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 …
United Church of Christ
Ordination Paper Submitted – Update #10 (#2066)
I'm in the process of seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. This is my 10th update about that journey. Submitted Today, I submitted my ordination paper. It is a twenty-five page document that is divided into three sections: theology,history and polity of the United Church of Christ, andand my calling to and ministry in the United Church of Christ. So What? In nine prior updates I've shared lists of what I've been asked to do as a Member in Discernment (UCC-speak Read More …
Celebrating 14 Years of So What Faith with Popular Posts (#2064)
Thanks for being a supporter of So What Faith - a site where matters of faith that matter are explored and where good questions are always more valuable than easy answers. As a writer, I always wonder if anyone will read my words. For So What Faith, I'm able to answer that question thanks to Google Analytics. Note: Google Analytics as I've always know it is coming to an end. Effective July 1, 2023 a new Google Analytics launches. Given this big change, I decided to run some mid-year Read More …
My Experiences with 14 UCC Congregations (#2059)
I've been a part of the United Church of Christ since 2010. During that time, I've visited 14 UCC congregations. Each has impacted me in a unique way. Currently, I'm a Member in Discernment in the United Church of Christ and hope to be ordained later this year (see Midlife & MiD Life: A 9th Update for more about this process). In this reflection on my journey in my denomination of choice, I explore the contributions of these 14 congregations. For the sake of simplicity, I've organized Read More …
Midlife & MiD Life: A 9th Update (#2058)
Yesterday was my birthday. It was the first birthday in many years that included multiple people guessing or asserting/assuming my age. I'll save you that effort: I'm now 46 years of age. Midlife The stage of life called midlife is generally understood to be from age 40 to 60. So, mathematically, it appears I'm now well into this phase. As I reflect on my midlife experience so far, it has been a time of clarity rather than crisis. Last night on several social media platforms I 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 UCC is Missing 1.3 Million People! (#2054)
I am part of the Mainline Protestant denomination known as the United Church of Christ. I believe that telling our story is a part of how we learn to better understand our present state and better plan for a brighter future. Mainline Decline Much has been written about Mainline decline in general, and about the decline of the United Church of Christ specifically. I am one of the writers who continues to contribute to this growing body of literature. United Church of Christ Read More …
Too Many Ministers in the United Church of Christ? (#2053)
Are there too many clergy in the United Church of Christ? This question deserves real consideration in the context of decline in the United Church of Christ and in Mainline Protestantism more broadly. Thankfully, I've written about Mainline decline for the last fourteen years with a focus on the traditions I know best: United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church (USA). A few examples of Mainline decline more generally are followed by analysis of the decline in the UCC and Read More …
Seeking Ordination – Update #8 (#2049)
Since a month has passed since my last update (see Seeking Ordination โ Update #7), I figured it was time for another post. During the last month, I Preached at Central Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Dallas (see Preaching Abundant Life)Completed boundary trainingPublished a devotional through the Center of Congregational Ethics (see Holy Ground Ahead)Started a second year as Board Chair of the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics Participated in a clergy retreatAttended the 42nd Annual Read More …
Seeking Ordination – Update #7 (#2044)
I found my way to the United Church of Christ only after spending considerable time in several other Mainline Protestant denominations. In the 2010s, I had the opportunity to serve in three congregations in the United Church of Christ Naples United Church of Christ (for more on this experience check out The Church of Unsticking)United Church of Marco Island (for more on this experience check out The Church of New Beginnings)Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ (for more on Read More …