The Work

I am a community theologian and pastor of a small, diverse UCC congregation in the American South.

In the contemporary context of fluid, violent, hardened hegemonic neoliberal capitalism, I focus on living ethically through: resistance to oppression; dismantling the structures of oppression; living and working in solidarity with marginalized people; and helping to create and contribute to a culture and practice of mutuality, equity, joy, and compassion, where people and the planet are cared for, respected, and safe.

I am especially interested in the analysis of power, the experience of place, and the practice of holy and human communion. This daily work takes three primary forms: public ministry, activism & teaching, and creative & strategic thinking.

Public Ministry

  • spiritual and non-spiritual conversation – while this often focuses on how we make sense of the the world and our place in it, I’m also good with discussing kids, pie, college football, minor league baseball, beer, art, or the other stuff of life.
  • preaching liberation theology from the pulpit
  • interfaith and no-faith pastoral and spiritual care – offered in the community, without expectation
  • prayer – a practice of prayer and meditation dedicated to the healing of the world

Activism & Teaching

  • engagement with issues of oppression and equity, including racial justice, gentrification and land use, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ inclusion, popular democracy and grassroots organizing, disability and mental health justice, and ecological justice and restoration.
  • teaching and lecturing on topics of faith, activism, and community organizing

Creative & Strategic Thinking

  • writing as a spiritual practice in the Writing section here and on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.
  • consulting on strategic thinking for individuals, social movements, and organizations

The work and the perspective captured on this site originally evolved before I began working in congregational ministry. However, it remains relevant in its depiction of the theology that guides my daily engagement with my congregation and the community.

My practice emphasizes care and presence, learning, collaboration, humor, imagination, and the building of porous, meaningful communities.