Radical Imagination » Christian Community Development Association

Welcome to Radical Imagination!

This space is designed to challenge and expand one’s understanding of Christian Community Development philosophy, values, and praxis.

You’re Invited to Radical Imagination: Holy Noticing

When life feels chaotic, and communities are carrying the weight of uncertainty, division, and change, slowing down can feel impossible. So how do we create space for this necessary reflection?

Join us on August 11 and 18 at 2 pm ET for Holy Noticing with Jonathan P. Walton!

This two-week series is a creative exploration of how paying attention to God, ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities can help us move from reaction to faithful response. Together we’ll reflect on the realities shaping our world and discern where God is inviting us into healing, justice, and flourishing.

Let’s learn embodied practices that root us in hope and resilience as we resist injustice together.

Through the lens of Christian Community Development, we will:

Practice holy noticing of God, self, neighbor, and creation.
Reflect on how current social, political, economic, and cultural realities are impacting our communities and leadership.
Identify barriers that keep us from engagement, including fear, distraction, and privilege.
Creatively explore where God’s love, justice, and reconciliation are already at work.
Discern opportunities to participate in the flourishing of people and places.

This is an opportunity to pause and ask meaningful questions:

How have we acted and reacted to the rapidly changing realities around us?
Where are we experiencing disintegration, exhaustion, or despair?
Where do we see resilience, beauty, and signs of God’s renewing work?
What deserves our attention that we may have overlooked?

As we learn to pay attention to ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities, we become better equipped to join God’s work and pursue communities where all people can flourish.

Join us for Holy Noticing as we slow down, pay attention, and practice seeing our world through the renewing lens of God’s love.

Jonathan P. Walton is a writer, speaker, leader, and facilitator at the intersection of faith, politics, climate, and emotional health. He writes The Crux on Substack and is the author of several books including Beauty and Resistance: Spiritual Rhythms for Formation and Repair (IVP 2025) and Twelve Lies that Hold America Captive (IVP 2019). He is the co-founder of the Center for Beauty and Resistance that exists to nurture the growth of whole people and fruitful communities, a Senior Associate for A Rocha USA’s ecological justice work in the Northeast Corridor, and leads the CCDA Network in the same context.

Together we'll reflect on the realities shaping our world and discern where God is inviting us into healing, justice, and flourishing.

FAQs

Who is Radical Imagination for?

This event is for Christian leaders, community practitioners, and anyone longing to slow down, discern God’s presence, and faithfully respond to the realities shaping their neighborhoods and communities.

How much does Radical Imagination cost?

Radical Imagination is free for members and $10 for non-members.

Learn more about CCDA membership.

When is Radical Imagination?

August 11 and 18 from 2 pm- 4 pm ET.

What is included in Radical Imagination?

Two live online sessions with Jonathan P. Walton (August 11 and 18 at 2 pm ET), guided reflection and spiritual practices, opportunities to engage with fellow participants, practical tools for applying holy noticing in your community, and access to the session recordings.

Can I see previous Radical Imagination classes?

Check out our past Radical Imagination classes in the CCDA store. These recordings are FREE for members!

Have other questions?

Contact Mary Beth at marybeth@ccda.org.