“Cultivating Thriving Communities of Faith: The Promise of Strategic Religious Philanthropy” is theme of 11th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture
Dr. Craig Dykstra will encourage members of the central Indiana faith community, donors and the public to reflect on and exchange ideas about faith, philanthropy and their impact on the local community as he presents the 11th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture on Thursday, March 27 in Indianapolis.
A research professor of practical theology and senior fellow in leadership education at Duke Divinity School, Dykstra formerly was senior vice president of religion at Lilly Endowment Inc. for 23 years. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Dykstra previously served as Thomas W. Sennett Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary, editor of Theology Today, associate professor of Christian education at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and assistant minister of Westminster Church of Detroit.
“Craig Dykstra is one of most visionary thought leaders in religion today,” said William G. Enright, the Karen Lake Buttery Director of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. “He offers thought-provoking ideas about the intersection of faith, philanthropy and community grounded in both scholarship and his practical experience working with communities and congregations.”
Dykstra will explore the importance and value of strong communities of faith and examine approaches to religious philanthropy. He will invite participants to join the conversation and imagine what can happen in neighborhoods and across Indianapolis when donors consider the broader network of faith communities and what it really means for philanthropists to take faith seriously. The Thomas H. Lake Lecture is a program of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Following Dykstra's address, Enright will moderate a panel discussion featuring:
• Craig Dykstra
• Judith Cebula, director of the Center for Faith and Vocation at Butler University
• David King, assistant professor of church history at Memphis Theological Seminary
• Gene Tempel, founding dean of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
“Faith has an enormous influence on philanthropy, and faith communities play a key role in that,” Tempel said. “We are honored that Craig will share his insights and expertise on this integral part of philanthropy with us, and will help us reflect on what faith means for our own personal and community philanthropy.”
The event will be held at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street in Indianapolis. The lecture, which includes a question and answer session, begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by a reception at 6:00 p.m. Both are free and open to the public, but space is limited and advance registration is encouraged.
About the Thomas H. Lake Lecture
Thomas Lake was a man of profound religious faith, a man dedicated to knowledge, understanding, and the power of faith and giving to bring about real change in communities. Through events such as the annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving engages the community in thoughtful discussions about philanthropy and religion.
About Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
A groundbreaking program, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy fosters greater understanding of the ways in which faith inspires and informs giving within the major religious traditions. It does so through educational forums, research into the dynamic relationships between faith and giving, assistance to donors and thoughtful conversations among individuals, families and faith communities on issues related to faith, money and giving as a way to nurture cultures of generosity. Follow us on Twitter @LakeInstitute and “Like” us on Facebook.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The nation’s first school of philanthropy, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change in the world. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy and “Like” us on Facebook.