Dwight Friesen, DMin
Dr. Dwight J. Friesen [he/they] is passionate to embody faithful presence seeking to follow in the Way of Jesus鈥攑ersonally, communally, and contextually. Dwight鈥檚 scholarly work explores how people convene in local communities to cultivate imagination, practices, postures, and narratives that embody God鈥檚 shalom. Rooted in real places and real relationships, their work seeks to center shalomic love in ways that can鈥檛 help but subvert dominant systems of nationalism, classism, sexism, racism, naturism, and any system or structure that oppresses or divides.
As a practical and public theologian Dwight describes his vocation as 鈥渟earching for, learning with, and training leaders for the church emerging after Western whiteness Christianity.鈥� Known for beginning his classes with the resonance of a singing bowl and the light of a peace candle, he brings decades of contextual pastoral leadership to 天美视频. He has served as Pastor of St. Luke鈥檚 Lutheran Church in Bellevue, as community curate of an Eastside emerging simple church for more than a decade, and was formerly ordained by the Christian & Missionary Alliance鈥攃redentials he surrendered in solidarity with women pursuing ordination. A liturgical Anabaptist with progressive and emergent sensibilities, Dwight seeks to root his faith in place while linking globally with others embodying faith within their own contexts. Dwight鈥檚 theological life invites apophatic and cataphatic traditions to dance together in everyday practice.
Professor Friesen earned his Doctor of Ministry from George Fox University, where his dissertation developed a relational hermeneutic for connective leadership and ecclesial structures. They hold a Master鈥檚 degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, where his thesis examined biblical metaphors of community, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Ambrose University College in Calgary, Alberta.
In addition to their leadership development work at 天美视频, Dwight consults with local faith communities and missional organizations seeking a more faithful presence within their neighborhoods. He specializes in helping congregations from diverse traditions reimagine asset stewardship in the development of more sustainable funding models for ministry while serving the common good. Dwight co-founded the Inhabit Conference, serves as a founding board member of Parish Collective, and contributes internationally through Faith for Cities and the Urban Shalom Society in partnership with UN-Habitat. Dwight鈥檚 current projects intersect most directly with the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities),#16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and the Inner Development Goals.
Dwight has served on the National Council of Churches鈥� Faith and Order Commission, and continues to teach and speak across North America and beyond, engaging leaders in theological education at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
He and his partner, Lynette, live in the Lake Hills neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington, where they are joyfully adjusting to life as empty nesters. Learn more at .
Courses in Dr. Friesen鈥檚 Regular Teaching Rotation
- Intersections 2: Biblical Traditions & Theological Formations
- Intersections 3: Textual Integrations
- Critical Reading Lab
- Gathering & Becoming: Convening Communities of Faith & Practice
- Listening & Leading: Spiritual Leadership within Communities of Faith & Practice
- Contextual Learning Lab
- Mission & Faithful Presence
- Triune G-d & Creation: Ecotheology
Books
- , co-authored with Tom Sine
- , co-authored with Paul Sparks and Tim Soerens
- , co-authored with Mark Russell, Allen Yeh, Michelle Sanchez, and Chelle Stearns
Published Chapters in Edited Books
- 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Going on Here? Trusting God鈥檚 Story in Your Own鈥� in
- 鈥淔ormation in the Post-Christendom Era: Exilic Practices and Missional Identity鈥� in
- Orthoparadoxy: Emerging Hope for Embracing Difference鈥� in
Dwight regularly publishes articles, posts, and book reviews, is available for interviews and podcasts, and is open to speaking or facilitating formational learning at conferences, schools, or public events.
25 Books that Shaped Professor Friesen
- , Hans Urs von Balthasar
- , Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- , & , Walter Brueggemann
- , Martin Buber
- , Sarah Coakley
- , James H. Cone
- , Eleazar S. Fernandez
- , Ren茅 Girard
- , Stanley J. Grenz
- , bell hooks
- , Jane Jacobs
- , Eberhard J眉ngel
- , Catherine Keller
- , Martin Luther King, Jr.
- , J眉rgen Moltmann
- , Leslie Newbigin
- , Henri J. M. Nouwen
- , Mary Oliver
- Michael Polanyi
- , John C. Polkinghorne
- , Linn Marie Tonstad
- , Evelyn Underhill
- , Miroslav Volf
- Margeret J. Wheatley
- , Randy S. Woodley