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Greg Smith

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My Ordination (and Installation) #2087

2023/11/06 By Greg

Yesterday, I was ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ and installed as the CEO of White Rock Center of Hope through a four way covenant.

My Journey Toward Ordination

I received a call to vocational ministry as a teenager and have sought to live that out ever since. That quest started with earning an undergraduate degree in ministry and then a seminary degree (M. Div.). And, it has continued in the 22 years since finishing those foundational theological studies.

I’ve shared in great detail why I’ve become part of the United Church of Christ and decided to pursue ordained ministry in this tradition. And, I’ve also written quite a bit about the discernment process that I’ve experienced as I’ve been preparing for ordination. To learn more, simply read some of my posts in this eleven month long series:

  • It’s Happening & You’re Invited: Ordination Update #14 (October 2023)
  • Preaching and Ordination Update #13 (September 2023)
  • My Ministry in the United Church of Christ – Ordination Update #12 (July 2023)
  • Learning from 9 Congregations & 10 Denominations – Update #11 (July 2023)
  • Ordination Paper Submitted – Update #10 (July 2023)
  • Midlife & MiD Life: A 9th Update (June 2023)
  • Seeking Ordination – Update #8 (May 2023)
  • Seeking Ordination – Update #7 (April 2023)
  • 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)

The Ordination and Installation Service

My ordination service was held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas. The service also featured my installation into my current ministry role at White Rock Center of Hope. If you were unable to attend but would like to know more than what’s provided in this post feel free to watch the service or look through the bulletin.

Since a list of everyone who has supported me on my 30 year journey to ordination would exceed the reasonable length of any blog post and since I’ve extensively documented the last year of this journey, what follows are some pictures of the service followed by short descriptions.

Greg with family before the service
Worship leaders prepare for the service
Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas – Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Hope UCC – welcomes all
Rev. Betsy Swetenburg – Pastor, Northridge Presbyterian Church and Board Vice Chair, White Rock Center of Hope – reads Scripture
Rev. Ray Jordan – Pastor, First Community UCC – preaches “Where Are the Prophets?”
Rev. Veronika Czutor – Pastor, Central Lutheran Church – encourages generosity
Laying on of hands
Rev. Dr. Andria Davis – Executive Pastor, Cathedral of Hope UCC – presents Greg with stoles
Jim Hilliard – Immediate Pastor Board Chair, White Rock Center of Hope – presents Greg with a Bible
Four way covenant partners install Greg as CEO of White Rock Center of Hope
Rev. Dr. Greg Smith celebrates communion
Rev. Dr. Greg Smith delivers the benediction
Rev. Dr. Greg Smith and Dr. Susan Smith gather with their Cathedral of Hope Life Group after the service

So What?

White Rock Center of Hope was founded in 1988 with support from a dozen churches affiliated with varying denominations. And, it continues to be an ecumenical ministry with support from churches affiliated with numerous denominations as well as those that are non-denominational. The organization exists to cultivate hope through basic needs and personalized empowerment with a vision of creating an East Dallas where all thrive. While all WRCH programs and services are motivated by faith, the offerings themselves are non-religious in nature (including a food pantry, clothing closet, financial education, and employment services).

My ordination does not change or in any way impact the White Rock Center of Hope’s ecumenical approach. Instead, it is about my own calling to ministry and the validation of that call by my religious tradition: the United Church of Christ. In the UCC, when an ordained minister is called to non-parish employment, a covenantal relationship is established among the ordained minister, the calling body, the United Church of Christ as represented by an Association, and the local church where the ordained minister is a member. In my case, this covenant exists between myself, White Rock Center of Hope, the North Texas Association of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ, and Cathedral of Hope UCC.

I’m excited to be formally installed as the CEO of White Rock Center of Hope and energized to continue to lead this life transforming ministry.

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Greg Smith

Greg is a follower of the Way of Jesus who strives to make the world a better place for all people. Currently, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of White Rock Center of Hope and as Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church. He has served ten congregations, taught religion to undergraduates for eight years, and helped three organizations provide quality healthcare to underserved populations. (Read More)

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