Register for the CONVERGENCE WORKSHOP for religious and civic leaders
The Religion and Public Life Center "Religious and Civic Leader Gatherings" is a series of carefully curated events that bring together local leaders with today's major thinkers to discuss the most pressing issues facing communities in Houston. This group spans all faith traditions and is designed to build a well-informed network of leaders who make Houston a more vibrant city.
Across the country and within our own neighborhoods, faith leaders are navigating rapidly shifting cultural, political, and social landscapes. This year's Religious and Civic Leader Gatherings will focus on Leading Communities in the Midst of Change, exploring how religious and civic leaders can respond to change with wisdom, courage, and care while guiding their communities through uncertainty.
Save the dates to join us this fall for thoughtful conversations with scholars and practitioners working at the forefront of this effort:
Previous topics have included:
We would love to have you be a part of our Religious and Civic Leader Gatherings. If you are a religious or civic leader and would like more information and to be put on our invitation list, please email BoniukInstitute@rice.edu.
Revisit our 2025-2026 conversations on the Boniuk Institute YouTube page
The Changing Landscape of Religion in America
Political scientist and data analyst Ryan Burge explores how partisan identity is influencing religious affiliation, why moderate congregations are disappearing, and what these trends mean for democracy, civic life, and the future of American religion.
Religious Congregations as Centers of Public Health
Psychologist Glen Milstein offers perspective, hope, and resources for religious leaders faced with the daunting role of providing mental health care.
Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell and David Eagle discuss practical ways that clergy can improve their health and well-being based on their research and work through the Duke University Clergy & Religion Research Collaborative.
Immigration and Religious Communities
Todd Ferguson and Houston pastor Josue Treviño discuss how religious and civic leaders are navigating the impact of immigration enforcement and policy changes.
Leading Communities within Political Polarization
Steve Bezner, of Baylor University's Truett Seminary discusses strategies that leaders can use to anchor their communities in values that transcend policical and cultural divides. He explores how modern cultural forces shape, and often distort the way that people understand and live out their faith.
Boniuk Institute
6100 Main Street, MS350
Houston, TX 77005
boniukinstitute@rice.edu
rplc.rice.edu
Avery Franklin
Senior Media Relations Specialist
averyrf@rice.edu
