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 this experience check out The Church of Renewal)
As time passed I realized I’d found more than my home for the next few years; the United Church of Christ is my theological home. That led me to begin the process of seeking ordination in 2010 through the denomination’s Florida Conference.
I spent the next several years in a status called Member in Discernment. And, I was blessed to be able to serve as pastor of multiple congregations through a process known as licensing.
Member in Discernment 2.0
My family relocated to Texas in late 2015. I stepped away from parish ministry as my primary professional activity, but remained engaged in the United Church of Christ as a member at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ (for more on this experience check out The Church of Hope) and at the denominational level through the Adese Fellowship in social enterprise (first as a fellow and later as a coach).
In 2022, I was violently attacked while at my place of ministry (see Surviving an Attack & Living a Hope-Filled Recovery). During the recovery that followed, I recognized I needed to finish what I’d started more than a decade earlier.
I officially resumed the journey toward ordination through the North Texas Association of the South Central Conference. And, I’ve shared every step along this new path in a series of previous posts:
- Officially a Member in Discernment (March 2023)
- Week by Week, Step by Step (March 2023)
- Back in the Pulpit Again! (March 2023)
- Pilgrimage: Sharing my Story (March 2023)
- Update: My United Church of Christ Ministry Discernment Journey (February 2023)
- A Story of Stoles: Discerning What Next (January 2023)
More Updates
Since I officially became a Member in Discernment last month, I’ve been busy working on what has been asked of me.
Yesterday, I finished the second part of a two part psychological assessment.
Today, I attended my first meeting of the North Texas Association, which was held at Central Congregational United Church of Christ in Dallas.
It was a fantastic experience. I had the opportunity to connect with people I’d not met before, interact with some folks I’ve not in awhile, and even meet a few people in person that I’d only interacted with virtually. The day also included an uplifting, mission-
And, I was able to be a part of the unanimous affirmation of a resolution for the South Central Conference to become an Open and Affirming Conference.
In the final session of the day, The Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz, Executive Pastor at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, was granted privilege of call.
The Journey Continues
In the weeks ahead I’ll be completing attending the annual meeting of the South Central Conference, completing boundary training, preaching, and writing my ordination paper.
Your prayerful support is deeply appreciated.