Discipleship in a Polarized Culture
Sunday, June 7, 2026
In an age where polarization fractures communities, families, and even the church, Dr. Leonard Sweet calls us back to the radical center of discipleship — the living, breathing way of Jesus. Dr. Sweet will ignite your vision for a faith that transcends ideological trenches and reclaims the relational, Spirit-infused heartbeat of the gospel.
With his trademark storytelling, cultural decoding, and future-focused wisdom, Dr. Sweet will challenge pastors, leaders, and everyday Christians to move beyond “us-versus-them” thinking and cultivate a discipleship that rebuilds trust, bridges divides, and re-enchants the world with the presence of Christ.
Come discover how to lead, love, and disciple in a polarized culture, not by retreating from the world, but by becoming the kind of Jesus-shaped people who can heal it.
Join us for this transformative keynote and step into the future of discipleship with one of the most compelling voices in the church today.
Schedule
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6:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Guest arrival & pre-session gathering
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6:30 – 6:45 p.m. | Opening and Recognition
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6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Keynote Address – Dr. Leonard Sweet
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7:30 – 8:15 p.m. | Practical Application Panel
- 8:15 – 8:30 p.m. | Final Response from Dr. Leonard Sweet
Location: Golisano Community Engagement Center on the campus of Northeastern Seminary & Roberts Wesleyan University (2301 Westside Drive, Rochester, NY 14624), with virtual access available for those joining online.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Leonard Sweet is a theo-semiotician, preacher, and storyteller who believes the world is made of signs and the gospel is the greatest of them. Author of nearly eighty books and over 2,000 published sermons, he writes across genres from advent adventures (The Star Still Beckons) to theological textbooks (Decoding the Divine) to sports theology (Gridiron Gospel with Chris Eriksen). His successor book to Jesus Human and Designer Jesus is now out (Jesus Imagination: Maker, Mender, Minder, Master). After a lifetime in academic leadership, Sweet now teaches graduate students, hosts “Napkin Scribbles” podcasts, and posts “LenTalks” on his YouTube channel. He lives on Orcas Island, where he and his family run a hospitality site called Sanctuary Seaside.