The United Church of Christ (UCC) has influenced my faith. Currently, I am a member of Naples United Church of Christ. According to the UCC website, "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. We believe in extravagant welcome." It is estimated that there are just over one million members in the UCC with the vast majority located in the United States. So What? The greatest contribution the United Church of Christ has made to my faith is Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by Lutherans (#0100)
Lutherans have influenced my faith. I served in children's ministry and then as Director of Education at King of Glory Lutheran Church (KoG) in Dallas, Texas. KoG is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which is the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. According to the KoG website, "Lutherans understand that God comes to us through the Means of Grace, the Word of God and the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion. Through them, God Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by Presbyterians (#0099)
Presbyterians have influenced my faith. While in seminary, I served as Youth Director at First Presbyterian Church in Duncanville, Texas. More recently, I served as Director of Education at First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. Both congregations are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (PCUSA), the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States. According to the PCUSA website, "Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by Baptists (#0098)
Baptists have influenced my faith. I attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University and earned my Master of Divinity degree from Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University. Both universities opted to enhance theological offerings in response to conflict within the Baptist world. Truett opened in 1994 and Logsdon expanded in 1995 to include a seminary program. Both Baptist General Convention of Texas affiliated seminaries now offer Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by the Churches of Christ (#0097)
The Churches of Christ, one of three current expressions of the Restoration Movement, has influenced my faith. I attended and received my doctoral degree in ministry from the Amridge University (formerly Southern Christian University), which is affiliated with this movement. The Restoration Movement (Churches of Christ, Independent Christian Church, and Disciples of Christ) is comprised of those churches that seek to restore the New Testament church. Since the Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by the Disciples of Christ (#0096)
The Disciples of Christ denomination, one of three current expressions of the Restoration Movement, has influenced my faith. I served as Associate Pastor at Central Christian Church in Dallas, Texas and as Youth Pastor at First Christian Church in Garland, Texas. The Restoration Movement (Disciples of Christ, Independent Christian Church, and Churches of Christ) is comprised of those churches that seek to restore the New Testament church. The Christian Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by the Independent Christian Church (#0095)
The Independent Christian Church, one of three current expressions of the Restoration Movement, has influenced my faith. I attended and received my undergraduate degree in ministry from Dallas Christian College, which is affiliated with this movement. The Restoration Movement (Independent Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and Churches of Christ) is comprised of those churches that seek to restore the New Testament church. Since the early church as pictured Read More …
One Faith – Many Traditions (#0094)
Christian Experience I know several people who have been in the same denomination from birth and who plan to remain in it for the rest of their lives. In earlier generations this pattern was normative, but, as a result of numerous variables, has become atypical. For those in Generation X or Y, the norm is to be influenced by and to participate in multiple traditions. My Journey I am a part of Generation X and have been influenced by many traditions. In the Read More …
Trinitarian Language (#0093)
Trinity Sunday offers those who follow the liturgical calendar an opportunity to consider one of the most widely held Christian beliefs. In a recent article, David Lose, Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, suggests that the place of the Trinity in the local church is changing: " . . . when it comes to the local congregation, I suspect the Trinity is on the ropes. This isn't because the average Christian isn't smart enough to understand the Read More …
My Experiences with Tweeting in Worship (#0092)
A few weeks ago, I wrote Tweeting in Worship to highlight the expanded usage of Twitter in corporate worship and consider some of the possible benefits. To move from that theoretical exploration toward an experiential appraisal, I tweeted in worship services on two consecutive Sundays in congregations affiliated with different denominations. Shown below are my unedited tweets with time stamps: May 9 - Emmanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA) Bountiful God, Read More …