The best new books I’ve read in the last month are Migrant God Isaac Samuel Villegas writes with pastoral sensitivity and prophetic courage about what he knows best: the lives and struggles of migrants. As an immigrant justice community organizer, an ordained Mennonite minister, and a PhD student in religion at Duke University, Villegas crafts a work that educates, encourages, and empowers. While many Christians are moved to act by Scripture’s clear and consistent call to Read More …
Inspired by The Rev. Dr. Bill Tillman: My 25-Year Writing Journey (#2265)
I first met the Rev. Dr. Bill Tillman 25 years ago, shortly after transferring to Hardin-Simmons University to complete my Master of Divinity degree at Logsdon Seminary. From Meeting to Mentorship: My Earliest Encounters with Dr. Tillman I was fortunate to arrive while he was serving as the T. B. Maston Professor of Christian Ethics. Taking nearly every graduate course he offered, I found him to be both a gifted teacher and a generous mentor. Dr. Tillman's insight, integrity, and Read More …
Global Decline in Religious Identity (#2264)
Conrad Hackett is associate director of research and senior demographer at Pew Research Center and a contributing author to an academic paper written by an international team of scholars that explores the three stages of religious decline. A few weeks after its publication, Hackett penned a Pew Research article that summarizes the paper. While variations of secularization theories have long explained the decline of religious identity in Western Christian nations, this work suggests the global Read More …
My Visit to St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (#2263)
This morning I was a first time visitor at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City. About St. Paul's St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral was founded more than 125 years ago and has been listed on on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. Located in downtown Oklahoma City the cathedral is the spiritual center of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. Today, St. Paul's is "committed to being a place for all who seek and share God's unconditional and abundant love, Read More …
How Big is Too Big? Rethinking Church Real Estate (#2262)
The biggest change in local churches in America during my lifetime is size. The average congregation has grown smaller and smaller. The average worship attendance continues to decline with the average dropping by more than 50% between 2000 and 2020 (see Worship Attendance Cut in Half, 2022). While much of the focus has been on the small and mid-sized congregations that make up the majority, it’s important to recognize that this trend is now beginning to affect larger churches too. A few Read More …
Great New Books for October 2025 (#2261)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are For Such a Time As This When life feels uncertain and overwhelming, finding words capable of grounding and restoring is a rare gift. For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional by Hanna Reichel could not be more timely. She speaks directly into the chaos of the moment with practical wisdom for healthy boundaries and faithful resilience. More than a devotional, Reichel's words have the power and the gentleness to become Read More …
My Visit to Quail Springs United Methodist (#2260)
This morning I worshipped for the fourth time this year and eighth time in the last two years in Oklahoma. My prior experiences include: About Quail Springs United Methodist Quail Springs United Methodist Church is "an inclusive, diverse, and faithful community, that shares the love of God, beginning with our neighborhood and extending to a needy world" that seeks to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." The congregation is part of the Reconciling Read More …
From One Church to Many Churches (#2259)
On August 31 I concluded a 14 month role as the Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas (see Keep Living and Loving Like Jesus). In the three weeks since, I've enjoyed three very different worship experiences in nearby congregations affiliated with three denominations. Week 1: Cathedral of Hope On September 7, I worshipped at the 10:00am service at my home church: Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas. Week 2: Nor'kirk Read More …
A New Presbyterian Experience (#2258)
As someone who has spent about half of my life as a Presbyterian, I'm thankful for new opportunities within this tradition. Today, I served as the guest preacher at Nor'kirk Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Carrollton, Texas, on the occasion of their Round Up Sunday (elsewhere commonly referred to as Rally Day or Kick Off Sunday). Notably, this congregation is preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary next month. My message, Love Wastefully, is based on Luke 15:1-32. You can view it Read More …
Avoid Counterfeits (#2257)
Passage for reflection: 1 Timothy 1:1-11 Thrifting – thrift store shopping – has grown in popularity in recent years. I happen to have some behind the scenes knowledge of the industry thanks to operating three very different stores that support three ministries seeking to make God’s kindom more real in their backyards. Each of these stores relies exclusively on donated goods for their inventory. The volunteers who receive and process these gifts often find incredible gems. I’ve heard Read More …