barefoot benedictions

Welcome to Barefoot Benedictions – a digital journal about spiritual seeking, ministry, the Divine Mystery, and how we can apply what we learn as humans living in 21st Century America.

My name is James Hardy. I am a spiritual seeker and current seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry. I’m studying interfaith chaplaincy, with the hope of launching a community-based ministry here in my hometown of Akron, Ohio. I don’t claim to be a theologian (yet), or have anything figured out. Rather, I operate through questions – deep spiritual queries through which I can engage people with different lived experiences (that’s where you come in).

I’ll be journaling about these questions. About conversations I have with folks (both real and imagined) who have insights on these questions. And about my my own clumsy journey through ministry. I confess I am starting this project mostly for me. I am struggling with questions of vocation (what is God calling me to do?), with our present political and societal situation here in the United States (how am I supposed to respond to this moment?), and with how to balance my own life along with ministry (I know I’m not called to be a monk, so how do I manage it all faithfully?).

I’m sharing these conversations, insights, and musings in the hope they help others struggling through similar questions. If these pages (and postings…please follow me on social media) bring you some comfort, solace, or inspiration – I am beyond grateful. I invite you to share how posts land for you. As a general rule, I will not be responding to individual responses. I want this space to be holy ground for you as much as for me. No “keyboard warrioring” from me. If you completely disagree with an insight or thought, please say so freely and without fear of retribution from me. We are all on our own journey, and I wish to meet people where there are without judgement or criticism. When I notice trends in comments I may chose to address them holistically. Or invite wisdom in from a colleague or spiritual legend. My only request is that this remain a healing space for me and for others who engage with it. Judge not…

Where Barefoot Benedictions goes? Only God knows at this point. I have dreams of a podcast someday so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, let’s traverse this “one wild, and precious life” together. – James