Ministries

Greetings from New York City!

There is much to relate in this letter, all of it encouraging. We seem to be in a season of great activity in a number of areas, all of which provide some wonderful opportunities for those of you in the New York area.

Excellent Additions to Your Reading List

The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook
by Niall Ferguson

The 21st century has been hailed as the Age of Networks. However, in The Square and the Tower, Niall Ferguson argues that networks have always been with us, from the structure of the brain to the food chain, from the family tree to freemasonry. Throughout history, hierarchies housed in high towers have claimed to rule, but often real power has resided in the networks in the town square below. For it is networks that tend to innovate. And it is through networks that revolutionary ideas can contagiously spread. Just because conspiracy theorists like to fantasize about such networks doesn't mean they are not real. (Amazon)

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction
by Justin Whitmel Earley

Twenty-first-century Christianity has experienced a much-needed renaissance in its theology of work, but it takes formational habits to work with the purpose we preach, and this ingredient is still largely missing from the conversation. In the meantime our workplaces are being fragmented by the distractions of technology, uncontrollable busyness, and the question of whether we want a job driven by purpose or upward mobility. This book addresses the need to pair our theology on the meaning of work with the formational practice of spiritual work habits in order to bring order and purpose back to the workplace - and to our lives.

True Paradox: How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World
by David Skeel

Although the twentieth century saw several landmark contributions to Christian apologetics, these Christian classics have lost some of their effectiveness in an era when America is more pluralistic than ever before and many Americans imagine that science has explained or will soon explain all of the mysteries of life. Skeel, however, argues that Christianity actually offers better explanations than materialism or other perspectives for many of the most important puzzles of our existence - such as our idea-making capacity, our perceptions of beauty and suffering, and our repeated optimism that we can create a truly just social order and repeated failure to do so.

On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books
by Karen Swallow Prior

Reading great literature well has the power to cultivate virtue. Great literature increases knowledge of and desire for the good life by showing readers what virtue looks like and where vice leads. It is not just what one reads but how one reads that cultivates virtue. Reading good literature well requires one to practice numerous virtues, such as patience, diligence, and prudence. And learning to judge wisely a character in a book, in turn, forms the reader's own character.

Prior takes readers on a guided tour through works of great literature both ancient and modern, exploring twelve virtues that philosophers and theologians throughout history have identified as most essential for good character and the good life. (Amazon)

The Road to Character
by David Brooks

"Brooks focuses on the deeper values that should inform our lives. Responding to what he calls the culture of the Big Me, which emphasizes external success, Brooks challenges us, and himself, to rebalance the scales between our "résumé virtues"—achieving wealth, fame, and status—and our "eulogy virtues," those that exist at the core of our being: kindness, bravery, honesty, or faithfulness, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed." (Amazon)

A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918
by Joseph Loconte

a hobbitt a wardrobe

"The First World War laid waste to a continent and permanently altered the political and religious landscape of the West. For a generation of men and women, it brought the end of innocence—and the end of faith. Yet for J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, the Great War deepened their spiritual quest. Both men served as soldiers on the Western Front, survived the trenches, and used the experience of that conflict to ignite their Christian imagination. Had there been no Great War, there would have been noHobbit, no Lord of the Rings, no Narnia, and perhaps no conversion to Christianity by C. S. Lewis." (Amazon)

The Professor and the President: Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the Nixon White House
by Stephen Hess

professor and president

"Written by Stephen Hess, who served on the White House staff during both the Eisenhower and Nixon presidencies, this book is a uniquely personal account of what happened behind closed doors when conservative Richard Nixon made Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a liberal Ivy League professor, his top urban affairs adviser." (Brookings)

Ministers at War: Winston Churchill and His War Cabinet
by Jonathan Schneer

ministers war

"Ministers at War tells the gripping story of how the man who certainly saved Britain and arguably saved western civilization managed his cabinet "team of rivals," a coalition of men who had spent most of their interrelated, pre-war political lives at daggers drawn." (First Things)

To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, & Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World
by James Davison Hunter

"The call to make the world a better place is inherent in the Christian belief and practice. But why have efforts to change the world by Christians so often failed or gone tragically awry? And how might Christians in the 21st century live in ways that have integrity with their traditions and are more truly transformative?

Hunter argues that all too often current political theologies worsen the very problems they are designed to solve. What is really needed is a different paradigm of Christian engagement with the world, one that Hunter calls "faithful presence"-- an ideal of Christian practice that is not only individual but institutional; a model that plays out not only in all relationships but in our work and all spheres of social life." (Amazon)

Forums and Salons Develop Thoughtful Christian Engagement in Wide-Ranging Topics Throughout Year

Forums on Christian Leadership

Forums occur quarterly, in venues suitable for 100-150 participants. Topics address broad themes of Christian leadership, and keynote speakers will include inspiring Christians who are leaders in their respective fields. These events are excellent networking opportunities among Christian professionals who are growing in their vision, strategy and effectiveness to change New York City and Washington, DC culture for Christ.

Recent forum speakers include:

Dr. Robert Louis Wilken, Professor Emeritus of the University of Virginia (pictured, above)
Dr. Os Guinness, Author and Social Critic
Mako Fujimura, Artist and Director
Abbie Killeen, Producer Babette's Feast
Cherie Harder, President The Trinity Forum
Dr. David R. Young, Founder and Chairman of Oxford Analytica
Dr. Anthony Bradley, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at The King's College in New York City
Matthew Bishop, US Business Editor and New York Bureau Chief for The Economist
Fernando Cabrera, NYC Council Member and senior pastor of New Life Outreach International

Salons

Salons provide an intimate gathering for around 20 Christian leaders at a time to develop strong ties, and interact on a more narrowly defined topic that strengthens either the intellectual or supernatural dimensions of your Christian faith. Expert speakers will go in-depth, but the setting affords participants opportunities for question and answer, and interaction with the speaker, as well as one another. If you are interested in hosting a salon, please contact: cunewyork@christianunion.org.

Upcoming salons are announced in Christian Union New York Events.

Jeff Smith, President Generosity NY
Jay Jakub, Director of Eternal Research at Mars Catalyst
Paul Horrocks, President Rocksurance Solutions
Ken Fish, Founder Kingdom Fire Ministries

Dr. Seth Ward, Music Director at Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan
Michael Rowntree, Senior Pastor of Wellspring Church in Fort Worth, Texas
Joseph Loconte, PhD, Associate Professor of History, The King's College, New York City
Dr. Gordon Isaac, Berkshire Associate Professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary
Prof. Paul Lim, Associate Professor of the History of Christianity, Vanderbilt University, Divinity School

Past Events

Click here to view past events and correlating video and audio recordings.

Questions

For more information on Christian Union New York please email cunewyork@christianunion.org and for more information on Christian Union.

Christian Union New York highlight thoughtful leaders in various fields speaking on leading and engaging the world with faith. These forums provide an opportunity for Christian leaders to discuss and debate the role and implications of faith in the public square.

Leadership for the New York Ministry

Linda L. Huang, DDS, MD, FACS

linda huang A Columbia University School of Dental Medicine graduate and clinical professor, Linda is one of the most specialized dental and oral surgeons in the New York area. She owns her own highly successful practice, serves on medical missions, frequently offers prayers with and for her patients, and serves on the ministry team for CU NY’s Gospel of the Kingdom Conferences.

Chris Shortell
Chris is a graduate of Cornell University who has held various leadership roles in the U.S. and Asia in insurance and international trade while living in some of the most dynamic cities such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, and is the former Euler Hermes China CEO. He is now moving back to NYC to permanently re-join his wife, Joon, after a stint of overseas commuting in the wake of the global pandemic, and is passionate about mentoring young men.

Joon Shortell

joon shortell Joon is a graduate of the Parson School of Design with a concentration in Fashion Design, and was a clothing designer and boutique owner. Joon’s passion and zeal for Bible teaching, prayer, and a move of the Holy Spirit have her now using her time primarily serving the kingdom of Jesus globally and in NYC.

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Serving Students through Ten Strategic Ministries

God is stirring up the hearts of men and women at some of America's leading universities, where Christian Union is working to develop Christian leaders. Involved students enjoy rigorous Bible courses, personal mentoring, coaching, leadership lecture series, and other events, and engaging outreach.

university ministry8

Christian Union's tailored approach serves in various ways that resonate with students at highly academic, deeply secular universities. Select a campus below to learn more.

The ministry provides biblical instruction and mentoring and resources for students to transform the culture of these campuses spiritually, intellectually, and socially. Christian Union's approach is designed specifically to connect with intellectually curious, highly motivated students and strongly emphasizes seeking God wholeheartedly.

The ministry currently serves students who attend the following institutions:

Christian Union emphasizes: a seeking-God lifestyle; high-caliber ministry fellows; engaged and networked leaders; and organizational excellence.

Developing Christian Leaders In Strategic Cities

In City of God, Saint Augustine argues that within every city, two cities are simultaneously emerging: the city of good and the city of evil. He argues that everyone, at all times, is contributing to the emergence of one or the other.

Unfortunately, in our nation’s most influential cities, the voice of those pursuing the city of good is a mere whisper. Those who more loudly lead in academia, business, entertainment, government, and legal institutions are predominantly secular.

This is why Christian Union launched its Cities ministry—to empower and equip Christian professionals in every field with a bold faith that steadily brings the city of good to bear. CU Cities helps professionals grow as godly influencers while expanding the network and impact of faithful believers.

Click here to learn more about Christian Union New York or here to read about how CU New York has been transforming lives.

Alumni Panel

Brunch

Learn more

For questions about Christian Union Princeton Reunion 2013 activities, email Meghan.Foley@ChristianUnion.org.

Visit the Princeton Alumni Association's Reunion 2013 website for the full schedule of events and activities.

cu new york
Christian Union seeks a spiritually vibrant nation marked by Christian values permeating every corner of society. Christian Union New York works to bring revival to America, starting right here in the city.

In Jesus, Christian leaders can be made whole spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, and in their families. Beyond that, they can be strengthened and equipped with kingdom strategy and anointing to be used by God to transform those within their spheres of influence.

From the City to the Nation... and Beyond

A revived and kingdom-minded New York City can begin to turn the heart of the entire nation back to the Lord. To some, this might sound unlikely. But the Lord has done it before. A simple prayer meeting in Manhattan, started in 1857 by a businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier, grew and multiplied in supernatural ways, ultimately leading to what we now call the Third Great Awakening—a revival that spread across America and beyond.

This is why Christian Union New York exists. It serves, ministers to, equips, and connects influential leaders in business, government, finance, law, media, medicine, vocational ministry, and other key industries. The multiplicative power of connecting spiritually vibrant, high-level leaders in every sector of society in NYC can transform the city.

Through seeking God together and stepping out in bold faith, the city-wide and national impact of Spirit-filled key leaders working in tandem cannot be overstated.

CU New York is available to any Christian professional living in the area. God has called Christian Union to particularly target developing Christian leaders, so as to maximize the reach of those believers to impact culture. The ministry also offers a unique continuation of community for alumni of Christian Union's university ministries.