One year ago today I was ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ and installed as the CEO of White Rock Center of Hope through a four way covenant (for more on that experience from my experiences as a Member in Discernment to the ordination service see My Ordination and Installation). On the occasion of the first anniversary of my ordination, I decided to reflect on some of what this first year included. White Rock Center of Hope I serve as CEO of White Read More …
Ministry
2023 in Exactly 100 Words (#2095)
As a way of seeking to update the Christmas letters that for decades were slipped inside of Christmas cards and delivered by postal mail, I started writing 100 word "year in review" notes in 2016. Recognizing that one must be concise in the current social media era, I've limited contents to a few highlights. This year's edition follows. 2023 in Review In my third year at White Rock Center of Hope (Dallas) my title changed from Executive Director to Chief Executive Officer. I returned Read More …
53 Years of Hope: Celebrating Cathedral of Hope’s Anniversary (#2071)
I was excited to be able to worship this morning at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ after missing out the last several weeks to worship with other area congregations that support the work of the faith-based non-profit I serve (for my sermon at St. James Episcopal Church see Preaching Hope or for my message at Eastminster Presbyterian Church see Preaching Difficult Discipleship). Celebrating 53 Years! 53 years ago something new happened in Dallas. In July of 1970 a group of 12 Read More …
My Ministry in the United Church of Christ – Ordination Update #12 (#2070)
In this series on my journey to ordination in the United Church of Christ, I’ve shared some of my experiences as a Member in Discernment. In the last update, I shared that I submitted the final item requested from my by the North Texas Association Committee on Ministry: an ordination paper. The paper consists of three sections: My Theology (an exploration of what I believe)My Understanding of the History and Polity of the United Church of ChristMy Ministry in the United Church of Christ Read More …
Celebrating 25 Years of Ministry! (#2050)
Since completing my undergraduate degree in Ministry and Leadership at Dallas Christian College 25 years ago this month, I've held wide-ranging ministry roles in Texas and Florida. Notably, these roles vary widely and extend beyond what I even knew to be possible when I walked across the stage in May 1998. Today, I reflect on my first 25 years in ministry. Local Church Ministry My undergraduate education prepared me for ministry in the setting of the local church. In fact, many who Read More …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …