The first seminar course explores the social and contextual challenges within American religious life across the nation. Through readings, guest presentations, and (virtual) field trips, you’ll explore the overarching challenges facing local congregations and then discover creative, out-of-the-box realistic solutions to address these challenges. Following each of these explorations and experiences, you’ll reflect theologically on the relevance and salience of these approaches as well as other possible solutions, from the perspective of your personal beliefs and specific tradition’s theological framework.