Why Should You Come to Southern Lights?
For the last several years, I have co-led and co-organized (with colleagues and friends Diana Butler Bass and Jim Chafee) a joyful gathering of progressive Christians from across the South (and beyond) called Southern Lights. Here are 4 reasons you should consider coming - January 23-25, 2026:
First, the big idea: The American South is, in many ways, the epicenter of the White Christian Nationalism that is trying to dominate the nation and distort the faith. Many people are unaware of how many committed, sincere, and joyful Christians in the South stand strong for a different, deeper, wiser, and more compassionate understanding of Christian faith. We are rooted in the deep historic tradition of Christian contemplatives and activists from Jesus, Mary, Paul, John, and James to the desert sages, from St. Patrick and St. Columba to St. Francis and Julian of Norwich and Meister Eckhart and Teresa of Avila ... from Howard Thurman and Dr. King and Mother Teresa and Pope Francis to amazing spiritual leaders today.
Southern Lights is one of the primary ways forward-leaning, compassion-based, contemplative and activist Christians across the South (and beyond) gather for mutual support, encouragement, learning, and inspiration.
Second, the theme. This year's theme could not be more relevant:
Wisdom From the Edge, When the Center Can Not Hold
For many of us raised in the cultural center—shaped by privilege, security, and the stability of institutions—it once seemed unthinkable that the moral and societal frameworks we trusted could fracture. But for those raised on the margins—where life was harder, systems less reliable, and injustice more visible—the cracks have long been evident.
And now, here we are. In a moment of deep uncertainty and upheaval, the invitation is clear: to listen. To step back from certainty, and tune in to voices that have too often been silenced or overlooked—voices from the edge.
This year at Southern Lights, we will gather with open hearts and open eyes, seeking wisdom from outside the cultural mainstream. We will hear from Black voices, Jewish voices, queer voices—each carrying hard-earned truths and sacred insights. In their stories, we’ll discover a throughline: many of our greatest prophets, reformers, and visionaries were themselves born on the margins.
Their wisdom is not just needed—it is essential. In listening, we may find not only a way forward, but a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and of the Spirit who speaks most clearly from the edge.
Join us. The light is rising from unexpected places.
Third, the speakers, musicians, and artists: Every year, Diana and I are joined by an amazing team, and this year is no exception:
... my dear friend Rabbi Or Rose, who brings deep Jewish wisdom to these troubled times.
... one of my favorite communicators and analysts of our current moment: professor, celebrated author, and activist Jemar Tisby.
... one of my favorite poets, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
... the amazing Dr. Jennifer Harvey - a seminary professor and theologian, writer, pastor, and insightful leader.
... Ken Medema, one of the most brilliant songwriters, astounding musicians, and inspired improvisational composers alive today ...
Frankly, any one of these people would be worth your time and energy to enjoy ... but all of them together make for a real feast for the mind and heart. You can learn more here: https://southernlightsconference.com/speakers
And fourth, the people. If you feel alone, isolated, and maybe even a little afraid ... intimidated by the forces of corruption, authoritarianism, conspiracy theories, and anger, and you need to be around some good-hearted and intelligent people ... the people you'll meet at Southern Lights will uplift you and encourage you. Not only that, but the staff and volunteers of Southern Lights do everything they can to maximize your experience ... which is enhanced by the beautiful and history-rich setting on the Georgia Coast, Epworth by the Sea.
You'll find everything you need to know at the website: https://southernlightsconference.com/
PS: If you can't come in person (or if we reach capacity before you register), you can attend online (synchronously or asynchronously). More information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-lights-conference-2026-registration-1138009349599?aff=oddtdtcreator
PPS: Because I'm taking 2026 off from travel, this is the only major public event I'll be participating in. Just fyi.
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A Beautiful Book in an Ugly Time
To survive, we all must live in contrasts ... creative, dynamic tensions:
The harder we work or the higher the stress, the more we need rest.
The more we give, the more we need to find sources of replenishment.
The more privileged and comfortable we are, the more we need to turn to those who are struggling and in need.
The uglier the politics and economics in the human sphere, the more we need the beauty of the biosphere ... and beauty from our best writers, poets, and artists of all kinds.
So in these ugly and decadent times, I highly recommend this beautiful, inspiring, uplifting new book by my dear friend and colleague, Diana Butler Bass: A Beautiful Year.
Here's how Diana describes it:
A Beautiful Year tells the story of a God opposed to empires, who stands with outsiders, and who is found with and through creation. It is the mirror-opposite spiritual and theological story to the one espoused by Christian nationalism. But my way of telling it isn’t dogmatic or doctrinal. Instead, the stories emanate from the ordinary; they are both human and humane. Yet, they are mystical and transcendent as well. And the overarching narrative is unexpected and beautiful.
I know you will be nourished by this book, and I imagine you'll want to give some copies to some friends as well. You can get ordering information here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250409881/abeautifulyear
I encourage you to buy it from a local bookshop, which you can do conveniently here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-beautiful-year-52-meditations-on-faith-wisdom-and-perseverance-diana-butler-bass
PS: As I wrote in my enthusiastic endorsement for the book, if you are new to Diana's work, this book is the ideal place to start.
0 Comments2 Minutes
Christmas Gift Ideas I Can Help With
For any adult who enjoys a good story, my new novel (science fiction) called The Last Voyage: https://brianmclaren.net/the-last-voyage-my-new-sci-fi-novel/
For your kids, grandkids, nephews, or nieces between 5 and 10 ... A children's book, co-authored with Gareth Higgins, called Cory and the Seventh Story: https://bit.ly/theseventhstory
For anyone struggling with faith questions:
For Nature Lovers:
The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey
For people interested in spirituality or spiritual growth:
For anyone deeply concerned about the state of the world:
Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World falling Apart
For clergy or other church leaders:
If it's the last minute and you need an e-book ...
Check out Why Don't The Get It? (on bias), Authoritarianism: Coming to a Society Near You, or The Seventh Story: Us, Them, and the End of Violence, all available here: https://brianmclaren.net/store/
0 Comments1 Minutes
If You’re a Generous Person, and If …
If you're a generous person, and especially if my work has been of value to you, I want to ask you to join me in making a generous donation to an organization I helped start and am deeply enthusiastic about: ZOE on Campus.
ZOE is a campus ministry network, bringing together progressive Christian students, ministries, ministers, and emerging leaders across denominations. Our goal is to develop a movement of lifelong contemplative activists who will go deep in their engagement with our beloved but weeping world ...
... working for peace among all people, whatever their race, religion, nationality, culture, or gender,
... working for the poor, because Jesus taught a preferential option for the poor, and because there is no peace without economic justice,
... working for a healthy planet, because this Earth is God's sacred creation, our beloved home, and the home of our beloved fellow creatures,
... and working with purpose rooted deep in the way of Jesus, the way of faith, hope, and love, the path of justice, joy, and peace.
The older I get, the more I believe that our prime investment should be in the young, and that's why I'll be focusing more and more of my energy (along with financial giving) in that direction in the years to come.
ZOE is already doing amazing things, but we're just getting started and even more amazing things are in store. That's why I have been focusing more and more of my financial support along with my creative energy toward ZOE.
If my work has been of value to you, and if you do year-end giving or are open to an ongoing financial commitment to ZOE, would you consider this opportunity? https://donorbox.org/founder-s-fall-challenge-2025
In addition to giving generously, I hope you'll let college students, campus ministers, campus chaplains, and faculty everywhere know about ZOE. We'd love to see them get involved.
And to learn more about ZOEonCampus, please check out https://www.zoeoncampus.com/
0 Comments2 Minutes
A taste of Thomas Berry
I'm speaking at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina this week, and yesterday shared a powerful quote from Fr. Thomas Berry:
The present human situation can be described in three sentences:
In the twentieth century
the glory of the human has become the desolation of Earth.
The desolation of Earth is becoming the destiny of the human.
All human institutions, professions, programs, and activities
must now be judged primarily by
the extent to which they inhibit, ignore, or foster
a mutually enhancing human-Earth relationship.
In the light of these statements, it is proposed that
the historical mission of our times is:
To reinvent the human
At the species level
With critical reflection
Within the community of life systems
In a time-developmental context
By means of story and
Shared dream experience.
You can read it in context here:
https://www.journeyoftheuniverse.org/news/thomas-berrys-historical-mission-of-our-times
0 Comments1 Minutes