A few months after I completed my first role as an Interim Senior Pastor in a United Church of Christ congregation (see The Church of New Beginnings), I took a step of faith and started another. My story of renewal at Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ began when I spoke more bluntly in an interview than I ever had in my life. I explained to the search team what I had learned of the congregation's significant numeric decline and the many challenges before them, and assured Read More …
Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ
God is Doing a New Thing – My Experiences in UCC Congregations (#2000)
The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957, and is currently comprised primarily of congregations that were founded in and originally affiliated with one of its predecessor denominations. According to the United Church of Christ Statistical Profile 2021: 84.9% of current congregations were organized prior to the founding year of the UCCFewer than 1 in 20 current congregations have been founded since 2000 (4.6%)Average founding date of current congregations is 1873Median found date of Read More …
A Decade in the United Church of Christ (#1948)
While I've been associated with Mainline Protestant Christian congregations my entire life, I never experienced the United Church of Christ until 2010. As a native Texan, I'm used to hearing folks say "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could." In many respects, that sentiment resonates with my spiritual journey and late arrival in the United Church of Christ. Before the UCC Prior to encountering the United Church of Christ I was Baptized, confirmed, and discerned Read More …
Ministry Reflection: Getting Started in the UCC (#1569)
On June 30, I concluded 4+ years of service as Director of Adult Education at Naples United Church of Christ (a tenure that also included a shorter stint as IT Manager). This ministry role was my first in the United Church of Christ after serving congregations affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Lutheran (ELCA), and Presbyterian (PCUSA) traditions. Naples UCC Naples UCC is among the flagship churches in the United Church of Christ denomination. Just over 1% Read More …
Three Invitations (#1510)
Consider this your personal invitation to join me and many others for one of three events I am facilitating over the next four weeks: Sunday, January 11 at Fort Myers Congregational UCC (Fort Myers, FL). Join us at 10:00 a.m. for worship on the occasion of my first Sunday to preach since assuming the role of Transitional Minister (more about this new role). Tuesday, January 13 at Naples United Church of Christ (Naples, FL). Join us at 7:00 p.m. for Christian Piatt’s talk Read More …