I’ll never forget the cold shock that hit me when the results of the Harvard Implicit Association Test flashed across the screen. I had gone in with such a smug sense of confidence, honestly expecting to be in the tiny percentage of people who registered as neutral or even, dare I hope, pro-people of color. I mean, my entire professional life is steeped in anti-racism work; I chair a program dedicated to Decentering Whiteness in the church, and the people I love and trust mos

For clergy or lay members engaged in the demanding and holy work of pastoral care, sustainability is key. The following safeguards are...

Marcus Borg’s vision of Christian formation, nourishment, and living in The Heart of Christianity resonates deeply with my own journey...

When my Committee on Ministry asked me to “learn to speak a language of faith that is inviting, not off-putting,” I’ll admit my first...

When I first encountered James W. Fowler’s model, the “Stages of Faith,” I was struck by how elegantly it maps spiritual and existential...

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in ministry is that caring for myself is not a luxury - it’s a calling. If I want to...

Reflection Paper - TH10610: Living the Heart of Progressive Christian Theology Christopher Schouten August 2, 2025 In his examination of...

by Christopher Schouten, MID Preached June 29th, 2025, Pride Sunday First Church Phoenix UCC, Phoenix, AZ Beloved community, Happy Pride...

We are part of a tradition that proudly proclaims, "God is still speaking." In these times of deep societal division, I believe one of...

We live in fractured times. The political and cultural divides in America feel wider and deeper than many of us can remember. These...

As a future pastor in the United Church of Christ, a tradition rooted in extravagant welcome and the belief that "God is Still Speaking,"...

Let's be honest. The phrase "Artificial Intelligence" might conjure images from sci-fi movies or sound like something far removed from...

We live in deeply polarized times. If you're reading this, chances are you've felt bewildered, frustrated, or even angered by the...

There are moments in life, often quiet ones, where a light flicks on. Suddenly, patterns you’ve lived with for decades snap into focus....

MP10606 : The Art of Worship – Final Outcome Project April 11, 2025   Table of Contents Introduction Initiation of Worship The Structure...

Pathways Theological Education Making Sense of Theology, Febuary 2025 Final Reflection Paper - Grade = A This paper embraces the...

Sermon given at First Church Phoenix UCC on 2/2/2025. YouTube video below. Today, I invite you to journey with me to the land of Oz—not...

Bridging difficult differences can only be done by understanding the different moral foundations that drive each of us.

Whole Lives Matter because people are complex, intersectional, and fearfully and wonderfully made in an infinite diversity and beauty.

Good morning, kids!  How’s everyone today? I’m so glad to see all of your smiling faces. Today, I want to talk to you about something...