Common Ground, Faithful Action

Equipping clergy and laity for the journey toward justice

Common Ground, Faithful Action is more than a set of webinars—it is formation, equipping, and movement-building. Through scripture, history, and lived experience, this series invites participants to grow in faithful courage, gain practical tools, and take meaningful action toward racial justice.

This series is designed for those who are justice-curious or hesitant, providing an accessible introduction while offering a prophetic call to join in the sacred work of community formation and social holiness.

Purpose of the Series

Spark a prophetic call to action through insights from recognized and emerging leaders
Equip participants with practical tools inspired by scripture and faith tradition
Sustain and grow a Beloved Community committed to racial justice

Format

50-minute webinar with moderated discussion
10-minute Q&A

Schedule & Speakers

September 27, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Rev. Rob Schenck – Confessions of a (Former) Christian Nationalist: What I--and We--Must Do to Neutralize Toxic Religion

Rev. Rob Schenck, D.Min., is a public theologian, religious organizer, and former national leader in the evangelical movement who now works as a voice for repentance, reconciliation, and Christian discipleship. He describes his spiritual journey as a series of conversions—from political evangelicalism to a renewed commitment to the Jesus of the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 25, shaped by the witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. After three decades as a prominent figure on the religious right, he publicly broke with his former movement over issues including abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and Christian nationalism. Today, Rev. Schenck serves as Visiting Scholar of Christianity and Religious Leadership at the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership at Hebrew College and as an advisor to the President of the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married 49 years and are parents of two adult children.

"In this desperate hour, when a new menace to human flourishing looms over America and the world, Christians of conscience need to redeem that privilege by being properly formed, equipped, and released to meet the moral, ethical, and spiritual challenges that are again ravaging whole people groups."

October 25, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Doug Pagitt – Faithful Action in Fractured Times: Living the Common Good Together

Doug Pagitt is a pastor, author, social activist, and possibility enthusiast committed to helping people imagine and create a more beautiful world. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of Vote Common Good, a national organization that inspires and mobilizes people of faith to engage in civic life. In 2000, Doug founded Solomon’s Porch, a holistic missional Christian community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he served as pastor and continues to be involved. He is the author of 10 books on spirituality, Christianity, and leadership, including A Christianity Worth Believing, Flipped, and Outdoing Jesus: Seven Ways to Live Out the Promise of Greater Than. Doug also founded the Greater Things Foundation, which works to foster more inclusive, life-giving communities.

"Faithful action is the ultimate antidote to a political landscape dominated by fear, exclusion, and the distortion of our faith for partisan power. When the church steps up to protect the vulnerable and advocate for systemic justice, we declare that our deepest allegiance is to the common good..."

November 22, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Lisa Sharon Harper – Will the True Bride of Christ Stand Up?

Lisa Sharon Harper is a theologian, author, speaker, and activist who works to inspire renewal and transformation in the church and society. She is the founder and president of Freedom Road, a consulting and communications group that equips communities and organizations for justice-centered change. Lisa is the author of The Very Good Gospel, named 2016 “Book of the Year” by Englewood Review of Books, and Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World—and How to Repair It All, named 2022 “Book of the Year” by Word and Way. She hosts the Freedom Road Podcast, cohosts The FOUR Podcast, and writes the Substack column “The Truth Is…” Lisa holds degrees in playwriting and human rights and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in womanist ethics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam while serving as Affiliate Faculty at St. Stephen’s University in Canada.

"To be a witness is to function as evidence in the courtroom. Thus, the church's vocation is to be evidence of God's just and peaceable reign in the world. Never has this call been as critical as it is right now."

Past Webinars

February 26, 2026 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez – Speaking Truth to Power

The Rev. Héctor Antonio Burgos-Núñez was elected Bishop on Nov. 4, 2022, becoming the first Hispanic-Latino and first Puerto Rican bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. He currently serves the Susquehanna and Upper New York Annual Conferences. Previously, he was District Superintendent of the Central District of the Greater New Jersey Conference and has served pastorates and leadership roles across worship, urban ministries, and connectional ministries. Bishop Burgos-Núñez is a Community Leadership Fellow, certified ICA coach, and Outward Mindset facilitator. He blogs at Mensajes de Esperanza (150,000+ followers) and shares life with his wife, Jazelis Adorno, and their four children.

Watch the Recording

"What compels me is love—love of God, love of neighbor, and love for the communities God entrusts to our care. Silence may feel safer, but truth-telling is faithful, and speaking truth to power is essential to justice and liberation."

March 22, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Starlette Thomas – The Raceless Gospel

Starlette Thomas is a poet, practical theologian, and prophetic voice for an undivided kin-dom. She directs The Raceless Gospel Initiative at Good Faith Media, calling the church to confront white supremacy and reclaim baptismal identity. With experience as a pastor and denominational leader, she combines scholarly insight with on-the-ground activism, encouraging faithful engagement through preaching, protest, and pedagogy. Her work invites participants to step boldly into justice, equity, and community transformation.

Watch the Recording

"It is vital for the church to engage in faithful action toward a just world. Asking Jesus, ‘Are we there yet?’ isn’t enough; disciples, we must walk it out."

April 26, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Justin Seward – The Raceless Gospel

Justin Seward is a United Methodist seminarian at Harvard Divinity School studying the period of American Reconstruction and the ongoing legacy of slavery and the Confederacy. His research explores Black collective memory of Confederate commemoration and its implications for contemporary racial inequality. Through historical insight, he invites participants to reflect critically, understand the roots of injustice, and act faithfully in the pursuit of justice and holiness in society and the church.

Watch the Recording

"To be a people committed to a just and peaceful world is to be critical of how we have ended up where we are. Understanding history shapes our pursuit of holiness in this world."

May 31, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra – A Just Response to the Border Crisis

Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra is Academic Dean of the Centro Latino and Associate Professor of Mission and Global Transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary. With over 40 years of experience in church-based community transformation, she equips churches and communities to harness their gifts for justice and peace. Author of Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World, she emphasizes deep engagement, practical tools, and faithful strategy for sustaining justice-oriented ministry locally and globally.

Watch the Recording

"The faith-rooted organizing model uses strategies from the global south to equip believers to contribute all their particular gifts to broader movements for justice and peace. It calls us to go deep in our wells of faith to understand the full contribution that we can offer to the positive transformation of our communities and helps us think through the strategies that we need to use to engage our churches in that work."