Are there too many clergy in the United Church of Christ? This question deserves real consideration in the context of decline in the United Church of Christ and in Mainline Protestantism more broadly. Thankfully, I've written about Mainline decline for the last fourteen years with a focus on the traditions I know best: United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church (USA). A few examples of Mainline decline more generally are followed by analysis of the decline in the UCC and Read More …
ordination
Seeking Ordination – Update #8 (#2049)
Since a month has passed since my last update (see Seeking Ordination – Update #7), I figured it was time for another post. During the last month, I Preached at Central Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Dallas (see Preaching Abundant Life)Completed boundary trainingPublished a devotional through the Center of Congregational Ethics (see Holy Ground Ahead)Started a second year as Board Chair of the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics Participated in a clergy retreatAttended the 42nd Annual Read More …
Seeking Ordination – Update #7 (#2044)
I found my way to the United Church of Christ only after spending considerable time in several other Mainline Protestant denominations. In the 2010s, I had the opportunity to serve in three congregations in the United Church of Christ Naples United Church of Christ (for more on this experience check out The Church of Unsticking)United Church of Marco Island (for more on this experience check out The Church of New Beginnings)Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ (for more on Read More …
Officially a Member in Discernment (#2042)
It's official: I'm now a Member in Discernment! This is the next step on my journey toward ordination in the United Church of Christ. On Saturday, April 1, 2023, following review of the materials I submitted and an interview, the North Texas Association Committee on Ministry affirmed my ongoing discernment by declaring me a Member in Discernment (MiD). During this meeting they also outlined the next steps I need to complete, which include Completing boundary trainingUndergoing a 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 …
Back in the Pulpit Again! (#2039)
Over the course of nearly 20 years in parish ministry, I did a lot of preaching. Early on in my transition into the faith-based non-profit world, I did some preaching. Then, I stopped. I last preached in March of2018. Enough for Everyone Yesterday, I preached at West Fork Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Grand Prairie, Texas. My message "Enough for Everyone," was based on Mark 6:30-44 (The Feeding of the 5,000). This was a reminder to look again, to adopt an asset based Read More …
Pilgrimage: Sharing my Story (#2037)
Over the last few months, I've been sharing updates on my discernment process and steps toward ordination in the United Church of Christ. A Story of Stoles: Discerning What Next (January 2023)Update: My United Church of Christ Ministry Discernment Journey (February 2023) Pligrimage Paper In my most recent discernment post I shared a list of documents I've created or curated, including a document called a "pilgrimage paper." The pilgrimage paper is an exploration of how it is 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 …
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 …
Spong on Seminaries (#0830)
John Shelby Spong served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2001. In retirement, he has been a prolific writer and speaker. After teaching a weeklong intensive course at the Pacific School of Theology, he reflected on how that school has changed to more effectively meet the demands of preparing people for ministry in the early twenty-first century. He is hopeful that this institution's current intentions will Read More …