Nearly 3 in 5 members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are now over age 55 (58.2%). By comparison, only 3 out of every 10 people living in the United States were 55 years of age or older in 2022 (30.3%). Put differently, the percentage of persons in this age cohort in the Presbyterian Church is nearly double (+92%) what is found in the American population. Growing Older According to data provided by the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of the General Assembly, the percent of the Read More …
PCUSA
Back-To-Back-To-Back (#2116)
Yesterday I preached for the third time this year. It was also the first of three consecutive Sundays that I'll preach at West Fork Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Grand Prairie, Texas. And, this string of back-to-back-to-back Sundays in the pulpit will mark the first time I've preached three or more weeks in a row since 2018. (For more on how I've shifted from preaching on a weekly basis to sporadically, check out Preaching in the 2000s.) So What? While I've preached three (or more - Read More …
My Visit to Westminster Presbyterian Church (#2113)
This morning, I was a first time guest at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. My wife and I attended the 10:30 a.m. service of worship in the sanctuary. While we have no real links to the congregation, I have considerable ties to the congregation's denomination - Presbyterian Church (USA) - and, I have mentioned Westminster's senior pastor here on So What Faith well before he started in this role. I was raised, confirmed, and preached my first sermon in a Presbyterian Read More …
An Unusual Way to Begin to Lent (#2108)
I have spent my entire life in Mainline Protestant denominations that observe Lent. While every congregation I've been a part of brings its own unique context to this observance, certain elements have never changed - including the date of Ash Wednesday. Both/And This morning I provided pulpit supply for West Fork Presbyertian Church (PCUSA) in Grand Prairie, Texas. And, for the first time in my life, I led a service on the first Sunday in Lent that incorporated elements of Ash Read More …
Happy New Year! Celebrating Visits to 12 Churches (#2093)
Happy New Year! Or, more precisely happy new church year. For those in liturgical traditions, Advent starts a new year in the life of the church. Advent is about preparing for what's to come. And, in many traditions, today started with an emphasis on hope. In the year that just ended, I found much to be hopeful for in my experiences with many local communities of faith, especially the 12 congregations located in the greater Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area that are profiled below. 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 …
Preaching Identity (#2076)
This morning I preached at Northridge Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. This is one of many ways the congregation has continued to expand its partnership with White Rock Center of Hope. I'm especially grateful to the Rev. Betsy Swetenburg, Northridge's Pastor and current WRCH Board member, for the invitation. Sermon My message, “Who am I?” was based on Psalm 8. The passage was selected as the congregation is in the midst of a sermon series titled Psummer of Psalms. Sermon Read More …
Preaching Difficult Discipleship (#2063)
This morning I had the opportunity to preach at Eastminster Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Dallas, Texas. This was a special joy as the congregation has been a long-time supporter of White Rock Center of Hope, which is the organization I serve as Executive Director. The Sermon My message, "Difficult Discipleship," was based on two of the lectionary passages: Romans 6:1-11 and Matthew 10:24-39. A Difficult Excerpt As the Executive Director of a non-profit that is powered primarily Read More …
The PC(USA) is Missing 2.6 Million People! (#2055)
I have spent the majority of my life in the Mainline Protestant denomination known as the Presbyterian Church (USA). Since I've invested so much of myself in this tradition, I strive to tell the whole story of how the denomination has arrived at its present state so that those involved can use this information as they plan for a brighter future. Mainline Decline Much has been written about Mainline decline in general, and about the decline of the Presbyterian Church (USA) specifically. I 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 …