Michael Cheuk is a leadership coach, congregational consultant, community organizer and a founding member of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective in Charlottesville, Virginia. His work can be seen at MichaelKCheuk.com.
- What story, verse or passage from your faith tradition’s sacred texts has significantly influenced / shaped your life?
The baptism narrative of Jesus as recorded in Mark 1:9-12. God’s words of love and affirmation at Jesus’ baptism are the words I need to hear and believe as I begin each day.
- Who are three people (other than your family) who have shaped your life and worldview? And why?
Marjorie Casanova, the organist at First Baptist Church, Shreveport, who demonstrated Christian hospitality to my family when we moved to the U.S. She taught me how to play the piano and even loaned us her piano for over 15 years!
Edwin Friedman, whose book, Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue, introduced me to family systems theory and set me on a journey to become a more solid “self” by taking more responsibility for my own thinking, beliefs and actions while striving to stay connected to those who differ from and disagree with me.
Marshall Rosenberg, whose book, Non-violent Communication, helped me to connect better with people by clearly communicating my feelings and needs while making non-willful requests of others.
- List three of your “desert island” books, movies or TV shows.
Because I’m not a person who often rewatches TV shows or movies, if I were to watch a show on a desert island, it would be “The West Wing” because I’ve never seen it and tons of my friends recommend it!
Any book by the Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist Anthony de Mello.
Rob Bell’s interviews with Peter Rollins on his Robcast.
- What is one of the most critical issues people are facing today?
Our inability to address critical issues without scapegoating and blaming an individual or a whole group of people as “the enemy.”
- What are a few of your hobbies?
Reading, photography, computers and cooking,
- If you could freeze your life into an already-lived 10 seconds, what would they be?
Sharing a good laugh with my wife and children around the dinner table while enjoying a good meal.
- Our tagline at Good Faith Media is, “There’s more to tell.” What’s your “more to tell”?
That sometimes, “less is more”!
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Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens.
