About

Introduction
Even though I’m an aspiring perfectionist, multitasker and technophile, I spend most of my time as an author, professor and parent. As an author, I blog, design curriculum for churches, and write academic publications including articles, book chapters, and books. In order to pay bills, I work as the Jerre and Mary Joy Stead Professor of Christian Ethics at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. My role as a parent reaches far and wide. I could add one more “p” – partner – as I wouldn’t be half as good at any of this if I didn’t live in the loving, mutual, and well-organized world nurtured by my marriage. My husband and I parent two young adult children. But that’s just the start of parenting. There are Sunday school participants, youth groups around the country who welcome me into their space, and the many children and youth who allow me to share wisdom and guidance as they make sense of this world.

Motivation
My faith grounds me in a deep belief in practicing hospitality, sharing responsibility for our neighbor, and loving God’s creation. I believe that the moral choices we make affect who we are and show who we want to become. I wake up in the middle of the night wondering how privilege is constructed and how this sustains systemic injustice. I am passionate about the intersections of health, education, and the environment and try to pay particular attention to issues of gender, race, class, and sexuality in my work.

Location
I am a bilocated Midwest Northeastern. My favorite places: anywhere with my family, floating in the middle of a freshwater lake, in front of the wood burning stove on a snowy day, and in a classroom (broadly defined) having transformative conversations.