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The upcoming General Synod 35 will feature Rev. Jennifer Butler as the keynote speaker. Known for her activism and authorship, Butler has dedicated her career to highlighting issues of faith and justice.
Butler is recognized for founding and leading Faith in Public Life from 2005 to 2022, an organization uniting diverse faith leaders to promote a just and inclusive society. Recently, she led faith outreach for the Harris-Walz campaign before the 2024 election.
Describing herself as "an advocate for human dignity and justice," Butler has extensively spoken on topics such as healthcare, abortion access, racial justice, and Christian nationalism. Her speech at the Kansas City General Synod in July will draw from this experience.
Butler shared that growing up in the Bible Belt as a white Southerner led her to discover "Scripture is actually a handbook for resisting tyranny and authoritarianism." This concept forms the basis of her latest book, where she combines scriptural lessons with narratives of religious communities opposing authoritarianism and white Christian nationalism.
“I discovered spiritual practices in Scripture to ground my resistance to heresies such as Christian nationalism by rejecting idolatry, remembering the truth about who we are, and recognizing the innate dignity of every person made in the image of God. As I work to defend and expand a multifaith, multiracial democracy, I continue to find hope in Jesus’ mission statement in Luke 4:18-19 to ‘proclaim good news … [and] set the oppressed free,’” Butler stated in 2022 when she was recognized by Center for American Progress’ Faith Leaders to Watch.
Rev. Josh Baird expressed confidence that Butler's message would resonate with attendees: “Throughout her ministry, Rev. Jennifer Butler has been deeply involved at the intersection of faith and civic engagement...Her voice is important in this time when public civility is in decline."
Butler's previous work includes mobilizing multi-state faith leaders for Affordable Care Act advocacy through Faith in Public Life. In 2017 protests advocating healthcare access, she was arrested alongside other prominent figures like Rev. William Barber II.
“People of faith have to be willing to lay their bodies on the line,” she reflected after her arrest. “We know that civil disobedience is not just an organizing tactic from a bygone era. It is our prophetic duty.”
Prior roles include serving as PC(USA)’s representative at the United Nations office starting in 1996, focusing on gender equality, AIDS pandemic response, children's rights, and Middle East peace initiatives. In addition, she chaired the White House Council on Faith and Neighborhood Partnerships under President Obama from 2015-2016.
Currently leading Faith in Democracy, Butler marked four years since January 6 by moderating discussions on faith community actions toward preserving democracy.
“We recognize that this election has meant so many different things...It can be tempting...to feel powerless,” she said regarding current political challenges.
Through various platforms like Reclaiming Faith Substack and editorials across multiple publications, Butler continues advocating unity based on moral vision over divisions by class or ethnicity.
Registration for General Synod takes place July 11-15 in Kansas City.
