Wess is the William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies at Guilford College where he has worked since July 2015. His work there includes teaching the Quaker Studies classes in the Religious Studies Department, overseeing the Quaker Studies minor, directing the Friends Center, which is responsible for Multifaith work on campus, as well as developing a strong Quaker ethos on campus, and supports the work of developing young adult Quaker leaders in the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program.
Prior to his work at Guilford, Wess was the released minister at Camas Friends Church (May 2009-June 2015) where he enjoyed the work of pastoral care, preaching, and developing spiritual leadership within his Quaker meeting and the broader Quaker world.
Wess has a BA from Malone College in Bible and Theology, a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. His key advisors for his doctorate were Dr. Ryan Bolger, Dr. Wilbert Shenk, Dr. Nancey Murphy, and Dr. Pink Dandelion. Upon the completion of his Ph.D., he received that year’s “School of Intercultural Studies Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.”
Wess is a public Friend, an author, and a pastor-theologian. He enjoys leading workshops and retreats, speaking on issues related to convergent Friends, church renewal in contemporary context, Quaker practice and theology, and anti-poverty work. The two main ways he approaches faith and action is through the Quaker tradition and liberation theology. He is motivated by God’s heart and care for the disenfranchised in our society and is committed to the way of radical love and justice for all people.
Education
Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA) Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies (December 2013) Dissertation Title: A Convergent Model of Hope: Remixing the Quaker Tradition in a Participatory Culture.
M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA) Master of Arts in Theology (June 2005)
B.A. in Bible and Theology from Malone University (Canton, OH) Bible and Theology (June 2002)
Professional Ministry
Camas Friends Church - Released Minister, May 2009 to June 2015
Barberton Evangelical Friends Church - Youth Pastor, 2000–2003
Teaching
Guilford College – REL 105 Roots of the Quaker Social Testimonies, GST 110 Quakerism, REL 405 Faith and Practice, REL 340 “Contextual Thea/ologies,”Quaker Studies and Methodologies (Spring 2020). (2015-present)
George Fox Seminary - MLDR540 Culture and Systems Change. (Winters 2012, 2013, 2014)
Earlham School of Religion - Poverty, Empire and the Bible. (August 2014)
Books
The Quaker World. Co-edited with Rhiannon Grant. Routledge Press. (Forthcoming)
Resisting Empire: The Book of Revelation. Barclay Press. Newberg, Oregon. (2019)
with Editors-in-Chief Stephen W. Angell and Pink Dandelion. (2017-)
—— “The Rise of Quaker Sociology” in Quaker Studies: An Overview - The Current State of the Field with eds. Robyn Rogers Healey and Jon Kershner. Brill, Netherlands. (2018)
A Convergent Model of Renewal: Remixing the Quaker Tradition in a Participatory Culture. Pickwick Publication. Oregon. (2015)
Spirit Rising: Young Quaker Voices. Edited by Conti, Angelina; Curtis, Cara, Daniels, C. Wess; et. al Friends General Conference (2010)
Chapters and Pamphlets
Two Chapters in We Cry Justice: Reading the Bible with the Poor People’s Campaign edited by Liz Theoharis. (2021)
“Remixing Faith: For the Love of the Quaker Tradition” Pamphlet from Southeastern Yearly Meeting’s Michener Lecture. (2019)
“Convergent Friends: Renewal, Hybridity and Dialogue in 21st Century Quakerism” cp-authored with Greg Woodsin Cambridge Companion to Quakerism, eds. Ben Pink Dandelion and Stephen Angell. (2018)
“The Publishers of (un)Truth And Learning How to Remix.” In Befriending Truth: Quaker Perspectives, 196-205. Vol. 2. Edited by Jeffery Dudiak. Longmeadow, MA: Friends Association for Higher Education. (2015)
“The Dark Side of the Moon, Absence, and the Suicide of a Father” in Father Factor: American Christian Men on Fatherhood and Faith. Edited by Anderson Campell. White Cloud Press. (2014)
“Holding the Tension in Quaker Leadership.” In An Inner Strength: Quakers and Leadership. Editor Kathy Hyzy. Western Friend. (2013)
“The Boundaries of Convergent Friends” in Writing Cheerfully on the Web: A Quaker Blog Reader edited by Elizabeth A. Oppenheimer. (2009)
Academic Articles
“Revolutionary Faithfulness: Quaker Pastoral Practice and Theology in an Age of Empire,” in Quaker Religious Thought. Volume 136. (March 2021)
“Convergent Friends: The Emergence of Postmodern Quakerism” in Quaker Studies Research Association Volume 14, Issue 2 (March 2010)
“Convergent Friends” entry in Historical Dictionary of the Friends (Quakers), By Margery Post- Abbot, Mary Ellen Chijioke, Ben Pink-Dandelion, John William Oliver Jr. (2012)
“Freedom Friends” entry in Historical Dictionary of the Friends (Quakers), By Margery Post-Abbot, Mary Ellen Chijioke, Ben Pink-Dandelion, John William Oliver Jr. (2012)
Academic Reviews
Review of Liberal Quaker Reconciliation Theology: a constructive approach (Leiden: Brill, 2020), pp. 102. ISSN 25424971 by Christy Randazzo in Quaker Studies Research Association Vol. 26, Issue 1 (2021).
Review of “Matrimony in the True Church: The Seventeenth-Century Quaker Marriage Approbation Discipline” by Kristianna Polder in Quaker Studies Research Association. Vol. 21, Issue 1 (2016).
“Response Concerning A Convergent Model of Renewal” inQuaker Religious Thought #126 (June 2016)
Book Review: Fit For Freedom Not For Friendship and Black Fire for Quaker Religious Thought (2011)
Book Review: Collected Essays of Maurice Creasey, 1912–2004: The Social Thought of a Quaker Thinker for Quaker Studies Research Association (2011)
Fellowships and Awards
2014School of Intercultural Studies Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence
2002 - Malone University Theology Student of the Year
Public Presentations
“Jesus Against Empire,” for Southern California Quarterly Meeting (November 2020)
“Liturgies of Empire, Liturgies of Resistance,” Intermountain Yearly Meeting keynote lecturer (June 2020)
‘“Laying Down Church,’ Beginnings/Endings of Renewal and Freedom Friends Church” Paper Presented at Quaker Studies Research Association. Birmingham, UK (June 2019).
“Remixing Faith: For the Love of the Quaker Tradition,” Michener Lecturer at Southeastern Yearly Meeting in Orlando, Florida. (January 14, 2018).
“Revealing Empire and the Four Themes of Revelation,” two keynote lectures at Great Plains Yearly Meeting (June 2017).
“The Parable of the Grain of Wheat: On Being Publishers of Truth Today” at Friends United Meeting Triennial in Wichita, Kansas at Friends University (June 2017)
“Revisioning the Nursery of Truth” at Quakers United in Publication at William Penn Center in South Carolina. (February 2017)
“As the Seed Falls: Building a Generative Convergent Quakerism” at North Carolina Yearly Meeting Conservative. Guilford College (July 15, 2016).
“Participatory Learning and Action and The Quaker Leadership Scholars Program,” with co-presenter Deborah Shaw, Friends Association of Higher Education. Birmingham, UK (June 2016).
Presented Response Paper for the Panel Discussion on AConvergent Model of Renewal for the Quaker Theological Discussion Group at American Academy of Religion (November 2015).
“The Taste of Truth” with Corey Beals at Friends Association for Higher Education at George Fox University (June 2015)
“Remixing the Quaker Tradition: Renewal in a Participatory Culture” lecture as the Judith Weller Harvey Quaker Scholar at Guilford College (March 2015)
“Mission as Participation in the Quaker Tradition” in Dr. Kaye Edwards class at Haverford College (March 2014)
“Remixing Quakerism: A Convergent Model of Hope” Magill Quaker Collection at Haverford College (March 2014)
Friend-in-Residence at Earlham School of Religion (October 2013):
• Convers(at)ions: A Discussion on how building bridges of dialogue and participation pave the way to conversion within the self and our communities.
• A faithful Betrayal: Learning to Soar (John 12:24): Prepared message for chapel.
• Remixing Tradition: A Convergent Model of Hope - A public workshop on thinking through the renewal of the Quaker tradition.
“Heralding the New Creation: Mission as Participation in the Quaker Tradition” Quaker Heritage Day Speaker at Berkeley Friends Church in Berkeley California (2011)
“Quakerism and Postmodernism: Problems and Promises” for Friends Association of Higher Education at Guilford College with Jeffrey Dudiak and Abigail Adams (June 2009)
Respondent to Gerry Guiton’s paper “The Kingdom of God and Early Friends” at Quaker Theological Discussion Group Barnesville, Ohio (June 2009)
“Convergent Friends and the Emerging Church” for Friends Association of Higher Education at Woodbrooke (UK) (June 2008)
co-led with Zelie Gross and John Gray through Woodbrooke Quaker Study Center (Spring 2018).
Great Plains Yearly Meeting Keynote Presentations on the Book of Revelation:
Talk 1, “Revealing Empire” and Talk #2 “The Four Themes of Revelation” in Wichita, Kansas. (July 2017).
College Park Baptist Church Bible Study - "The Poor Will Always Be With You: Empire, Poverty and the Bible” (April 2016).
“Discernment, the Bible and Call” for Quaker spiritual life training program “The Way of the Spirit” (January 2012, 2014, 2015).
“Zacchaeus, Angelic Troublemakers, and Hearts Broken Open” a prepared message given during semi-programmed worship to American Friends Service Committee Corporate Gathering (March 2014).
“Quakers, Tradition and the Resurrection Community” George Fox University Chapel for Quaker Week. Q & A session afterwards with faculty and staff (October 2012).
“John Woolman and Mission as Participation” West Hills Friends Church Retreat at Twin Rocks Friends Camp (2011)
“New Monasticism and Convergent Friends” Pendle Hill Retreat with Martin Kelly (May 2010)
“Quakers and Worship” at Western Yearly Meeting (January 2009)
“Reclaiming Primitive Quakerism for the 21st Century” a co-facilitator along with Robin Mohr and Martin Kelley for a weekend retreat at Ben Lomond Quaker Center (February 20–22, 2009)
Convergent Friends Workshop with Martin Kelley at Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative) Barnesville (2007)
Selected Popular Writings
“Suicide and the Things We Carry” in Friends Journal (May 2014) “I (Hope) I See Dead People” in Friends Journal (January 2012)
“The New Quakers: A Faithful Betrayal?” Quaker Life Magazine (January/February 2010)
“Convergent Friends: Remixing Tradition and Imagination.” The Friend, Vol. 166 No. 35 (August 29, 2008)
“Convergent Friends: Passing on the Faith in a Postmodern World.” Quaker Life Magazine (July/August 2006)
“Convergence Among Friends: From the ‘Kitchen’ to the ‘Parlor.’ Friends Journal, coauthored by Robin Mohr (October 2007)
“The Plot Twists of 4 November.” The Friend, Vol. 166 No. 46 (November 14, 2008)
"Secrets of the Kingdom” in A Gathered Stillness: Devotional Thoughts From the Malone College (Entry for December 23: 2005)
“Sacramental Living, Redemptive Practices and Convergent Friends.” Quaker Life Magazine (2007)
“Unless a Grain of Wheat Falls: The Church in 25 years.” Collide Magazine, p.30. May/(June 2009)
“(Un)Programmed: Beyond Modernist Labels, Towards the Program of the Spirit.” Young Quaker, p. 5–6 Vol 53 Issue 6 (June 2007)
“What’s Postmodernity Have To Do With Quakerism? The Convergent Friends Imagination.” Young Quaker (October 2008)
Trainings and Experiences
Reading the Bible with the Poor Cohort - Kairos Center and the Poor People’s Campaign (2020)
* Co-Planner of the Freedom Church of the Poor - Kairos Center and the Poor People’s Campaign (2020)
* Graduate of the Executive Director Academy with Center for Creative Leadership and the Greensboro Consortium of Non-Profits (2019)
Center for Courage and Renewal with Parker Palmer - (2013)
Anti-Racism Training - Guilford College (2016)
White Privilege Conference - Various workshops and trainings on race and privilege (2016)
White Followership Conference - Centering People of Color - Building Effective Practices for Racial Justice and Social Change with Jesse Villalobos and Lisa Albrecht
De-Centering Whiteness with SoulForce
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Deepen The Cultural Competencies of your Faculty and Staff with Kathy O’Bear- March 2017
Becoming Trustworthy Anti-Racist White Educators
Creating Change - LGBTQ National Task Force (2017, 2018)
White People’s Institute for Ending Racism
The DNA of Christian Supremacy
Racial Justice Institute
Civil Rights and LGBTQ Fusion in the South - Rev. Dr. William Barber
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Transgender 101 - Guilford College (2017, 2018)
Intergroup Dialogue - University of Michigan (2018)
Title IX Training - Guilford College (2018)
Executive Director Training - Center for Creative Leadership (2019)
Insigniam - Leadership Coalition and Institutional Change (2018-2019)
References:
Dr. Ben Pink Dandelion
Ph.D. Mentor - Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, University of Birmingham
+4401214156782
b.p.dandelion@bham.ac.uk
Jason Twyman
Previous Presiding Clerk/Clerk of Elders at Camas Friends Church
(503) 309-4843
mr_twyman@yahoo.com
Robin Mohr
Executive Secretary of FWCC Section of the Americas
(267) 745-8359
robinm@fwccamericas.org
Christina Repoley
Founding director of Quaker Voluntary Service
I served on the founding board for QVS
christinarepoley@gmail.com
Frank Boyd
Former Provost at Guilford College
We served together on the college cabinet
boydfa@guilford.edu
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