Faith Commons

Founded in 2018, Faith Commons is an inclusive interfaith organization committed to promoting the common good. 

Faith Commons is a “commons” that materializes when people of all faiths and none bring their spiritual identities and convictions to learn about, discuss and respond to issues affecting society and culture together.

What do we do?

We convene faith leaders and people of good faith for conversations with one another around issues critical to our life together. 
We learn from both academics and practitioners. 
We produce podcasts and broadcast digital programs to reach wider audiences. 
We collaborate with other organizations and institutions whenever possible so that we can do more together than separately.

Recognizing that diversity will provoke disagreements over definitions of justice, freedom and the common good, Faith Commons models how to work together amid differences, learning from one another, overcoming fear and misunderstanding of one another, seeking together to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.

Why do we do this?

The world is changing. Many of these changes induce fear and anxiety. We believe our religious communities offer many healthy and helpful frameworks that call us into active dialogue and collective action, leading us away from our tendencies toward fear and isolation. In exploring these together, we reclaim our power to act as agents of change in our communities. 

How can you connect with Faith Commons?

- Attend an Event | From speaker events to film screenings, community gatherings, and more, Faith Commons brings people together to work for the common good. Check out our website for updates on in-person and on-line events. www.faithcommons.org

- Listen to Our Podcast | The "Good God Project" podcast, hosted by Rev. Dr. George Mason, features conversation with people who care about the positive contribution of faith to public life. Episodes touch on subjects such as religion, politics, education, science, law, the arts, philosophy and philanthropy. 

- Subscribe to Our Newsletter | Faith Commons produces a monthly newsletter, “Thoughts from the Commons,” in which we respond to and offer action opportunities around timely issues and challenges. Subscribe here.

About George Mason, Founder and President

Rev. Dr. Mason is a Christian theologian and retired Baptist pastor in Dallas, Texas, where he served as Senior Pastor of the Wilshire Baptist Church from 1989 to 2022. 

He is a nationally recognized leader among Baptists and is the Lead Advisor for the Baptist House of Studies at Perkins School of Theology (SMU). He is a past Convenor of Faith Forward Dallas and participates in numerous local and global ecumenical and interfaith endeavors. He is a contributor to The Dallas Morning News on subjects of public interest that intersect with religion, such as public education, racial justice, and predatory lending. 

George is married to Kim Mason and they have three children and six grandchildren.

About Nancy Kasten, Chief Relationship Officer

Rabbi Nancy Kasten is a Reform rabbi, a community educator, volunteer and activist, as well as a certified Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. Since moving to Dallas in 1990, Nancy has led, taught, consulted and organized in Jewish, interfaith and secular settings locally, nationally and internationally. She chose her title of Chief Relationship Officer when she joined Faith Commons because she has the most fun when making connections with and among others.  

Nancy is married to Rabbi David Stern and they have three children.

About Mara Richards Bim, Program Director

Mara Richards Bim is a writer, spiritual director and candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church. She is also an award-winning theatre artist and the founder of the nationally-acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. 

It was Mara’s work with Cry Havoc – researching, writing and producing plays on issues of social justice – which led her to a second career in ministry. Under her leadership, Cry Havoc: was awarded the National Community Impact Award from Theater for Young Audiences (2018); was named "Best Thing to Happen to Local Theater" by D Magazine (2019); and was the subject of a five-episode podcast by KERA/NPR about the company's production of Babel (2020). In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation’s Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine’s “78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas.” 

Mara is a Clemons Fellow with Baptist News Global where she writes about religion and politics. She recently graduated from Southern Methodist University the degree of Master of Divinity (MDiv) and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Mara is married to Brett Bim and they have one daughter in elementary school.