I've never not been a Christian. Put more directly: I've been a Christian my whole life. I was blessed to be raised by parents who followed the Way of Jesus, who embodied the love of Jesus, and who encouraged my full participation in the life of the local congregation I participated in from birth until college. In that congregation (First Presbyterian Church, PCUSA - Arlington, TX) I was nurtured, challenged, and supported. It was there that I was confirmed and there that I discerned a Read More …
First Presbyterian Church
Blogging in the 2000s (#1988)
In the spring of 2009, I decided I'd like to enter the world of blogging. At the time I was serving First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida, and felt blogging would be an easy way to share some of my thoughts with congregants between newsletters and other more formal communications. And, from colleagues I knew who had started blogging ahead of me, I expected my content would have the potential of reaching a much larger audience. Naming the Blog Before I could begin, I needed to Read More …
New Year, New Worship Experience (#1908)
It has been ten months since I last walked into the sanctuary of a church to participate in worship. Given the current spike in COVID-19 cases where I live and the slower than expected distribution of the vaccine, I am unsure when I may next participate in worship as I'd always known it before COVID-19. Today, for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, I gathered in the same physical place as others for worship. Preparation Last month, First Presbyterian Church (Fort Read More …
6 Months (and Counting) Without In Person Worship (#1888)
After participating in corporate worship weekly or more often for all of my life, I've now gone six months without doing so as a result of COVID-19. Both of the congregations I belong to continue to provide virtual worship alongside other virtual opportunities for connection and discipleship. And, both congregations have yet to set a date to return to offering worship services that parishioners can attend in person. The Unexpected: Virtual Worship Only As I reflect on Read More …
10 In Person Worship Experiences from 2020 (#1880)
It has been over four months since I last attended a worship service alongside hundreds of other people. And, I have no idea when I might next have a similar - recognizing in a COVID-19 world that any future in person experience will be unlike what I knew prior to COVID-19 - experience. Today, I'm sharing ten images of worship experiences I had earlier this year at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth and Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas. (All images were originally 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 …
Future Faith – Coming Soon (#1820)
I'm excited to announce that I'll be teaching a class titled "Future Faith" at First Presbyterian Church (Fort Worth, Texas) starting Sunday, September 15. The class will meet for 11 consecutive Sundays at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome. The class is inspired by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson's book Future Faith: Ten Challenges Reshaping Christianity in the 21st Century - a book I Read More …
The Nature of the Church in the 21st Century (#0334)
Cynthia Holder Rich is currently the Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Muskegon, MI and serves on the Special Committee on the Nature of the Church in the 21st Century of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In the latter role she posted five questions, which were developed by the committee: What is your vision for the church in the 21st century? What characteristics will draw the great diversity (racial ethnic, age, gender, etc.) of our country into our community of Read More …