As I approach the end of my path toward ordained ministry, I find myself standing in a sacred space of reflection. Currently, I am serving as a pastoral care intern at the Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas - a place that is not only the world’s largest LGBTQIA+ - centric church but also a vibrant beacon of what it means for queer people to repair the often toxic and abusive relationship that many of them had with the churches of their past and reclaim the love of God as their b

For decades, a specific label has drifted through theological circles, often met with either a sigh of relief or a scoff of derision - Progressive Christianity . It is a term usually used to describe a movement focused on social justice, the inclusion of the marginalized, and an emphasis on the "Sermon on the Mount" over rigid dogma. However, as the global political and religious landscape shifts under our feet, it is becoming increasingly clear that this label might be a mis

Throughout history, there has been a recurring tension between the Jesus of the Gospels and the "Messiah" people want him to be. This disconnect wasn't just a problem in first - century Judea - it is a central struggle in modern American faith today. The Ancient Expectation: A Lion of Judah In biblical times, the Jewish people lived under the crushing weight of Roman occupation. Naturally, their expectations for a Messiah were shaped by their immediate suffering. They looked

The United Church of Christ's (UCC) Committees on Ministry (COMs) currently lack specific guidance on addressing individuals in ethically non-monogamous (ENM) relationships in authorization and adjudication. Grounded in the UCC's core principles of covenant, extravagant welcome, and justice, these guidelines assert that the ethical practice of relationships, rather than their structure, is paramount. By applying existing frameworks like the Manual on Ministry , the Marks of F