This is the 75th and final post of the year on So What Faith. It joins 2,024 posted between 2009 and 2022. At the end of the calendar year for the last three years, I shared the most viewed posts of all time based on page views according to Google Analytics. Then, this year, on July 1, Google stopped processing new data and all customers lost access to the Universal Analytics interface and API. So, I'm unable to provide a similar update this year. Year in Review Instead, I've Read More …
ordination
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 …
Giving Thanks – 10 Experiences in 2023 (#2089)
I am thankful for all of the life experiences I’ve had since last Thanksgiving. Today, I highlight 10 that are particularly memorable and provide links to additional writing related to those experiences: Being ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ (My Ordination & Installation)Celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana and Navarre, FloridaStarting my 3rd year at White Rock Center of Hope (Starting Year 3 at White Rock Center of Hope) and Read More …
My Ordination (and Installation) #2087
Yesterday, 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. My Journey Toward Ordination I received a call to vocational ministry as a teenager and have sought to live that out ever since. That quest started with earning an undergraduate degree in ministry and then a seminary degree (M. Div.). And, it has continued in the 22 years since finishing those foundational theological studies. I've Read More …
It’s Happening & You’re Invited: Ordination Update #14 (#2084)
I'm pleased to share that I'll be ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023! If you are in or near the Dallas area, you are invited to attend the service, which will be held at Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ. Please help spread the word. About the Process If you are familiar with my story at all you likely know that I started in ministry in a very traditional manner by completing academic preparation (an undergraduate Read More …
Preaching and Ordination Update #13 (#2079)
I'm current seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. And, I've been sharing updates as I progress through the discernment process that I hope will culminate in ordination. My last update was about two months ago: My Ministry in the United Church of Christ – Ordination Update #12 (July 2022). In that post I shared parts of the third section of my ordination paper, which focuses on my experiences in the United Church of Christ and plans for ordained ministry. Preaching One 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 …
Ordination Paper Submitted – Update #10 (#2066)
I'm in the process of seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. This is my 10th update about that journey. Submitted Today, I submitted my ordination paper. It is a twenty-five page document that is divided into three sections: theology,history and polity of the United Church of Christ, andand my calling to and ministry in the United Church of Christ. So What? In nine prior updates I've shared lists of what I've been asked to do as a Member in Discernment (UCC-speak Read More …
My Experiences with 14 UCC Congregations (#2059)
I've been a part of the United Church of Christ since 2010. During that time, I've visited 14 UCC congregations. Each has impacted me in a unique way. Currently, I'm a Member in Discernment in the United Church of Christ and hope to be ordained later this year (see Midlife & MiD Life: A 9th Update for more about this process). In this reflection on my journey in my denomination of choice, I explore the contributions of these 14 congregations. For the sake of simplicity, I've organized Read More …
Midlife & MiD Life: A 9th Update (#2058)
Yesterday was my birthday. It was the first birthday in many years that included multiple people guessing or asserting/assuming my age. I'll save you that effort: I'm now 46 years of age. Midlife The stage of life called midlife is generally understood to be from age 40 to 60. So, mathematically, it appears I'm now well into this phase. As I reflect on my midlife experience so far, it has been a time of clarity rather than crisis. Last night on several social media platforms I Read More …