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Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day are the traditional Rogation Days in our Church.  In ancient times, these days were observed by fasting in preparation to celebrate the Ascension and farmers often had their crops blessed by a priest.  Those who live in urban areas today are at a distance from the places where their food is grown and our connection to the cycles of seedtime and harvest has changed.  So, Rogation Days take on a different and perhaps greater meaning.  Not only do we ask for a blessing on the fields and those who tend them to produce the food that we will eventually eat, we also ask for a blessing on all creation and those of us who understand ourselves to be stewards of it.  It is a time when God can speak to us in new ways about our lives and the life we share with other living things.

Last September 13, Hurricane Ike covered the lawn and gardens of our Galveston home with  twenty-four inches of water.  We were not sure if any of our trees, grass, or plants would survive.  Our concerns were heightened as we watched to see if the beautiful live oak trees on Broadway from 6th to 59th Streets were going to make it.  The jury is still out on those trees and many like them along Galveston streets and avenues.

Happily, Gay and I are witnessing the rebirth of our lawn and garden.  We are amazed at the resiliency of these growing things.  I've posted a new photo album showing some examples.  You'll find the link in the column to the right.

Some say that the reason our trees and plants are coming back is that we kept them watered before and after the storm, in contrast to the Broadway live oaks, which were not watered last summer and were experiencing drought-like conditions before Ike.  Their root system was so thirsty that it soaked up the first water that came along, salt and all.

Likewise, when our spiritual and emotional thirsts are not satisfied for long periods of time, we become vulnerable.  We drink in whatever looks like refreshment even if it is polluted.  On the other hand, when our thirst for God and wholesome human companionship is regularly satisfied, we are less likely to drink in that which is harmful to us.

The fruitfulness of our Galveston garden is an epiphany for me, reminding me to refresh myself daily from the springs of living water offered in abundance by Jesus Christ and to stay connected to true friends.  When I do, I will be less vulnerable when I am offered a substitute for the real thing.

Rogationtide 2009

Several friends have asked for an update on my vocational status:

* I AM NOT RETIRED!  That's another dozen years in the future.

* However, my ministry at Galveston's Trinity Episcopal Church concluded April 30, after a great sabbatical and a wonderful farewell event.

* I am seeking a position as a full time intentional interim  rector and am in conversation with four very interesting churches in various parts of the country.

* Our Galveston house is on the market.

* Gay will continue to teach 9th grade English at Texas City High School, at least until the house is sold.

* Our bishops and friends are incredibly supportive as we move through this transition.

* As soon as we know what God has in store for us, I will let you all know.

* Please remember us if you hear of a church in need of an interim and keep us in your prayers.

I was recently asked what aspects of the Episcopal Church I value and find life-giving and what about it calls me deeper into my relationship with God.  I'd like to share my answer with you.

The Episcopal Church fosters communities of followers of Jesus Christ where “all sorts and conditions of people” are welcome and no one is an outcast.  Those communities encourage each person to be transformed by openness to the wonder and mystery of God’s hand at work in the universe in which we live.  Our corporate worship and sacramental life give us sustenance for the spiritual journey and for service to the world.  By promoting the dynamic relationship of scripture, tradition, and reason, the Episcopal Church provides a broad “middle way” that allows diversity, resists dogmatic certainty, and encourages thoughtful conversation about what God is calling us to be and do.  Our oneness and our mission are not grounded in uniformity of belief, but in gathering for a feast at the invitation of the One who is the Way, Truth, and Life we seek.

Because of our roots in The Church of England, The Episcopal Church is also an Anglican Church.  As Anglicans, our descent from the Early Church is as direct as that of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.  At the same time, we share a common heritage with Reformed churches.  There are many desirable aspects of this “middle way” and three of them are especially important in my own journey to find and be found by God.

The Book of Common Prayer – The Book of Common Prayer is unique to our Anglican heritage and central to our structure and practice. The Book of Common Prayer provides a framework for our common life by providing central instructions in the Christian faith, requirements for our liturgical and sacramental life, and guidance for living as Anglican Christians.  Certainly, we have canons that govern many aspects of our corporate life.  But our unity is grounded not in polity but in common prayer.  The Church forms and shapes us individually as Christians and the prayer book provides the necessary cohesiveness that preserves corporate faith and order.

Our approach to reading and interpreting the Holy Bible – Avoiding biblical literalism and affirming the necessity of looking at scripture through the lenses of reason and tradition are hallmarks of our Anglican heritage.  We read and interpret the Bible for ourselves, but within the context of a gracious and redemptive community where our interpretations are tested and refined using this approach.  This helps us avoid not only error but also the narrow judgmentalism and pharisaism that has driven many away from life in Christ.  Our approach to scripture helps us explore both ancient truth and God’s unfolding self disclosure in our own place and time.

The possibility of following a spiritual path within an organized church – I find myself in company with many souls in this emerging era who are seeking to be a part of a diverse, inclusive, authentic community of believers with whom they can approach spiritual concerns, wrestle with doubt, live with mystery, and cope with ambiguity.  People are not looking so much for answers as for others with whom they can explore their own stories at the intersection with the story of humanity and with the ancient story of faith in God.  The openness of the Episcopal Church to questions, fresh revelations, and ancient teachings is inviting to me and will be inviting to the emerging generation of people on their spiritual journeys.

It's not a perfect church.  But it has a lot to commend it for anyone seeking an open minded, inclusive, non dogmatic approach to being a Christian.

Letters of Recommendation

The Very Reverend Ronald D. Pogue is a retired intentional interim minister in The Episcopal Church. Prior to retirement, he was Interim Rector at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Keller, Texas, Interim Dean at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Jackson, Mississippi, Interim Dean at Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver, Colorado. He also served as Interim Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, Wyoming, Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Calvary Episcopal Church in Ashland, Kentucky, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lexington, Kentucky, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Kansas. Before entering interim ministry, he was Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas, and Canon Missioner at Houston’s Christ Church Cathedral. For twenty-five years Ron was a United Methodist Pastor.

A native of Houston, Ron holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston, a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Houston Graduate School of Theology. His doctoral project, “Equipping and Empowering Christian Leaders in the Congregation” reflects his conviction that in Baptism all Christians receive the same blessing and are called to the same ministry. He has been a credentialed mediator and has been trained and certified in transitional ministry as a Professional Transitional Specialist by the Interim Ministry Network. His emphasis in ministry has been in the areas of stewardship, Christian formation, and evangelism. He has been a leader in the Church’s response to social concerns and advocacy for marginalized people in our society, including refugees, homeless persons, the unemployed, the mentally ill and handicapped, and persons with HIV/AIDS.

Ron is the creator and moderator of Unapologetically Episcopalian, a Facebook page devoted to celebrating the many positive ways the Episcopal Church is spreading the gospel.  He has been Dean of his convocation, a member of the Executive Board, chair of the Diocesan AIDS Commission, and Diocesan Ecumenical Officer. He has served two terms on the board of the Texas Conference of Churches. Representing the Church in service to the community, Ron has chaired the boards of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, the Mental Health Association of Houston and Harris County, Houston Graduate School of Theology, and the Galveston Chapter of the American Heart Association. His community leadership has been recognized by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National Association of Social Workers.

Details about his places of ministry are available in his resume HERE

In describing his personal mission and values, Ron stated, “I am called to foster hope, lead change, inspire action, and glorify God in the service of the Gospel of Christ, for the building up of the Church, and for the sake of the world. The promises I made at my ordination provide a rule of life: listen to others, study and teach, work collaboratively, become who and what I am, remain in intimate relationship with God.”

Ron and his wife, Gay, have been married for fifty-two years. Gay retired in 2010 after teaching ninth grade English for twenty-eight years and is a writer, artist, and iconographer. They are the parents of two grown sons.

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    When I was a teenager living in Houston, my family belonged to the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church places great emphasis upon Christian formation and youth ministry.  Although my home parish was small, it was generous in the things it did to help us grow in our faith.  My youth group was often invited to events with other youth in and around Houston.  During one of those events, I had an enormous personal epiphany concerning the Incarnation.  The realization that God’s love for me and for all creation is most perfectly expressed in this way moved me then and moves me still.

    Not long afterwards, I was invited by a friend to attend a service at the Episcopal Church.  It was another personal epiphany.  Although I was very happy with my own church, I went to the Episcopal Church every time there was an opportunity.  The liturgy and the sacramental life spoke to me in a particular way and I appreciated what I came to know as the via media.  I think I knew even then on some level that I was an Anglican in both heart and mind.

    On Maundy Thursday of 1966 when I was a high school senior, I attended a service at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston.  During that service, I had a clear sense of a vocation for ordained ministry.  Because of family considerations, I pursued my vocation in the United Methodist Church. Following graduation from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, I was ordained and had a fruitful ministry in that church for twenty-five years.

    While I was a pastor in the United Methodist Church, I would occasionally think about exploring ministry in the Episcopal Church.  This always seemed to happen at times when I was discouraged or unhappy.  I always had good arguments for staying where I was and God never allowed me to leave in such a spiritual condition.  Then, on a Friday in September of 1995, at a time when I was very contented in my ministry and following a conversation with a lady about her rector having been called to a parish in another city, I found myself thinking of the Episcopal ministry again.  I immediately started reviewing my usual arguments for the status quo.  None of them worked any longer.  Something had changed within me.  That led to a time of discernment with my wife and the Episcopal Bishop of Texas, The Right Reverend Claude E. Payne.

    We met with the Commission on Ministry, I took the General Ordination Exam, and underwent the customary medical, psychological, and background checks.  While Gay and I were prepared to spend a year in the Anglican Studies program at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, the bishop and commission did not think it was necessary.

    On May 28 of the following year, I delivered my retirement speech at the Methodist Annual Conference in the morning and Bishop Payne received us into the Episcopal Church in his chapel that same afternoon.  At the invitation of The Very Reverend Walter H. Taylor, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, and with the consent of Bishop Payne, I was given an opportunity to serve for three years on the staff of Christ Church Cathedral, returning to my spiritual home.  I was ordained Deacon, then Priest, and accepted a call to be Rector of Galveston’s Trinity Church nine years ago. 

    The journey to the Episcopal Priesthood was one filled with many miraculous manifestations of God’s hand at work in my life and in the life of my family.  God opened doors and invited me to walk through them from one place of ministry to another.  Colleagues and friends graciously supported my transition in ways I never could have imagined.  Gay has walked beside me every step of the way.

    The United Methodist Church gave me a theological education and provided a place of ministry for me.  In that experience, I had more than my share of victories and probably fewer than my share of disappointments.  I am grateful to God for those years and all the people who were a part of that season of my life.

    The Episcopal Church welcomed me with my prior experience and added to it the unique gifts of its communion – The Book of Common Prayer, the sacramental life, the historic episcopate, the practical governance, and the Anglican Communion.  Now, fourteen years after that transition, I am more convinced than ever of the rightness of my discernment.  I look to the future with a firm commitment to serving this Church with steadfast devotion and a prayer that, with God’s help, my ministry will be fruitful.

    It seems to me that there are things God wants accomplished specifically through the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.  There are countless souls who are hungry for a Church that presents the Gospel the way we do.  God will bless our efforts if we will remain focused on the mission to which he calls us and avoid anything that distracts us from it or separates us from one another.

Consecration Sunday Sermon 2015

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, Wyoming

Founders’ Day Sermon 2013

Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Easter Sermon 2013

Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Sermon for Epiphany 3B 2012

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Kentucky

Christmas Eve Sermon 2008

Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas

Sermon for October 18, 2008

Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas

Sermon for August 17, 2098

Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas

This is an interesting event for Holy Saturday.  Wish I could attend!

Between Death and Resurrection: Where Did Jesus Go?
Holy Saturday at Faith House, Manhattan
274 Fifth Ave, between 29th and 30th   
New York, NY
Saturday, April 11, 2009   
5:00pm – 6:30pm

Speakers: John Snodgrass, Samir Selmanovic, Bowie Snodgrass and Mujadid Shah

The Apostles' Creed's most controversial phrase tells us Jesus "descended into hell." Orthodox icons depict the "Harrowing of Hell", showing Jesus pull Adam and Eve out of Sheol. Some believe Jesus died on Good Friday and only rose in sensationalized stories told later. Others believe Jesus survived the crucifixion and spent the rest of his life traveling outside the Roman Empire, dying finally an old man in India.

Come hear about these traditions – and what the Bible tells us – in a contemplative service with ample silence.

People of all faiths and no faith at all are welcome to come reflect on these possibilities in an evening vigil led by Christians and Muslims in the Faith House Community, on this Holiest Saturday in the Christian year, the day before Christ arose.

Email Contact:  Bowie Snodgrass

* photo from flickr.com/photos/jimforest

That's Dallas down below the wing of an aircraft. 

I took this picture from my seat aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas to Houston on Friday night.  My eye thought we were perfectly still but my iPhone thought we were moving about 200 miles per hour.  I often think we are not making any progress while, from the perspective of other people, we are changing things at a breakneck speed.

It's how you look at it.

That doesn't mean that perception is reality but it does mean that each of us perceives reality in a different way.  When we share our different perspectives, look at reality through the eyes of the other, eventually we gain insight and understanding.  Eyes are opened, we see more clearly, hearts and minds are transformed, things are changed, and a new reality emerges.

It's how you look at it.

Brian McLaren

Here, from my notes, is the gist of Brian McLaren's March 9 presentation at The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin.

In this time of extraordinary change, the Episcopal Church has

ADVANTAGES

~ A Via Media Mindset (many never surrendered to modern reductionism)
~ A Celtic Mindset (vestiges of non-Roman Christianity, non-imperial expression of faith)
~ A Diverse Mindset (space to differ)
~ A Liturgical Mindset (space to experience God, portal & exercises for experience of God)

DISADVANTAGES
~ An Upper Class Mindset (elitist, civilized, uniform, colonial)
~ An Institutional Mindset (centralized, controlled, change-resistant, risk-aversive)
~ A Christendom Mindset (people ought to come to US)
~ A Bi-Polar Mindset (Liberal vs. Conservative, etc.)

In order to overcome the disadvantages and leverage the advantages, the Episcopal Church needs

~ A "Bring Them In" spirit
~ A "Let's Experiment" spirit
~ A "We're Beginning Again" spirit
~ A "Transcend & Include" spirit
~ The Holy Spirit

There is no cosmetic or surgical solution to our problems.

We need a radically new/bold understanding of the Gospel.

The Gospel is NOT about self-enhancement.  It is about "God so loved the world."

The church does not have a message of the kingdom of God, the message has a church to deliver it.

It is not about getting people into heaven, but getting heaven into people – getting the heavenly will done on earth.

What kind of example are YOU?

Would you rather be motivated by desperate necessity or surging creativity?

What would it take for you to be excited about inviting your friends to church?

Our work is forming disciples as agents of the kingdom of God.

Plant new congregations: new ones innovate, old ones imitate.

Find out what "Anglimergent" means…

We need to stop being worried about being Episcopalians and start worrying about people who've written off Christianity as they know it.

The Baptismal Covenant (BCP) is our strategic plan:
~ We believe the story! (Apostles' Creed)
~ We will practice what the story tells us.
~ We will embrace a personal spirituality.
~ We will share the good news liberally.
~ We will work for peace and justice.

We need to abandon civil religion, which blesses and validates the state, and embrace prophetic religion, which may confront the state.  Dr. King had it right, the church should not be either the servant or the master of the state.  It should be the conscience (and imagination) of the state.

We need to avoid sub-contracting our conscience.

We need to stop making "The Church" the issue and make "Jesus Christ" the gift we offer.

RDP+