Jim Burklo is the associate dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California and teaches at USC’s School of Social Work. An ordained United Church of Christ pastor, he is the author of two books on progressive Christianity: Open Christianity – Home by Another Road (2000) and Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers and Songs for Progressive Christians (2008). His blog is called Musings, and he edits the monthly INgage interfaith e-newsletter for southern California. He pastored California churches in Sausalito, San Mateo, and Palo Alto, served eight years on the campus ministry staff at Stanford University, and organized and led the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto, a homeless services agency. Jim served on the executive council of The Center for Progressive Christianity.