Two years ago today I started my current role: Executive Director of White Rock Center of Hope (WRCH) in East Dallas, Texas. On the occasion of starting year three, I'm looking back at the first two years and then looking ahead. Duration in Context This is just the second time in my life I've stayed in the same full-time role for longer than two full years. The first was when I served First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Naples, Florida in the 2000s. I have, however, managed to Read More …
Leadership
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 …
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 …
More Than An English Professor (#1956)
Last night I attended a Dallas Christian College homecoming event that included a moving presentation recognizing Dr. Cara Snyder's impact. For the last fifty years, she has served as English professor. Dr. Snyder taught nearly every student who has graduated from the school from the 1970s through the 2010s, and the vast majority of students in the institution's seventy-one year history. Based on the formal presentation, personal conversations with alums, and my own experience it is Read More …
My Ministry Journey: Another BIG Step (#1933)
I'm excited to share the news that I've accepted a new ministry position. On June 21, 2021, I'll become the next Executive Director of the White Rock Center of Hope. This big next step is possible because of so many other steps of varying sizes I've already taken. The following account is an attempt to provide a high level overview of my preparation for this step. My approach is primarily chronological utilizing a series of phases or acts. While give thanks for the hundreds of Read More …
Dear HSU Trustees (#1854)
Dear Hardin-Simmons University Trustees, The more I learn, the more disappointed I am in your decision to close Logsdon Seminary. Rather than writing a detailed critique of the process utilized to reach the decision, the timing and content of the initial communications to share the decision with key stakeholders and the general public, or the ongoing communications and conversations that have transpired since the decision was made public, I'll focus on why Logsdon mattered to me. I am Read More …
Reflecting on Ministry in the 2010s (#1835)
The 2010s will soon be over. During the last 24 hours I found myself in a couple of conversations that included the fun fact that the 2010s will be ending soon. This evening I read through some of the many remarks in a Twitter thread focusing on what individuals accomplished during this decade. With heightened awareness that the 2010s will soon be behind us, I started reflecting on my ministry experiences during this time period. I realized that during the last decade I Served (and Read More …
Watch Your Step (#1807)
Occasionally I encounter a bright yellow sign containing the words "Caution: Watch Your Step." My immediate reaction is to slow down, scan the surrounding area, and determine how best to proceed with more caution than I would have ever considered had the sign not been posted. While these signs are helpful and effective, they only address a small percentage of the situations in life where a misstep may occur.The hole in the ceiling shown at left was the result of an electrician's misstep. Read More …
Becoming 15% Better (#1801)
Ron Williams is a successful executive leader who is best known for returning a Fortune 100 company (Aetna) to profitability. His new leadership book - Learning to Lead: The Journey to Leading Yourself, Leading Others, and Leading an Organization (Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2019) - is filled with actionable wisdom. In the closing pages of Learning to Lead, Williams challenges his readers to focus on continual growth. To quantify one's progress, Williams recommends setting a Read More …
Serving 9 Beautifully Diverse Congregations (#1771)
Since the year 2000, I've served 9 different Mainline Protestant congregations. Congregational Diversity I'm thankful for the beautiful diversity of these congregations. Denominational Affiliation United Church of Christ - 3 Presbyterian (PCUSA) - 3 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - 2 Lutheran (ELCA) - 1 Location North Texas - 5 Southwest Florida - 4 Size - Average Weekly Worship Attendance Family (1-49) - 1 Pastoral (50-149) - 3 Program (150-399) Read More …