Why are you here? It is an ambiguous statement because it relates to both your ultimate existence and life here on this earth, but it could also be a question in reference to a contextual situation. While existential questions are important, today I am interested in a less cosmic question: Why did you decide to come “here”, as in join the State of Formation community?
This is a critical question for us to ask each other and ourselves as emerging religious leaders, dedicated to lead in a religiously pluralistic setting. I want to know why each of you has come here, because when we share the diverse reasons of our coming to this community, our journeys forward individually and collectively can be paved with greater direction, collegiality, and purpose. Our journeys are diverse, but they all brought us here. Remember, we are not just here, but here together. Let’s start a conversation and get to know a little bit more about why we are all here. I will kick it off:
I am here because I believe the world is in desperate need of a new generation of social leaders that can traverse the complex challenges of an increasingly complex world. However, to do this, I believe as a religious leader, I need to develop a capacity for engagement with religious leaders and traditions other than my own. State of Formation creates a space for me to journey with other emerging leaders from a variety of backgrounds and pursuing many different career paths. Together, we are learning to lead communities in a diversity of ways. I don’t expect us all to agree on everything regarding theology, ethics, social transformation, and justice, but I do believe that coming together here will enhance our overall discernment on the ultimate question, “Why are we Here?”, and then focus together on another important question, “Now, where are we going?”
I am here for these reasons and others, but why are You here?
Write a comment below with your response or write a full-length responsive article of your own.
To be perfectly honest, part of my motivation for being involved in the State of Formation community is to learn what State of Formation is all about. Interfaith relationships have always been important to me, and I’m interested to learn what can come of sharing thought together through this particular medium. I like to think that I have a healthy skepticism of technology (especially insofar as it encourages a loss of face-to-face interaction), but I do believe that online communities such as this one have the potential to do wonders. I hope to find meaningful relationships, respect for my own words, and plenty of words from others to learn from.
Hey Hilary,
Great to hear from you! I appreciate your reflection. I agree with you that it the online community building can be somewhat of an oxymoron. Unfortunately, I think that because the interfaith community is still rather small in this country, networking in local areas, especially certain less urban areas, is not that easy. Although, State of Formation is doing some great work in cultivating face-to-face opportunities in various parts of the country. Where is your community?
Online community allows for all of us to gather and collaborate and support each other in our formation as emerging leaders. As a member of this community I look forward to your sharing and engagement in this community!
Thanks for responding, again,
Nic Cable
Director of Community Engagement
State of Formation
I’m here because Alison McCarty, an ANTS recruiter suggested that I might enjoy it. I Do, I hope SOF is around for a long time and maybe helps further interreligous understanding. I am an ecuumanical Christain by nature. I hope that somday religous buldings will be more about inclusiveness of all seekers and less about Dogma etcetra.