So What Faith

Greg Smith

Learning from 9 Congregations & 10 Denominations – Update #11 (#2067)

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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 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – Dallas, TX; [closed in 2021 after 158 years of ministry – for more see Concluding 158 Years] (3) First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – Garland, TX; (4) King of Glory Lutheran Church – Dallas, TX; (5) First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) – Naples, FL; (6) Naples United Church of Christ – Naples, FL; (7) United Church of Marco Island (UCC & NACCC) – Marco Island, FL; (8) Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ – Fort Myers, FL; and (9) West Fork Presbyterian Church – Grand Prairie, TX.

First 9 Congregations Served

I also remember the first congregation I experienced – (1) First Presbyterian Church – Arlington, TX – my church home from birth through college as well as the congregation in which I was confirmed, received a call to ministry, and preached my first sermon. And, I give thanks for the congregation’s I’ve belonged to and participated in as a member in more recent years, (2) Lake Cities United Methodist Church – Lake Dallas, TX; (3) First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) – Fort Worth, TX; and (4) Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ – Dallas, TX.

4 Congregations as Member

Introduction to Theology

The first section of my ordination paper is focused on theology. I start that section with an introductory subsection that tells the story of how varying Christian denominations and traditions have informed my theology. The excerpt that follows is titled “Denominational Contributions.” I provide two lessons learned from the two traditions I’ve spent most of my life in – Presbyterian Church (USA) and United Church of Christ – and one lesson from each of the other eight.

My theology has been formed in direct response to my lived experience and that experience has included numerous Protestant Christian denominations and traditions.  To understand how I’ve arrived at my current theological perspective, I share a key lesson learned from 10 of the traditions that have had the greatest influence on me.

  • Baptist (especially Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Baptist General Convention of Texas). As a student at two seminaries – Truett Seminary at Baylor University and Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University – I learned about the priesthood of all believers. 
  • Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As a pastor in two congregations – Central Christian Church in Dallas, Texas and First Christian Church in Garland, Texas – I learned the importance of Communion (or Lord’s Supper or Eucharist). 
  • Congregational Christian Churches. As the Interim Senior Pastor of United Church of Marco Island in Marco Island, Florida – a congregation with ties to both the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and the United Church of Christ – I learned that the autonomy of the local church informs identity and enables enrichment through collaboration with other congregations and other settings of the church.
  • Churches of Christ. As a doctoral student at the academic institution that was then known as Southern Christian University and that has since been renamed Amridge University, I learned to appreciate the Bible as a central resource for life and ministry.
  • Episcopal Church. As a young adult seeking to begin life together with my beloved in a way that elevated the marriage experience, I experienced a more expansive approach to sacraments – one that includes the sacrament of Holy Matrimony – at St. Stephen Episcopal Church in Beaumont, Texas.
  • Independent Christian Church. As an undergraduate student at Dallas Christian College, I learned about the centrality of the New Testament in the life of the early church, and its importance for shaping ministry in the twenty-first century.
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As a lay staff member at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas, I learned the importance of social justice as a means of making God’s realm more real for more people and for all of creation. More recently this lesson has been revisited by rebuilding a relationship between Central Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas and White Rock Center of Hope in Dallas, Texas – a process that honors the origin story of White Rock Center of Hope, which began with the leadership of Central Lutheran Church.
  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  As a member of two congregations – First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Texas and First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth Texas; as a lay staff member of two congregations – First Presbyterian Church in Duncanville, Texas and First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida; as a temporary supply pastor of Westfork Presbyterian Church in Grand Prairie, Texas; and as a guest preacher and teacher in other congregations; I learned the content, historical utilization, and contemporary application of ancient and modern creeds and confessions. Additionally, I learned to see the church as both Reformed and always reforming.
  • United Church of Christ. As a pastor of two congregations – United Church of Marco Island in Marco Island, Florida and Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ in Fort Myers Florida, as a lay staff member at Naples United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida, as an Adese Fellow and Adese Coach in the Adese Fellowship, and as a member and Small Group Ministry Leader at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas – I experienced a Still Speaking God. And, I learned to approach the work of Christian unity through the lens of this unity-oriented expression of Christianity.
  • United Methodist Church. As a leader of the faith-based non-profit organization that was founded as the Wesley Mission Center and later became the Mansfield Mission Center – a ministry birthed by the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, Texas – I learned that living out one’s faith is more important than figuring out every detail of one’s theology.  I found that John Wesley’s guidance to “do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God” helps frame this action-oriented approach.

So What?

In my ordination paper the theology section continues with subsections on five topics: (1) God, (2) People, (3) Church, (4) Sacraments, and (5) Scripture.

Whoever you and and wherever you are on your journey of faith, I invite you to take some time to reflect on what’s shaped your theology (congregations, people, books, life experiences, etc.). Consider making a list of the 10 most important influencers and reconnecting with one or more of these individuals or congregations.

For more on my experience of seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ, check out