Sermon Text: Hebrews 13:2 Sermon Excerpt A few weeks ago at the Board of Church Life and Growth, Sheila invited those present to participate in an imaginative activity. Then, a few days ago, she led the deacons through a similar exercise. Both groups were tasked with imagining an ideal worship experience. Each person wrote down what he or she envisioned, and then we shared our thoughts with the group. Most of the ideas focused on the worship service itself. People Read More …
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ Tribute Song (#1313)
Currently, I serve two churches affiliated with the United Church of Christ. After writing yesterday about reasons why some clergy are leaving their denominations, today I am suggesting that all who are part of a denomination invest some time in learning more about the history and polity of that denomination. I would love to hear the ways you have done so in the past, and any plans you make for deepening your understanding in 2014. Whether or not you are a part of the United Church Read More …
Diana Butler Bass: The Romance of Faith (#1284)
I am pleased to announce that Diana Butler Bass is coming to Naples, FL for a Valentine's weekend that participants will always remember - The Romance of Faith: Exploring New Ways of Thinking about Love, Faith, Spirituality and Theology. The event is hosted by the Naples United Church of Christ, and is open to all. Please purchase your tickets soon to receive the early-bird pricing shown below. Friday, February 14 The God Who Woos: The Romance of Spirituality 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 Read More …
Keeping Christ in Christmas (#1269)
Christmas is now just a week away. This Advent I have heard the phrase "keeping Christ in Christmas" more often than most. It is a phrase with nearly endless possible meanings. A few weeks ago Ron Patterson, Senior Minister of Naples United Church of Christ (Naples, FL), wrote a helpful piece on the topic in the Naples Daily News. Consider these excerpts: Taken literally "keeping Christ in Christmas" might mean imprisoning the power of God in a single day or single season. Read More …
Declining Denominational Budgets (#1239)
For years, mainline denominations have been facing declining budgets at the denominational level. The United Church of Christ has not been exempt from the trend. While the 2014 budget of $25.3 million reflects a decline of nearly 9% ($2.2 million) from 2013, it still includes a shortfall of $2.3 million. More specifically the 2014 budget dollars are allocated as follows: Wider Church Ministries: $8.6 million, Office of the General Minister and President: $7.3 million, Local Read More …
I Am-Ness (#1232)
Ron Buford served as the lead architect of the United Church of Christ‘s (UCC) Still Speaking campaign, which began in 2002 (more here). He was the keynote speaker for the fall gathering of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ (Nov. 9, 2013). Buford's presentation focused on the theology of the Still Speaking campaign and included multiple powerful remarks about the I Am-ness of God. The two such comments that resonated most powerfully with me are: Read More …
A Call to Weirdness (#1221)
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 …
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 …