I began my time here with the Massachusetts Bible Society in January of 2004 . . . an auspicious beginning because, as you all know, ’04 was the year (all together now) the Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years. This alignment was destined to happen just as it did . . . I have no doubt!
Though I have lived in Boston since late 2000, I am a southern transplant all the way from Mississippi, the deep-south, the Bible Belt. And growing up in that part of the country, the seat of American Christian fundamentalism, has made me more than aware of the potential dangers of hard, fast, religious dogma. It has also convinced me of the need for an ecumenical, progressive organization like the Massachusetts Bible Society that fosters a celebration of diversity, a welcoming of dissent against the views of the establishment, and an open spiritual dialogue among the many voices illustrated in this collection of ancient writings that has provoked so much bewilderment for so long.
I have worked in the world of bookselling for nearly 15 years and, as the resident bibliophile at MBS, my job is to provide you and your faith community with the books and other printed resources you need to encourage and develop an open, inclusive reading of the Bible and continuous, searching conversation about the nature of faith in the contemporary world. I hope that you will choose to learn more. Click here to visit MBS Book Services.
Cheers,
Mike Colyott