I have always loved the local church. I earned an undergraduate degree in ministry then went to seminary before starting to serve in this ministry setting. And, I served faithfully across churches, denominations, and states. Vocationally this was my world through 2015. Toward the end of 2015, I stepped away from local church ministry.
Now I serve as CEO of White Rock Center of Hope – an ecumenical ministry supported by dozens of congregations across the East Dallas community. For the majority of the year, I also served as the interim pastor of a local church marking my greatest involvement since exiting full-time parish ministry a decade ago.
The following list highlights ten of the most impactful ministry experiences in local church ministry.
1. Serving as Interim Senior Pastor at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas, including preaching and presiding at Sunday services
I served this dynamic program sized parish for fourteen months shepherding them through the transition from the retirement of a beloved long-term pastor to the arrival of a new called pastor. You can watch many of the sermons I preached here or can read more about my experiences in posts including
- Top 10 Sermons Preached at Advent Lutheran Church (August 2025)
- Keep Living and Loving Like Jesus (August 2025)
- Giving Thanks: 14 Months of Worship in the ELCA (August 2025)
- Interim Ministry: Then and Now (June 2025)
- My One of a Kind Ash Wednesday Experience (March 2025)
- Returning to Parish Ministry as Interim Pastor at Advent Lutheran (June 2024)
2. Preaching and presiding at a Sunday worship service for King of Glory Lutheran Church (ELCA) held in the White Rock Center of Hope Food Pantry
Without question, my most unique worship experience this year was held in White Rock Center of Hope’s food pantry. Worship in the Food Pantry explores how this experience came about and what it was like.
3. Serving on the Board of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
I was elected to a three-year term (2024–2027) on the board of my denomination’s Conference, or middle judicatory, with 2025 marking my first full year in the role. Given the significant challenges facing local congregations, this group’s strategic support for congregations and clergy is critical. I’m encouraged by the future oriented, Spirit-led, all gifts welcome approach this board has adopted. Quite recently, I began serving on a work group focused on new ways of being church.
4. Learning about preaching justice as a Preaching Justice Fellow, including a cohort group experience facilitated by Rev. Adriene Thorne
My most transformative professional development experience came in the form of a fellowship. Preaching Justice: A Community & A Lifeline explores my learning journey and links to earlier posts about my fellowship experience. This experience led me to preach more boldly and more clearly in all of my local church experiences.
5. Participating in and speaking at Fellowship Dallas’ Equipped to Go Conference convened by Michael DeGroat
This was Fellowship Dallas’ second annual missions conference. The event featured education and networking with an emphasis on inviting participants to deepen their involvement. This congregation has numerous local, regional, national, and international ministry partners – including White Rock Center of Hope.
6. Participating in the ordination of Rev. Connie Ortega to the ministry of word and sacrament in the ELCA
I had the privilege of getting to know Connie while serving alongside her at Advent Lutheran Church. It was an honor to be part of her ordination service.
7. Preaching at NorKirk Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Carrollton, Texas
As someone who has spent more of my life in Presbyterian (PCUSA) congregations than those affiliated with any other denomination, it is a joy to have an initial experience of a new congregation. This was my first time serving as a supply pastor at NorKirk.
8. Reading at Northridge Presbyterian Church‘s service of lessons and carols
Northridge has been an incredible Hope ministry partner serving on the front lines for many firsts in recent years, including the first of what has become an important bi-monthly community lifeline: a drive through style food pantry. This service was deeply meaningful as I joined the congregation in saying farewell to their beloved Senior Pastor and Hope’s Board Chair, Rev. Betsy Swetenburg.
8. Preaching and presiding at Central Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Dallas, Texas
This congregation has a long history with the White Rock Center of Hope beginning when Hope’s founder, then a member of Central, invited Central to be one of the organization’s founding churches. 2025 was the third consecutive year I preached or preached and presided in at least one Sunday service at Central. And, now, I also get to see this congregation in action more often since they provided administrative office space to Hope.
10. Speaking about White Rock Center of Hope at First Unitarian Church in Dallas, Texas
First Unitarian is a newer Hope ministry partner. Over the last two years this congregation has become deeply involved in supporting Hope through volunteerism and their first Sunday giveback program. This year, I was invited to address the congregation during the United States’ first ever pause in SNAP benefits.
So What?
2025 was filled with many ministry opportunities, including in the local church. I am grateful for all of my experiences, including many not mentioned in this post (including the seven Oklahoma congregations I worshipped in for the first time). As I reflect on local church ministry in 2025 two things stand out: (1) passion and (2) possibility.
This year was marked by greater passion than in recent memory. Some of this might be expected given the large scale social changes occurring in this country. Others may have been spurred to increased passion based on more local circumstances such as the congregation I served as interim pastor, which was both excited to prepared to welcome a new settled minister and to begin celebrating their 50th year of ministry. While certain variables contributed to increased passion, its prevalence suggests something more or greater.
As someone who is able to visit and engage with many local churches, I’m well aware of the challenges many now face. This year, for the first year since before the pandemic, I noticed a shift toward future orientation. It is as if churches that weathered COVID and then struggled to find their way to a new or next normal have reached that milestone and are beginning to dream again.
2025 was an incredible year for me and one that included spending more time in local church ministry than any year in over a decade.