I just posted my entry. Thanks for sponsoring this, Brad!
http://gracenwilk.blogspot.com/2012/09/hi-i-am-mark-and-i-am-evangelical-0.html#links
September 8, 2012
Hi, I'm ___ and I'm an Evangelical!?;-) | Essays Wanted
Do you identify as an evangelical? Whether you like or dislike the term, it's a frequent classifier for theologians, church leaders, researchers, pollsters, historians, news media and politicians.
Does evangelical identity resonate with you? If it does, or perhaps once did but doesn't now, what does evangelical identity even mean to you?
FaithVillage will be hosting a panel discussion on evangelical identity titled "50 Shades of Evangelicalism: Exploring the Emerging Diversity of Young American Evangelicals" at the upcoming Religion Newswriters Association conference on October 5, 2012. Participants will include Robert Jones (Public Religion Research), Patton Dodd (Bondfire Books, formerly of Patheos.com and Beliefnet.com), Jonathan Fitzgerald (Editor of Patrolmag.com) and Sarah Pulliam Bailey (Managing Editor for Odyssey Networks, formerly online editor for Christianity Today).
Essays Wanted by September 26, 2012
As we reflect thoughtfully on this theme we are seeking personal essays on evangelical identity from our FaithVillage community of thinkers, writers, artists and church leaders. We need your essays of 600 - 1,000 words by September 26, 2012, the best of which will be featured on a special section of the FaithVillage Newsstand channel.
If your blog is networked into FV, just post on your blog and give us a heads up at info@faithvillage.com, or message one of our editors.
We'll be sending out some snuggly soft FV t-shirts to all those writers whose posts we choose to feature.
Thanks in advance for joining us in this collaborative thought-project. We look forward to the conversation that will follow.
Brad Russell
Thanks, Mark. I'll look forward to reading your thoughts.
8 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Gina Dalfonzo
I was with you right up until "50 Shades of . . . " Look, I try not to be a prude, but REALLY? Why do Christians keep trying to capitalize off that worthless trend? It's not cute and it's not funny. It's ridiculous. I'm sorry, but it is.
7 months ago · ( 2 ) Like or Care
Susan Kaye
I agree with Gina. Why associate yourself with a sleazy, badly written book that started its infamous little life as Twilight fan fiction. Let originality be your guide.
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Brad Russell
Hi Gina and Susan, I totally respect your opinion and am sorry to offend you with the play on the 50 Shades title. We actually did it because one of our panelists, Jonathan Fitzgerald, wrote a very insightful piece by that title for the Religion Dispatches blog. We were really just invoking the metaphor and not endorsing the book.
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Blake Atwood
If you're interested in reading Jonathan's original post, it's available here: http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/6245/the_50_shades_of_evangelicalism
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Amberlee Bixler
Hi, I just posted my entry: http://amberleecrystal.blogspot.com Will podcasts of the discussion be available? It sounds really intriguing. 50 Shades of. Really. (No offense, but y'all had to expect some sort of razzing about the name, right?)
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Brad Russell
Amberlee, Yes, we totally asked for it! We are going to video the panel discussion and make it available on FV. Thanks for your post. I really resonated with it.
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Susan Kaye
Let me be up front, I'm not "offended" by the 50 Shades reference. I'm also not silly enough to think it was an endorsement of the book. I'm over fifty but not completely ignorant and my point was that the metaphor is already tired and overused.
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Ben Dubow
Here is my essay... thanks!
http://diasporadispatch.posterous.com/hi-im-ben-and-i-am-an-evangelical
http://diasporadispatch.posterous.com/hi-im-ben-and-i-am-an-evangelical
7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
Gregory Leszyk
I have an essay that I'd like to submit, but it's about 2000 words... it can be viewed at http://www.faithvillage.com/blogpost/3a0d21d9a45d42ae82d21edd57a25549/on_911?return=%2Fblogposts%2Fblog%2F1uKMBY9FyNBrJ2v6XsvCng%2Fname%2Fon_911 or if that's too long, I'd like to enter this one
Show More
http://www.faithvillage.com/blogpost/c78ce1ef5f594ca5aaa46f0e1be34e36/destiny_calling?return=%2Fblogposts%2Fblog%2F1uKMBY9FyNBrJ2v6XsvCng%2Fname%2Fon_911 though it's more a poem than essay.7 months ago · ( 0 ) Like or Care
About the Author
Brad Russell
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Brad is Senior Editor/COO of FaithVillage. He's jazzed by bringing value to Christian leaders and building online community among people who want to shift the world for Christ. The dry erase wall in his office says, "You can't trust people with hair, they may be hiding something."
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The FV Editors organization serves as the administrative hub for all FV content and community.