresa Pasquale Mateus - Trauma therapist, addiction counselor, pastor, author, contemplative facilitator, yoga instructor
Facilitated by Micky ScottBey Jones

 

OPEN CONVERSATION

How White People Need to Talk to White People About Race

 
 

Join us for a Transform Network Open Conversation on white (identifying) people talking to other white people about race and racial justice.

Have you ... As a white person:

  • Felt unsure, insensitive, confused and scared during conversations about race?

  • Felt like, "Hey, I'm not racist!" Why do I get lumped in with "all white people?"

  • Want to talk about race, racial justice, ask questions and even get involved in bringing about change but have no clue what that really means or how to start?

  • Feel passionate about racial justice but get frustrated talking to other white people about it?

As a person of color

  • Get frustrated being the "racial counselor" to white friends, colleagues or church?

  • Want to have more productive interactions in mixed race groups when discussing racial justice?

Transform Network has always been focused on taking on big growing edge issues faced by church and creating a safe place for people to express doubts and practice generative community. We are one of the only progressive church networks actively engaging in training around anti-oppression and intersectionality.

As Christians, we believe racial justice is just one aspect of God’s vision of shalom for the world -- that people of all races, ethnicities and people groups are recognized, valued and seen as equally precious parts of the Divine’s beloved creation.

Panelists include:

Dara Silverman (www.showingupforracialjustice.org) - consultant, coach, organizer and trainer who has been building movements for economic, racial, gender and social justice for over 20 years. Dara is the National Coordinator for SURJ: Showing Up for Racial Justice, a network of 55+ groups across the US moving white people into action for racial justice. Dara was the Executive Director of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) in New York City from 2003-2009. Dara is a certified Somatic Coach through the Strozzi Institute. She supports leaders to be in the movement for the long haul.

Jake Dockter (medium.com/theology-of-ferguson @faithinferguson @jakedockter) - one of the editors behind Theology of Ferguson, an activist in Portland, and dreamer. He was worked in the nonprofit and creative space for years, helping launch and consult brands and projects. He edited a book, American Dreamers (published by Wieden+Kennedy: Sharp Stuff), and was a columnist for Relevant Magazine's social justice column, The Revolution. He is a dad and husband, loving every minute of family time.

Chris Crass (www.chriscrass.org) writes and speaks widely on anti-racist organizing, feminism for men, strategies to build visionary movements, and creating healthy culture and leadership for progressive activism. His book Towards Collective Liberation: anti-racist organizing, feminist praxis, and movement building strategy draws lessons from his organizing over the past 26 years with groups such as Catalyst Project, Heads Up Collective, and SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice). Rooted in his Unitarian Universalist faith he works with congregations, divinity schools, and religious leaders to build up the spiritual Left.

 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Walking Wounded

 

Join us for a Transform Network Open Conversation on identifying and healing our own sacred wounds.

Have you ...

  • Felt betrayed by spiritual leaders, co-leaders, faith communities or mentors?

  • Felt like an outcast in places of faith that were supposed to be full of love and acceptance?

  • Been the object of "love the sinner, hate the sin"? (and it didn't feel like love at all)

  • Feel like things that were supposed to be beautiful and sacred have caused too much pain to ever turn to again?

You are NOT alone. You are not alone. Sacred wounds are as real as wounds of the flesh and need care and healing.

Join us for a conversation on healing those wounds experienced in communities of faith, caused by trusted leaders, on purpose, by mistake or neglect. You can heal and find your journey to wholeness.

Panelists include:

Teresa Pasquale Mateus, author, trauma therapist, healer, and TransFORM Network member

Kathy Escobar, co-pastor of the Refuge, author of Faith Shift, healer

Phyllis Mathis, therapist, expert in church wounds and healing

 
 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Taking Collective Action for Social Transformation

 

Join us for a Transform Network Open Conversation on taking collective action in your community! You love God, love your neighbor and you want to pursue justice, right?

Panelists Include:

Jennifer Bailey -- Faith Matters Network
Judy Esber -- Union organizer
Micky  ScottBey Jones
Holly Roach Knight

 
 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Contemplative Activism

 

The Way of Spirit and Truth: Contemplative Activism and Practice

Panelists Include:

  • Teresa Pasquale Mateus -- a “crooked” mystic, a trauma therapist, integrative healing provider, yoga & meditation teacher, Adjunct Professor at FAU, and equine-facilitated care practitioner.

  • Lisa Anderson -- senior director of Intersectional Engagement & Strategic Convening at Auburn Theological Seminary

  • Robyn Henderson-Espinoza -- Ph.D candidate at the University of Denver-Iliff School of Theology, focusing on Constructive Philosophical Theology

  • Micky ScottBey Jones

  • Teresa Pasquale Mateus

 
 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Urban Ministry

 

Panelists Include:

  • Romal Tune -- Speaker, Author, Ministry Leader

  • Aislinn Kopp -- Missional Church Fellow, Institute for Community Engagement, at Wesley Theological Seminary

  • Kelvin Mulembe -- Urban Ministry Fellow, Fellow, Institute for Community Engagement, at Wesley Theological Seminary

  • Facilitator: Micky ScottBey Jones

  • Producer: Scott Bostic

 
 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Racial Justice

 

An open conversation on the lessons of 2014 on Race, Faithful Engagement, and Revolutionary Love. What changed in the fight for racial justice in 2014? What changes might be on the horizon for 2015? How can people of faith "love God, love their neighbor and take collective action" when it comes to race in 2015?

Panelists include:

  • Brittini Alexandria -- Faith-based activist and organizer in St. Louis, MO.

  • Robyn Henderson-Espinoza -- Theologian-in-residence for the Transform Network 2015 National Gathering on Urban Transformation

  • Bec Cranford - pastor, volunteer coordinator for Gateway Center in Atlanta

  • Facilitator: Micky ScottBey Jones

  • Producer: Scott Bostic

 
 
 

OPEN CONVERSATION

Faith-Rooted Organizing

 

Watch this hour-long conversation with co-authors of the new book Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World (InterVarsity Press, 2014).

Panelists Include:

  • Alexia Salvatierra

  • Peter Heltzel

  • Anthony Smith

  • Teresa Pasquale Mateus

  • Hosted by Holly Roach and Stephen Knight