Our culture—and our churches—are growing increasingly polarized, leaving many Christians unsure of how to function faithfully within their communities. Families, neighbors, and congregations feel divided, even paralyzed, by widening gulfs. How should Christians think and talk about this moment, and what paths toward reconciliation are possible?

Join us for an inspiring and timely evening with Justin Giboney, co-founder of the AND Campaign and author of Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around. Drawing on the Black church’s legacy of holding together justice and moral order, Justin will challenge us to move beyond the culture wars and recover a faithful, courageous Christian public witness. With clarity and conviction, he will offer a hopeful roadmap for civic engagement rooted in humility, truth, and love—inviting us to rethink partisan assumptions, cultivate moral imagination, and pursue bridge-building engagement shaped by the kingdom of God.

This event was recorded live at Upper House on April 9, 2026.

Justin E. Giboney (JD, Vanderbilt University) is cofounder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization equipping believers to engage public life with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. An ordained minister, attorney, and political strategist, he is the author of Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around and coauthor of Compassion (&) Conviction. He has been featured in The New York Times and Christianity Today, and lives in Atlanta with his wife and three sons.

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Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs.

Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons

Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidance. What does Scripture say about singleness—and how might it be understood not as a problem to solve, but as meaningful within the life of faith?

We gathered at Upper House for an evening conversation open to anyone who had considered questions about singleness—whether single, married, seeking deeper community, or simply curious about God's design for human life and calling. Together, we explored how the Christian tradition speaks thoughtfully and honestly about singleness at every stage of life.

Even if you were not single yourself, chances were that someone you loved was. This gathering aimed to build understanding and empathy across life stages, offering theological depth alongside genuine community for those seeking clarity, encouragement, and a more faithful imagination for singleness.

The evening allowed time to build new relationships, enjoy food and worship, and receive insightful teaching from Dr. Devin White on the theology of singleness. We concluded with prayer ministry and open dialogue, creating a welcoming, low-pressure space to seek God together and respond personally.

Dr. Devin L. White serves as Fellow in Biblical Studies at the Lumen Center and is the author of Teacher of the Nations, a study of Paul's engagement with ancient educational traditions, and Christ Reads in Me (forthcoming), which explores how Paul's approach to Scripture continues to shape Christian interpretation today. His scholarship has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, and he regularly teaches, preaches, and facilitates learning experiences in local churches, bridging rigorous scholarship and the life of faith.

Send us Fan Mail

Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs.

Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons

Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidance. What does Scripture say about singleness—and how might it be understood not as a problem to solve, but as meaningful within the life of faith?

We gathered at Upper House for an evening conversation open to anyone who had considered questions about singleness—whether single, married, seeking deeper community, or simply curious about God's design for human life and calling. Together, we explored how the Christian tradition speaks thoughtfully and honestly about singleness at every stage of life.

Even if you were not single yourself, chances were that someone you loved was. This gathering aimed to build understanding and empathy across life stages, offering theological depth alongside genuine community for those seeking clarity, encouragement, and a more faithful imagination for singleness.

The evening allowed time to build new relationships, enjoy food and worship, and receive insightful teaching from Dr. Devin White on the theology of singleness. We concluded with prayer ministry and open dialogue, creating a welcoming, low-pressure space to seek God together and respond personally.

Dr. Devin L. White serves as Fellow in Biblical Studies at the Lumen Center and is the author of Teacher of the Nations, a study of Paul's engagement with ancient educational traditions, and Christ Reads in Me (forthcoming), which explores how Paul's approach to Scripture continues to shape Christian interpretation today. His scholarship has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, and he regularly teaches, preaches, and facilitates learning experiences in local churches, bridging rigorous scholarship and the life of faith.

Send us Fan Mail

Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs.

Find out more slbf.org/upperhousecommons