As someone who has long served as an interim pastor, and as someone who often visits congregations when not engaged in interim ministry, I have seen many creative and meaningful approaches to worship on Pentecost. This year’s Pentecost, however, carried special significance for me because it was my first as Interim Senior Minister at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Timing Pentecost arrived on my 77th day at First Christian. At this point, I Read More …
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Gratitude and Transition: Reflections on My Time with TXACC (#2318)
Six years ago, I said yes to the invitation to serve on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics (TXACC). Now, as I conclude two terms of service, I find myself reflecting on a journey that feels both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. My connection to TXACC began well before board service. When I first entered the world of charitable medicine, TXACC quickly became an invaluable resource, offering guidance, community, and a shared commitment to caring Read More …
Living as Easter People (#2312)
Today I preached my fifth sermon as the Interim Senior Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in downtown Fort Worth, Texas (you can learn more about this new role here). Sermon My Easter message, “Living as Easter People” is based on Matthew 28:1-10. You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Theologians have amazingly complex and largely unsatisfying answers to all of these questions and to others we might ask. There is not one Read More …
Home: My Story in 10 (or 11) Parts (#2243)
I grew up in Arlington, Texas — a city that proudly brands itself as the American Dream City. Positioned almost exactly between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington has long lived in the shadows of its better-known neighbors. But over time, it’s built a reputation all its own. Today it is the 50th largest city in the United States and 7th most populous in Texas. It’s home to two iconic sports franchises: Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. And it is home to a R1 University: University of Texas at Read More …
The Increasingly Purple Mainline (#2225)
I've been a Mainline Protestant my entire life. Over the course of my adult years I've been involved with shepherding 10 local congregations affiliated with four of this traditions' seven denominations. Liberal Clergy I'm well aware that clergy tend to be considerably more progressive than their parishioners, especially in Mainline Protestantism. In recent years this reality was explored most thoroughly by the Public Religion Research Institute. In 2022 and 2023 their research involving Read More …
Pay Attention! (#2175)
This morning on the occasion of the start of a new church year and the first Sunday of Advent, Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA).started a new series: Advent at Advent - Waiting and Wondering. It is the first series I'll be preaching in this community of faith that is guided by the lectionary. Sermon My message, “Pay Attention is based on Jeremiah 33:14-16 & Luke 21:25-36. You can watch the message below or read the manuscript. Excerpt in both the Old Testament reading and in Read More …
Heading East (#2007)
In January 2018, my wife and I moved to downtown Fort Worth after purchasing a 4 story brownstone with amazing views of the city that is strategically located on the edge of downtown, adjacent to Panther Island, and not far from West 7th and Near Southside. Earlier this week my wife and I listed our home for sale so that we can relocate to the East. Giving Thanks Our current home is the eighth property we've owned that has also served as our primary residence. It was the first to be Read More …
Looking Up & Looking Ahead (#1941)
Almost every day is the same; I spend most of my day looking straight ahead and a much smaller portion looking down. It is rare that I shift my visual focus upward, and rarer still for my upward gaze to persist for any length of time. On July 4, I found myself making an exception as I watched an impressive and lengthy (almost 30 minutes!) fireworks show from my home in Fort Worth, Texas. And, now, I'm recognizing that this temporary visual reorientation provided me with a larger Read More …
Giving Thanks – Mansfield Mission Center (#1938)
Over the last four years, I've had the joy of serving the Mansfield Mission Center (MMC). In short, MMC is the place people turn when unexpected challenges arise, and it is the center of opportunity for individuals, families, and the entire community. Introducing the Mansfield Mission Center Founded as the benevolence ministry of First Methodist Mansfield and originally known as the Wesley Mission Center, the organization became its own non-profit in 2013, and was renamed Read More …
Looking Again (#1873)
I'm spending some time today reflecting on my experiences over the last year. As part of that exercise, I've selected ten photos to share. I took each of these photos in either Dallas or Fort Worth using my phone. I invite you to take a few minutes to really look at both groups of photos. The first group offers a mix of city views alongside natural and cultural images. The second group presents two photos from within the walls of local congregations followed by two taken Read More …