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Forums for conversation have been blossoming for as long as there have been human beings with the ability to think critically. From the salons of 18th century France, to the Starbucks of today, people have always desired places of comfort to talk, listen to others, and reach respond to ideas with application. Many Christian communities purpose to be places like to that: places where answers can be found, difficulties resolved, and a genuine expression of Christian community expressed. Many do this well, and we should be encouraged by that, but sadly, not all churches are welcome those whose level of engagement goes beyond that of conventional Christianity. From Church leaders providing rote answers to complex questions, to Church members who see doubt as evidence of a weak faith, the church hasn’t always been a place of safety for those grappling with the complexities of a life of faithfulness.

Last December, Gordon College senior, Jonathan Camery-Hoggatt, decided to begin an online publication “where critically-thinking, wholistic Christians could safely process ideas and questions,” –for Christians who often find themselves alone in this pursuit. It was through conversations with other Christians who felt like islands that he was prompted to begin “The Willow Tree People: a micro-publication for…” He often encountered “intelligent, creative people who felt alone in their questions about Christianity, and we needed a stable forum where community could be bridged an thoughts could be wrestled.” For him, Gordon College is an anomaly, a place unique in its willingness to dialogue about difficult issues, as opposed to other places he has previously lived. Sharing that openness with others through this publication not only focuses on creating a community, but also on helping people reach a fuller understanding in their life of faith through the articulation of their thoughts. “I honestly believe that expressing a thought through writing, or painting, or photography, really any medium, forces us to grapple with that thought through to fruition, rather than letting it fester in the back of our minds until we give up,” says Camery-Hoggatt.

The focus of the publication is not just scholarly, and it doesn’t limit itself to Christianity and culture. Its aim is to be a place where people’s struggles can be present in any form, whether that be pros, poetry, visual artwork, music, or film. Within the publication, it is the ideas and the quality of the content that the readers are to interact with, rather than the qualifications of the contributors. Biographies of contributors are intentionally left out to reinforce that anyone who is willing to work on their submission is welcome to submit, regardless of education or prestige. The hope of the editors is that no topic is off-limits, though Camery-Hoggatt admits that even with the possible privacy of a pseudonym, there are still difficult issues that some contributors may be reluctant to discuss.

Given the Willow Tree People’s recent launch and close affinity to Gordon College, one might easily assume that their readership would be limited to a small number of people. Yet through word of mouth and forwarded email links, the Willow Tree People website has received more than 15,000 hits since its December launch, even attracting a consistent international readership from every continent but South America so far. In spite of a large number of readers though, the future of the publication depends on the active involvement of that readership through sending in submissions. From Camery-Hoggatt’s perspective, more submissions and a greater number of readers would be welcome, but it is apparent that is neither the popularity or public exposure that drive him, but the potential to bring truth to light through encouraging healthy criticism. “We should be asking how better to go about this because we love God and people and the Christian tradition.” For those interested in becoming part of the discussion, The Willow Tree People can be accessed at www.thewillowtreepeople.com.

For those interested in becoming part of the discussion, The Willow Tree People can be accessed at www.thewillowtreepeople.com.