Day 3: FTE Leaders in Ministry

I have few words on the last full day of the FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference. So much of what I learned today I cannot communicate via this medium. Suffice it to say, my time here in Nashville has been some of the most transformative of my life. Some highlights from today? Here’s one. A few dozen of us began the day sitting down with Bob Hercules and the subject of his documentary Radical Disciple Father Mike Pfleger. You might remember Father Pfleger for some comments regarding white entitlement and Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential primaries. I would like to assure you that Father Pfleger is so much more than that single sound byte. The man that we had the unbelievable pleasure to meet cares deeply for his community and loves them more than most ministers I have ever met. His humility despite his publicity was profound. His dedication despite opposition was inspiring. Father Pfleger isn’t perfect, and that’s something he would readily tell you. But he is one of the most vocal bits of our conscience still shouting to the heart of the Church today (both in his Roman Catholic Church and all of ours).

I’d like to thank the Fund for Theological Education for this wonderful opportunity and my new peers I got to meet this week for the change and passion they have instilled in me for my vocation and future.

Amen. Thanks be to God.