It's official: I'm now a Member in Discernment! This is the next step on my journey toward ordination in the United Church of Christ. On Saturday, April 1, 2023, following review of the materials I submitted and an interview, the North Texas Association Committee on Ministry affirmed my ongoing discernment by declaring me a Member in Discernment (MiD). During this meeting they also outlined the next steps I need to complete, which include Completing boundary trainingUndergoing a Read More …
Discipleship
Week by Week, Step by Step (#2040)
My journey toward ordination in the United Church of Christ continues. This Week's Update This morning I preached and led worship at West Fork Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Grand Prairie for the second week in a row. Today's message, "Check the Guest List," was based on Matthew 9:9-13. It was an encouragement to engage in intentional and radical hospitality. And, it was a reminder of the importance of truly welcoming everyone at the table and more broadly in the life of the Read More …
Back in the Pulpit Again! (#2039)
Over the course of nearly 20 years in parish ministry, I did a lot of preaching. Early on in my transition into the faith-based non-profit world, I did some preaching. Then, I stopped. I last preached in March of2018. Enough for Everyone Yesterday, I preached at West Fork Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Grand Prairie, Texas. My message "Enough for Everyone," was based on Mark 6:30-44 (The Feeding of the 5,000). This was a reminder to look again, to adopt an asset based Read More …
Pilgrimage: Sharing my Story (#2037)
Over the last few months, I've been sharing updates on my discernment process and steps toward ordination in the United Church of Christ. A Story of Stoles: Discerning What Next (January 2023)Update: My United Church of Christ Ministry Discernment Journey (February 2023) Pligrimage Paper In my most recent discernment post I shared a list of documents I've created or curated, including a document called a "pilgrimage paper." The pilgrimage paper is an exploration of how it is Read More …
Lent, License Plates, & Christian Nationalism (#2035)
About this time last year I shared an unusual religious license plate - a cross beside "REP3NT" - in a wide ranging reflection titled "It’s Lent Again." While focusing on my Lenten journey for 2022, the piece also mentioned a number of posts from previous Lenten experiences. Then it happened again. This past Sunday I was on my way to church to worship on the first Sunday in Lent. As I made my final roadway turn before turning into my congregation's parking lot I saw the most unexpected Read More …
Update: My United Church of Christ Ministry Discernment Journey (#2034)
If asked to sum up all of the work I've done in my life with a single word, I'd choose "ministry." Background From discerning a calling to ministry as a teen to earning an undergraduate degree in ministry, I started my journey with clarity. And, then, my horizons expanded and expanded some more. My ministry experience to date has spanned five denominations (and I earned theological degrees from schools affiliated with three additional denominations). To date, I've served nine Read More …
Cathedral of Hope – 6 Years & Counting (#2033)
Six years ago today, I joined Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. Top 12 As I reflected on the last six years, I re-read all of the many blog posts I've written during this time that mentioned Cathedral of Hope. The Top 12 Posts (in reverse chronological order) follow: A Story of Stoles: Discerning What Next (January 2023)Surviving an Attack & Living a Hope-Filled Recovery (October 2022)The Church of Hope (September 2022) [part of a series called "God is Read More …
Your Dream Ministry Job is Available (#2032)
Have you always wanted work in a church? Have you always worked in a church, but never quite found your way to the ideal position? Today, I learned of a church that is engaged in the search for a new staff person to fill an unusual role: "Director of 'Your Dream Job' in Ministry." Your Dream Ministry Job Yes, dream jobs really do exist. And, in the case of this creatively marketed position, the job seeker has the opportunity to help write their own job description. Job seekers Read More …
Surprise! 3 Days of Winter Arrives in N. Texas (#2031)
I was going about life as usual when unexpected news caught my attention: winter weather might close everything down in a day or two. Then, it appeared. An extended winter weather event had arrived.. My partner led the way. Her employer closed at 1:00 p.m. on Monday. By Tuesday nearly every school district in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth metropolitan area had followed suit along with the majority of employers. On Tuesday the word of the day was thunrdersleet. On Wednesday the term Read More …
Ponder This: 10 Recent Remarks (#2028)
Now that Twitter is not what it once was, I've found myself struggling a bit to find my way on that platform. Earlier today I looked back through my recent tweets, and selected 10 insightful quotes worth pondering. This listing includes three books published in 2023, three books published in 2022, three articles, and a sermon. Don’t use black/white language to mean bad/good. Just don’t do it (even though it’s biblical). The racist interpretation is too immediate, too easy to infer. –Steve Read More …