My Fellow Ruminators!
There has been a long hiatus since my last post, and I’ve only posted a few times since December. But this time of uncertainty and transition has finally concluded. Yesterday I was installed as the associate pastor of youth & families at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church. I accepted this new ministerial call in May, and was approved by the Southwest Florida Presbytery in June. My family and I packed up and moved to the Tampa area in late July. And my first day on the job was August 1st. I will continue to work closely with youth and families in this position, with an aim to expand and grow the youth ministry. I will also be involved on the church session, with the ability to make motions and vote. I look forward to an increase in my preaching opportunities here over time, and I just might even get the opportunity to pursue PhD work too. The Lord has been incredibly gracious in calling me and my family to serve this congregation. I will be working under and with the senior pastor, Rev. Freddy Fritz - I have much to learn from him.
Future Ruminations
As I settle in here I will not have much spare time to post, but I do hope to squeeze in a few posts before the delivery of my 3rd child in November - it’s a girl! After that there will be another hiatus, of course. But between now and then, I’m planning to compose several book reviews that may or may not turn into fodder for future reflections. I will probably not get through all of these this year, but my intention is to draw from this diverse list of books for the foreseeable future. Stay Tuned!
Enduring Divine Absence by Joseph Minich (expanding on my most recent post)
A Learned Discourse on Justification by Richard Hooker (this will almost certainly spill over into ruminations on the newly translated and published Confession of the Christian Religion by Girolamo Zanchi)
The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCraken (along with his newer book, Scrolling Ourselves to Death)
These two books were quite challenging and refreshing. There is much to ponder in terms of application.
Chastity by Erik Varden
Leadership and Emotional Sabotage by Joe Rigney
I have not finished reading these books just yet:
Reformed Catholicity by Michael Allen & Scott Swain
Patience by David Baily Harned
A Heart Aflame for God by Matthew Bingham
The Christian’s Daily Walk by Henry Scudder
Participation in God by Andrew Davison