I am thankful for all of the life experiences I’ve had since last Thanksgiving. Today, I highlight 10 that are particularly memorable and provide links to additional writing related to those experiences: Being ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ (My Ordination & Installation)Celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana and Navarre, FloridaStarting my 3rd year at White Rock Center of Hope (Starting Year 3 at White Rock Center of Hope) and Read More …
Friendsgiving (#2088)
November is a month that invites us to focus on giving thanks. I, like many Americans, have always gathered at table with my family of origin on or near Thanksgiving. This is a time to deepen connections, give thanks, and enjoy a turkey dinner that includes a large number of sides and desserts. Friendsgiving: Beginnings According to Merriam Webster, "Friendsgiving is a blend of friend and Thanksgiving, and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends either on or Read More …
My Ordination (and Installation) #2087
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 Read More …
Great New Books – November 2023 (#2086)
The best new books I’ve read in the last 30 days are listed below. (5+) Beautiful and Terrible Things: Faith, Doubt, and Discovering a Way Back to Each Other by Amy Butler (The Dial Press, 2023)(4.5) Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God Into a Hopeful Future by Dwight Zscheile, Michael Binder, and Tessa Pinkstaff (Fortress Press, 2023)(4.5) Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen (Penguin Books, 3rd edition, Read More …
Lacking Close Friends (#2085)
Earlier this week Pew Research Center published the results of a survey they conducted in July that found around 1 in 12 American adults (8%) have no close friends outside of their family. You read that right, 1 out of every 12 American adults self-reported that they didn't have any close friends outside of their family. Among those who responded the breakdown by number of close friends follows 0 - 8%1 - 7%2 - 14%3 - 18%4 - 13%5 - 13%6 - 6%7 - 2%8 - 2%9 - 1%10 or more - 13%Did not answer Read More …
It’s Happening & You’re Invited: Ordination Update #14 (#2084)
I'm pleased to share that I'll be ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023! If you are in or near the Dallas area, you are invited to attend the service, which will be held at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. Please help spread the word. About the Process If you are familiar with my story at all you likely know that I started in ministry in a very traditional manner by completing academic preparation (an undergraduate Read More …
10 Invitations to Conversation (#2083)
While I read many new books and share ratings for the best of them with you once a month, I most frequently share quotes of interest via X, the platform previously known asTwitter. Today, I'm sharing 10 quotes from recently published books as an invitation to theological conversation about one or more of the topics they explore. Read More …
Great New Books – October 2023 (#2082)
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 …