Recently Beverly Duncan, Interim Associate Minster at Naples United Church of Christ, wrote an article in the Naples Daily News titled "Dare to be Weird." Since her piece focuses on the call for Christians to embrace weirdness on this popular holiday, I wanted to share her wisdom with you today. Duncan writes: In our culture today we keep letting ourselves be pulled into media escapism and ghoulish fascination with the kinky and the weird that can get us too far off the Read More …
United Church of Christ
WHCB: Denominations (#1188)
Christian Piatt includes denominations on his list of five things that are holding Christianity back. He suggests that with so many denominations the "distinction from others like them are so minute that even the members within a given denomination can’t tell you what makes them unique." Additionally, he argues that "with the trend toward personal and local autonomy taking hold in many Christian communities, there is increasingly less of a reason to keep such hierarchic Read More …
My New Call (#1172)
It is official: I am now serving as Interim Senior Minister of United Church on Marco Island (FL). The congregation was established in 1966, and now consists of 300+ followers of the way of Jesus. United Church is committed to Christian unity, and is affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and the United Church of Christ. So What? While most of my previous ministry positions were firsts for the congregations I served (the first time they Read More …
Sermon: Faith in Naples (#1152)
A few Sundays ago I had the privilege of preaching a sermon on faith at Naples United Church of Christ. My text was Hebrews 11:1-3 and 8-16. Scripture The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living (Hebrews 8:1, The Message). Sermon Text I have a confession to make: I am a neat freak. In my world, everything has a place, and everything lives in the place I have assigned to it. Read More …
Lenten Carbon Fast (#1027)
This is the third consecutive year that the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ is shepherding an Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. Participants or interested parties can register to receive a daily e-mail featuring a "suggested carbon-reducing activity, "including information about how significantly such an action will contribute to carbon reduction. Additionally, the campaign features weekly themes for congregations. All content is available via the Read More …
From 5 Million to 4 Million (#1026)
From 2001 to 2011, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America lost just over 1 million members. More specifically: 2001 Membership: 5,099,877 2011 Membership: 4,059,785 Membership Loss: 1,040,092 or 20.39% So What? The decline of the mainline is a popular topic, yet few are familiar with the dramatic nature of the numeric decline in membership and denominational funding. While the numbers presented here reflect the change in the ELCA, similar decline is happening across Read More …
Unusual Lenten Discipline (#1014)
In recent years more and more people have chosen to embrace something new rather than give up something for Lent. The list of possibilities for Lenten disciplines is nearly endless. The most unique discipline I have heard this year is that chosen by Shawnthea Monroe. Monroe is senior minister of Plymouth Church - a United Church of Christ Congregation in Shaker Heights, OH. She has chosen to wear a collar for Lent. In doing so, she realizes many she encounters each Read More …
Review of When Spiritual But Not Religious is Not Enough (#0987)
Meet the Author Since 2004, Lillian Daniel has served as the Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Glen Ellyn in the Chicago area. A renowned preacher, Daniel has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. Her previous books are Tell it Like it Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony (2005) and This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Read More …
Statement on Ministry (#0962)
Tiger population has declined by 90% over the last 50 years; those involved in creating a brighter future for tigers understand that extinction will be reality if significant changes are not implemented soon. The role of religion in America has changed dramatically and the size of mainline/progressive Protestantism has declined dramatically over the last 50 years; those involved in leading United Church of Christ communities today must be open to innovation and experimentation in order to Read More …
Warm Wishes for a Blessed Christmas (#0954)
The following video by the Officers of the United Church of Christ is a powerful reminder of what this day is all about. The closing blessing is worth repeating: May God's blessings be yours this Christmas. Be filled with wonder. Be touched by grace. Believe in the miracle of God's love made flesh. And may the miracle, glory, and wonder of this sacred season warm your heart this Christmas and through each day of the coming year. Read More …