The Praxis Forum is a group committed to bridging the gap between academic work and on-the-ground efforts in religion. We conduct our own scholarship efforts, but our main focus is the realization of these efforts. We want to emerge from the dusty books and abstract ideas and hit the ground running, putting our knowledge into practice. Praxis!
Praxis is a group attached to the Westar Institute, a non-profit research organization committed to studying the Christian tradition. Westar works to improve religious literacy in the public as it pushes the envelope with cutting-edge scholarship.
Even for an educated audience, sometimes understanding experts can be like wading through molasses. Or maybe we understand it but do not feel like we can put it to use. The ‘so what?’ of religious studies can be stifling. This is where the Praxis Forum comes in.
What could this look like? Perhaps it is a discussion circle debriefing academic discourse. Maybe it is something more artistic, such as a podcast series or theatrical production. It could be tied to worship, such as a sermon, devotional, or Taizé service. Whatever it may be, we want to act on scholarship and make it something tangible.
We are primarily interested in Christianity but we are not exclusionary of other faith traditions. All of us are concerned, interested, or involved with religion in some way. Many of us are pastors, work in chaplaincy, or are in religious studies. Many of us engage with material in our art or community events. Some of us are religious, some of us are not. Some of us don’t quite know what it means to be religious but see something important in faith traditions. And faith traditions are transforming rapidly and affecting everything from family structures to national policies. We are invested in the research and the conversations and desire to do more.
We hope to make scholarship more accessible and more tangible. We yearn to find more ways to engage audiences who are committed to critical thinking in their studies or spiritual lives. Whatever your interest level, faith, or education, Praxis welcomes you to join us in conversation and practice.
To be considered for membership please tell us in 500 words or less: How do you see yourself and/or your work in relation to the mission of the Praxis Forum? Submit your response along with a current resume or CV to [email protected]
Praxis Membership gives you:
- A part in an integrated network of leaders
- Ability to apply for funding to attend Westar Spring meetings
- Access to Member-only meetings at events
- Access to Member-only resources
- Ability to host, lead, and/or attend Praxis events around the country
- Deeply discounted fees for events
- $40 annual membership fee to be renewed every year
Website: https://thepraxisforum.com/
Twitter: @PraxisF
We are so excited to have Praxis Forum Group as a part of #WildGoose2018