Today I preached my third 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 message, “Open Hearts, Open Eyes, New Beginnings” is based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and John 9:1-41. You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I have much to learn when it comes to all that happens here on our church campus. Every time I am here, I see new Read More …
interim ministry
My New Role: Interim Minister at First Christian in Fort Worth (#2302)
20 months ago I announced that I was Returning to Parish Ministry as Interim Pastor at Advent Lutheran (ELCA). 14 months later that role concluded and I devoted myself to guest and supply preaching. Now, I am pleased to share that, beginning this week, I will serve as Interim Senior Minister at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in downtown Fort Worth. Returning to Fort Worth It is a joy to return to downtown Fort Worth where my wife and I lived until moving to our current Read More …
Keep Living and Loving Like Jesus (#2255)
Today I preached my final sermon as Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). It was the concluding message in the Discovering Joy series. Sermon My message, “Do You Know?” is based on Philippians 4:4-9 & John 21:15-17. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt As someone who was born in Arlington, grew up in Arlington, and now lives in Arlington I’ve traveled down South Cooper Street thousands of times. Despite passing by Advent on nearly all Read More …
Top 10 Sermons Preached at Advent Lutheran Church (#2254)
This Sunday will be my final day as the Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas. Over the last fourteen months I have preached more than 50 sermons in this congregation. The top ten, based on YouTube views are (sermon titles link to videos) Top Series Organizing the top sermons by the sermon series they were a part of reveals that five different series appeared in the top ten list. The top series, as reflected by most sermons in the top ten, Read More …
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 …
Returning to Parish Ministry as Interim Pastor at Advent Lutheran (#2130)
In 2015 I announced that I was leaving parish ministry. Now, almost a decade later, I'm pleased to share that I'm returning. On June 30, I'll begin a new role as Interim Pastor at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas. Ministry Background For those who may be reading this post as an introduction to me and/or to So What Faith (a blog I started back in 2009), some background information is helpful. After earning an undergraduate degree in ministry and spending a few years Read More …
The Church of New Beginnings (#2003)
In the spring of 2013, I was content. At the time I was serving Naples United Church of Christ in a part-time role overseeing adult discipleship (see The Church of Unsticking for more about that experience) while serving full-time at Hodges University. When I received an unexpected call from someone representing United Church of Marco Island asking if I would consider becoming their Interim Senior Pastor my initial reaction was to decline. Life was good and I was not seeking new or Read More …
My New Role: Transitional Minister (#1488)
I am delighted to announce that effective January 1, 2015 I will begin a new role as Transitional Senior Minister at Fort Myers Congregational UCC (Fort Myers, FL). Process Their current minister, Rev. Phil White, is retiring at the end of this year after serving in that role for the last decade. I have known Phil for several years, and am thankful he extended an invitation to me to serve as a guest preacher this summer. July 20: A Holy Invitation July 27: Persisting for the Read More …
Sermon: The Next Chapter (#1450)
Ephesians 2:14-22 (The Message) Sermon Excerpt A few weeks ago, Susan and I participated in Hodges University’s annual commencement ceremony. As professors, we know quite well how much the graduating class and their families look forward to that special occasion. This year we listened to remarks from a member of the graduating class and from a faculty member. While those short addresses were interesting, the one speech this year’s graduates are most likely to remember is the Read More …
The End of Interim Ministry? (#1444)
Later this month I will conclude a 10 month interim role as the Senior Minister of United Church (Marco Island, FL): a congregation affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and the United Church of Christ. This year long journey has afforded the congregation an opportunity to process the past, understand the present, and prepare for the future. I firmly believe it will enable the new settled minister to begin well from day one knowing that folks Read More …