Dear Brave Reader,

Over the 2022-23 academic year, we have been celebrating the Graduate Theological Union’s 60th anniversary. At the heart of this celebration is a recognition of our founders’ radical vision. This vision has shaped generations of scholar-leaders who are doing the courageous work of creating a more compassionate and just world. As we set our sights on the next 60 years and beyond, I have been reflecting on the ways in which we can build on our successes to continue to brave the way and keep the flame of hope burning bright.

In our rapidly changing world, it seems that we are increasingly afflicted by a paucity of spaces encouraging brave conversations. By contrast, the GTU has always been distinguished by the quality of leaning into these conversations with courage. At the GTU, we are guided by our belief in their power to effect change for the creation of a more compassionate and just world. This transformation happens when, in a classroom on Holy Hill, we choose to listen to, learn from, and dialogue with perspectives that diverge from our own, which in turn, expands our understanding of the world. It’s happening now within GTUx, the GTU’s innovative platform for online learning, where the teachings of scholars, thought leaders, and experts have reached more than 10,000 learners and sparked brave conversations in more ways and places than ever before.

Above all, this bold process of transformation is also happening daily through the work of the GTU community—locally and globally.

This volume, Brave Conversations: Spiritual Care and Ethical Leadership for Our Times, is a collection of essays that illuminate GTU’s place at the forefront of a decadeslong quest to boldly light the way toward a better world through dialogue. These compositions reflect a variety of voices—of students, faculty, leadership, and alums, across an array of faith traditions, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds. Each of these voices captures an important part of the rich mosaic of ideas that make up the work of the GTU. And together, they illuminate the ways that the GTU—and our world—can achieve greater moral strength through exchange.

SECTION ONE 4

A Foundation in Courage

SECTION TWO 11

Braving the Way

SECTION THREE 20

Bold Visions for the Future

Brave Conversations is divided into three main sections. The first section, “A Foundation of Courage,” is focused on the voices of GTU community members who are working to cultivate unique spaces where different voices and perspectives meet one another in vital dialogue. The second section, “Braving the Way,” follows some of the transformative work that GTU faculty, alums, and students are engaged in throughout the world. The third section, “Bold Visions for the Future” features the voices of more GTU thinkers and visionaries who give us hope for positive changes that they envision unfolding over the next 60 years.

I hope you will find that this anthology offers insights and inspiration as we strive to reinforce the spiritual and ethical foundations for a world in desperate need of leaders willing to brave the way in making positive change. Thank you for being a part of the GTU community, and for your continued support of our mission and efforts. You are an essential part of our unique and necessary institution, where courageous conversations lead to vital changes in the world.

Peace and Blessings,

Uriah Y. Kim President Professor of Biblical Studies PhD, GTU ’04