I was scheduled to be the supply pastor at Central Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Dallas, Texas this morning. A winter storm arrived on Saturday bringing the Dallas - Fort Worth area to a standstill, a pause that will last at least through tomorrow. Like many congregations in the region, Central Lutheran made the difficult decision to close the church campus and cancel all in-person activities, including worship. After more than thirty years of preaching, I finally experienced my first cancelation. Read More …
PCUSA
Another Church Closes: Saying Goodbye to Covenant Presbyterian After 70 Years (#2293)
When I visited Covenant Presbyterian Church two months ago (see My Visit to Covenant Presbyterian Church) it was clear the congregation had been in decline for some time. There was, however, no mention during the service, on the church's website, or in the printed marketing materials in the sanctuary to suggest it would soon be no more. Earlier this month I was shocked to learn this 70 year old Presbyterian (PCUSA) congregation would hold its final worship service on Sunday, January 25, Read More …
10 Congregational Ministry Experiences That Shaped My 2025 (#2285)
I have always loved the local church. I earned an undergraduate degree in ministry then went to seminary before starting to serve in this ministry setting. And, I served faithfully across churches, denominations, and states. Vocationally this was my world through 2015. Toward the end of 2015, I stepped away from local church ministry. Now I serve as CEO of White Rock Center of Hope - an ecumenical ministry supported by dozens of congregations across the East Dallas community. For the majority Read More …
My Visit to Covenant Presbyterian Church (#2271)
This morning I was a first time visitor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. About Covenant Formally organized in 1955, the congregation initially gathered in a dance studio at Casady Shopping Center. They moved to their permanent campus in 1972, which was then updated in 2005. As Covenant celebrates 70 years of ministry in Oklahoma City they gather on Sundays for worship at 10:30am and are shepherded by Rev. Kathleen Luke, Interim Pastor. Welcome I arrived Read More …
A New Presbyterian Experience (#2258)
As someone who has spent about half of my life as a Presbyterian, I'm thankful for new opportunities within this tradition. Today, I served as the guest preacher at Nor'kirk Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Carrollton, Texas, on the occasion of their Round Up Sunday (elsewhere commonly referred to as Rally Day or Kick Off Sunday). Notably, this congregation is preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary next month. My message, Love Wastefully, is based on Luke 15:1-32. You can view it 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 …
You Belong: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (#2170)
Today I wrapped up a six week sermon series inspired by Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024). Today, we focused on belonging. Sermon My message, “Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity” was based on John 14:1-14. Belonging You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt In fact, this morning’s modern reading was an excerpt from the book’s introduction. A Faith of Many Rooms begins with Read More …
Doing Life Together (#2158)
This morning I preached the fifth and final message in a series based on Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (revised). Today, we focused on the practice of intentional faith development. Sermon My message, “Doing Life Together” was based on Acts 2:42. Intentional Faith Development I preached from this manuscript. You can watch a recording of the livestream here (the Scripture lesson begins at 16:22 and the sermon begins at 17:30). Excerpt Maybe Read More …
My Religion is Dying: A Deep Dive into Mainline Decline (#2128)
Confession: I am a lifelong Mainline Protestant. While I've switched denominations many times - from Presbyterian (PCUSA) to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to Lutheran (ELCA) to Presbyterian (PCUSA) to United Church of Christ to Presbyterian (PCUSA) to United Church of Christ - I've never left this religious tradition. Stating the Obvious For my entire lifetime, Mainline Protestant denominations have all been experiencing a numeric decline in membership. The narrative of decline Read More …
My Visit to Trinity Presbyterian Church (#2123)
This morning, I was a first time guest at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. My wife and I attended the 10:55 a.m. service of worship. While we have no real links to the congregation, I have considerable ties to the congregation’s denomination – Presbyterian Church (USA) – and, some time ago I connected with the congregation's pastor, Rev. Richard Mize. Mize, like myself, is an ordained United Church of Christ minister. (For those not familiar with Mainline Read More …