Progressive Christianity is a dazzlingly composite faith. It draws from the fathomless wells of liberation, ecological, process, mystical, queer, Celtic, Anabaptist, womanist, post-colonial, mujerista, negative, and sacramental theologies, among others. In its complexity and richness the Progressive Christian tradition is poised to provide disciples with relevant and transformative responses to the theological, political, and existential challenges of our day. Unfortunately, my research and experience indicates that many Progressive Christians are incapable of expressing their theological convictions in a coherent and compelling way.

Although a mature faith is ultimately apophatic, the paucity of theological parlance found among a significant share of Progressive Christians indicates a lack of exposure to language that resonates with their deepest apprehensions of the Holy, rather than a humble recognition of the ineffable grandeur of the theological enterprise itself. My aspiration in applying for this grant is to carve out the time away from my regular responsibilities that I will need to author a brief, accessible, inspiring book on Progressive Christian theology and practice that will help to bridge the "theology gap." For a decade I have immersed myself in the study of Progressive Christian theology and practice and I believe that we are in dire need of better lay-accessible theological resources. In preparation for writing, I would conduct a series of formal interviews with 24 Progressive Christian leaders about the resources they use for theological education and the theological concerns that they see most often in their settings. My aim is to create a book that provides Progressive Christians and those who are on the fringes of this identity with language, metaphors, Biblical touchstones, and stories of embodied theology that will give voice to the interior convictions and resurrect their enthusiasm for the great adventure of Christian discipleship.