One congregation stands alone on my faith journey as the church of hope. It is the congregation I joined in 2017 following an extensive search. It is the only congregation I've been a part of for an extended period of time in my adult life where I've not been employed. And, it is the local church that has taught me much about hope and inspired me to engage more deeply in the work of hope. Discovering Hope After serving 8 congregations, I chose to leave congregational ministry. In 2015, Read More …
Great New Books -September 2022 (#2010)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are (5+) Between the Listening and the Telling: How Stories Can Save Us by Mark Yaconelli (Broadleaf Books, 2022)(5.0) Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church by Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022)(4.5) After the Ivory Tower Falls: How College Broke the American Dream and Blew Up Our Politics and How to Fix It by Will Bunch (William Morrow, 2022)(4.5) Divine Laughter: Preaching and the Serious Read More …
By Faith (#2009)
Passage for Reflection: Hebrews 11:17-28 It all started with faith. By faith someone took bold action. What’s the origin story of faith in action in your community of faith or faith-based non-profit organization? For the non-profit I serve, our story begins with Donagene Christian. By faith, in 1988, Donagene responded to the call to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). By faith Donagene gathered support from her congregation and a dozen others. By faith she formed a new faith-based Read More …
Great New Books – August 2022 (#2008)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are (5.0) The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White (Fortress Press, 2022)(5.0) The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism by Paul D. Miller (IVP Academic, 2022)(4.5) How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney (Portfolio, 2022)(4.5) Sola Mysterium: Celebrating the Beautiful Read More …
Heading East (#2007)
In January 2018, my wife and I moved to downtown Fort Worth after purchasing a 4 story brownstone with amazing views of the city that is strategically located on the edge of downtown, adjacent to Panther Island, and not far from West 7th and Near Southside. Earlier this week my wife and I listed our home for sale so that we can relocate to the East. Giving Thanks Our current home is the eighth property we've owned that has also served as our primary residence. It was the first to be Read More …
Great New Books – July 2022 (#2006)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are (5+) Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of Victims by Jennifer Garcia Bashaw (Fortress Press, 2022)(4.5) Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned by Brian D. McLaren (St. Martin's Press, 2022)(4.5) It's Not You, It's Everything by Eric Minton (Broadleaf Books, 2022)(4.5)The Trayvon Generation by Elizabeth Alexander (Grand Central Publishing, 2022)(4.0) Practicing the Kingdom: Essays Read More …
Today We Grieve (#2005)
I've lived through too many difficult days. Some of the worst of these days are so traumatic and generate such a tremendous impact that they are marked by the widespread ability to the answer to the question, "Where were you when you heard the news?" Where were you when you heard the news of planes striking the towers on 9/11? Where were you when you learned that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade? Initial Response I was shocked by my initial response. Looking back, I Read More …
The Church of Renewal (#2004)
A few months after I completed my first role as an Interim Senior Pastor in a United Church of Christ congregation (see The Church of New Beginnings), I took a step of faith and started another. My story of renewal at Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ began when I spoke more bluntly in an interview than I ever had in my life. I explained to the search team what I had learned of the congregation's significant numeric decline and the many challenges before them, and assured Read More …
The Church of New Beginnings (#2003)
In the spring of 2013, I was content. At the time I was serving Naples United Church of Christ in a part-time role overseeing adult discipleship (see The Church of Unsticking for more about that experience) while serving full-time at Hodges University. When I received an unexpected call from someone representing United Church of Marco Island asking if I would consider becoming their Interim Senior Pastor my initial reaction was to decline. Life was good and I was not seeking new or Read More …
Celebrating So What Faith: 13 Years & 2,000+ Posts (#2002)
Thirteen years ago today, I launched So What Faith. One day later, I added my first blog post. Thank you for journeying with me. While this blog has remain committed to exploring matters of faith that matter, my vocational context has shifted several times: Churches: First Presbyterian Church, Naples United Church of Christ, United Church of Marco Island, Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ, and West Fork Presbyterian ChurchHealthcare: Evolution Health (an Envision Read More …