Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde Asks Us, ‘What Is The Faithful Task Before Us Today?’

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Jul 2, 2025

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, is known for her advocacy for marginalized communities. In this engaging conversation, she shares her journey of faith, including the courage needed to speak truth to power. Bishop Budde discusses the transformative role of compassion in leadership, especially regarding social justice for diverse groups. She reflects on the importance of navigating unity in a divided society and encourages listeners to engage meaningfully with their communities.

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ANECDOTE

Bishop Budde's Faith Origin Story

Mariann Edgar Budde was raised with evangelical faith but found the Episcopal Church's expansive mystery deeply comforting.
She never felt worthy of ordination initially but embraced it as a gift and a calling.

INSIGHT

Power of Self-Aware Leadership

Leadership profoundly shapes the tone of communities and requires deep self-awareness to avoid harm.
Budde studied gifted yet troubled leaders, learning leadership is an organic source of invisible power.

ANECDOTE

Preparation for Inaugural Sermon

Budde prepared for the inaugural sermon long before election results and prayerfully sought to speak truth on unity, dignity, honesty, humility, and mercy.
She was unsure who would listen but spoke to those she knew and the truth that needed saying despite controversy.

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Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is a leading voice in modern faith leadership and the first woman elected to serve as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, a role she’s held since 2011. While the job isn’t always glamorous, she says, the sacred moments in the public eye matter deeply—and she treats them with care.

Bishop Budde gained national attention for boldly speaking out against the Trump administration, including condemning the 2020 photo-op at St. John’s Episcopal Church and, more recently, offering a prayer for LGBTQ+ justice with President Trump and Vice President Vance seated before her. Her calm, courageous leadership has made her one of the most trusted voices in public faith today.

In this conversation with Jen, Bishop Budde shares her journey from a small Minnesota congregation to the national stage—and how she finds the courage to speak truth to power and stand with the marginalized, even when the cost is high.

Thought-provoking Quotes:

“I think, in some ways, vocations choose you as much as you choose them.” – Mariann Edgar Budde
“It's not as if the world stopped on January 21st. So much is happening every single day and there are consequences to the decisions being made.” – Mariann Edgar Budde

“I wouldn't have chosen the way they're going, but a lot is being dismantled right now and we've got to be there to help rebuild.” – Mariann Edgar Budde

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Raygun: Bishop Budde Fan Club T-Shirt - https://www.raygunsite.com/products/bishop-budde-fan-club
Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love by Mariann Edgar Budde - https://amzn.to/45GO5jh
How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by Mariann Edgar Budde - https://amzn.to/4kbZtan
Sermon by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde | Washington National Cathedral, 1.21.25 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwwaEuDeqM8
Love is the Game Changer of Our Faith: Bishop Michael Curry - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-24/love-is-the-game-changer-of-our-faith-bishop-michael-curry/
Goodness Triumphs Through Good People: A Year-End Benediction from Bishop Michael Curry – https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-39/goodness-triumphs-through-good-people-a-year-end-benediction-from-bishop-michael-curry/
Austin Channing Brown - https://austinchanning.com/
Tim Shriver - https://www.timothyshriver.com/
The Dignity Index - https://www.timothyshriver.com/projects/the-dignity-index
Jen Hatmaker Traded Religious Rules for Spiritual Practices - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jen-hatmaker-traded-religious-rules-for-spiritual-practices/id1765227660?i=1000691362907
Building Bridges, Not Walls: Tim Shriver on Dignity that Transcends Disagreements - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/building-bridges-not-walls-tim-shriver-on-dignity-that-transcends-disagreements/
Bryan Stevenson - https://eji.org/bryan-stevenson/
I Believe in the Sun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mplEEQn5znA&t=112s

Guest’s Links:

Website - https://edow.org/about/bishop-mariann/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mariannbudde

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bishopmariannbudde

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mariann_edgar_budde_

Connect with Jen!Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/

Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/

Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker

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