On August 31 I concluded a 14 month role as the Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas (see Keep Living and Loving Like Jesus). In the three weeks since, I've enjoyed three very different worship experiences in nearby congregations affiliated with three denominations. Week 1: Cathedral of Hope On September 7, I worshipped at the 10:00am service at my home church: Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas. Week 2: Nor'kirk Read More …
ELCA
Keep Living and Loving Like Jesus (#2255)
Today I preached my final sermon as Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). It was the concluding message in the Discovering Joy series. Sermon My message, “Do You Know?” is based on Philippians 4:4-9 & John 21:15-17. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt As someone who was born in Arlington, grew up in Arlington, and now lives in Arlington I’ve traveled down South Cooper Street thousands of times. Despite passing by Advent on nearly all Read More …
Top 10 Sermons Preached at Advent Lutheran Church (#2254)
This Sunday will be my final day as the Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Arlington, Texas. Over the last fourteen months I have preached more than 50 sermons in this congregation. The top ten, based on YouTube views are (sermon titles link to videos) Top Series Organizing the top sermons by the sermon series they were a part of reveals that five different series appeared in the top ten list. The top series, as reflected by most sermons in the top ten, Read More …
Giving Thanks: 14 Months of Worship in the ELCA (#2251)
In June 2024, I announced that I was returning to parish ministry after having stepped away almost a decade earlier. As an ordained United Church of Christ (UCC) pastor, I was invited to serve a congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This is possible thanks to the full communion agreement in place between these denominations, which provides recognition of each tradition's clergy and allows them to serve across denominational lines. Advent Read More …
Partners in Christ’s Service (#2250)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we started a new sermon series: Discovering Joy. Additionally, we celebrated the Blessing of the Backpacks in preparation for a new school year. Sermon My message, “Partners in Faith,” is based on Philippians 1:1-18a and John 15:12-17. You can watch below (note this recording is missing the first 45 seconds or so of the message due to technical issues) or read the manuscript. Excerpt Everywhere we turn everyone Read More …
My Visit to St. Paul’s Lutheran in Oklahoma City (#2246)
This morning I worshipped for the third time this year and seventh time overall in Oklahoma. My prior experiences include: About St. Paul's Lutheran St. Paul's Lutheran Church (ELCA) has been part of the Oklahoma City community since its founding in 1945. The congregation moved to its current location in 1978 and has expanded this campus through multiple building campaigns. St. Paul's currently offers a single weekly worship service on Sunday at 9:30am. Welcome My wife and I Read More …
Southern Baptist Membership Drops Every Year Since 2006 (#2245)
I am not a Southern Baptist and have never been part of that Protestant denomination. I am, however, someone who has lived most of my life in Texas and who has followed the macro changes within American Protestantism. Since the Southern Baptist Convention's Annual Meeting was held in Dallas this summer, I've been drawn into more conversations than usual about what is happening in this denomination. Finally, as the largest Protestant denomination in America, long-term changes in membership in Read More …
Jesus in Disguise (#2244)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued a summer sermon series: Stories That Shape Us: How Jesus’ Parables Transform the Way We See God, Ourselves, and the World. Sermon My message, “Jesus in Disguise,” is based on Matthew 25:31-46. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Y’all know I’m a Texan through and through. I was born and raised here. I lived here my whole life until I moved to Florida in 2007. After spending so Read More …
God Doesn’t Play It Safe (#2242)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued a summer sermon series: Stories That Shape Us: How Jesus’ Parables Transform the Way We See God, Ourselves, and the World. Sermon My message, “God Doesn't Play It Safe” is based on Matthew 13:1-23. You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Newsflash #1: Christianity is declining. Over the past sixty years, we've seen a steady and significant decline in Christianity across this country. Read More …
Courageous Stewardship (#2240)
This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we continued a summer sermon series: Stories That Shape Us: How Jesus’ Parables Transform the Way We See God, Ourselves, and the World. Sermon My message, “Courageous Stewardship" is based on Matthew 25:14-30 You can watch below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Happy New Year! Since we last gathered for worship, Advent Lutheran Church has started a new year of mission and ministry. It is a joy to begin again Read More …