Rev. Jim Burklo is the Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. An ordained United Church of Christ pastor, he is the author of four published books: OPEN CHRISTIANITY, BIRDLIKE AND BARNLESS, HITCH-HIKING TO ALASKA: THE WAY OF SOULFUL SERVICE, a 2013 novel about religious diversity in America: SOULJOURN, and DEEPER LOVE: Faithful Rhetoric for Progressive Social Change. His weekly blog,MUSINGS, focuses on progressive Christian spirituality and social activism; he also blogs at ProgressiveChristianity.org, Patheos.com, and Huffington Post. He serves on the board of directors of Progressive Christians Uniting. Jim and his wife, Roberta Maran, live in Hollywood.