Mainline Protestant decline is no longer debated. It is measured, tracked, and widely acknowledged. As a lifelong member of this tradition and an ordained minister within it, I have spent years paying close attention to what is happening and asking why. Nearly two years ago, I gathered much of that work into a single place: My Religion is Dying: A Deep Dive into Mainline Decline. That post serves as a hub, linking to more than 50 additional posts that explore both broad Mainline trends and Read More …
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Interim Ministry: Then and Now (#2235)
Then This morning when I opened my Facebook feed I saw a number of "on this day" memories, including one from 11 years ago. On June 18, 2014, I highlighted the conclusion of my interim ministry role in Southwest Florida, "Final meeting with the Board of Trustees at United Church of Marco Island earlier this evening. It has been a blessing to serve as the Interim Senior Minister for the last 10 months." Now I am currently 11 days away from completing my first year as the Interim Read More …
Giving Thanks: Remembering the 10 Congregations I’ve Served (#2174)
A little over a year ago I reflected on the first 9 congregations I served and on the 10 denominations that have shaped my theology. Today, on the final day of the month of thankfulness, I pause to give thanks for the 10 congregations I've served (I started serving #10 in June 2024). In chronological order: Denominations I've served congregations affiliated with five denominations: Location These communities of faith are located in the Dallas - Arlington - Fort Worth area Read More …
Where’s Greg Worshipping in 2024? 12 Congregations in 3 States (#2131)
In recent years I've worshipped in more than 75 Dallas - Arlington - Fort Worth area congregations (see Visiting 75 Churches in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metro Area). Last year, I reflected on some of those congregations as well as my worship experiences in congregations outside of Texas in June (Where’s Greg Worshipping? 8+ Congregations in 3 States) and December (Happy New Year! Celebrating Visits to 12 Churches). A few days ago I announced that I'll be returning to parish ministry later this Read More …
Preaching in the 2000s (#2114)
I preached my first sermon nearly 30 years ago in May 1994. This "mini-sermon" was delivered as part of youth led service at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Texas. Getting Started I did not preach again until the year 2000. By then, I'd completed an undergraduate degree in ministry and was two-thirds of the way through seminary where I was working toward a Master of Divinity degree. This time, I spoke at First Presbyterian Church in Duncanville, Texas. I had the opportunity to Read More …
Learning from 9 Congregations & 10 Denominations – Update #11 (#2067)
In this series on my journey to ordination in the United Church of Christ, I've been sharing some of the specifics of what my life has been like in recent months as a Member in Discernment. In this post, I explore how my current theology has been informed by lessons I've learned from 10 denominations or traditions. As I engage in this reflection I'm mindful of the nine congregations I've served, which are shown below: (1) First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) - Duncanville, TX; (2) Central Read More …
My Religious Traditions Are Missing 8 Million People! (#2057)
Excepting the four years I spent serving two congregations affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), I've spent my entire life in three religious traditions within what is often called Mainline Protestantism: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA), and United Church of Christ. Over the last three days, I've explored one of the underreported aspects in the decades old story of Mainline decline: the decline is worse than it first appears because Read More …
The ELCA is Missing 4 Million People! (#2056)
I deeply appreciate and have personally been involved in the life of the Mainline Protestant denomination known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Given my prior involvement in this tradition, I strive to tell the whole story of how the denomination has arrived at its present state so that those involved can use this information as they plan for a brighter future. Mainline Decline Much has been written about Mainline decline in general, and about the decline of the Read More …
Mainline Decline: 1990 to 2020 (#1989)
I've been hearing about Mainline decline for my entire life. As a lifelong participant in multiple denominations within this tradition, I don't remember a time when I was not a part of conversation about what's been happening and why. And, as someone who has served 9 congregations affiliated with denominations in the Mainline Protestant world, I know the practical challenges this trend presents to the local church and to denominations. Decline - The Last 30 Years I was confirmed in Read More …
Serving 9 Beautifully Diverse Congregations (#1771)
Since the year 2000, I've served 9 different Mainline Protestant congregations. Congregational Diversity I'm thankful for the beautiful diversity of these congregations. Denominational Affiliation United Church of Christ - 3 Presbyterian (PCUSA) - 3 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - 2 Lutheran (ELCA) - 1 Location North Texas - 5 Southwest Florida - 4 Size - Average Weekly Worship Attendance Family (1-49) - 1 Pastoral (50-149) - 3 Program (150-399) Read More …