With thousands of subscribers around the globe, Progressing Spirit is the world’s leading outlet for an intelligent, inclusive, and pioneering exploration of today’s theological, spiritual, and social advancements.

On a weekly basis, Progressing Spirit challenges some of the world’s top thinkers to offer their best insights about what’s happening on the leading edge. Our commitment to subscribers is to continually deliver fresh, cutting edge, interesting, and thought provoking commentaries that you will find inspiring, insightful, and sometimes even challenging.

Whether it’s about what will happen with the currently declining Church, what new models of intentional spiritual community may look like, or how we take part in the quest for equality and inclusivity; these conversations and many more are deeply explored by best selling authors, social leaders, and cutting edge innovators. We look forward to having you in the conversation.

Plus, every week we include a Bishop John Shelby Spong Essay from his Archives that you will have unlimited access to with your subscription.

For only $3 a month you will receive our weekly publication offering a rotation of contributors and topics, including access to a variety of innovative forums and resources.

Our History

Founded in 1991, Bishop John Shelby Spong began offering a subscription-based publication to a growing audience of those who sought out his lecturers and his best-selling books. Upon Bishop Spong’s retirement in 2017, that audience was spread around the globe and Progressing Spirit was borne as an innovative next step – not to simply find one other scholar like Bishop Spong, but instead to recruit a host of leading thinkers who could amplify ideas and insights about our progressing social, theological, and spiritual world.

Contributors

Best selling authors, social leaders, and cutting edge innovators – our contributors bring diverse perspectives to the growing conversation around the idea of Progressive Christianity. Inspiring, insightful, and sometimes even challenging, these unique voices come from the pulpits, academies, and front lines around the world.

• Rev. Jim Burklo

Rev. Jim Burklo is the Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at the University of Southern California

• Christena Cleveland

Social psychologist, public theologian, author, and speaker on race, reconciliation and conflict

• Kaitlin Curtice

Native American Christian author and speaker on faith and justice for Indigenous peoples.

• Aurelia Dávila Pratt

Aurelia is the Lead Pastor and founder of Peace of Christ Church and is a licensed Master of Social Work

• Dr. John Dorhauer

General Minister and President of United Church of Christ

• Michael Dowd

Evolutionary myth-maker, eco-theologian, and pro-future evangelist. Book: Thank God for Evolution

• Cassandra Farrin

Poet, writer and editor of nonfiction books on the history of religion. US-UK Fulbright scholar

• David M. Felten

Edgy and humorous pastor, author, speaker, co-creator of Living the Questions, and co-founder of Catalyst Arizona 

• Dr. Matthew Fox

Radical theologian, bestselling author of 35 books, Creation Spirituality & DailyMeditationsWithMatthewFox.org

• Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft

Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft is the Executive Minister for Justice, Operations & Movement Building at Middle Collegiate Church

• Carl Krieg

As professor, pastor and author, Dr. Krieg has taught innumerable classes and led many discussion groups 

• Jaqueline J., Ph.D.

Jacqui is a womanist whose preaching, teaching, speaking, writing, and activism are aimed at racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for all sexual orientations and genders

• Dr. Velda Love

Rev. Dr. Love works to advance racial equality and to dismantle the systems of racism

• Brian McLaren

Author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. Book: The Great Spiritual Migration 

• Dr. Robin Meyers

Robin R. Meyers is an American Christian minister, peace activist, philosophy professor and author

• Irene Monroe

NPR radio host, NEC News commentator, international religion columnist on LGBTQ, race, theology and politics 

• EbonyJanice Moore

Womanist, Scholar, Activist, Teacher, Author, Student, Artist, Preacher, Transformational Speaker, Content Creator, Healer

• Fred Plumer

Radical theologian, retired UCC pastor, ProgressiveChristianity.org President. Authored: Drink from the Well

• Fran Pratt

Author, Pastor, Liturgist, and Christian mystic. Spiritual practice, Divine Feminine, Liturgy, Re-imagining “worship”

• Toni Reynolds

Author, Facilitator, Speaker, Practitioner of African Spiritual Tradition(s)

• Brandan Robertson

Noted author, LGBTQ activist, speaker and pastor. Recent book: True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace 

• Mark Sandlin

Christian Left Co-Founder, highly published author and pastor 

• Jessica Shine

Rev. Shine has a passion for people and a skill for communicating in transformative ways

• Deshna Charron Shine

Author, Speaker, Ritualist, Interfaith Minister and Chaplain

• Jennifer Berit and Skylar Wilson

Order of the Sacred Earth, Wild Awakenings, speakers, authors, visionary leaders, wilderness lovers

• Joran Slane Oppelt

International speaker, author, interfaith minister, singer/songwriter. Founder of Integral Church 

• Bishop John Shelby Spong

Best Selling author, world-renowned speaker and leader, inspiration and co-founder of Progressing Spirit

• Matthew Syrdal

Pastor, Author, Wilderness guide. Lead guide of WilderSoul and Church of Lost Walls. Co-founder of Seminary of the Wild

• Kevin G. Thew Forrester, Ph.D.

Soulbody Spirituality. Interfaith Explorer. Author. Teacher. Enneagram. Episcopal Priest

• Lauren Van Ham

Eco-Minister, Dean of Chaplaincy Institute, Interfaith Chaplain, author, speaker, Spiritual Director

• Gretta Vosper

Atheist Pastor, bestselling author, poet, radical theologian

• Cindy Wang Brandt

Author and champion of cultivating values of hospitality, creativity, equality, social justice, and deep spirituality in the next generation

• Roger Wolsey

Author of Kissing Fish, Pastor, social justice activist