This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Easter Hope series. Sermon My message, “Living by Faith” is based on the narrative lectionary reading: Galatians 1:13-17, 2:11-21. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I've always lived in places where people primarily get around by car, rather than walking or using public transportation. Here in the Dallas – Arlington – Forth Worth area we rely heavily on personal vehicles, so Read More …
Fewer Master of Divinity Students (#2227)
In the years since I graduated from seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2001 much has changed. The overall landscape of theological education has shifted. While the Master of Divinity degree remains the preferred pathway to ordination in Mainline Protestant denominations, it is increasingly possible for folks to chart paths to ordination without it. And, it is also now possible to complete one's entire program (M.Div. or otherwise) online without ever stepping foot on a seminary Read More …
Welcoming Everyone (#2226)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Easter Hope series and celebrated Youth Sunday. Sermon My message, “Welcoming Everyone” is based on the narrative lectionary reading: Acts 15:1-18. You can watch below or read the manuscript. (Note: My message is shorter than usual as it served as an introduction to the message shared by the congregation's three soon-to-be high school graduates.) Excerpt When I taught religion to undergrad Read More …
The Increasingly Purple Mainline (#2225)
I've been a Mainline Protestant my entire life. Over the course of my adult years I've been involved with shepherding 10 local congregations affiliated with four of this traditions' seven denominations. Liberal Clergy I'm well aware that clergy tend to be considerably more progressive than their parishioners, especially in Mainline Protestantism. In recent years this reality was explored most thoroughly by the Public Religion Research Institute. In 2022 and 2023 their research involving Read More …
My Visit to First Christian Church in Edmond, Oklahoma (#2224)
This morning I worshipped for the first time in Edmond, Oklahoma and just the sixth time in Oklahoma. My prior experiences include: About FCC Edmond First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Edmond, Oklahoma has been serving their community since 1899. Currently, this community of faith invites others to "join us . . . to experience open tables, spacious faith, and love in action for all people." FCC offers two worship services on Sundays Since 2002, they have been led Read More …
Are You Part of the 42%? (#2223)
When I ask people to guess what percentage of the American population is made up of white Christians, their answers typically range from just over half to nearly the entire population. And, if they were responding decades ago they would have been correct. In reality, less than half of the population belongs to this group today following decades of decline. Recent Decline Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) published the graphic above in May 2023 illustrating the changes not Read More …
Growing for the Future (#2222)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Easter Hope series and celebrated Stewardship Sunday. Sermon My message, “Growing for the Future” is based on the stewardship theme passage: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15, You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I’ve been blessed to learn from many mentors in and beyond the church. This morning I’m especially thankful for the Rev. Dr. Robert Bohl. Pastor Bob held many titles over Read More …
Great New Books for May 2025 (#2221)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are 5+ Rating Why Religion Went Obsolete is the first book published in 2025 to receive a 5+ rating here on So What Faith. This distinction has been awarded to just three to five books a year in recent years: Why Religion Went Obsolete I have lost count of the number of books I have read that examine the decline of religion in the United States. While each offers its own particular insights, it takes only a few to Read More …
Living with Eyes Wide Open (#2220)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued the Easter Hope series. Sermon My message, “Opening Our Eyes” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Luke 24:13-35. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt The walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus wasn’t a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. This was a 7-mile-long road trip. So, even if their uninvited companion joined them a mile in, the trio would have walked together for 6 miles. Read More …
Leading Well Starts Here (#2219)
Yesterday, I attended the 2025 Texas Health Community Hope Summit, which was held at the Hurst Conference Center. The one-day experience included a gathering session, a keynote session, and three breakout sessions along with time for networking and visiting the many relevant exhibitors. Keeping Yourself Healthy The first breakout session I attended was a panel discussion titled Keeping Yourself Healthy While Serving Others: The Emotional Toll of Ministry. Expertly facilitated by Rev. Read More …