Joel Emerson is web editor at Good Faith Media and pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church, Nashville, Tennessee.
- What story, verse or passage from your faith tradition’s sacred texts has significantly influenced / shaped your life?
Jesus’ admonition to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves has been for me a continuous call to an ever more challenging level of discipleship. It is, as they say, harder than it looks (sounds).
- Who are three people (other than your family) who have shaped your life and worldview? And why?
Tim Lines, when we were both at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, gave me my first exposure to general systems theory, which has changed the entire way I view the world.
David Nowlin, my Clinical Pastoral Education supervisor for my residency program.
Barry Culbertson, long-time chaplain who has taught me how a few words can produce a profound impact on the lives of people we are attempting to help.
- List three of your “desert island” books, movies or TV shows.
The West Wing, The Wire and any music from most any genre.
- What is one of the most critical issues people are facing today?
The massive disparity in wealth between the rich and poor around the world.
- What are a few of your hobbies?
I love listening to and attempting to make music.
- If you could freeze your life into an already-lived 10 seconds, what would they be?
The moment in our wedding when my wife and I pronounced our wedding vows.
- Our tagline at Good Faith Media is, “There’s more to tell.” What’s your “more to tell”?
See the answer to the first question!
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Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens.
