This morning I worshipped for the first time in Edmond, Oklahoma and just the sixth time in Oklahoma. My prior experiences include: About FCC Edmond First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Edmond, Oklahoma has been serving their community since 1899. Currently, this community of faith invites others to "join us . . . to experience open tables, spacious faith, and love in action for all people." FCC offers two worship services on Sundays Since 2002, they have been led Read More …
Are You Part of the 42%? (#2223)
When I ask people to guess what percentage of the American population is made up of white Christians, their answers typically range from just over half to nearly the entire population. And, if they were responding decades ago they would have been correct. In reality, less than half of the population belongs to this group today following decades of decline. Recent Decline Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) published the graphic above in May 2023 illustrating the changes not Read More …
Growing for the Future (#2222)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Easter Hope series and celebrated Stewardship Sunday. Sermon My message, “Growing for the Future” is based on the stewardship theme passage: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15, You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I’ve been blessed to learn from many mentors in and beyond the church. This morning I’m especially thankful for the Rev. Dr. Robert Bohl. Pastor Bob held many titles over Read More …
Great New Books for May 2025 (#2221)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are 5+ Rating Why Religion Went Obsolete is the first book published in 2025 to receive a 5+ rating here on So What Faith. This distinction has been awarded to just three to five books a year in recent years: Why Religion Went Obsolete I have lost count of the number of books I have read that examine the decline of religion in the United States. While each offers its own particular insights, it takes only a few to Read More …
Living with Eyes Wide Open (#2220)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Easter Hope series. Sermon My message, “Opening Our Eyes” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 24:13-35. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt The walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus wasn’t a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. This was a 7-mile-long road trip. So, even if their uninvited companion joined them a mile in, the trio would have walked together for 6 miles. Read More …
Leading Well Starts Here (#2219)
Yesterday, I attended the 2025 Texas Health Community Hope Summit, which was held at the Hurst Conference Center. The one-day experience included a gathering session, a keynote session, and three breakout sessions along with time for networking and visiting the many relevant exhibitors. Keeping Yourself Healthy The first breakout session I attended was a panel discussion titled Keeping Yourself Healthy While Serving Others: The Emotional Toll of Ministry. Expertly facilitated by Rev. Read More …
Easter Expectations (#2218)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we kicked off the Easter Hope series, which will run until Penetecost. Sermon My message, "Easter Expectations" is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 24:1-12. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I wonder about your Easter expectations. Throughout the season of Lent as we drew closer to this day, what were you preparing for? Did you have specific expectations for spending time with family or Read More …
My Action Figure (#2217)
The last few weeks I've seen a number of people posting pictures of personalized action figures still in their packaging. These have been appearing on my Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads feeds with some regularity. Creating I was intrigued and decided to create one. Using a free ChatGPT account, I uploaded a photo and included a prompt that offered a brief overview of my roles as Interim Senior Pastor at Advent Lutheran Church and Chief Executive Officer White Rock Center of Read More …
Lenten Challenges: Choosing Jesus (#2216)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we concluded the Lenten Challenges series. Sermon My message, Choosing Jesus” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 19:28044. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Marcus Borg and Dominic Crossan put this in perspective: “Pilate’s procession embodied the power, glory and violence of the empire that ruled the world. Jesus’ procession embodied an alternative vision, the kingdom of Read More …
Best of the Best: Top Authors (#2215)
Over the last 16 years I’ve read widely in the fields of ministry and leadership. Here on So What Faith, I've shared reviews or ratings of more than 1,100 of these recently published books . At the end of each year, I publish a Top 10 Books of the Year list featuring the very best books I've read that were published that year. Six years ago this month, I wrote Top 12 Authors: 2009-2019 sharing the dozen authors who had appeared on more than one top 10 list. Last year, I updated this Read More …