Apr 28

Apr 28 A 'prophetic voice': Shane Claiborne to speak in Rochester this weekend

Renowned Christian activist, author and speaker Shane Claiborne will visit Rochester this weekend for a live event hosted by Sandbox Cooperative.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Studio 324 in downtown Rochester (below Fagan Studios).

Claiborne is a founder and board member of The Simple Way, a faith community in Philadelphia that helps connect faith communities around the world. An advocate of nonviolence and service to the poor, Shane has served on peace delegations in some of the most troubled regions in the world.

“Shane has a prophetic voice,” said Dave Berg, co-founder of Sandbox and pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester. “He challenges us to work for justice in all aspects of our lives, from the way we spend our money to the way we spend our time. He continually teaches that being a Christian isn’t a hobby or club that one belongs to; being a Christian is a radical way of living.”

During the conversation, which will be streamed live online, Claiborne will discuss social justice, peacemaking and his relationship with Jesus.

“Shane has been an important voice for me in helping to make the Christian tradition mean something right now,” said Sandbox co-founder Christopher Roberts, also an employee at Gloria Dei. “Christianity doesn't live in a bubble of belief — it helps us to partner with others to build a better community for everyone.”

Claiborne's work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on major networks such as Fox News, Al Jazeera and CNN. He has given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame. He also speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals and conferences around the globe.

“The last time I saw Shane talk, he brought 35,000 high school students to their feet,” said Berg. “He inspires with the radical concept that loving and treating one another with dignity will change the entire world.”

Sandbox Cooperative, a project of Gloria Dei, bills itself as "an interactive forum for conversation, questions, and the exchange of ideas." Previous speakers have included Mike McHargue (aka "Science Mike"), Jake Bouma, Shane Hipps, Becca Stevens and Jay Bakker. In addition to live events, Sandbox also has its own original podcast series.