Seminary is an important formation experience for those called to vocational ministry, and in many traditions a seminary degree (often a M.Div.) is a requirement for ordination. For many years, I was proud to tell the story of my experience at Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University, and was glad to let others know I was a graduate (M.Diiv., 2001). Sadly, with the University's decisions to move in a very different direction theologically, I'm now at a place where I'm forced to say Read More …
God is Doing a New Thing – My Experiences in UCC Congregations (#2000)
The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957, and is currently comprised primarily of congregations that were founded in and originally affiliated with one of its predecessor denominations. According to the United Church of Christ Statistical Profile 2021: 84.9% of current congregations were organized prior to the founding year of the UCCFewer than 1 in 20 current congregations have been founded since 2000 (4.6%)Average founding date of current congregations is 1873Median found date of Read More …
Ending My Time at FPC (#1999)
My season of being involved as a member at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth is drawing to a close. How it All Began In January 2018, my partner and I moved from Corinth (just outside of Denton, Texas) to downtown Fort Worth. At the time, I was engaged in a short-term ministry venture, which included preaching every Sunday. When that role concluded in March 2018, we started looking for a church home. This journey, which came to be known as our search for a church, lasted over a Read More …
Ten Unanswered Questions About HSU’s Statement of Faith (#1998)
Over the last three days, I've been more engaged in conversation about Hardin-Simmons University than I have at any time since graduating from Logsdon Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2001. And, I've been asked far more questions than I can answer. This is happening because the University has chosen a new direction, and has made that direction more clear in the publication of a new Statement of Faith. I've attempted to summarize and categorize the unanswered questions I've Read More …
Ten Reasons for Concern About HSU’s Statement of Faith (#1997)
It is a big deal when a Christian University adopts a Statement of Faith. It is an even bigger deal when such a university is part of a non-creedal tradition. To achieve this outcome one would normally envision a robust process of considerable length that engaged all stakeholders, including students, alumni, supporters, faculty, and staff. In the case of Hardin-Simmons University it appears that not only were these important groups not a part of the process, they were unaware that there was a Read More …
Mourning the Loss of Logsdon, Direction of HSU (#1996)
A little over two years ago I was stunned to learn that Hardin-Simmons University suddenly decided to close the school's seminary. While the school's official explanation focused on a financial necessity, it quickly became clear that the primary reason was theological. More specifically, University administration had a vision for a much more theologically conservative future than was possible with the seminary in place, especially given the views of its tenured faculty. In February of 2020, Read More …
Great New Books – June 2022 (#1995)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are (5.0) We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy by Eboo Patel (Beacon Press, 2022)(5.0) Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern (University of California Press, 2022)(5.0) A Complicated Choice: Making Space for Grief and Healing in the Pro-Choice Movement by Katey Zeh (Broadleaf Books)(4.5) Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview: A Read More …
Blogging in the 2020s (#1994)
At the start of the 2020s I had been blogging for 10 1/2 years, and was committed to continuing to provide new content focused on matters of faith that matter. While I started the 2000s and 2010s as someone engaged in full-time ministry in the local church, I started the 2020s leading a faith-based non-profit that is supported by many congregations (as well as a wide variety of other donors and supporters). In the 2020s (so far) I've continued on this path serving two organizations focused Read More …
One Emergency Expense Away (#1993)
The majority of Americans are one emergency expense away from being unable to sustain their current lifestyle or from going in to greater debt. Vehicles break down and require unexpected expensive repairs. People get sick and need medical care that often comes at a significant financial cost. Dozens of other life challenges occur that necessitate spending well beyond the normal monthly budget occur from time to time. And, according to an annual survey conducted by Bankrate, only 44% of Read More …
The Church of Unsticking (#1992)
I've never not been a Christian. Put more directly: I've been a Christian my whole life. I was blessed to be raised by parents who followed the Way of Jesus, who embodied the love of Jesus, and who encouraged my full participation in the life of the local congregation I participated in from birth until college. In that congregation (First Presbyterian Church, PCUSA - Arlington, TX) I was nurtured, challenged, and supported. It was there that I was confirmed and there that I discerned a Read More …