Upper House Commons Events

This was recorded live from our annual Baccalaureate Service at Upper House on May 8, 2026. 

Michael Knapstad is the Pastor of College Ministry & Internships at Blackhawk Church, where he has faithfully served for nearly eight years. A graduate of Fuller Seminary, Michael previously served in ministry in San Francisco. He's known for his creative and thoughtful approach to inviting students into meaningful communi...

At the heart of the 5th annual Let the Art Speak conference — held at Upper House, a Christian study center near the University of Wisconsin–Madison — visual artist Tim Lowly and United Methodist minister and writer Rev. Sherrie Lowly delivered the Saturday plenary session: "Trying to Get a Sense of Scale."

Their talk began not with art theory, but with a life: their daughter Temma, now 40, who has lived with profound cogn...

Our culture—and our churches—are growing increasingly polarized, leaving many Christians unsure of how to function faithfully within their communities. Families, neighbors, and congregations feel divided, even paralyzed, by widening gulfs. How should Christians think and talk about this moment, and what paths toward reconciliation are possible?

Join us for an inspiring and timely evening with Justin Giboney, co-founder of ...

Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidance. What does Scripture say about singleness—and how might it be understood not as a problem to solve, but as meaningful within the life of faith?

We gathered at Upper House for an evening conv...

Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidance. What does Scripture say about singleness—and how might it be understood not as a problem to solve, but as meaningful within the life of faith?

We gathered at Upper House for an evening conv...

What happens when machines begin to speak, respond, and even “care” as we do?

Explore the profound questions at the heart of today’s AI revolution with theologian and computer scientist Noreen Herzfeld. Drawing from her acclaimed book, The Artifice of Intelligence, Herzfeld will examine how artificial intelligence challenges our understanding of human uniqueness, the image of God, and what it means to love our neighbors in...

What does faithfulness look like in this moment?

From sermon preparation to student engagement to administrative tasks, artificial intelligence is quietly becoming part of everyday ministry. 

Todd Korpi, author of AI Goes to Church, designed it for pastors, campus ministry leaders, lay leaders, and all who care about the future of the Church. Together, we’ll explore how AI can serve ministry practically—while help...

How should artificial intelligence shape our understanding of what it means to be human?

As AI advances rapidly, questions about its ethical, cultural, and social implications are more urgent than ever.

A public panel featuring UW-Madison experts in philosophy, history, communications, and ethics as they explore how AI intersects with meaning, knowledge, and human values. The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Cent...

What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of shame, or at least the ability to experience it, is often deemed problematic. To be shameless is viewed as a moral deficiency in such circumstances. 

Scripture only deepens the complexity. Across bot...

What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of shame, or at least the ability to experience it, is often deemed problematic. To be shameless is viewed as a moral deficiency in such circumstances.  

Scripture only deepens the complexity. Across bo...

What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of shame, or at least the ability to experience it, is often deemed problematic. To be shameless is viewed as a moral deficiency in such circumstances. 

Scripture only deepens the complexity. Across bot...

“My intention is that you too will find a hope that is weathered and wild. A hope that grows in the composted remains of suffering and produces the nourishing fruit of love.” —Jeske

We gathered at Upper House on December 4, 2025, for an evening conversation leading toward hope—an often-unexpected tone when discussing racial justice, a subject that has left many in a state of despair.

Together we explored accounts of believers relatin...

There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pundits, activists, journalists, and academic sociologists and political scientists will continue to have their say, but this lecture is historical in nature. What did the founders be...

There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pundits, activists, journalists, and academic sociologists and political scientists will continue to have their say, but this lecture is historical in nature. What did the founders be...

There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pundits, activists, journalists, and academic sociologists and political scientists will continue to have their say, but this lecture is historical in nature. What did the founders be...

This compelling memoir shares Calvin Duncan’s journey from incarceration to becoming a self-taught legal advocate, shining a light on justice, resilience, and hope. Phil Haslanger will moderate the conversation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the authors, engage in meaningful discussion, and deepen your understanding of hope in the face of systemic injustice.

Calvin Duncan is the founder and director of the Light o...

What is charisma? Sometimes the word indicates someone who is simply charming, while other times it can imply manipulation. We often use it to describe that undefinable quality of a leader. The role of charismatic figures in American history stretches from early religious revivals to contemporary political movements. Across every era, Americans have turned to those who promise to restore order and meaning by channeling both sacred ...

The “Formed to Lead” event brought together a vibrant community to celebrate the launch of Jason Jensen’s new book, which explores the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership through the lens of Luke chapters 1–4. Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA, was joined in dialogue by Tiffany Malloy, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Blackhawk Church.

Together, they unpacke...

Theologian and biblical scholar J. Richard Middleton joined us at Upper House on September 12, 2025. Middleton will explore the provocative question “Does God command immoral actions?” using the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) as a central example, inviting us to engage deeply with the moral and theological complexity of this foundational text.

J. Richard Middleton is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis, at...