Bearings Online

We’re looking for submissions that: examine relationships between religion and culture in new and interesting ways, highlight unexplored facets of contemporary religious life, and suggest faithful responses to today’s problems and opportunities. We’re interested in a wide variety of topics including: current events, new developments in theology, ethical dilemmas, institutional change, unique or new religious practices, and personal vignettes. Submissions of a personal bent should make overt connections to broader social, political, or theological concerns. We aspire for Bearings to reflect a diverse set of voices—creating a tone that is generous and hospitable rather than ideologically narrow or predictable. Instead of reinforcing the culture wars, we seek to both challenge and transcend them. Though Bearings does not avoid politics or other controversial matters, we attempt to treat them evenhandedly and with respect for differences.

We seek clear, accessible poetry that addresses faith, culture, or any aspect of what it means to be human. We prefer short poems (30 lines or less).