The best new books I’ve read in the last 30 days are listed below. (4.5) The Injustice of Place: Uncovering the Legacy of Poverty in America by Kathryn J. Edin, H. Luke Shaefer, and Timothy J. Nelson (Mariner Books, 2023)(4.5) Life After God: Finding Faith When You Can't Believe Anymore by Mark Feldmeir (Westminster John Knox Press, 2023)(4.5) Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ edited by Yvonne. V Delk (Pilgrim Press, 2023)(4.0) The Evangelical Read More …
Mainline Protestant Clergy: 3 Intriguing Stats (#2081)
Earlier this month, Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) published Clergy and Congregations in a Time of Transformation: Findings from the 2022-2023 Mainline Protestant Clergy Survey. This wide-ranging study "considers the perspectives of mainline Protestant clergy from the seven largest mainline Protestant denominations on the cultural and political divides facing the nation, and how such divides may be impacting their own congregations." And, it is filled with statistics that warrant Read More …
14 Years of Tweeting (#2080)
A few days ago the social media platform formerly known as Twitter alerted me it was my 14th anniversary as @sowhatfaith. Since this may be my last such anniversary, I decided this was a good time to reflect on my journey. Getting Started In the early years, I spent more time on Twitter than anywhere else in social media land. And, I regularly wrote about those experiences here on So What Faith, including celebrating several twitterversaries and a reflection an award I Read More …
Preaching and Ordination Update #13 (#2079)
I'm current seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. And, I've been sharing updates as I progress through the discernment process that I hope will culminate in ordination. My last update was about two months ago: My Ministry in the United Church of Christ – Ordination Update #12 (July 2022). In that post I shared parts of the third section of my ordination paper, which focuses on my experiences in the United Church of Christ and plans for ordained ministry. Preaching One Read More …
Saying Goodbye to Hodges University (#2078)
I never imagined saying a permanent goodbye to a University that deeply impacted me. Today, I take this action for the second time in as many years. Last year, I said Goodbye to Hardin-Simmons University after that University choose a new path marked by dishonesty and that exclude all people who do not wholeheartedly endorse a new and troublingly specific statement of faith. Today, I say Goodbye to Hodges University upon the recent news that it has stopped admitting new students and will Read More …
Great New Books – September 2023 (#2077)
The best new books I’ve read in the last 30 days are listed below. (5.0) Positive Communication for Leaders: Proven Strategies for Inspiring Unity and Effecting Change by Julien C. Mirivel and Alexander Lyon (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023)(4.5) Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun (Broadleaf Books, 2023)(4.5) On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to be Good by Elise Loehnen (Dial Press, Read More …
Preaching Identity (#2076)
This morning I preached at Northridge Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. This is one of many ways the congregation has continued to expand its partnership with White Rock Center of Hope. I'm especially grateful to the Rev. Betsy Swetenburg, Northridge's Pastor and current WRCH Board member, for the invitation. Sermon My message, “Who am I?” was based on Psalm 8. The passage was selected as the congregation is in the midst of a sermon series titled Psummer of Psalms. Sermon Read More …
UCC: 1 Out of Every ____ Americans (#2075)
Most data related to Mainline Protestant decline focuses on one of two measures: Absolute decline (how many fewer members are in the denomination today as compared to a specific year in the past)Percentage decline (how much smaller the denomination has become as understood by expressing the membership decline as a percentage) In this post, I'll consider these before exploring what I find to be a more helpful measurement of decline. This new measure is also an easier way to understand the Read More …
Look Again (#2074)
It's time to look again. Eyeball Sometimes I don't see things, even things that are in plain sight. This is the case when it comes to a 30 foot tall eyeball located in downtown Dallas. This piece of art was created by Tony Tasset who modeled it after his own eye. Originally displayed in Chicago, it moved to downtown Dallas in 2013. Despite dozens of visits to downtown Dallas in recent years that took me right by or brought me close to the Eye, I had never actually seen it. Last Read More …
Abiding Contentment (#2073)
Passage for Reflection: Philippians 4:10-15 My wife and I reside in a beautiful home with ample room for everyday living and to provide hospitality for guests. Last week a larger house across the street was listed for sale. How might our life change if we had 20% more square feet? I serve a ministry supported by many generous individuals and congregations. Recently I was contacted by a determined headhunter. She attempted to lure me with the promise of financial security, “How much more Read More …