Senior Editor, Sojourners magazine
Photo: Brandon Hook / Sojourners

Jim Rice is a senior editor of Sojourners magazine. He has also served as editor and managing editor of the magazine, director of Sojourners Outreach Ministry, and coordinator of Sojourners Peace Ministry.

Prior to joining Sojourners, Rice was an organizer for the Center for Peace Studies at Georgetown University. He was founder and co-director of Pax Christi: Washington's Peace Education Program and producer of the multimedia "Anatomy of the Nuclear Arms Race." In addition, Rice served on the founding National Committee, Executive Committee, and Direct Action Task Force of the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign, and he was treasurer of the Nuclear Weapons Education Fund. Before moving to D.C., Rice was the hunger action coordinator for the Oregon Center for Peace and Justice in Portland, Ore., and he spent two years as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He has been a member of the national advisory board for Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding and a research fellow for the New Media Project at Union Theological Seminary and Christian Theological Seminary.

Rice, a graduate of Seattle University, is a native of Richland, Wash., the bedroom community of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Rice was a long-time member of Sojourners Community, an intentional Christian renewal community located in inner-city Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Dawn, have two children, Jessica and Adam. He is a member of Hyattsville Mennonite Church outside of Washington.

Selected Sojourners articles by Jim Rice

'Simple is the New Chic'

In John Carr's view, Pope Francis is already shaking up the Catholic Church -- and the best is yet to come.

The Party of No Compromise

GOP attempts to circumvent the health-care law range from the inane to downright bullying.

Our Dolls, Our Selves

Even at their best, toys like the American Girls Dolls send a mix message.

Future's So Bright.

"Given the option of paying more for dirty power or paying less for clean power, what would you take?" May 2013

'A World Without Nuclear Weapons'

The way to stop is to stop. March 2013

Who Speaks for Catholics?

Before the election, several bishops went so far as to threaten their parishioners with eternal damnation if they voted for Obama. January 2013

Our Endorsement for President

The constraints on political engagement by nonprofits can be frustrating for those committed to social change. November 2012

'A Clash of Fanaticisms'

We'll never reach reconciliation between Christians and Muslims until we address root causes—and take on the haters. November 2012

Drones: War Crimes and Misdemeanors

Hey Pres. Obama: The Nobel Peace Prize committee is calling. They want their medal back. August 2012

Fairness for Whom?

Fairness matters, especially for people on society’s margins—and that conviction goes far beyond tax equity to every aspect of public policy. For people of the Book, it’s much more important than politics; it’s a matter of faith. June 2012

Obesity in a World of Hunger

A new definition of malnutrition is emerging, as formerly developing countries are globalized into “fast-food nation” lifestyles. May 2012

Are Voter-ID Laws Racist?

More than 5 million voters could be affected by new Voter-ID laws and (coincidentally?) a disproportionate number of them are people of color. April 2012

Occupy the Future

The Occupy movement has already established its legacy -- by changing the nation's conversation about wealth inequality.March 2012

'Power to the People'

Renewable energy sources aren't just safer than nuclear power -- they're also cheaper. June 2011

'Tear Down This Wall'

An interview with Palestinian Christian activist Sami Awad on why nonviolence is key to Middle East justice. May 2010

Composting with Worms (a “how-to” video)

Sojourners editor Jim Rice and his family have been composting with worms for more than a decade. In this video how-to, he shares 7 steps to composting with worms. December 2009

The Path to Peace in the Middle East

Lessons from Gaza. March 2009

The Meaning of 'Life'

Once thought to be in the pocket of the Religious Right, many American evangelicals today are discovering a deeper understanding of what it means to be pro-life. With Jeannie Choi. November 2008

The Roots of Justice Revival

During the Second Great Awakening, the fruits of conversion included social reform. April 2008

Loving our Neighbors

Christian-Muslim dialogue raises hope - and suspicion. April 2008

Being There

"God's Smuggler" Brother Andrew has an odd way of breaking down barriers between Christians and Muslims. But somehow it works. March 2008

Is Nuclear Power the Answer?

Proponents claim that nuclear energy is the power source of the future - clean, green, and safe. Are they right? Cover feature. August 2007

A Rubicon Crossed

The church consensus is solidifying on the need to save the planet. April 2007

Gandhi For Today

How would Mahatma Gandhi confront terrorism today? And what action would the apostle of nonviolence take in response to the wars waged in the name of anti-terrorism? A review of David Cortright’s “Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence for an Age of Terrorism.” December 2006

Hope Amid the Ruins

Out of the carnage of Middle East war, can real peace ever be achieved? September/October 2006

Nonviolence is Our Only Hope

In the Middle East, only justice for all is justice at all. August 2005

Reagan's Legacy

On mourning in America. August 2004

The Burden of Truth. An interview with two former CIA analysts on the lies behind the Iraq war and the heavy weight of conscience. November-December 2003

"School Choice" Passes a Test. A victory for vouchers -- but who wins? September-October 2002

Sins of the Fathers. The deepest guilt is the church's. May-June 2002

Unfoolish Consistency. Moral principles, not politics, guide the bishops. January-February 2001

Core Values. The Broetjes, owners of the largest apple orchard in Washington state, had a crazy idea -- to treat their workers like people. November-December 2000

A Blank Check for China? China is the current battleground -- as Seattle was last fall -- over the rules of global trade. May-June 2000

Sandino Lives! Actually, even in Nicaragua, revolutionary fervor isn't what it used to be. March-April 2000

Rome Not Quite Ready for Women Priests. November-December 1998

Whatever Happened to Lt. Calley? November-December 1998

A Squandered Opportunity. The biggest obstacle to Palestinian Democracy may well be the emerging state's founding father, Yasir Arafat. July-August 1997

Why Play? Contemplation, freedom, and the spirit of leisure. January-February 1997

Bernardin's Most Important Year. November-December 1996

Beyond the Nuclear Test Ban. November-December 1996

Crack, Contras, and the CIA. November-December 1996

With "Friends" Like These. What to do about sleazy TV? May-June 1996

Justifying the Next War. The real-world effects of the just war theory. March-April 1996

Into Bosnia. Mixed motives and good fruit. January-February 1996

Getting Beyond Labels. Serpents, doves, and the Religious Right. March-April 1995

"Cautious Optimism" on Haiti. Reconciliation in Haiti must be preceded by repentance and rooted in truth. November 1994

The Armor of Righteousness. The Christian Right makes its bid for the political mainstream. November 1994

Where Angels Fear to Tread. November 1994

Shifting Terrain in Korea. Without Jimmy Carter's risky pilgrimage, the world would be a more dangerous place. September-October 1994

Too Many People? The unavoidable reality is that where there is severe poverty, adding more people makes the suffering worse. August 1994

Seeking Common Ground on Abortion. July 1994

The Last Comeback of Richard Nixon. July 1994

World Bank/IMF: 50 Years Is Enough. The Bank will not change its economic model without outside pressure. July 1994

When Dignity Is Assaulted. Biblically based Christians must forcefully oppose this deceptive, homophobic campaign of the Far Right. February-March 1994

NAFTA's Fatal Flaws. December 1993

Be Like Mike? Michael Jordan or Madonna may be worth talking about, but they arguably serve no principle beyond themselves. September-October 1993

Saying No to Bigotry. Why the church must stand up for gay rights. February-March 1993

Cultures in Conflict. Inner-city tensions explode on the streets of Washington, D.C. . July 1991

SDI-Lite: Old Wine in New Skins. May 1991

On The Front Lines Of Resistance. Conscientious objectors struggle for recognition. April 1991

Mistakes Were Made…. Will the Nuclear Industry's Post-Cold War PR Campaign Work? January 1991

Posts By This Author

A Bridge of Justice

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 01-01-1994

The U.S. government took hundreds of thousands of square miles from native people. In a recent ceremony in Alaska, the church gave a small portion of that land back.

Support Women, or Stay Lay

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 01-01-1994

While many denominations across the globe have opened the door to the ordination of women, none have taken as resolute an action for equality as the Lutheran bishops of Sweden.

Briefly Noted

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 01-01-1994

The Mennonite Central Committee is launching a project to rid northern Laos of unexploded bombs dropped by U.S. planes during the Vietnam war.

Zero Shopping Days 'til Christmas

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 01-01-1994

For some religious leaders, spending hundreds of dollars for Christmas gifts - ostensibly to honor the birth of one who had "no place to lay his head" - is not merely ironic, it's sinful.

NAFTA's Fatal Flaws

by Jim Rice 12-01-1993

The American public is confused about NAFTA.

Wine Boycott Grows

by Jim Rice 12-01-1993

At any given time, there are hundreds of boycotts to choose from, most of them launched for good reasons and in support of good causes.

Out of Mogadishu

by Jim Rice 12-01-1993

You wouldn't know it by watching CNN, but some of the most important things happening in Somalia these days are taking place far from the mean streets of Mogadishu.

Briefly Noted

by Jim Rice 12-01-1993

Evangelist Billy Graham told Religious News Service that he would like to be remembered as having been "faithful to the Lord until the very end." 

South Africa: Another Step Toward Freedom

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 11-01-1993

Anticipating South Africa's first democratic election

Amazon Massacre Draws Outrage

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 11-01-1993

Environmental organizations respond to massacre of Yanomami in Brazil

A Classic Case of Conscience

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 11-01-1993

Coverage of Bill Ramsey's reflections on jail and war taxes

Briefly Noted

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 11-01-1993

The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance in August that will require genetically engineered foods and food products to bear the words, "This food is genetically engineered."

A School Bus to Cuba

by Jim Rice, by Jill Carroll Lafferty 11-01-1993

Ninety vehicles--including pick-up trucks, an ambulance, cars, and a school bus--set out this summer to deliver food, medicine, and other supplies to Cuba, in intentional violation of the U.S.

Be Like Mike?

by Jim Rice 09-01-1993

Finding truly inspirational sports celebrities

Briefly Noted

by Jim Rice 09-01-1993
  • Despite evidence of widespread use of child labor in Bangladesh, Wal-Mart increased imports from the country 113 percent over the first part of 1993. Patricia Scarcelli of the Food and Commercial Workers union said, "The only way to stop child labor is to stop buying products from countries that allow child labor."

The Worst Nuclear Plants in the Country

by Jim Rice 09-01-1993

After history's worst nuclear power accident at Chernobyl in 1986, the U.S. Congress instructed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to take a hard look at nuclear plants in this country.

Save Paradise, Tear Up a Parking Lot

by Jim Rice 09-01-1993

The garden itself isn't so remarkable: some tomatoes, sweet peas, and greens growing amongst the lettuce, zucchini, and assorted flowers in a 30-foot by 30-foot plot.

Briefly Noted

by Jim Rice, by Brigitte Kerpsack 08-01-1993

Chief Raymond Yowell of the Western Shoshone National Council has called on President Clinton not to resume nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site

The "Myth" of Plastic Recycling

by Jim Rice, by Brigitte Kerpsack 08-01-1993

Greenpeace activists in California blocked loading operations this spring at a dock holding recycled plastic waste bound for Southeast Asia

Drug, Alcohol, Race, & Class

by Jim Rice, by Brigitte Kerpsack 08-01-1993

If you are convicted of substance abuse, your race and class have a lot to do with whether you'll be sent to prison