FWIW: An Introduction

I tend to overthink things. I think? And have the habit of regularly second-guessing myself. (Maybe.)

I say this in jest, but it is also true. (I've found no one ever really "jokes," it's usually an attempt at a "sideways truth," a way of saying what you actually think while hiding behind the safety of "humor.")

The thoughts setting my mind into overdrive veer in the territory of faith and culture. What does it look like to live faithfully in our current context? What does the good news of Jesus look like embodied in heart, mind, soul, and strength? Pat answers are easy; the challenge comes in confronting assumptions, correcting preconceptions, and humble application.

I enjoy wrestling with difficult questions, many of them my own, some of them from my kids. My oldest was 8 when, while getting ready for breakfast, she asked, "Why did God kill all those Egyptian kids?" (Exodus 11) and "Why did God put that tree in the garden?" (Genesis 3) Easy, right? (Perhaps my responses to her will be a future post.) These types of dialogue and discussion are some of my favorites.

For those I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet, I'm currently serving as a Teaching Pastor and a Field Director for the Ministry Training Institute. None of this was on my radar or part of my career goals. It's definitely not what I gave as an answer to the classic, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" (As a kid, the answer was, "Spider-man.") My hopes were to be an "FX Guy" for movies. I trained in Visual Communications, ultimately ending up with a career in graphic design. I also love story-telling and art. These interests have provided me with unique opportunities. I've illustrated kids' books (including a few I wrote myself), earned international awards, and even presented at San Diego Comic-Con. I began exploring a call to ministry in my early 30’s, received education through the Leadership Development Network, and completed my ordination process two years ago. The adventure continues!

In this space, I hope to "think out loud" and share some of the ideas I'm pondering or even struggling with. I'll consider the overarching cultural narratives (within and outside the Church) while prayerfully pursuing knowledge of the Holy. For what it's worth (FWIW), I hope you'll join in.