Since completing my undergraduate degree in Ministry and Leadership at Dallas Christian College 25 years ago this month, I’ve held wide-ranging ministry roles in Texas and Florida. Notably, these roles vary widely and extend beyond what I even knew to be possible when I walked across the stage in May 1998.
Today, I reflect on my first 25 years in ministry.
Local Church Ministry
My undergraduate education prepared me for ministry in the setting of the local church. In fact, many who graduated alongside me immediately transitioned into roles in the local church. My path, however, included seminary preparation prior to engaging in this type of ministry.
How long have I served in local church ministry? The answer depends on how one counts.
- 16 years: From 2000-2015 I served local congregations as my primary vocation
- 17 years: In addition to the above, I pastored a local congregation in a part-time capacity from 2017-2018
- 20 years: In addition to the above, I served multiple congregations concurrently first in 2013-2014 and then in 2015
- 21 years: In addition to the above, since 2022, I am serving in my first volunteer role in local church ministry that overlaps with prior experiences for which I was compensated
- 25+ years: In addition to the above, since 2009, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in local congregations as a consultant and/or guest preacher
Using an alternate measurement, I served 9 congregations (or 10 if you count my volunteer role) in two states that are affiliated with 5 denominations.
It makes sense that I have spent more time here than anywhere else, since the local church is the basic unit of any denomination or tradition and the most visible expression of the embodiment of the Way of Jesus.
(My ministerial formation and growth was supported by many educational pursuits, including earning a Master of Divinity degree in 2001 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2006.)
Faith-Based Non-Profit Ministry
I have invested the last 6 years of my life in faith-based non-profit ministry settings. Since 2017, I have served two such ministries in Texas.
One was started by a single local congregation while the other’s origin story involves a dozen local congregations. Today, both organizations have deep relationships with dozens of local churches in their communities. Dozens of local congregations – both those with denominational affiliation and non-denominational congregations – all across the theological spectrum make meaningful contributions that support and enable the varied basic needs and empowerment focused ministries provided by the non-profit organizations.
In these roles, I’ve experienced how many local churches together can positively impact the well-being of individuals, families, and even the whole community.
(My ongoing education in this area included the completion of the Adese Fellowship, which is all about faith-infused social enterprise.)
Other Professional Pursuits
While nearly everyone easily understands the categories of local church ministry and faith-based non-profit leadership as ministry, far fewer see my other professional pursuits as ministry. As someone who has long been called to a ministry of creating a better world for all people, I affirm a more expansive definition of ministry.
Some of my other efforts include
- Higher Education: 8 years as an adjunct faculty member teaching religion alongside 3 years providing faculty development
- Healthcare: 7 years total with time invested in operating a local free medical clinic, overseeing training and development for a national company, and leading the educational products team for a national association
- Social Services: 3 years for a government agency including work in refugee resettlement, quality assurance, and connecting people to SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and resources available through partner agencies
(My business learning included earning a Master of Business Administration degree.)
So What?
As I walked across the stage 25 years ago, the vision I had for ministry was correct but woefully incomplete. I am thankful for the many opportunities listed above and the others that have consumed me for the last two and a half decades. And, I’m especially appreciative of the many people who I’ve met and served alongside in all of these roles.
As I reflect on what I expected in 1998 and what actually came to be between then and now, the three largest gaps are
- Local Church Ministry. I assumed that once I graduated from seminary, I would serve local congregations for the rest of my life (or at least rest of my working years). If you’ve read this far you know that I moved to a both/and approach long ago – both serving in local congregations and in other contexts.
- One at a Time. I assumed not only that I would only serve the local church but also that I would only serve one church at a time. If you are any good at math, you’ll find the numbers in this post don’t add up. Or, perhaps you know me well or simply know how very different the realities of ministry are in the 2020s than in the 1990s. Serving in more than one role at a time became normative for me more than a decade ago. I’ve served multiple congregations at the same time more than once and served in other settings concurrently as well.
- Ordination. In addition to the first two assumptions, I assumed I would settle in to one denomination and be ordained in it shortly after graduating from seminary. Instead, my journey has included some work across dozens of denominations and considerable time serving congregations affiliated with 5 denominations (not to mention earning three theological degrees from schools associated with 3 additional traditions). I didn’t find my theological home until the 2010s and didn’t begin to engage in the current process I’m in that I expect will lead to ordination in the United Church of Christ until last year (See Seeking Ordination – Update #8).
I give thanks for my first 25 years of ministry and look forward to the next 25!
If you have been impacted by my ministry, I would welcome hearing from you. Feel free to leave a comment, message me through this website, contact me via social media, or reach out in some other way.