“Living Legacy” Church Legacy & Closure Resource (2025 Edition)
Contributor & Consultant
Chapter Author:
“Legacy Inherited, Legacy Futured”
“The Role of the Legacy Pastor”
At the invitation of Rev. Dr. Dave Schoen, I had the honor of contributing two chapters to the updated edition of this innovative and valuable resource from the United Church of Christ Church Building & Loan Fund. This workbook provides vital resources for congregations considering or pursuing closure (Legacy) authored by experts in the field. I highly recommend this resource for all congregations — even if (especially if!) your church is healthy and vital.
Order your paper or digital copy from UCC Resources: Living Legacy (2025 Edition)
From the resource website:
In this resource you will find:
CHECKLIST for Legacy and Church Completion
GUIDELINES FOR CONVERSATIONS on church completion and legacy
DISCUSSION of the role of the pastor in church completion and legacy planning
ADVICE on Financial and Property decisions
INFORMATION on Legal Issues and Concerns
STUDIES on current realities of church status in today’s culture
BIBLICAL REFLECTION for study and use in congregations
RESOURCES to help you address church completion and legacy
EXAMPLES of churches completing their ministries and legacies
The LIVING LEGACY RESOURCE is for you as:
A CHURCH LEADER, MEMBER OR PASTOR
AN INTERIM MINISTER OR SEMINARY STUDENT
A JUDICATORY OR NATIONAL CHURCH LEADER
A MEMBER OF A JUDICATORY OR NATIONAL COMMITTEE
UCC StillSpeaking Writers’ Group
Daily Devotionals
Since late 2021, I have had the opportunity to be a regular contributor to the United Church of Christ’s StillSpeaking Writers’ Group. This collection of writers creates content for the emailed Daily Devotionals, as well as pieces for seasonal devotional booklets for Advent, Lent, and other occasions. Booklets can be ordered through The Pilgrim Press, and Daily Devotionals can be found here.
All of My Daily Devotional Submissions (Theoretically updated as they are published, but not listed chronologically for some reason.)
Some of My Favorites:
“Your Body is Not a Burden” (June 7, 2024)
"Yes, You Do" (January 11, 2024)
"Never Really Nothing" (December 27, 2023 + Advent Booklet 2022)
"Cry Out Like the Wilderness is Listening" (December 10, 2023 + Advent Booklet 2022)
"In the Valley of Former Things" (September 18, 2023)
"Accidental Cannibals" (September 24, 2021)
"Tomorrow's Worries Today" (October 24, 2021)
"Thy Kin-Dom Come" (November 21, 2021)
Special Publications
“God is Still Speaking: 365 Daily Devotionals” (Second Edition, 2024)
“Do This: Communion For Just And Courageous Living” (J. Mary Luti, Editor)
“Hard and Holy: Devotions for Parenting”
Interviews: Coaching For Interims
I was invited to chat with Rev. Dr. Jim Latimer for his “Wisdom From the Field” collection, a part of his larger Coaching for Interims project. Rev. Dr. Latimer has developed an incredible resource for both transitional pastors and church leaders, and I encourage you to explore his work. Click the links below to have a listen or read the transcripts.
"Why I'm Drawn to Serving as a Designated Term Pastor"
"My 4 or 5 Key Questions to Help Congregations Discern Their Future"
Just For Fun
The necessity of moving our worship services online during early COVID called for creativity, and kindled some outright silliness. I decided to make good use of my LEGO collection, and created a few LEGO scripture stories. I also made these available for other churches to use in their worship. Sadly, I was passed over for an animated short film Academy Award, yet the joy of producing these videos was reward enough.
