About Word and World

Vision and Purpose

Word and World is intended to provide radical education and training for Christian disciples committed to the work of social transformation. Building capacity for movements of faith-based witness and work in service, solidarity, justice, peace and social change (this includes individuals, communities and organizations) is Word and World's specific purpose.

National/Regional Collaboration

Word and World is ecumenical and inclusive, integrating the insights and experiences of "seminary, sanctuary and street." Its diverse and renowned faculty is drawn from a mix of both nationally known and local resource persons committed to faith-based social change. The school is guided by a national board, working in conjunction with local/regional committees. This partnership is designed to ensure consistency of vision while also allowing for diversity of region-specific interests and needs. Our intent is to always be of service to the local regional need.

Curriculum

The Word and World curriculum for any given school involves a balance between what the region identifies as its need for capacity building and the more nationally generated common curriculum. These can be broadly understood as being divided into "church practices" and "social practices" and fundamentally have to do with faith, community, justice, and movement work. Focal points for building competence include:

• Biblical literacy and relevance;

• Political, social and cultural analysis;

• Jubilee/Sabbath economics;

• Movement history and ethics;

• Spirituality of praxis; and

• Alternative community-, network- and institution-building.

Popular Education

Word and World adopts a pedagogical philosophy of popular education, and keeps each morning and afternoon class to a maximum of 15 people. Small groups meeting daily to discuss issues and concerns raised in plenary sessions attended by all participants also strengthen the objectives of dialogical education. Evenings are left open to community engagement, cultural activities, parties, recreation and public events.

W&W's Inspiration and Historic Precedents

The vision for Word and World draws inspiration from such historical precedents as: the Finkenwalde seminary of the Confessing Church of Germany; the Freedom Schools of the Civil Rights movement; the "womenchurch" experiments of Christian feminism; the base community movement animated by liberation theology; the radically biblical "underground seminary" of nonviolent resistance in the 1970s and 80s; and several political models of popular education such as union schools, the Highlander Center and the Center for Popular Economics.

We also seek to work with and extend the reach of current experiments in alternative theological education such as the Servant Leadership Schools, the Alternative Seminary of Philadelphia, the Seminary Consortium of Urban Pastoral Education and other functioning models.

Admissions and Scholarships

Word and World gatherings are not conferences and are not intended as "entry level" encounters to "taste and see." They are designed for people already actively committed to movement work (broadly defined as involvement in some significant way with service, advocacy, or organizing for social change). To keep a balance between regional/local and national participants, to ensure that commitment rather than means (time and money) should predominate, and to factor affirmatively for diversity (youth, women, people of color, poor folk, gays/lesbians, and disabled people), a simple process of application and admission is in place. Important consideration is given to scholarship needs. Please contact us for more information.

A MOVEABLE FEAST

"Know the Word,
Teach the Word,
Preach the Word,
Defend the Word,
Incarnate the Word,
Live the Word."

WILLIAM
STRINGFELLOW

Word and World collaboratives create eight-day schools, moveable feasts that focus on social justice themes in various parts of the United States.

The inaugural World and World School took place in April 2002 in Greensboro, NC. Movement history and four decades of Black struggles for civil, racial and labor rights in Greensboro were the focus for historic site visits, plenary sessions, intensive classes, small group practicums, worship and prayer.

Click here for an overview of the inaugural Word and World Greensboro School.

In November 2002, the second Word and World School convened in Tucson, AZ. and focused on social justice in the Southwest and border issues.

Click here for the Report on the Word and World Tucson School.

In June 2003, the third Word and World School convened in Philadelphia, PA. The Philadelphia School focused on non-violence and urban struggles.

Click here for the Report on the Word and World Philadelphia School.

In June 2004, the fourth Word and World School convened in Rochester, NY. The Rochester School focused on Gender and Sexuality: The Struggle for Justice and Inclusion.

Click here for the Report on the Word and World Rochester School.

In July of 2006 Word and World convened the fifth school in Memphis, TN. The Memphis School focus was on the themes of Faith and Labor.

Click here for the Report on the Word and World Memphis School.

In July of 2007 Word and World convened our sixth school in Parkton, NC. This school focused onthe themes of Economic Justice and Prophetic Witness.

Click here for the Report on the Word and World North Carolina School