This past week I began my Masters of Divinity at Harvard. Though it's officially a program of preparation for ministry, like many of my colleagues I come with an open heart to discover what my sense of ministry's fullest expression may be-not only in terms of my gifts, passions and convictions, but also in the context of the world's ever rapidly changing needs. While leaving my performance career and returning to school (especially for the vocational trajectory I'm exploring) can be daunting, I feel I'm picking up on a journey started long ago. 

Growing up around Initiatives of Change, I experienced an extremely rare kind of community. Before I was old enough to imagine it otherwise, I was surrounded by people of every age, color, ethnicity, nationality, etc., brought together by the deeply shared conviction to take personal responsibility for making the world the more peaceful place they envisioned. These individuals were inspired by one another's commitment and stories, but also very much guided by their faith. The amazing thing is that their faith traditions were, and still are, different. But the role of faith remains central to most of those involved.

In our increasingly secular society, more and more of my peers are questioning the need for religious belief, and even looking down on those who do embrace religion. Others, I realize, are clinging more fervently than ever to fundamentalist views that breed distrust and fear. As I witness the increasing domination of Christianity, for example, by certain more extreme groups in my country, I relate very much to the skepticism that many of my friends feel toward organized religion. But when I ask them if we must "throw out the baby with the bath water," the answer I usually get back is..."no." My deepening sense is that this growing "spiritual but not religious" crowd needs real community, and even ministry, too."