I am thankful for all of the life experiences I've had since last Thanksgiving. Today, I highlight 10 that are particularly memorable and when possible provide links to additional writing related to those experiences: Surviving a brutal assault (Surviving an Attack & Living a Hope-Filled Recovery)Celebrating my partner's promotion to Dean, enjoying our life together, and relocating to my hometown of Arlington, Texas (Heading East)Completing my first year as Executive Director of the Read More …
Discipleship
Surviving an Attack & Living a Hope-Filled Recovery (#2013)
I believe all people are created by love for love and possess unique giftedness that should be contributed to the work of co-creating a just world for all people and for all of creation. As a follower of the Way of Jesus, I've dedicated my life to making God's realm more real on earth. Over the course of my journey these efforts have taken many forms, including serving local churches, providing healthcare to underserved populations, and leading faith-based non-profit organizations to care Read More …
The Church of Hope (#2011)
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Saying Goodbye to Hardin-Simmons University (#2001)
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 …